Lahore Metro Orange Line — the complete rider’s guide. Route, stations, timings, fares, and the line’s story.
Quick answer: The Orange Line Metro Train runs 27.1km with 26 stations from Ali Town to Dera Gujran, operating since 25 October 2020. It’s Pakistan’s first metro train line — mostly elevated — carrying hundreds of thousands of passengers daily. Flat, affordable fares; trains run from early morning to late night.
Route and Stations: Ali Town to Dera Gujran
The Orange Line runs northeast–southwest across Lahore: from Ali Town (Raiwind Road side) through Thokar Niaz Baig, Canal, Shadman, Anarkali, Railway Station, University and on to Dera Gujran at the northeastern end. 26 stations over 27.1km — mostly on elevated viaducts threading through the old city, with a short underground section in the historic core. Key interchanges: Anarkali (old city, food street access), Lahore Railway Station (national rail connections), Thokar Niaz Baig (Ring Road interchange). The full city guide: Lahore updates: the complete guide.
Timings and Fares
Trains run from early morning (around 6:30am) to late night (around 10pm), with peak-hour headways of a few minutes. Fares are flat and cheap — a single ride costs a fraction of a rickshaw fare for the same distance, which is why ridership is in the hundreds of thousands daily. Smart cards and tokens are available at every station; recharge at station counters. Note: timings shift on public holidays and during Ramazan — check station notices. (Exact current fare: confirm at the station — fares are periodically revised.)
Connections: the Orange Line interchanges with the Metrobus network (Ferozepur Road corridor) and meets Pakistan Railways at Lahore Railway Station — the three systems together cover most of the city’s commuting axes. Speedo feeder buses extend the Orange Line’s reach into neighbourhoods the viaduct doesn’t touch; check the feeder map at your station for the last mile.
The Story: Pakistan’s First Metro
The Orange Line was built under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) framework with Chinese financing and rolling stock — a Rs300-billion project that opened on 25 October 2020. Construction displaced residents along the corridor (a Reuters investigation documented the human cost in the old city), and heritage activists fought — and partly won — battles over the route near Mughal monuments. Since opening, it has become the workhorse of Lahore commuting: students, office workers and shoppers who once spent hours in traffic now cross the city in under an hour. A major upgrade programme has been announced for the line’s systems — and the long-discussed Blue and Purple lines remain on the drawing board.
Rider Tips
Smog season: the metro is the cleanest commute in Lahore — underground and air-conditioned beats a motorbike in 200+ AQI. Rush hours: 8–10am and 5–7pm are packed; travel off-peak if you can. Last-mile: Speedo feeder buses and ride-hailing cover station gaps. Tourists: ride end-to-end once — the elevated sections through the old city are the best free sightseeing in Lahore. Pair it with the Ring Road update for the full transport picture.
Orange Line: FAQs
Where does the Orange Line run?
Ali Town to Dera Gujran — 27.1km, 26 stations, mostly elevated, through the old city.
When did the Orange Line open?
25 October 2020 — Pakistan’s first metro train line, built under CPEC.
What are the Orange Line timings?
Roughly 6:30am to 10pm daily; check station notices on holidays and in Ramazan.
How much is the Orange Line fare?
Flat and cheap — a fraction of equivalent rickshaw fares. Confirm the current fare at the station.
