Islamabad to Kohat Bus Ticket Price, Online Booking, Timing
The Islamabad to Kohat ticket price starts at about Rs 900 on standard seated coaches and rises to roughly Rs 1,800 for Daewoo Luxury. The journey covers around 180 km through Peshawar or over the Kohat pass and takes three to three and a half hours.
Short answer: the Islamabad to Kohat bus ticket price runs from about Rs 900 on local seated coaches to about Rs 1,800 for Daewoo Express Luxury, with Niazi Express around Rs 1,200. The run takes three to three and a half hours, and there are fewer daily departures here than on the Peshawar corridor, so checking the schedule is worth the minute.
Islamabad to Kohat ticket price by operator
Kohat is a garrison and junction town rather than a corridor stop, so the Islamabad to Kohat ticket price is set by a smaller field of operators than the distance alone would suggest.
| Bus operator | Class | Route | Journey time | Ticket price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local coaches from Pirwadhai | Standard seated, some not air conditioned | Rawalpindi to Kohat via Peshawar | 3h 30m | Rs 900 |
| Niazi Express | Luxury, air conditioned | Islamabad to Kohat | 3h | Rs 1,200 |
| Skyways | Luxury, air conditioned | Rawalpindi and Islamabad to Kohat | 3h 15m | Rs 1,350 |
| Daewoo Express | Luxury, air conditioned | Islamabad Faizabad to Kohat | 3h 15m | Rs 1,800 |
Fares are indicative published prices and vary with class, season, fuel adjustments and demand. Your live, confirmed fare appears on the seat map before payment.
Two roads, and the shorter one is not always faster
Kohat can be reached either by running to Peshawar and turning south through the Kohat tunnel, or on the more direct road through the plateau. The tunnel route is longer in kilometres but usually quicker and more predictable, which is why most scheduled operators use it. If a service is quoted at three hours, it is almost certainly going via Peshawar.
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Which is the best bus service from Islamabad to Kohat
Three named operators work this route, and the difference between them is frequency and onward reach more than seat quality.
Niazi Express
The widest network on this side of the country at over 150 destinations, which matters here because Kohat is a junction. Luxury seating at the lower end of the branded fares.
From Rs 1,200
Skyways
Runs from both Rawalpindi and Islamabad, and has a long standing presence across the KP districts. The easiest to book at short notice.
From Rs 1,350
Daewoo Express
Proper terminals at both ends and the most predictable timing, at double the local coach fare. Daewoo also serves Karak and Hangu, which is useful if Kohat is not the end of the trip.
From Rs 1,800
Our verdict
Niazi Express at Rs 1,200 is the right booking on this corridor. It is air conditioned, it is the fastest scheduled option, and its network is the one most likely to ticket you through to Hangu, Karak or Bannu without rebooking. Daewoo is a Rs 600 premium for a terminal, which is harder to justify on a three hour run than on an overnight one.
Islamabad to Kohat bus timings
Islamabad to Kohat bus timings are thinner than the Peshawar timetable, so unlike the shorter KP routes this is one to plan rather than turn up for.
Early morning
6:00 AM to 9:00 AMThe strongest band, arriving in Kohat before midday and leaving time for an onward connection.
Midday
10:00 AM to 3:00 PMFewer departures than on the Peshawar corridor, though seats are usually available on the day.
Evening
4:00 PM to 8:00 PMThe return peak, and the last practical window if you want to arrive in daylight.
Busy periods
Eid and posting seasonKohat is a garrison town, so the corridor tightens around Eid and at the start and end of posting cycles.
Islamabad and Kohat terminals
Pirwadhai carries most of the Kohat traffic, with Faizabad handling the branded services.
Faizabad and Pirwadhai
- Daewoo Express and Niazi Express
- Board around Faizabad, on the metro line and easier from the Islamabad sectors.
- Local coaches and Skyways
- Pirwadhai in Rawalpindi, where the counter-sold seats are found.
- Worth knowing
- Pirwadhai has more Kohat departures, though fewer of them are air conditioned.
Kohat terminals
- Set down
- The general bus stand handles most arrivals, with Daewoo running its own terminal.
- Onward connections
- Hangu, Karak, Bannu, Lakki Marwat and Parachinar all run from the Kohat stands.
- Worth knowing
- Onward departures thin out after dark, so travel in the morning if you are connecting.
The two roads to Kohat
Which road your Islamabad to Kohat bus takes decides both the journey time and where it stops on the way.
- Islamabad and Rawalpindi Departures from Faizabad and Pirwadhai, concentrated in the morning and evening bands.
- Via Peshawar and the Kohat tunnel Longer in distance but faster and more predictable, which is why most scheduled services use it.
- Via the plateau road More direct on the map and slower in practice, used mainly by local services.
- Darra Adam Khel The last significant point before Kohat on the tunnel road.
- Kohat Arrival at the general bus stand, three to three and a half hours after departure.
If you are approaching from the west instead, the Peshawar to Kohat fares cover the shorter southern leg of the same road.
Bus or train from Islamabad to Kohat
Kohat sits off the working passenger network, which narrows this comparison considerably.
Bus
Rs 900from, one way
Direct air conditioned services with onward connections to Hangu, Karak, Bannu and Parachinar from the same stands.
The only practical scheduled option.
Train
Not availableno passenger connection
There is no working passenger rail link into Kohat from the capital, so any rail attempt ends in a road leg anyway.
Not an alternative on this pair.
Islamabad to Kohat bus FAQs
What is the Islamabad to Kohat bus ticket price?
Fares run from about Rs 900 on local seated coaches to about Rs 1,800 for Daewoo Express Luxury. Niazi Express sits around Rs 1,200 and Skyways around Rs 1,350.
How long does the Islamabad to Kohat bus take?
Three to three and a half hours for roughly 180 km. Services routed through Peshawar and the Kohat tunnel are usually quicker than those taking the more direct plateau road.
Which is the best bus service from Islamabad to Kohat?
Niazi Express for price, speed and onward network reach. Skyways for departure choice, and Daewoo Express if you want proper terminals and the most predictable timing.
Do buses go via Peshawar?
Most scheduled services do, turning south through the Kohat tunnel. It is longer in distance than the plateau road but faster and more reliable, which is why the operators prefer it.
Can I continue to Hangu, Karak or Bannu from Kohat?
Yes, all of those plus Lakki Marwat and Parachinar run from the Kohat stands. Travel in the morning, because onward departures thin out sharply after dark.
Do I need to book in advance?
It is worth checking the schedule, since departures are less frequent here than on the Peshawar corridor. Book ahead around Eid and at the start and end of posting cycles.
Related routes and operators
Kohat and southern KP routes
Operator fare lists
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