By Train, Lahore

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If you want to travel from Lahore to Karachi or vice versa by train then Karakoram Express & KARACHI EXPRESS are relatively fast & comfortable than others. They only stops on 6 stations in between Lahore-Karachi. All rail cars are new, imported from China. Seats are comfortable.

It is recommended to carry Food/Water with you because food at stations is not good.
Train also has a dining car. They offer a dinner tray for Rs. 100/- which is sufficient for a person. It is better than the food stuff purchased from hawkers at station.

1. KARAKORAM EXPRESS (KARACHI-LAHORE-KARACHI)

Departure from Lahore: 04:00 PM
Arrival at Karachi Cantt. 10:50 AM
Journey Time: 19 Hours Approx.

Departure from Karachi Cantt: 04:00 PM
Arrival At Lahore Junction: 10:25 AM
Journey Time: 18:30 Hours Approx.

2. KARACHI EXPRESS (KARACHI - LAHORE)

Departure from Lahore: 05:00 PM
Arrival at Karachi Cantt. 13:30 AM
Journey Time: 18:30 Hours Approx.

Departure from Karachi Cantt: 05:00 PM
Arrival At Lahore Junction: 11:00 AM
Journey Time: 18 Hours Approx.

FARE SCHEDULE:

ECONOMY CLASS:
Birth: Rs. 1200/- (US $ 13.20)
Seat: Rs. 1110/- (US $ 12.20)

BUSINESS CLASS:
Birth: Rs. 3500/- (US $ 38.50)
Seat: Rs. 2380/- (US $ 26.20)

RESERVATION:

RAILWAY INQUIRY: 117
Railway Station Lahore Cantt: 042-6680072
Railway Headquarters Lahore: 042-9201927
City Station Karachi Phone: 021-9213539
Cantt Station Karachi Phone: 021-9201118

pakrail.com - Pakistan Railway - Official Website
pakrail.com/traintimings.php - Train Timings - All Stations

A new Business Express Train has been started from Karachi to Lahore & Vice Versa.
Everyone is praising the train. It is luxurious train with all new Compartments. Equipped with International facilities and provides best possible safety standards.

Timings:
Total travel time: 18 hours

Departure from Lahore: 3:30 pm
Departure from Karachi: 3:30 pm

Arrival in Lahore: 10:00 am
Arrival in Karachi: 10:00 am

Train Features:

Individual cabins for 6 passengers/families.
Over-night non-stop and confortable travel.
Video and music channels on LCD for each cabin
Hi-tea, dinner, snacks and beverages served by Pearl Continental Hotel. (Included in fare)
Emergency support through onboard para-medical staff and local 1122 direct access during travelling.
Web/online reservation with home delivery and cash collection service for tickets.

Fare :

Fare includes meals, snacks, tea and beverages served by Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore.

One Way: Rs. 5,000/-
Two Way: Rs. 10,000/-

Pakistani Trains are equivalent or just better than Indian trains. President Musharaf's government is improving the system but the population of the country is huge and it will take a lot of time to improve things significantly. Still the growth rate of the country is 1.9 % every year !

In the pic you can see Parlour Class Coach of Train. I would recommend you to travel Only in PArlous Class which is considered better and higher class in train.

Lahore Railway Station is the biggest station of state owned Pakistan Railways and is located in the middle of the city. Lahore can be easily accessed by train as most of the trains bound for other cities in Pakistan start/end the route from this station. Some of the fastest trains to Lahore are:

Shalimar Express
Karakoram Express
Karachi Express
Khyber Mail

They only run once at 6something am and 4something pm, but if you are traveling to/from Islamabad/Lahore you have to experience taking the train. The seats are comfortable (I stayed in "first class"), the fare is cheap, and the food is good. It is longer than driving of course, but you get to see great scenery.

(last date took the train - Jan. 22, 2004)

Lahore (Pakistan) - New Delhi (India)

If I was not mistaken, this service was re-opened last Jan. 15, 2004 after an agreement between Pakistan & India.

Samjotha Express
Train fare - Rs 207
Mondays & Thursdays

It was really a cheap fare from Lahore to New Delhi but believe me this was my terrible travel nightmare!!! It took me 2 days before I reached New Delhi Station!!!

Immigration in both sides were the one of the slowest immigrations in the world! Never take this train again and I won't do this big mistake in my life!!! Anyhow, it was a good experience too!

Time Departed - 8:00 am (Lahore)
Time Arrived - 8:45 am at Wagah Border only

Wagah Immigration - 8:45 am to 11:30 am (for clearing all passengers)

Wagah Border - Atari Border (India) - 5 to 10 mins.

Atari Immigration - 11:30 pm - 12:30 pm (Indian time)

Atari Station - After clearing all passengers who came from Pakistan...we waited for 8 solid hours because Atari - New Delhi train will depart only at 8 pm!!!

We reached New Delhi Station the next morning at 5:04!!!

(date took the train - Jan. 18, 2004)

Lahore Station - Karachi Station

Shalimar Express
AC Lower Class

Departure Time - 07:00 am
Actual Departure Time - 07:15 am
Arrival Time - 12:30 am (Jan. 19)

Train Fare - Rs 1,090 (one way)

This is the Parlous Car Coach in Pakistani trains. They have better seats atleast than other classes which are even worst. So, i would only recommend to use trains for short distance travels. but If you are adventurous, young & energetic then u may try the other class ;-)

There are better trains operating between Lahore, Karachi & to all other major cities. There is a vast train network in Pakistan which contects nearly all the places where you could go !!! Except the mountains.

But I would recommend only to travel in 1st Class or Airconditioned class. Please do not save money to travel in trains Economy class. ickets of First Class are cheap from European or American standards. Especially, if u are white and if you would be travelling in economy class then you might be (in trouble or) feeling uncomfortable when people will come and look at you, or try to touch you or some small children might just stand there and continue staring at you for a long long time :-)

Before walking into the train just expect the worst quality conditions otherwise u will be greatly disappointed.

This is Lahore's Railway Station and it was made by Britisher in second half of 1800's. You can travel in the whole country from here.