By air
Amritsar's airport, about 11 km from the city, has domestic and some international flights.
Punjab · North India
Amritsar travel guide
Home of the Golden Temple, one of the world's great spiritual sites, where a free community kitchen feeds tens of thousands every day.
Photo: Aryan Nikhil / Unsplash
Quick facts
- Best time
- October to March
- How long
- 2–3 days
- Daily budget
- ₹1,200–2,200 backpacking
- Getting in
- Amritsar (ATQ) airport or Amritsar Junction
Costs are typical per-person ranges in Indian rupees, reviewed September 2026. Check current prices and conditions before you book.
Amritsar is the spiritual centre of Sikhism. The Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) sits in a sacred pool at the heart of the old city and is open to everyone, day and night. Visiting at dawn and again after dark shows it at its most moving.
The city also holds painful history, from the 1919 Jallianwala Bagh massacre to the Partition of 1947, and a famous border ceremony at Attari–Wagah. It's compact, easy to cover in two days, and one of India's best food cities.
When to go
Best time to visit Amritsar
- Oct–MarBest
Comfortable days, festival season around Diwali and Guru Nanak's birthday, and cold, foggy mornings in December and January.
- Apr–JunAvoid
Very hot, often above 40°C; visit the temple early morning and at night.
- Jul–SepMixed
Monsoon humidity and rain, with fewer tourists.
Getting there
How to reach Amritsar
By train
Amritsar Junction has fast day trains from Delhi (about 6 hours) and overnight trains from many cities.
By road
Buses run from Delhi, Chandigarh, and Jammu. In the city, e-rickshaws and autos are cheap and easy.
Budget
Amritsar trip cost per day
| Per day | Backpacker | Mid-range |
|---|---|---|
| Stay (guesthouse or hostel) | ₹600–1,200 | ₹2,500–5,000 |
| Food | ₹300–600 | ₹800–1,300 |
| Local transport (e-rickshaw, auto) | ₹200–400 | ₹800–1,500 |
| Border ceremony trip and entry | ₹100–400 | ₹800–1,500 |
The Golden Temple, the langar meal, and Jallianwala Bagh are free. The Partition Museum charges a small fee. Shared taxis to the Attari–Wagah border are cheaper than hiring a car.
Itinerary
2-day Amritsar itinerary
- 1
Day 1: The Golden Temple and the old city
Early morning at the Golden Temple, a meal at the langar, Jallianwala Bagh, and the Partition Museum, then back to the temple after dark.
- 2
Day 2: Food and the border
An Amritsari kulcha breakfast and a walk through the bazaars, then the Attari–Wagah border ceremony in the late afternoon.
Don't miss
Top things to do in Amritsar
Golden Temple
The gilded Harmandir Sahib in its sacred pool, with hymns playing through the day and night.
The langar
A free community kitchen where volunteers serve simple meals to anyone who sits down.
Attari–Wagah border ceremony
A theatrical daily flag-lowering ceremony at the India–Pakistan border.
Partition Museum
Personal stories of the 1947 Partition, in the old Town Hall.
Before you go
Practical tips
- Temple etiquette
- Cover your head (scarves are provided), remove shoes and socks, wash your feet at the entrance, and don't bring tobacco or alcohol.
- Border ceremony
- Arrive well before the ceremony, which is held around sunset, and carry photo ID. Bags may not be allowed; check current rules.
- Winter fog
- Dense fog in December and January often delays trains and flights; leave buffer time.
Questions
Amritsar FAQs
Is the Golden Temple open at night?
Yes, the complex is open around the clock, and it's beautiful after dark when the temple is lit.
Can anyone eat at the Golden Temple langar?
Yes. The community kitchen serves free vegetarian meals to everyone, regardless of religion.
How far is the Wagah border from Amritsar?
About 30 km, around 45 minutes by road. Most people go by shared or private taxi in the afternoon.
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