Lahore Transportation Guide: Taxi, Rickshaw & Qingqi

You can certainly get around without having your own transport in Lahore, Pakistan. Here are three of the basic options, from the most expensive to the least expensive. You can also travel by city bus or by donkey cart.

Taxi

Taxis are not as popular in Lahore as they are in Pakistan's capital, Islamabad. Most do not have meters. Prices must be negotiated beforehand. Make sure the driver knows where you want to do and how to get there. Be prepared by knowing some landmarks near you desired destination. Taxis have been known to drive foreigners all around the city in circles just to charge them an arm and leg for getting somewhere only a few miles away. Reliable taxi services include Radio Cab & Metro Cab (111-222-787). These services charge a fixed rate. Many locals rely on them for late night or early morning transport. Call 17 to get the information directory and get the number for a Radio Cab.

Rickshaw

There are two types of rickshaws on the streets of Lahore nowadays. The green ones are equipped with CNG (certified natural gas) and can go anywhere in the city. The blue ones are powered by petrol and are not allowed in certain areas such as Defence, many parts of Cantonment, and the Mall Road among others. There were plans to ban the blue rickshaws from one of Lahore's busiest roads, Ferozepur Road, as well. If you try to take a blue rickshaw to a restricted area, you will be stopped by police and forced to walk or find a green rickshaw. This takes extra money and time. Sometimes the blue rickshaw drivers pay bribes to get in and out of restricted areas. They will expect you to pay them back.

If you plan to travel by rickshaw extensively, find a reliable driver with a mobile phone who you can contact. Many speak English and most speak Urdu quite well. If you can't communicate with a driver, find another one. There are plenty around.

In summer you may find that the doors have been taken off of some rickshaws. If you desire privacy or do not want to be stared at, wait for a rickshaw that still has its doors on. In winter most rickshaws keep their doors on since it's colder.

Qingqi (Chingchi)

These are like rickshaws but driven by a motorbike. They generally drive set routes such and bringing children to and from school. You will see xingxis packed with school children and book bags dangling from the roofs.Unlike rickshaws, qingqis do not offer the privacy of being behind closed doors. Most foreigners do not use them.

If you are planning to come to Lahore and need a reliable rickshaw or taxi driver, send me a private message so I can give you the contact number of the driver we usually use. He is always on time, very polite, and knows the city well. It took us a few months to find a great driver, but now every time we need to travel by public transport we give him a call.