Delhi to Amritsar

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 4 min read

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Amritsar and the Golden Temple sit about 450 km northwest of Delhi — close enough for a long day trip but rich enough to deserve a night or two. The train is the classic way: fast, comfortable Vande Bharat and Shatabdi services run daily, and the journey itself passes through the heart of Punjab. Here is how to choose your route.

The fastest train: Vande Bharat Express

The Vande Bharat Express (Train 22429/22430) is India's fastest option on this corridor, completing the journey in around 5 hours 45 minutes to 6 hours. It departs from New Delhi railway station and arrives at Amritsar Junction, which is within easy reach of the Golden Temple — about 3–4 km by auto-rickshaw or taxi.

The Vande Bharat is a chair-car service with air-conditioning across all classes. Seats are comfortable, there is a meal service included, and it generally runs on time. Fares vary by class (Executive Chair Car and Chair Car); book through the IRCTC website or app. Trains on this route fill up quickly, especially on weekends and around festival periods — book several weeks ahead where you can.

The classic option: Shatabdi Express

The Swarna Shatabdi Express (Train 12029/12030) has run this route for decades and remains a popular, reliable choice. Journey time is around 6 to 6.5 hours. Like the Vande Bharat it runs chair-car only (Executive Chair Car and Chair Car), includes meals in the fare, and operates on most days of the week — check the IRCTC timetable for running days, as Shatabdi services sometimes skip certain days.

Both trains are fully reserved — you must hold a specific seat booking to board. Walk-up tickets are not available. If both are sold out, check the availability of a tatkal (premium last-minute) quota on IRCTC, or look at the overnight options below.

Overnight trains

Several overnight services link Delhi and Amritsar, including the Golden Temple Mail (Frontier Mail, Train 12903/12904) and others. These offer sleeper berths across multiple classes — 3AC, 2AC and 1AC — which means you sleep through the journey and arrive fresh. Overnight trains take around 7–8 hours, so they are not faster than the daytimes but they save on accommodation costs and free up a full day. Fares for berths vary significantly by class.

The cheapest way: overnight bus

Private sleeper buses operate between Delhi and Amritsar overnight, run by operators including PRTC (Punjab Roadways), HRTC and several private companies bookable through redBus or similar aggregators. Journey times are typically 8–10 hours, with the longer end common if traffic is heavy around Delhi or if there are rest stops. Semi-sleeper and full-sleeper berths are available; fares are lower than AC train classes but comfort is more variable.

Day buses also run the route but are slower; most travellers prefer night buses to keep the day free.

Flying Delhi to Amritsar

The flight from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport (ATQ) takes about 1 hour. IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet operate the route with multiple daily departures. Budget fares can make flying competitive with AC train classes, but add transfers at both ends — the Amritsar airport is about 12 km from the Golden Temple — and the door-to-door advantage shrinks. Flying is most sensible if you find a genuinely cheap fare, are very short on time, or need to travel at a specific hour that trains cannot match.

Getting around Amritsar

Amritsar Junction is central and well connected to the city. Auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws are abundant for short trips. The Golden Temple is the clear focus for most visitors: the complex is open all hours, and the langar (free community kitchen) serves thousands of people daily. The Wagah Border ceremony with Pakistan, about 28 km from the city, is accessible by auto or shared taxi and is a popular excursion.

Which should you choose?

For most travellers, the Vande Bharat or Shatabdi is the answer: fast, comfortable and affordable, arriving in the city centre. Book as soon as your dates are fixed. If trains are sold out, consider an overnight bus for budget travel or flying if cost and timing align. The overnight train sleeper classes are a good middle ground — cheaper than flying, and you arrive rested.

Frequently asked questions

How long does the Vande Bharat take from Delhi to Amritsar?

Around 5 hours 45 minutes to 6 hours, making it the fastest surface option between the two cities.

Do I need to book in advance for the Shatabdi or Vande Bharat?

Yes — both are fully reserved trains with no walk-up tickets. Book through IRCTC as early as possible, especially around weekends and festivals. A foreign tourist quota exists on some departures for international visitors.

Is it worth flying from Delhi to Amritsar?

On a good fare, flying takes about an hour — but add airport transfers at both ends and the total door-to-door time compares less favourably with the train. It is worth considering if you find a cheap ticket or need a very specific departure time.

Where does the train arrive in Amritsar?

At Amritsar Junction, in the heart of the city, about 3–4 km from the Golden Temple by auto-rickshaw or taxi.