Lahore is an ideal base for many short getaways, and day trips from Lahore are easy for anyone who needs a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. 

You can visit many historical, cultural, and scenic places on a one-day trip from Lahore. 

If you want a quick getaway but are unsure where to go, read on to learn the best destinations that can be reached by car or public transport within a few hours from Lahore. 

Most of the places we’ve selected for a day out from Lahore are not far from the city and can be visited in one day.  

The Best Places near Lahore for One Day Trip

One of the great things about Lahore is that it is relatively close to many tourist places. 

There is something for everyone, including history, spirituality, entertainment, and nature. 

If you’re wondering where to go for a one-day trip near Lahore, here are some of the places to visit near Lahore for a quick escape from the city.

• Katas Raj Temple Complex
• Wagah Border
• Change Manga
• Kalar Kahar
• Hiran Minar
• Khewra Salt Mines
• Rana Resort and Safari Park

1: Katas Raj Temple Complex

One of the best day trips from Lahore takes you to Katas Raj Temple or Qila Katas, one of the best historical places in Pakistan. 

The journey to this famous conglomeration of temples in Chakwal District can be done in 3 hours and 50 minutes from Lahore via Islamabad-Lahore Motorway. 

Katas Raj Temple Complex is home to seven temples, some medieval and newly-built sanctuaries, remains of a Buddhist stupa and havelis scattered around a pond named Katas. 

This pond is considered sacred by Hindus as they believe that it originated from the teardrop of Lord Shiva after wandering the Earth inconsolably after his wife’s death. 

Admire the fresco work on the temples’ ceilings and visit all the temples and havelis, especially the Hari Singh Fort and Haveli on your visit to the Katas Raj Temple Complex.

Where: Choa Saidan Shah, Kallar Kahar Chakwal District

Driving distance from Lahore: 282 km from Lahore

How to get there From Lahore: 

• By Car/bus: It takes 3 hours and 50 minutes to reach there.

Best Time to Visit: October to March

2: Wagah Border: Best place for one day trip from Lahore

If you have visited all the best places to visit in Lahore and are looking for some recommendations for an easy day trip from Lahore, Wagah Border is probably the best option. 

Around 30 to 50-minute drive via GT Road (depending on location and traffic) will get you to Wagah Border. 

There, you can attend a flag-lowering ceremony and witness synchronized marching displays of Pakistani soldiers.

Attending this ceremony at the Wagah-Attari border is free for tourists, and it takes place daily before sunset. However, timings can vary based on the season and sunset timings. 

The Wagah Border ceremony starts at 5:30 PM in summer (April to October) and 4:30 PM in winter (November to March. 

Visitors are required to check in at least 45 minutes before the ceremony starts.

Where: Wagah Zone

Driving distance from Lahore: 27 km 

Wagah border Ceremony Timings: 5:30 PM in summer and 4:30 PM in winter

How to get there From Lahore: 

By Car/bus: It takes 30 and 50 minutes to reach there (depends on your location).

Best Time to Visit: October to March

3: Change Manga

A visit to Changa Manga Forest Park is the most popular one-day trip from Lahore for families. 

Changa Manga Forest is one of the oldest hand-planted forests in the world and is home to a wildlife reserve, a waterfall, and a Lunar Lake with boating facilities. 

Just 1 hour and 30 minutes away from Lahore, this serene getaway offers many recreational activities to the visitors, including boating in the lake, forest trekking, a 5-kilometer long train ride through the forest, and wildlife watching in captivity. 

Moreover, a mini zoo, a Buddhist-style wooden Pagoda inside the lake, log houses, and a suspension bridge also draw the attention of the visitors. 

Where: Changa Manga, Kasur District

Driving distance from Lahore: 78.9km

Changa Manga Forest Park Timings: 9:00 AM- 5:00 PM

Entry Ticket: Free

How to get there From Lahore: 

• By Car/bus: It takes 1 hour and 30 minutes to reach there.

Best Time to Visit: October to April

4: Kalar Kahar

Another one-day tour from Lahore that brings you closer to nature is Kalar Kahar in Chakwal District. 

Kalar Kahar is home to Salt Water Lake, Bagh-e-Safa, Kalar Kahar Museum, and Takht-e-Babri, where Mughal Emperor Babar used to address his army. 

It is known as Peacock Valley and is more than 3 hours away from Lahore via the M2. A large number of peacock species are found there but can be seen rarely during the daytime. 

Adding nearby picnic spots like Swaik Lake and Neela Wahan (blue pond) can enhance your one-day trip near Lahore with families. 

