Chandigarh to Amritsar train?

Hi there

Im currently trying to plan my trip to India next summer...

I need to get from Chandigarh to Amritsar in as little time as possible. So naturally I looked to see if any trains were going between these cities, and was surprised to find that there are no direct trains between Chandigarh and Amritsar.

Is this really the case? All I could find was a stop over, making the journey 5 1/2 hours long.

How long does the bus between chandigarh and amritsar take?

Thanks for the info

Neeraj

Chandigarh to Amritsar should be less than 4 hours by road..but its hard to believe that there is no direct train connection..

There are no trains between Chandigarh and Amritsar, strange I know, Indian Railways tried running a train* this year, but it wasn't popular.

(*they added a few carriages to the Amritsar-Haridwar Jan Shatabdi and took those carriages on to Chandigarh from Ambala)

So the bus would seem like the best option.

I am sure they would have something from Ambala ? Ambala - Amritsar..as Chandigarh doesn't seem to be a popular train spot for trains heading North.

There are loads of trains between Ambala and Amritsar, and some really fast ones, but getting to Ambala, then the risk that the booked train could be late, doesn't make it a good option for someone looking to save time.

Yeah..I understand....btw..I would be there this new years..heading to Amritsar, Chandigarh on way back, Bhakra Nagal, Ambala, Kurukshetra..etc..

I went to Amritsar on my last trip, I was really surprised to find it was a dirty dusty place, I had always believed it was a wealthy city run by very proud people, so I expected it to be well looked after, but it wasn't.

However, the Golden temple just blew me away, one of the 'must sees' in India, The Sikh museum (in the temple complex) was also very interesting, the Indian version of the Golden temple was also interesting, and the border ceremony was wonderful too, all in all, very glad I visited Amritsar.

Its actually one of the cheapest cities in India..and its has one major specialty...Food, Food and more Food..its a delightful place to be for food lovers...

chandigarh train link is under construction and may take one-two years more. I am sure this will reduce road pressure on this route.
I am regular on this route and have seen that even if one is driving in middle of the night- you will find traffic.

this was not so few years back. So, at present, you have A/C and Govt. run buses for Chandigarh from Amritsar.

I think you have to get ambala and from there you can take train, i suggest you to go by road.....

Ambala is just a 45 min bus ride from Chandigarh and the bus stops at the station entrance.
There are no less than 2 dozen trains from Ambala to Amritsar all thru the day and night, mostly not crowded as it is the final section for all the long distance trains.
There are two Shatabdis running on this route, and that is unique in itself.

Hi,

There is a luxury a/c bus from Chandigarh to Amritsar at 12:00 ands 17:00 every day which costs Rs 300 but the website doesn't say how long it takes. Has anyone used it and knows the journey time? The website is www.punjabroadways.gov.in/lexia.htm.

Cheers

I think you mean the Hindu version of the Golden Temple - Durgiana Mandir. Maharaja Rhunjeet Singh (Lion of Punjab) was secular in outlook and funded the building of Gurdwara, Mandir and Mosques. This includes the Durgiana Mandir and explains why it looks similar to the Golden Temple.

Punjab Roadways and private buses run frequently from Chandigarh to Amritsar and the journey takes 7 hours.
The Delhi Ambala Kalka rail line is well served by several day and overnight trains, including two Shatabdi services.
A new 'direct' rail link from Chandigarh to Ludhiana is under construction, and then the journey to Amritsar and Jammu from Chandigarh will be less circuitous, bypassing Ambala.
For some strange reason, when India's most planned city was laid out, they forgot to factor in a rail line and any major train junction.
Chandigarh is served by a rail line that just about touches an extreme periphery of the city. The railway station is a 2 platform affair like any mofussil place in India.

Not bad planning then because at least it does not cause any problems. Can you imagine a central station and all the chaos with level crossings.