Rawalpindi to Muzaffarabad Bus Ticket Price, Online Booking, Timing
The Rawalpindi to Muzaffarabad ticket price starts at about Rs 800 on a coaster and reaches Rs 1,500 for an executive coach. The trip takes three and a half to four hours through the Murree hills and across the Jhelum at Kohala, and it runs almost around the clock.
Short answer: Rawalpindi to Muzaffarabad costs Rs 800 to about Rs 1,500 and takes three and a half to four hours via Murree Expressway, Kohala Bridge and the Jhelum valley road. Coasters and coaches leave roughly every half hour. In the monsoon, check the Kohala road before travelling, because landslides can close it for hours.
Rawalpindi to Muzaffarabad ticket price by operator
Four fares, from a basic coaster to a Yutong executive coach with double glazed windows.
| Bus operator | Class | Boards in Rawalpindi | Journey time | Ticket price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coasters and Hiace | Standard, air conditioned | Pir Wadhai general stand | 4h | Rs 800 |
| Skyways | Coaster | Faizabad | 3h 45m | Rs 1,200 |
| Srinagar Express | Coaster | Faizabad | 3h 45m | Rs 1,300 |
| Qadri Travels | Executive Yutong, 2+2 | Skyways terminal, Faizabad | 3h 30m | Rs 1,500 |
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.
On a hill road, the vehicle matters
On the motorway routes a bigger coach mostly means more legroom. On the climb through Murree and the bends along the Jhelum, it also means a steadier ride. Travellers prone to motion sickness usually find a full size executive coach easier than a 22 seat coaster.
Coasters make up for it with frequency. They leave Pir Wadhai and Faizabad as soon as they fill, including late at night, which the larger coaches do not always match.
Kohala or the Hazara Motorway
Two roads connect Rawalpindi to Muzaffarabad. Almost every scheduled service uses the first, but the second is worth knowing about.
Via Murree and Kohala
- Distance
- About 140 km.
- Time
- Three and a half to four hours.
- Watch for
- Murree traffic on weekends and snow in winter, and landslides on the Kohala section in the monsoon.
Via Hazara Motorway and Mansehra
- Distance
- About 210 km.
- Time
- Around four hours, sometimes quicker when the Murree road is jammed.
- Watch for
- Fewer scheduled coaches. Mostly used by cars and when the Kohala road is closed.
How to choose
For a scheduled coach, you will be on the Kohala road, so pick your departure to avoid Murree weekend traffic. If the Kohala road is closed after rain, ask operators whether they are diverting via Mansehra before you head to the stand.
Which is the best bus service from Rawalpindi to Muzaffarabad
A short mountain route where frequency and ride comfort count more than class names.
Pir Wadhai coaster
Leaves as soon as it fills, day and night. Tight seating, but the lowest fare and the most departures.
From Rs 800Skyways
Frequent departures from Faizabad, handy for anyone on the Metro Bus or coming from Islamabad.
From Rs 1,200Qadri Travels executive
Full size Yutong coach with extra legroom and double glazing, the steadiest ride on the hill road.
From Rs 1,500Our verdict
Take Qadri Travels executive at Rs 1,500 if you get travel sick or are carrying luggage. Take Skyways at Rs 1,200 for a quick trip from Faizabad. Use a Pir Wadhai coaster for the lowest fare or a late night departure.
Rawalpindi to Muzaffarabad bus timings
Services run from early morning until late at night, with coasters continuing through the night from the main stands.
Early morning
6:00 AM to 9:00 AMClear roads through Murree and the fastest daytime run. Arrive in Muzaffarabad before 1:00 PM.
Daytime
10:00 AM to 3:00 PMEasy seats on weekdays. Slow through Murree on weekends and in snow.
Evening
4:00 PM to 8:00 PMBusy with commuters and students heading home to Azad Kashmir. The hill road in the dark is slower.
