Asia > India > Amritsar (ATQ)
The Car or no Car advice for Amritsar can be broken down into three similar questions - do you need a car in Amritsar ; is it worth it (based on costs), and ultimately - should you rent one? (a balance of the two).🚆 🚌⛴️ Do we need to rent a car in Amritsar ?
These scores are based on the quality of public transport and other travel options. If these are good enough to see the main points of interest, then you don’t need to rent a car.
💰💶💳 Is it worth hiring a car in Amritsar?
These scores reflect the practical factors that affect whether renting a car is convenient, good value, and stress-free.
🚶 Why You Don’t Need a Car in Central Amritsar
First of all, the city’s main attractions sit close together. The Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, Hall Bazaar, and the Partition Museum all lie within a small area.
🌟 Go Car-Free If:
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You’re staying near the Golden Temple or the old city
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You want to explore markets, museums, and holy sites
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You prefer using autos, e-rickshaws, and taxis
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You want to avoid traffic and parking stress
Because the old city is dense and lively, walking or taking short rides works far better than driving.
➡ In short: you don’t need a car for sightseeing in central Amritsar.
🚌 Amritsar’s BRTS (MetroBus) Is Visitor-Friendly
Amritsar has a modern Bus Rapid Transit System (BRTS) called the MetroBus, and it’s useful even for tourists. It uses dedicated lanes, air-conditioned buses, and proper stations, which makes it far more reliable than typical city buses in India.
You Can Use MetroBus For:
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Travelling along the airport corridor cheaply
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Moving around the Ranjit Avenue hotel and restaurant district
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Reaching key roads that connect to the old city
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Avoiding heavy traffic on long cross-town journeys
Although it doesn’t stop right next to the Golden Temple, it can reduce taxi and auto-rickshaw usage significantly.
➡ For medium-distance city travel, the BRTS works very well.
🚕 Taxis and Autos Cover the Rest
For short distances, Amritsar has:
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Auto-rickshaws
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E-rickshaws
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Uber / Ola
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Cycle rickshaws for ultra-short hops
These make it extremely easy to get around without a car.
➡ For local movement, taxis and autos are ideal.
🚗 When Renting a Car With a Driver Makes Sense
Self-driving in India is usually discouraged because traffic norms differ, signage can vary, and driving in busy areas is difficult. However, a car with driver is very common, affordable, and practical.
A Car + Driver Helps If You Want To:
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Visit the Wagah Border ceremony
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Explore rural Punjab and outlying gurdwaras
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Visit Ram Tirath Temple or other suburban shrines
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Travel to Jalandhar, Gurdaspur, or Pathankot
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Combine several stops in one day on flexible timing
Because drivers know the roads and handle the stress, this becomes the best long-distance option.
➡ For day trips, choose a car with a driver instead of self-driving.
🚍 Public Transport Beyond the BRTS
Beyond the MetroBus, public buses exist but mostly serve commuters. They can work for long-distance routes, but they aren’t timed for sightseeing and often require extra local transport once you arrive.
➡ For tourism outside the BRTS corridor, taxis or drivers remain easier.
🧭 Quick Decision Table
| Your Plan in Amritsar / Punjab | Car Needed? |
|---|---|
| Golden Temple, Jallianwala Bagh, bazaars | ❌ No |
| Using the BRTS along main corridors | ❌ No |
| Wagah Border | ⚠️ Helpful (with driver) |
| Rural Punjab temples and villages | ✅ Yes (with driver) |
| Self-drive rental | 🚫 Not recommended |
🎯 Conclusion: Should You Rent a Car in Amritsar?
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🚫 Skip the car if you’re staying in the old city, using autos, taxis, ride-hailing apps, or taking advantage of the BRTS.
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🚗 Rent a car with a driver if you want to explore beyond Amritsar, especially the Wagah Border or rural Punjab, because self-driving is not recommended.