Train between India and Pakistan

I would like to go to Pakistan to visit some of the Sikh Gurudwara's there, and I know that there are trains which go from India to Pakistan for which I require some more information about.

I have some questions regarding the train between India and Pakistan, which I have listed below.

1. What is the process of the train when going from India? Do we need to change trains at the border?

2. Where does the train leave from which goes to Pakistan?

3. What is the name of the train which goes from India to Pakistan?

4. Do we require a visa to go Pakistan, if yes where do we obtain the visa from?

 

Hello, welcome to the forum!

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Overview

Before the British gave India and Pakistan their independence, they assigned Sir Cyril Radcliffe to divide the two regions equally. This line of demarcation was then known as the Radcliffe Line. Back then, the princely state of Kashmir wasn't part of the division. And as history would put it, then began the invasion of the Pakistani forces to the state. There is long history before Kashmir was divided into two regions, the Pakistani Azad Kashmir side and the Indian Jammu and Kashmir side, demarcated by a border known as the Line of Control. So now, this completes the main border areas of Pakistan and India, beginning from the state of Gujarat in the western southern, ending in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in the north. For a long while, the two countries were stricken by border disputes and even today, there are some tensions within the border areas. But with agreements on both sides, two trains now run from each different side of the border to the other, making the journey to reach India to Pakistan, or vice versa, easier.

Border Areas of India and Pakistan

There are three main border crossings between India and Pakistan. These are the areas where you can cross from India to Pakistan legally, though one of them remains closed as of the moment.

1. Wagah Border - This is the most popular border between India and Pakistan, because of the Beating Retreat Ceremony that armies of the both sides partake in here daily. It is merely 32 kilometres away from Amritsar district of Punjab in India and 22 kilometres away from the Lahore district of Punjab in Pakistan.

• Train Journey - Possible

• Border Crossing - Possible

2. Hussainiwala Border - This was once the main border used for crossing between India and Pakistan but it was closed when the Wagah Border was introduced. It also has a Beating Retreat Ceremony that armies of both sides partake in daily. It is located in the Firozpur district of Punjab in India and Kasur district of Punjab in Pakistan. On the other side, it is referred to as the Ganda Singh Wala Border.

• Train Journey - Not Possible

• Border Crossing - Not Possible

3. Munabao Border - This is the last border area, which was just recently opened up for railway links between the two countries. It is located in the Barmer district of Rajasthan in India and Tharparkar district of Sindh in Pakistan. It is also referred to as the Khokhrapar Border on the Pakistan side.

• Train Journey - Possible

• Border Crossing - Possible

So now, we can highlight your train options from India to Pakistan, knowing that there are two possible border crossings that you can do. As you can see, you can cross over to Pakistan from India through two borders, either via the Wagah Border or via the Munabao Border. Train journey is also possible with these border areas.

Train for Wagah Border Crossing (India to Pakistan)

To cross the Wagah Border by train, you need to reach the Atari Shyam Singh Railway Station. This station is located in the Atari village, just three kilometres away from the Wagah Border proper. You can board any train going to this railway station, there are trains from nearby cities like Amritsar and Ludhiana, but there is also a train from Delhi to Atari directly. From the Atari Shyam Singh Railway Station, you can board a direct train going to Lahore Junction Railway Station in Pakistan. However, you would need to change for a train once you reach the station proper in Atari.

↠ Train from Atari to Lahore

Train Name & Number	Departure Station - Time	Arrival Station - Time	Schedule	Journey Duration
Atari Lahore Samjhauta Express Train No. 14607	Atari Shyam Singh - 11:30	Lahore Junction - 15:40	Mondays and Thursdays	4 Hours and 10 Minutes

This is the train running from the Atari Shyam Singh Railway Station in India until the Lahore Junction in Pakistan. It runs only during Mondays and Thursdays, departing from Atari at around 11:30 and arriving in Lahore at around 15:40. Journey duration is around 4 hours and 10 minutes. However, the fare rates were not mentioned on the Indian Railways website. Further, this train only runs on the Indian Railways rakes six months in a year and for the remaining months, it runs on the Pakistan side of the rakes.

Train for Munabao Border Crossing (India to Pakistan)

To cross the Munabao Border by train, you need to reach the Bhagat Ki Kothi Railway Station. This station is located three kilometres away from the Jodhpur Railway Station. You can board any train going to this railway station, there are trains from nearby cities like Jodhpur and Jaipur. From the Bhagat Ki Kothi Railway Station, you can board a direct train going to the Munabao Railway Station.

