How to reach Amritsar by Air, Rail or Road

Amritsar is a city located in the northwest state of Punjab, India. The people here understand the importance their town holds in the history of India, and hence they are very warm in nature. 

The first step in planning a vacation is to figure out how to reach Amritsar. Extremely famous for tourist attractions like the Golden Temple, Wagah Border, and Jallianwala Bagh, the city is well connected to most cities and states across the country. In addition to having good connectivity outside, it is easy to find your way within the city as well.

The locals make you feel welcomed and are great in hospitality. Even though it is a major sacred destination for the followers of Sikhism, the tourists are not restricted to one particular religion. Some people are attracted to see the historical architectures, while some are fascinated by the culture of the town.

Choose your reason as you like, but visiting Amritsar is a must if you are planning a vacation to relax while admiring the beauty of the place. Since Amritsar borders with Lahore in Pakistan, you can also pay a visit to the country if you have the required approvals.

 Reach Amritsar by Air

Tourists visit Amritsar from all cities and countries. Whether you are visiting from within India or outside, you can easily reach the pious city. Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport, or Amritsar International Airport, is located 11 kms away from the centre of the city and witnesses to and fro flights all day. There is only one terminal that merges both inbound as well as outbound flights.

The airport was originally called Raja Sansi Airport, after the name of nearby village of Raja Sansi. It was renamed in November 2010 and is now named after the founder of Amritsar, Guru Ram Dass Ji. Internationally, one of the busiest routes is between Amritsar and London. Other major routes include flights linking the city to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Srinagar and Bangalore.

Air India, Qatar Airways and Turkmenistan are some of the top airlines that cover most of the routes at the Amritsar airport. One can easily pre-book a cab to their destination from the airport so they do not have to worry about their commute further. Regular taxis and auto-rickshaws are also available so one can pick the mode of transport as per their convenience and choice.

You can easily get budget hotels near Amritsar airport to make yourself comfortable in the city. Or else if you need 3 star or 4 star hotels in amritsar then you can visit here.

Reach Amritsar by Rail

Amritsar Railway station (ASR) is the major station of the city, connecting to many locations; like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore etc. The station was built in 1862 and comes under the Firozpur division of Northern Railway Zone. It has a total of 10 platforms, out of which 8 are commercial, and sees thousands of people travelling to and from the city every day. It is the busiest and the largest railway station in the state of Punjab.

Apart from Amritsar Railway Station, other top 9 railway stations within the town are:

1. Beas (BEAS)

2. Jandiala (JNL)    

3. Attari (ATT)

4. Verka Jn (VKA)

5. Bhagtanwala (BGTN)    

6. Butari (BTR)    

7. Mananwala (MOW)    

8. Sangrana Sahib (SBS)    

9. Tangra (TRA)

The Attari train route merges into the Lahore junction in Pakistan and Attari, also known as Atari, is the last station in India.

Yellow bus service is available free of cost from Amritsar Railway station to the holy Golden Temple. 

Reach Amritsar by Road

The district of Amritsar has good connectivity with other states/cities via road. Bus services are available from neighboring cities of Chandigarh, Shimla, Delhi, Dharamshala and Dalhousie and they terminate at Amritsar Bus Terminal.

Within the city as well, you have many options to choose from. One can easily find cycle-rickshaws and auto-rickshaws for daily commute over short distances. Cab services are also available if you wish to move around in a four-wheeler.

Amritsar MetroBus service provides a cheaper way of moving inside the city. The BRT system has many buses running, giving the commuters a quick way to travel around.

You can also take a road trip to Amritsar; many people prefer this over buses and trains. While enjoying your travel, you also get to spend quality time with your family and friends. For a longer road trip from a farther city, you can make stopovers in different cities. There are many dhabas/restaurants on the way to the town where you can stop and stretch. Have a parantha, chai or pakoras to let the vacation feel sink in!

Best time to Visit Amritsar

Peak summer and winter months are extreme in the city of Punjab, hence it is recommended to plan a trip to Amritsar during October-November or February-March. If you enjoy cold weather and can withstand low temperatures, you can visit the city during December-January as well. Make sure to pack winter wear in such case.

There are many budget hotels near Golden Temple where you can drop your luggage and carry on with your day plans.

Conclusion

As listed above, there are multiple modes of transport available to reach the Amritsar city. You can opt for a flight, bus or a train and plan your days accordingly. A holiday in the city is worth due to its rich culture and heritage. It is important to acknowledge our history to be able to appreciate our present as well as future.

So, plan a holiday at the earliest and witness some beautiful moments out there!