Khewra Salt Mine Distance from Islamabad

How far is Khewra from Islamabad?

The driving distance from Islamabad to Khewra Salt Mine is approximately 200 km via M-2 and the Chakwal-Khewra road. Traffic around Rawalpindi and the M-2 entry points adds time on Friday afternoons and long weekends.

Some older sources cite 160 km using different start or end points. The ~200 km figure reflects a typical drive from central Islamabad to the PMDC visitor entrance.

Khewra sits in Jhelum District, not Islamabad Capital Territory. Chakwal city, your motorway exit, is in Chakwal District about 30 km east of the mine.

Recommended route from Islamabad

Join M-2 south toward Lahore from Islamabad Expressway or via Rawalpindi access at Balkasar or Thalian interchange. Drive past Chakri and Kallar Kahar service areas.

Exit at Chakwal interchange and follow signs toward Khewra. The westbound road climbs gently into Salt Range foothills for about 30 km.

Lilla or Kallar Kahar interchange works as an alternative if Chakwal exit traffic backs up. Both routes reconnect to the same Chakwal-Khewra corridor. See our M-2 corridor guide for exit numbers from the Lahore direction.

Brown PMDC signage marks the mine entrance in Khewra town. Confirm GPS and parking details before you leave the motorway.

Driving tips from Islamabad

A 9 AM arrival at the mine is realistic if you leave Islamabad by 6 AM. That leaves time for the underground tour and a late lunch before the drive back.

Combine Kallar Kahar Lake or Katas Raj Temples on the same day only if you start before dawn. Each stop deserves at least an hour.

Check opening hours before departure. Holiday schedules are listed on the timing page.

Public transport from Islamabad

Intercity buses from Rawalpindi and Islamabad serve Chakwal daily. Switch to a local taxi or van at Chakwal bus stands for the final 30 km to the mine.

Pakistan Railways stops at Khewra station, about 3 km from the mine entrance. Useful for travellers without a car. Our train guide lists services from Rawalpindi.

Ride-hailing works for the Islamabad-Chakwal leg but gets scarce on the winding Chakwal-Khewra road. Book a local taxi in Chakwal for the final stretch.