Punjab is Pakistan's most populous province, a fertile plain fed by five rivers in the eastern part of the country. Home to the historic capital of the Mughal empire in Lahore, the province blends grand Mughal architecture, bustling bazaars, and vast agricultural land with modern industrial cities such as Faisalabad and Sialkot. Punjab is the cultural and economic heartland of Pakistan, known for its cuisine, festivals, Sufi shrines, and the ceremonial border crossing at Wagah.
- Public
- Pakistan Railways links Punjab's main cities (Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi) with several daily trains, and intercity coach operators such as Daewoo Express run frequent, comfortable AC coaches between them. Within cities, public transport is limited mostly to Lahore, which has the Metrobus (Green Line) and Orange Line Metro Train; other cities rely on rickshaws, vans, and ride-hailing.
- Taxi
- Metered yellow taxis and app-based ride-hailing (mainly inDrive and Yango) are the most practical way to get around Punjab's cities; agreeing a fare in advance is standard practice, especially for airport transfers and longer trips.
- Rental
- Self-drive car rental exists in Lahore and Islamabad but is uncommon for tourists; most visitors instead hire a car with driver for day trips and intercity travel, which is affordable and avoids unfamiliar traffic conditions.
- Walking
- Old city cores such as Lahore's Walled City are dense and best explored on foot, but most of urban Punjab is built around motor traffic, with few pedestrian-friendly footpaths, so walking between sights outside historic quarters is not practical.
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
| Option | Cost | Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Overview
- Yellow metered taxis operate in Lahore, though many drivers prefer a negotiated flat fare, particularly for airport pickups and tourists. App-based ride-hailing (inDrive, Yango) has largely displaced street-hailed taxis for convenience and price transparency in the larger cities.
- Typical City Fare
- PKR 150-400 (about USD 0.55-1.45) for a short in-city trip of a few kilometers via ride-hailing app
- Airport To Center Fare
- PKR 800-1,500 (about USD 2.85-5.35) depending on the city and distance from the airport
- Tips
- Confirm the price before boarding a street taxi or rickshaw; ride-hailing apps show the fare upfront, Airport taxi ranks sometimes quote higher rates to arriving passengers; comparing against an app estimate helps avoid overpaying
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Lahore - Multan
Lahore - Faisalabad
Lahore - Rawalpindi
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Punjab is Pakistan's most populous and most connected province: Lahore, Multan, Faisalabad, and Rawalpindi/Islamabad are linked by frequent Pakistan Railways trains and AC coach services such as Daewoo Express, making intercity travel straightforward without a car. Within Lahore, the Metrobus (Green Line) and Orange Line Metro Train provide affordable public transport, but other Punjab cities depend mainly on rickshaws, ride-hailing apps (inDrive, Yango), and shared vans. A hired car with driver is the most common way for visitors to reach day-trip destinations outside the main cities, since self-drive rental is uncommon and traffic conditions can be unfamiliar to foreign visitors.
Airports
Allama Iqbal International Airport
Multan International Airport
Faisalabad International Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
inDrive
Yango
Bykea
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Agree the fare with a rickshaw or taxi driver before starting the trip; meters are inconsistently used outside Lahore's regulated taxi fleet
inDrive and Yango are the main ride-hailing apps operating across Punjab's cities in 2026; Careem exited the Pakistani ride-hailing market in July 2025
Book Daewoo Express or similar AC coach tickets online or at the terminal a day ahead on weekends and public holidays, when routes like Lahore-Multan and Lahore-Islamabad sell out
For Pakistan Railways, buy tickets at the station or via the Pakistan Railways website/app in advance for popular routes; economy class sells out first
The Lahore Orange Line Metro Train and Green Line Metrobus both charge a flat fare regardless of distance, making them the cheapest way to cross the city
Approximate exchange rate used throughout this guide: 1 USD = 280 PKR (September 2026); rates fluctuate, so travelers should check the current rate before budgeting
Traffic in Lahore, Faisalabad, and Multan is heavy at rush hour (roughly 8-10am and 5-8pm); build in extra time for road transfers during these windows