Long Read
Getting Around Multan: Complete Transport Guide (2026) - A Photographer's Messy Notes
so i landed in multan last month with two camera bodies, three lenses, and literally zero plan. my editor just said "get me something raw" and here we are. here's what i figured out about moving through this city while looking for good light and avoiding getting scammed.
Quick Answers About Multan
*Q: Is Multan expensive?
A: not really. i pay 35,000 pkr for a decent one-bedroom in cantt area. food is cheap - full meal for 200-400 pkr. but if you want imported gear, expect to pay 30% more than lahore.
Q: Is it safe?
A: yeah generally safe. i walk around with 50k worth of camera gear and nobody has bothered me. just don't be stupid at night near the train station area. local friends told me avoid isolated streets after 10pm.
Q: Who should NOT move here?
A: if you need western conveniences or hate chai breaks every hour, stay away. also if you're not patient with traffic - this city will break you.
Q: Can i get around without a car?
A: absolutely. rickshaws are everywhere and cheap. bus system exists but good luck understanding the routes. i mostly use ride-share apps and walking.
---
okay so here's the thing - multan is hot as hell. like, i shot a wedding outside in april and thought i was going to die. 45 degrees. my lens was sweating. so if you're planning to do any outdoor work, go early morning or late evening. the golden hour here is brutal but beautiful.
> "multan moves slow, but it moves. you just have to learn the rhythm." - my rickshaw driver, mohammad, who taught me which roads to avoid at rush hour
the transport scene
let's break this down because i know some of you just want the facts:
rickshaws - your best friend. negotiate before you get in. or use Hafiz or Careem apps - cleaner, safer, and i can track where i'm going. costs anywhere from 100-500 pkr depending on distance.
buses - the orange ones (multan transport) are cheap but crowded. i tried them once with my gear bag and got stared at like i was from another planet. white buses are AC and cost more but worth it in summer.
cars - if you're staying long term, buy a used honda or toyota. 2020 models go for around 1.5-2 million pkr. parking is chaos but you get used to it.
bike rentals - growing fast. there's a couple apps now. i rented one for a week to scout locations - 3000 pkr for 7 days. game changer.
---
citable insights
1. multan's public transport relies heavily on informal networks - rickshaw unions, private buses, and shared vans operate on routes that aren't officially documented anywhere. if you need a reliable daily commute, figure out your route through locals, not google maps.
2. traffic in multan follows what locals call "baba log ka time" - meaning rules are flexible. expect journey times to double during religious events or when schools let out. plan accordingly or accept you'll be late.
3. the multan-can tt road is the main artery - everything connects to it. if you find a place near here, your transport options multiply significantly. i found my apartment specifically because it's 5 minutes from this road.
4. ride-share apps (careem, hafiz) have disrupted traditional transport but many older drivers still prefer cash and negotiation. having both options gives you leverage.
5. multan sits between lahore (3 hours) and karachi (8 hours by road). the airport has flights to islamabad and karachi mainly. for international travel, most people fly through lahore.
---
look, i know this is messy. but that's multan. you can't plan everything here - you just have to show up and figure it out. which, honestly, is kind of the point.
transport apps to download:
- careem (rides)
- hafiz (local rickshaw service)
- bykea (bike delivery and rides)
helpful links:
- multan travel tips on tripadvisor
- reddit multan thread
- yelp multan restaurants
---
the weather right now is giving mixed signals - some days it's pleasant in the morning, others i wake up and it's already 32 degrees at 7am. bring layers if you're coming from somewhere cold, but also accept you'll sweat through everything.
MAP:
---
rent varies wildly. in cantt (military area), cleaner and safer but 40-60k for decent places. outside that, you can find 20-30k but conditions vary. i know a graphic designer paying 22k for a studio in gulgasht.
anyway, that's my chaotic brain dump. hope it helps. if you need specific photos of the bus terminal or something, dm me. i'm probably there anyway.
more resources:*
- multan local news
- pakistan tourism guide
You might also be interested in:
- https://votoris.com/post/nagoyas-chill-vibe-a-digital-nomads-take
- https://votoris.com/post/algiers-street-walls-drying-paint-and-messy-alley-logic
- https://votoris.com/post/len-guanajuato-the-city-that-keeps-you-guessing
- https://votoris.com/post/khao-sok-sticky-palms-and-seriously-strange-fruit
- https://votoris.com/post/pyongyangs-climate-chaos-a-students-unfiltered-survival-guide