Transportation Guide: Getting to and from Islamabad, Pakistan

Long distance transport to and from Islamabad usually comes in and out of neighboring Rawalpindi. Often called simply "Pindi" by locals, Rawalpindi serves as the transport hub for the twin cities, effectively keeping all the chaos of bus stations and train stations out of the pristine capital.

By Bus

Pir Wadahi serves as a major transport hub for the region. Located in Rawalpindi not far from the motorway entrance, at Pir Wadahi you can find onward transport to pretty much anywhere in Pakistan at any time of the day. Buses and minivans notoriously leave behind schedule or wait until they are full to depart. Waterproof your bags, as on some buses luggage is strapped to the roof. The whole lot of luggage is covered with a tarp, but extra protection for your bag can help you avoid having a soppy sack full of clothes at the end of your journey. "AC" buses, air conditioned ones, are usually of better quality than non-AC buses. One company I'd recommend, and that can be booked ahead of time by phone, is NATCO. From Pir Wadahi you can easily grab a taxi to Islamabad. As rickshaws cannot travel to the capital, taxi drivers have a monopoly and you may find the prices higher than in other Pakistani cities.

The most comfortable way to travel by bus to and from Rawalpindi/Islamabad is by Daewoo. Daewoo has its own station a few miles away from the frenetic Pir Wadahi. You can book Daewoo bus seats two days ahead of your journey and pre-pay for your tickets at the nearest station if desired. When you book a seat, you will be a given your seat number. Jot this down as you'll need it when you pick up and pay for your ticket. Daewoo buses are air-conditioned, have female hostesses and serve snacks during the ride. Pillows are provided and solo female travelers are always booked to sit with other women in a "lady seat." Daewoo also has a private shuttle bus from it's Pindi station to central Islamabad. You can book a seat on the shuttle or just wait for the next available seat. Alternatively, there are always taxi drivers hovering around the Daewoo station waiting for customers.

By Train

While those who can afford it usually prefer to travel by bus, train travel is also an option. Rawalpindi's station serves both Pindi and Islamabad, and there are several classes of travel available. For short journeys, one of the more comfortable options is the "parlour car," while for longer journeys the AC sleeper cars are most comfortable. If you book a first class ticket, make sure that it is first-class AC, and not an older, decrepit first class car without AC. Tickets can be purchased at the train station, although some Western travelers have reported being refused train tickets due to security concerns. From the Pindi train station, you can easily grab a taxi to get to Islamabad.

By Air

Officially known as Benazir Bhutto International Airport, Islamabad's airport is located between Rawalpindi and the capital. Flying in and out of here can involved significantly more security checks than other airports in Pakistan as the country's top diplomats and bureaucrats are likely to be your fellow passengers. Some international airlines, including British Airways, have suspended flights to Islamabad due to security concerns. Pakistani airlines plying domestic routes include PIA and Air Blue. Air Blue offers heavily discounted online air tickets, although I'd be slow to use AirBlue for an international flight. For a quick flight where you shouldn't need to use the loo, Air Blue is a good bargain. If you're going to the Northern Areas, your only option is PIA.

References & more information:

Pakistan Railways

Air Blue

Pakistan International Airways

NATCO (Northern Areas Transport Company)

Daewoo Bus Company

slamabad International Airport