Getting to Punjab (test seat, retired): by road, bus and air

How to reach Punjab by train, bus, car and plane, with the stations, corridors and drive times that actually shape a trip.

Arriving by air: Amritsar and Chandigarh

Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport sits about 11 km from Amritsar's Golden Temple, a 20 to 30 minute taxi ride depending on traffic on Airport Road. It handles the most international traffic in the state and has direct links to Delhi, Dubai and Doha. Chandigarh's Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Airport, shared with Mohali, is the better choice for Patiala, Ludhiana and Anandpur Sahib, with roughly a 40 minute drive to central Chandigarh and about 90 minutes to Patiala. Fares vary by season, so compare before you book.

For most travellers the practical split is simple: fly into Amritsar for the Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh and Wagah, and into Chandigarh for anything east or south. Domestic connections through Delhi are frequent and cheap in the low season. If you are booking a hotel, ask whether airport pickup is included; in Amritsar many properties near Hall Bazaar and Lawrence Road offer it, and it removes the haggling at the exit gate. Best months to fly are October to March, when fog delays are rare.

Trains: the most reliable backbone

Punjab's rail network is dense and connects almost every district. Amritsar Junction and Ludhiana Junction are the busiest, with overnight expresses from Delhi taking roughly six to eight hours depending on the service. Chandigarh is the cleanest gateway for Patiala and Ropar, while Jalandhar City is handy for Kapurthala and Phagwara. Book sleeper or chair car classes well ahead: the Delhi–Amritsar route fills up on weekends and around festivals.

For a hotel stay, pick your base by station rather than by map. Staying within a kilometre or two of Amritsar Junction puts you near the walled city and the Golden Temple, which is the most convenient area for a first visit. In Ludhiana, hotels around Ferozepur Road and the bus stand are practical for onward travel. Avoid booking far-flung resorts unless you have a car; station-to-hotel transfers in smaller towns can be slow.

Buses and the road network

State-run and private buses link Delhi to Punjab via the NH44 corridor, with Amritsar around 450 km from Delhi and typically eight to ten hours by road. Punjab Roadways and private operators run frequent services from ISBT Kashmere Gate. Within the state, buses connect Amritsar, Jalandhar, Ludhiana and Patiala regularly, and fares are modest. Roads are generally good on the main highways, though city traffic in Ludhiana and Amritsar slows things considerably.

Driving gives the most flexibility for Anandpur Sahib, the rural areas around Sangrur, and stops at smaller towns. Toll charges apply on NH44 and the Ambala–Chandigarh stretch. If you are driving, book a hotel with parking; central Amritsar properties often lack it. For a short trip, I would take the train or fly and hire a car locally rather than drive across the state. Skip self-driving during the monsoon months of July and August, when roads around low-lying districts get waterlogged.

Planning the stay around your arrival

Match your hotel to how you arrive. Fly into Amritsar and stay in the walled city for the Golden Temple; fly into Chandigarh and base yourself in Sector 17 or Sector 22, then move to Patiala or Anandpur Sahib by road. Train arrivals suit hotels near the station, especially for late-night services. Avoid booking a single base for the whole trip if you plan to cover both east and west Punjab; the distances are longer than they look on a map.

Diwali is a good time to visit, with the Golden Temple illuminated and markets busy in Amritsar and Ludhiana. Book hotels several weeks ahead for that period, as demand rises sharply. Prices in the shoulder months of September and March are usually softer. For a first trip, I would book two nights in Amritsar and one in Chandigarh or Patiala, arriving by air and leaving by train. That combination covers the main sights without long road transfers.

Questions, answered

What is the best way to reach Amritsar?

Flying into Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport is quickest, with a 20 to 30 minute transfer to the Golden Temple. Trains from Delhi take six to eight hours overnight, and buses on NH44 take roughly eight to ten hours.

Should I base myself in Chandigarh or Amritsar?

Choose Amritsar for the Golden Temple and Wagah, and Chandigarh for Patiala, Anandpur Sahib and eastern Punjab. Many travellers split the trip, staying two nights in each rather than making long day trips.

When is the best time to visit Punjab?

October to March is the most comfortable, with Diwali a lively period in Amritsar and Ludhiana. Avoid July and August if you plan to drive, as monsoon rain can affect roads in low-lying districts.

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