Late night
9:00 PM onwardsCoasters keep leaving as they fill. Quick roads but less choice of vehicle.
Murree is the bottleneck
The slowest part of this journey is rarely the mountains beyond Kohala. It is the Murree section on a Friday evening, a Sunday afternoon or the day after snowfall, when tourist traffic can add an hour. Travel early, or outside weekends, if you can.
Rawalpindi and Muzaffarabad terminals
Most services load at Faizabad or Pir Wadhai and finish at Muzaffarabad’s main bus stand.
Rawalpindi
- Faizabad
- Skyways terminal, also used by Qadri Travels, and Srinagar Express counters.
- Pir Wadhai general stand
- Coasters and Hiace vans leaving as they fill.
- Getting there
- Faizabad is on the Metro Bus line; Pir Wadhai is best reached by rickshaw or ride hailing.
Muzaffarabad
- New bus stand
- The main arrival point and home of the Qadri Travels head office.
- Onward
- Vans and coasters for the Neelum valley and Bagh leave from the city’s stands.
- Tip
- Carry your CNIC. There are checkpoints on the way into Azad Kashmir.
The road from Rawalpindi to Muzaffarabad
Up the Murree Expressway into the hills, down to the Jhelum at Kohala, then along the river into Muzaffarabad.
- Rawalpindi, FaizabadDeparture, km 0.
- Murree ExpresswayThe climb out of the plains, km 25.
- Murree bypassThe busiest section on weekends, km 55.
- Kohala BridgeAcross the Jhelum into Azad Kashmir, km 90.
- Jhelum valley roadAlong the river through Dulai, km 115.
- MuzaffarabadArrival three and a half to four hours after departure, km 140.
Carry your CNIC
The road enters Azad Kashmir at Kohala Bridge, and there are identity checks along the route. Pakistani travellers should keep their CNIC handy. Foreign nationals should check the current entry requirements for Azad Kashmir before booking.
Rawalpindi to Muzaffarabad bus vs car
There is no railway and no regular scheduled flight, so the choice is between public transport and a hired car.
Bus or coaster
Rs 800to Rs 1,500
Frequent, cheap and running almost around the clock.
Best for most.
Private car
Rs 9,000and up, one way
Lets you stop in Murree or divert via Mansehra when the Kohala road is closed.
Good for families.
Cheapest way to travel from Rawalpindi to Muzaffarabad
A coaster from Pir Wadhai at around Rs 800. For only Rs 400 to Rs 700 more, Skyways or Qadri Travels give you a better seat and a steadier ride on the hill road, which most first time travellers will appreciate.
Rawalpindi to Muzaffarabad bus FAQs
What is the Rawalpindi to Muzaffarabad bus ticket price?
About Rs 800 on a coaster from Pir Wadhai, Rs 1,200 with Skyways, Rs 1,300 with Srinagar Express and Rs 1,500 for Qadri Travels executive.
How long does the bus from Rawalpindi to Muzaffarabad take?
Three and a half to four hours via Murree and Kohala, longer on weekends and after snow or heavy rain.
Where do Muzaffarabad buses leave from in Rawalpindi?
Faizabad for Skyways, Qadri Travels and Srinagar Express, and the Pir Wadhai general stand for coasters and Hiace vans.
Do buses to Muzaffarabad run at night?
Yes. Coasters leave as they fill through most of the night, and several operators run late evening departures.
Do I need a CNIC to travel to Muzaffarabad?
Carry your CNIC, as there are identity checks on the way into Azad Kashmir. Foreign nationals should check current entry rules before travelling.
Is the Kohala road safe in the monsoon?
It is usually open, but landslides can close sections for hours during heavy rain. Check with the operator before leaving for the stand.
Related routes and operators
From Rawalpindi and Muzaffarabad
Operator fare lists
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Coasters and executive coaches to Azad Kashmir compared, departures every half hour, and no booking fee added to the published fare.
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