Travelling from Rawalpindi to Islamabad International Airport by metro bus is one of the cheapest ways to reach your flight, and it needs just one change of bus along the way. You start on the Red Line in Rawalpindi, ride towards Islamabad, and change to the Orange Line at the Faiz Ahmed Faiz station near Peshawar Mor. From there, the Orange Line runs all the way to the airport terminal, so you never need a taxi for the full journey.
The first leg is the familiar Red Line, which runs between Saddar in Rawalpindi and Pak Secretariat in Islamabad, covering around 22.5 kilometres and 24 stations. Board at Saddar terminal, or at any Murree Road station such as Marir Hassan, Liaquat Bagh, Committee Chowk, Waris Khan or Chandni Chowk, and stay on the bus through Faizabad and IJP Road. Your stop for the change is Faiz Ahmed Faiz station at Peshawar Mor, which was turned into the interchange between the Red Line and the Orange Line.
Changing to the Orange Line at Peshawar Mor
At Faiz Ahmed Faiz station, follow the signs for the Orange Line and board a bus heading towards Islamabad International Airport. The Orange Line covers around 25.6 kilometres from Peshawar Mor to the airport, and its main stops include NHA, G-10, Police Foundation, NUST, G-13, Golra and N-5 before the airport station itself. Buses on this section typically run every 5 to 10 minutes, so even if you just miss one, the next one is usually not far behind.
The whole journey takes noticeably longer than a taxi, so give yourself plenty of time before a flight. As a rough guide, allow at least two hours for the bus journey itself, plus the time you need for check-in and security at the airport. If you are travelling with heavy luggage, keep bags close and use the lifts and escalators at the stations where they are available, and try to avoid the morning and evening rush hours when buses are most crowded.
Timings, Fare and Ticket Tips
Metro buses in the twin cities generally run from around 6:15 AM to around 10:00 PM, with the Orange Line running in the same daytime window. That means the metro bus suits most daytime and evening flights, but it is not an option for very early morning or late-night departures, when you will need a taxi or ride-hailing car instead. Timings can change on public holidays or during special events, so check the current schedule at the station before an important trip.
Fares on the metro bus are low, but published figures differ between sources, so confirm the current fare at the station ticket counter before you travel. Older official guides list a small flat fare for the Red Line, while some 2026 guides list higher figures for the Orange Line section, and you pay separately for each leg of the journey. Buy a single-ride token or use a rechargeable metro bus card at the station, keep your token safe until you exit, and remember that you must complete each leg within the time limit printed on the ticket rules.
Is the Metro Bus Right for Your Flight?
For solo travellers and families with light luggage, the metro bus is hard to beat on price, and the route is simple enough even for a first-time visitor to follow. The interchange at Faiz Ahmed Faiz is well signposted, the airport station drops you close to the terminal, and the fixed route avoids the traffic jams that can make a taxi journey unpredictable. Just remember to start early, keep your flight’s check-in deadline in mind, and have a backup taxi option ready in case of a service disruption.
If your flight leaves very early, very late, or you are carrying a lot of luggage, a taxi or ride-hailing car may still be the more comfortable choice. For everyone else, though, the Saddar to airport metro bus journey is a straightforward, budget-friendly way to travel across the twin cities. Board the Red Line, change once at Peshawar Mor, and ride the Orange Line straight to Islamabad International Airport.