↠ Train from Bhagat Ki Kothi to Munabao

Train Name & Number	Departure Station - Time	Arrival Station - Time	Schedule	Journey Duration
Thar Link Express Train No. 14889	Bhagat Ki Kothi - 1:00	Munabao - 7:00	Saturdays	6 Hours

This is the train running from the Bhagat Ki Kothi Railway Station until the Munabao Railway Station, both are in India. It runs only during Saturdays, departing from Bhagat Ki Kothi at around 1:00 and arriving in Munabao at around 7:00. Journey duration is around six hours, more or less. The fare rates are at Rs. 125 for the General (II) class and Rs. 210 for the Sleeper (SL) class. There's a security checkpoint at the Munabao Border proper prior to continuing the journey for Zero Point Railway Station, which is merely three kilometres away from the Munabao Railway Station.

↠ Train from Munabao to Zero Point

Train Name & Number	Departure Station - Time	Arrival Station - Time	Schedule	Journey Duration
Thar Link Express Train No. 14889	Munabao - 14:00	Zero Point - 14:30	Saturdays	30 Minutes

The same train departs from the Munabao Railway Station and arrives at the Zero Point Railway Station in the Khokhrapar Border side of Pakistan. It departs at around 14:00 of the same day and arrives at around 14:30 in the Pakistan side. You need to purchase your ticket at the station proper and unfortunately, no fare rates were given on the website. The train also continues on to the Karachi Junction Railway Station so you can continue your journey into that city as well, provided it is a part of the itinerary stated in your visa.

Visa Policy of Pakistan for Indians

The visa policy of Pakistan is lenient for only six nations, namely: Iceland, Maldives, Nepal, Samoa, Tonga and Trinidad & Tobago. Citizens of these countries can enter Pakistan without any visa. Visa on arrival is provided for UK, US or Schengen Area nationalities. For the remaining countries, obtaining a visa prior to entering Pakistan is required, except for a few nationalities which can acquire visa on arrival for business purposes or group tours. In addition, nationals of countries like Bhutan, Bangladesh and yes, also India, are required to register with the police authority upon arrival on Pakistan, along with their valid passport.

You can obtain your visa from the High Commission of Pakistan, located in Shantipath Chanakyapuri in New Delhi. It is located close to the Serbia Embassy and Australian High Commission. You can also visit the official website of the High Commission of Pakistan for further information. From the website, you can download the necessary forms that you need to complete and submit, along with the other requirements, to the embassy.

↠ Requirements for Pakistan Visa for Indians

1. Passport with at least six months validity

• Passport must be valid for the specified duration of stay of applicant in Pakistan

2. Identification proof like Voter ID, Driving Licence or PAN Card

• Identification proof should have an English translation and should also be photocopied

3. Address proof like rental bill, gas bill or landline bill

• The bill should indicate the present address of the applicant and should also be photocopied

4. If applicant has a sponsor in Pakistan, an attested copy of the CNIC and address proof of the said sponsor

• Valid address proofs are gas bill or landline bill

5. A cover letter from the applicant stating his purpose of visit, itinerary and intended duration of stay

• It can also include a clearance from the company that the applicant is working for

6. Proof of financial capacity like bank statements for the previous six months

• For business owners, a copy of the registration of the business is also acceptable

7. A valid OPV (Oral Polio Vaccine) certificate, dosage should have been take at least four weeks prior to the applicant's scheduled departure from India

• For safety purposes, as Pakistan is one of the Polio-endemic countries

8. Duly completed and signed Visitor Visa Form

• Must be a set of four, all fully completed and signed

9. Recently taken passport-sized photographs

• Must have at least four copies

Once you have acquired all the necessary requirements, you can submit them to the High Commission of Pakistan. You would also need to pay the fee of Rs. 120. Once done, you can wait around 6 to 10 working days for your visa to be approved. However, approval rates for Pakistani tourist visas are quite low. You would have more luck in being approved if you can find a sponsor, like a relative or friend, in Pakistan. Business visas are also more likely to be approved.

Conclusion

I hope this guide helps you in your journey from India to Pakistan. Though the relationship between these two countries are strained, they are working around all the issues and conflicts. When it comes to the Pakistani tourist visa applications for Indians, the process can be a bit more lengthy but just make sure that you have all the required documents beforehand. Perhaps in the upcoming years, all tensions can be fixed and all problems can be resolved, making tourism in both countries easier and smoother, for both sides.