Lahore to Karachi in just 5 hours: All you need to know about Pakistan's first bullet train

Dubai: Pakistan Railways has revealed plans for the country’s first bullet train, aiming to slash travel time between Lahore and Karachi from nearly 20 hours to just 5 by 2030.

The project, part of the $6.8 billion Main Line-1 (ML-1) upgrade under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), is being hailed as the boldest transport initiative in Pakistan’s history.

Pakistan Railways Minister Hanif Abbasi, who announced the plan earlier this year, said the high-speed rail would not only modernise Pakistan’s ageing railway network but also provide a cheaper and faster alternative to air travel. The project will be executed with the support of Chinese firms, including the China Railway Construction Corporation.

The bullet train will operate along a 1,215-kilometre route between Karachi and Lahore, with major stops in Hyderabad, Multan, and Sahiwal. Designed for speeds of up to 250km/h, the train will cut the journey down to five hours, compared to the current 18—22 hours on express services like the Green Line.

Ticket prices are expected to range between PKR 5,000 and 10,000 for economy and business class, far below average airfare (PKR 20,000—30,000), making it accessible to students, professionals, and families, according to Pakistani media.

The ML-1 upgrade includes laying double tracks, rebuilding old bridges, and installing advanced signalling systems to replace Pakistan’s century-old rail infrastructure, currently limited to 60—105km/h.

Earlier this year, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has already greenlit the Lahore—Rawalpindi Bullet Train Project. The proposed rail link is expected to reduce travel time between the two major cities to just two and a half hours, a dramatic improvement from the current four to five hours journey.

Beyond faster travel, the project is projected to create thousands of jobs during construction and operation, boost regional trade, and increase Pakistan’s freight rail share from 4% to 20% by 2030. It is also expected to reduce reliance on costly road transport, saving billions in fuel imports.

If completed on schedule, the Lahore—Karachi bullet train will redefine how Pakistanis travel, offering an affordable, high-speed option rivalling air travel. Officials say the initiative could also strengthen Pakistan’s role in regional trade by linking eventually to a future Kashgar—Karachi rail line under CPEC.

“This project is not just about reducing travel time. It’s about reshaping Pakistan’s economy, creating opportunities, and connecting people like never before,” said Abbasi.