Shalimar Express Train Ticket Price, Timing, Route & Online Booking
The Shalimar Express train ticket price starts at about Rs 660 for economy from Lahore to Faisalabad and reaches Rs 11,400 for AC Business from Lahore to Karachi. It covers the 1,286 km run from Lahore to Karachi via Faisalabad in around 18 hours 40 minutes, leaving Lahore at about 7:10 AM. Shalimar is the daytime train on the corridor, with a parlour car and a meal included in every class.
Short answer: From Lahore, Shalimar Express costs about Rs 3,910 for an economy seat to Karachi, Rs 4,050 for a berth, Rs 8,700 AC Standard, Rs 11,400 AC Business and Rs 10,700 parlour. Lahore to Faisalabad is about Rs 660 economy, Lahore to Multan Rs 1,590. Published Shalimar fares vary between fare tables more than for other trains, so confirm the price before paying.
Shalimar Express train ticket price
| Lahore to | Economy seat | Economy berth | AC Standard | AC Business | Parlour |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Faisalabad | Rs 660 | Rs 760 | Rs 1,550 | Rs 2,300 | Rs 1,700 |
| Multan Cantt | Rs 1,590 | Rs 1,690 | Rs 3,050 | Rs 4,400 | Rs 3,800 |
| Rohri Junction | Rs 2,850 | Rs 2,950 | Rs 6,100 | Rs 8,450 | Rs 7,300 |
| Hyderabad Junction | Rs 3,680 | Rs 3,780 | Rs 7,700 | Rs 10,600 | Rs 9,700 |
| Karachi Cantt | Rs 3,910 | Rs 4,050 | Rs 8,700 | Rs 11,400 | Rs 10,700 |
Other published tables show Shalimar fares a few hundred rupees higher (for example Rs 4,300 economy Lahore to Karachi) or list Lahore to Faisalabad at Rs 730. Treat these as a guide and confirm at booking. Karachi to Hyderabad is Rs 750 economy and Rs 1,350 AC.
Why its fares are different
Shalimar Express has had a mixed history of private involvement, including a spell with Air Rail Services after its 2012 restart, and its reservation office at Lahore is run by a private contractor. The fare includes a meal in every class, which is one reason its fares sit off the standard Pakistan Railways tiers.
A daytime train with a parlour
Most Karachi to Lahore trains are built around a night on board. Shalimar leaves Lahore in the morning and arrives in Karachi late at night or the early morning, so it sells a parlour car instead of a sleeper. The parlour at about Rs 10,700 is cheaper than Green Line’s at Rs 13,200.
Shalimar Express route
- Lahore JunctionDeparts about 7:10 AM.
- Sangla Hill and FaisalabadWest off the main line.
- Toba Tek SinghDown the Shorkot line.
- Multan CanttBack on the main line.
- Bahawalpur, Rahim Yar Khan, RohriSouthern Punjab into Sindh.
- Nawabshah and HyderabadEvening into night.
- Karachi CanttSouthern terminus.
Should you take Shalimar Express?
In its favour
- Daytime departure from Lahore.
- Serves Faisalabad and Toba Tek Singh.
- Meal included; parlour cheaper than Green Line’s.
Against it
- No AC Sleeper.
- Fares less predictable than other trains.
- Rs 160 or more above the cheapest economy fare to Karachi.
Our take
The best choice for travelling Lahore to Karachi by day, or from Faisalabad to the south. For an overnight trip with a bed, Karachi Express or Khyber Mail are better.
Shalimar Express FAQs
How much is Shalimar Express from Lahore to Karachi?
About Rs 3,910 economy seat, Rs 4,050 berth, Rs 8,700 AC Standard, Rs 11,400 AC Business and Rs 10,700 parlour, per the Lahore fare chart updated August 2026. Other tables show slightly higher figures, so confirm at booking.
What time does Shalimar Express leave Lahore?
At about 7:10 AM, making it the daytime option to Karachi.
Does Shalimar Express go via Faisalabad?
Yes. It runs Lahore, Sangla Hill, Faisalabad and Toba Tek Singh before rejoining the main line at Multan.
Is food included on Shalimar Express?
A meal is included in the fare in every class.
What are the train numbers?
27UP and 28DN.