Rawalpindi to Mardan Bus Ticket Price, Online Booking, Timing
The Rawalpindi to Mardan ticket price starts at about Rs 650 on a coaster and reaches Rs 1,300 for Daewoo Express. The M-1 motorway brings Mardan within about two and a half hours, and the city is the base for two of the most important Gandhara sites in Pakistan.
Short answer: Rawalpindi to Mardan costs about Rs 650 to Rs 1,300 and takes two and a quarter to two and three quarter hours, mostly on the M-1 to the Rashakai interchange and then into Mardan. Coasters and vans leave Pir Wadhai through the day. Takht-i-Bahi and Shahbaz Garhi are both a short trip from the city.
Rawalpindi to Mardan ticket price by operator
Three price points on a short motorway route.
| Bus operator | Class | Boards in Rawalpindi | Journey time | Ticket price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coasters | Standard, air conditioned | Pir Wadhai general stand | 2h 45m | Rs 650 |
| Hiace vans | Standard | Pir Wadhai general stand | 2h 30m | Rs 750 |
| Daewoo Express | Luxury, 2+2 | Own terminal, 26 Number Chungi | 2h 15m | Rs 1,300 |
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.
Coasters dominate this route
Most Rawalpindi to Mardan traffic is on coasters and vans, which are cheap and frequent. Daewoo serves the Mardan area through the Rashakai side of the motorway; check the stop list when booking.
Because most of the journey is motorway, the difference in journey time between vehicles is small.
Mardan for Takht-i-Bahi and Shahbaz Garhi
Mardan district holds some of the finest remains of the ancient Gandhara civilisation.
Takht-i-Bahi
- What
- A Buddhist monastery complex on a hilltop and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- From Mardan
- A short drive north of the city by local transport.
Shahbaz Garhi
- What
- Rock inscriptions from the reign of Emperor Ashoka.
- From Mardan
- East of the city on the road towards Swabi.
How to choose
For a day trip to the Gandhara sites, take an early coaster, then hire a local car in Mardan to visit both. For Mardan city alone, any vehicle works.
Which is the best way to travel from Rawalpindi to Mardan
A short route with simple choices.
Coaster
The most common way to Mardan, leaving Pir Wadhai through the day.
From Rs 650Hiace van
Fills fast and gets moving.
From Rs 750Daewoo Express
A full size coach on a fixed schedule.
From Rs 1,300Our verdict
Take a coaster at Rs 650 for most trips, and Daewoo when you want a fixed timetable and more space.
Rawalpindi to Mardan bus timings
Coasters and vans run from early morning until evening.
Early morning
6:00 AM to 9:00 AMBest for a day trip to Takht-i-Bahi.
Daytime
10:00 AM to 2:00 PMEasy seats, some waiting for vehicles to fill.
Evening
3:00 PM to 7:00 PMBusy with commuters. Allow extra time out of Rawalpindi.
Late
After 8:00 PMLimited. Check with drivers at the stand.
A realistic day trip
With the motorway, Rawalpindi to Mardan and back in a day is straightforward. Leave early, visit Takht-i-Bahi in the cooler morning, and return in the afternoon.
Rawalpindi and Mardan terminals
Most vehicles load at Pir Wadhai.
Rawalpindi
- Pir Wadhai general stand
- Coasters and Hiace vans, leaving as they fill.
- Daewoo Express
- Own terminal near Jhangi Syedan, 26 Number Chungi, Peshawar Road.
- Tip
- Ask for Mardan vehicles by name.
Mardan
- City stands
- Coasters and vans finish in Mardan city.
- Onward
- Local transport to Takht-i-Bahi and Shahbaz Garhi.
- Swat road
- Mardan lies on the way to Malakand and Swat.
The road from Rawalpindi to Mardan
West on the M-1 across the Potohar and the Kabul River plain, then north into Mardan.
- Rawalpindi, 26 NumberOnto the M-1, km 0.
- Burhan interchangekm 40.
- Colonel Sher Khan interchangeSwat Expressway junction, km 100.
- Rashakai interchangeExit for Mardan, km 120.
- MardanArrival about two and a half hours later, km 140.
The motorway does most of the work
Almost the whole journey is on the M-1, so timings are predictable. The slowest part is usually leaving Rawalpindi rather than anything on the motorway.
Rawalpindi to Mardan bus vs car
Road travel is the practical choice for Mardan.
Bus or coaster
Rs 650to Rs 1,300
Quick and cheap on the M-1.
Best for most.
Private car
Rs 7,000and up, one way
Lets you visit Takht-i-Bahi and Shahbaz Garhi in one day.
Best for tourists.
Cheapest way to travel from Rawalpindi to Mardan
A coaster from Pir Wadhai at around Rs 650. For a group visiting the Gandhara sites, a hired car often works out better than coasters plus local taxis.
Rawalpindi to Mardan bus FAQs
What is the Rawalpindi to Mardan bus ticket price?
About Rs 650 on a coaster, Rs 750 in a Hiace van and Rs 1,300 with Daewoo Express.
How long does it take from Rawalpindi to Mardan?
About two and a quarter to two and three quarter hours via the M-1.
How do I get to Takht-i-Bahi?
Travel to Mardan, then take local transport a short distance north to the monastery.
Can I do Rawalpindi to Mardan and back in a day?
Yes. The motorway makes a day trip comfortable if you leave early.
Where do Mardan coasters leave from in Rawalpindi?
The Pir Wadhai general stand.
Related routes and operators
From Rawalpindi and Mardan
Operator fare lists
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