Other tourist attractions in this area include Chinji National Park, Malot Fort, Soon Valley, and Kusak Fort, which are really worth a separate trip or can be visited the next day for a well-rounded trip. 

Where: Kalar Kahar Tehsil, Chakwal District

Driving distance from Lahore: 260km

How to get there from Lahore: 

• By Car/bus: It takes more than 3 hours to get there.

Best Time to Visit: October to April

5: Hiran Minar

Interested in more historical places? Hiran Minar is a 17th-century minaret next to a larger hunting complex, which was commissioned by Emperor Jahangir as a memorial to his beloved antelope. 

Hiran Minar is one of the best tourist places near Lahore. It is situated just 60 kilometers northwest of Lahore on Islamabad-Lahore Motorway, making it the best destination that can be explored on a short day trip from Lahore. 

Here, you can enjoy pedal boating and a spectacular sunset, explore the forest surrounded by Hiran Minar, or simply find a quiet corner to feel the calmness of the surroundings and do some people-watching. 

If you want to explore more historical sites near Hiran Minar, you can head to Sheikhupura Fort, which is just 7 km away from the complex. 

Where: Near Sheikhupura City

Distance from Lahore: 60 Km

How to get there from Lahore: 

• By Car/bus: It takes more than an hour to get there.

Best Time to Visit: October to March

6: Khewra Salt Mines

If you love a mine tour, don’t miss a day trip from Lahore to Khewra Salt Mines. 

Situated at the foothills of the Salt Range, it is a 2,000-year-old salt mine in the Jhelum District of Punjab. 

The journey to Khewra Salt Mines can be done in over 4 hours from Lahore via M2. 

There, you can ride the electric train that passes through the pink-hued salt tunnels and you will come across marvels made of red, yellow, and pink salt. 

These salt wonders in the mines include a salt cave, crystal palace, Badshahi Mosque, illuminated ponds, emergency dispensary, and Sheesh Mahal made with transparent salt. 

Don’t forget to stop by the souvenir shop and pick up a few souvenirs made of salt rock for your loved ones.

Where: Khewra, District Jhelum

Distance from Lahore: 260 km

Timings: 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM every day

How to get there from Lahore: 

• By Car/bus: It takes around 4 hours to get there.

Best Time to Visit: September to April

7: Rana Resort and Safari Park

If you have kids, they’ll love a day trip to Rana Resort and Safari Park near Phool Nagar in Kasur District. 

Home to a luxury resort and safari park, it is close enough to Lahore to reach within a couple of hours via Lahore Okara Road. 

This popular tourist spot near Lahore offers many fun activities for the whole family. 

There are tonga and bullock cart rides, horse riding in the jungle, boating, bird watching, train rides, and delicious food. 

It houses various species of animals and birds that bring you closer to wildlife and nature. In addition, you can walk in the jungle and visit its rose garden to see various varieties of roses and other flowers. 

The entry ticket is 320 rupees per person for adults and children above 6 years old. 

The nearby attraction is Gurdwara Nankana Sahib, located around 35 km from Rana Resort and Safari Park. You can visit both places on the same day.

Where: Phool Nagar, Kasur District

Distance from Lahore: 67.7km

Timings: 9:00 AM-6:00 PM

Entry Ticket: 320 rupees per person for adults 

How to get there From Lahore: 

• By Car/bus: It takes 1 hour and 40 minutes to get there.

Best Time to Visit: October to April

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FAQs

What places can I visit within 2 hours from Lahore?

Places you can visit within 2 hours from Lahore include Wahga Border, Changa Manga Forest Park, Hiran Minar, Ganda Singh Wala Pakistan-India Border, Rana Resort and Safari Park, Darbar Baba Bullay Shah, and Gurdwara Nankana Sahib.

Is Islamabad a day trip to Lahore?

Although Islamabad is around 390 km from Lahore, it is possible to take a day trip to Islamabad from Lahore. A round trip from Lahore to Islamabad in a day takes more than 9 hours, making it a long and tiring journey. 

Which archeological and historical places are closer to Lahore?

Lahore is home to many historical monuments, such as Lahore Fort, Wazir Khan Mosque, and Badshahi Mosque. In addition, there are several archaeological and historical sites near the city, including Harappa in Sahiwal District and Hiran Minar in Sheikhupura District. These 

Which cities near Lahore are best for a one-day trip?

Kasur, Sialkot, Narowal (famous for Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur), Gujranwala, and Sheikhupura are popular day trip destinations from Lahore.

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