Akbar Express is a train service by Pakistan Railways which not only connects Quetta and Lahore at affordable ticket price but also connects dozens of other cities on the route with attractive timings.
Initially the train was called Quetta Express but was later renamed Akbar Express as a tribute to Nawab Akbar Bugti the chief of Bugti Tribe and Jamhoori Wattan Party (Republican National Party). Being the only train which connects provincial capitals of Balochistan and Punjab increases the importance of the train.
Timing & Schedule:
Akbar Express takes 24 hours to complete the long journey of 1,225 kilometers between Lahore & Quetta. The journey from Quetta to Lahore starts at 10:00 am in the morning when the train leaves the city and then reaches in Lahore at 10:20 AM on the next morning.
The stay at different stops and stations is as follows:
| Station | Arrival Timing | Departure Timing |
| Quetta | 10:00 AM |
|
| Kolpur | 10:45 AM | 10:55 AM |
| Mach | 12:00 PM | 12:15 PM |
| Ab-i-gum | 12:45 PM | 12:47 PM |
| Sibi Junction | 2:55 PM | 3:20 PM |
| Bakthiarabad Dhomki | 4:12 PM | 4:14 PM |
| Dera Murad Jamali | 5:06 PM | 5:08 PM |
| Dera Allahyar | 5:45 PM | 5:47 PM |
| Jacobabad | 6:05 PM | 6:15 PM |
| Shikarpur | 7:00 PM | 7:05 PM |
| Sukkur | 7:45 PM | 7:50 PM |
| Rohri Junction | 8:00 PM | 8:30 PM |
| Pano Akil | 8:58 PM | 8:00 PM |
| Ghotki | 9:22 PM | 9:24 PM |
| Mirpur Mathelo | 9:48 PM | 9:50 PM |
| Sadiqabad | 10:39 PM | 10:41 PM |
| Rahim Yar Khan | 11:01 PM | 11:03 PM |
| Khanpur | 12:15 AM | 12:20 AM |
| Liaquatpur | 12:52 AM | 12:54 AM |
| Dera Nawaz Sahib | 01:25 AM | 01:27 AM |
| Bahawalpur | 02:20 AM | 02:22 AM |
| Lodhran | 03:00 AM | 03:02 AM |
| Jahania | 03:47 AM | 03:49 AM |
| Khanewal | 04:30 AM | 04:50 AM |
| Shorkot Cantt | 05:50 AM | 05:55 AM |
| Toba Tek Singh | 06:20 AM | 06:22 AM |
| Gojra | 06:44 AM | 06:46 AM |
| Faisalabad | 07:35 AM | 07:40 AM |
| Sangla Hill | 08:37 AM | 08:39 AM |
| Qila Sheikhupura | 09:29 AM | 09:31 AM |
| Lahore | 10:20 AM |
The train departs from Lahore at 5 PM and reaches its destination at 5:40 PM taking almost 25 hours for the 1,225 km journey.
The arrival and departure timings for different stations are as follows:
| Station | Arrival Timing | Departure Timing |
| Lahore | 5:00 PM |
|
| Qila Sheikhupura | 5:40 PM | 5:42 PM |
| Sangla Hill | 6:22 PM | 6:24 PM |
| Faisalabad | 7:15 PM | 7:23 PM |
| Gojra | 8:02 PM | 8:04 PM |
| Toba Tek Singh | 8:26 PM | 8:28 PM |
| Shorkot Cantt | 8:58 PM | 9:03 PM |
| Khanewal | 10:05 PM | 10:25 PM |
| Jahania | 10:53 PM | 10:55 PM |
| Lodhran | 11:12 PM | 11:14 PM |
| Bahawalpur | 12:02 AM | 12:07 AM |
| Dera Nawaz Sahib | 12:48 AM | 12:50 AM |
| Liaquatpur | 01:32 AM | 01:34 AM |
| Khanpur | 02:25 AM | 02:30 AM |
| Rahim Yar Khan | 03:02 AM | 03:04 AM |
| Sadiqabad | 03:27 AM | 03:29 AM |
| Mirpur Mathelo | 04:38 AM | 04:40 AM |
| Ghotki | 05:02 AM | 05:04 AM |
| Pano Akil | 05:26 AM | 05:28 AM |
| Rohri Junction | 06:15 AM | 06:45 AM |
| Sukkur | 06:55 AM | 07:00 AM |
| Shikarpur | 07:40 AM | 07:42 AM |
| Jacobabad | 08:35 AM | 08:45 AM |
| Dera Allahyar | 09:00 AM | 09:02 AM |
| Dera Murad Jamali | 09:25 AM | 09:27 AM |
| Bakthiarabad Dhomki | 10:18 AM | 10:20 AM |
| Sibi Junction | 11:40 AM | 12:10 AM |
| Ab-i-gum | 2:40 PM | 2:50 PM |
| Mach | 3:20 PM | 4:35 PM |
| Kolpur | 4:41 PM | 4:51 PM |
| Quetta | 5:40 PM |
Ticket Price:
Akbar Express offers AC Standard and Economy class accommodation for the route. The ticket prices and fares are as follows:
AC Standard: Rs. 2850
Economy: Berth: Rs. 1150, Seat: Rs. 1050
Passengers can also book their tickets through the official website of Pak Railways at similar fare. Similarly booking for etickets is also available through mobile app of Pak Railways which you can download from Google Play Store.
Previously the train provided passenger service from Quetta to Peshawar and also provided AC Sleeper accommodation. Akbar Express provides all basic facilities which are available to other train services of Pakistan Railways.
The train also faced attacks by terrorists during previous years after which security was increased on the tracks. An accident of Akbar Express with cargo train also killed 24 passengers and injured dozens in 2019.
For more details, information and complaints contact Pakistan Railways Helpline.
Trains