City in Punjab, India
Is Amritsar safe?
Safe and welcoming, with a strong sense of hospitality around the temple.
Is Amritsar safe?
Safe and welcoming, with a strong sense of hospitality around the temple. Pickpockets, traffic and overcharging are the main problems.
Key facts
- SoloSquare safety rating: 4/5, safe with normal care.
- US travel advisory: Level 2: Exercise increased caution, updated 2025-06-15.
- Homicide rate in India: 2.8 per 100,000 people (2022, UNODC via World Bank).
- Road deaths in India: 15.6 per 100,000 people a year (2019, WHO).
- Emergency numbers: Police 100 · Ambulance 108 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1363 · All emergencies 112.
Safety in Amritsar at a glance
| What to expect | |
|---|---|
| Overall | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Crime | Pickpocketing in the crowded Old City lanes, overcharging by autos and shops, and rare bag snatching near the station. |
| At night | The temple area stays open and busy 24 hours and feels safe. Elsewhere the city is quiet after 10–11 pm. |
| Solo women | Usually comfortable, especially around the Golden Temple. Stares occur; dress modestly, cover hair in gurdwaras and use app cabs after dark. |
| Other risks | Thick smoke Oct–Jan from crop burning; Fog delaying trains and flights Dec–Jan; Heat above 42°C in May–June |
Scams, areas and local laws
Common scams
- Rickshaw drivers steering you to commission shops or hotels
- Overpriced 'tourist' taxis to the Wagah border
- Touts offering free temple tours, then demanding money
Take care
- Crowded Old City lanes at festivals: pickpockets
- Railway station area late at night: touts and hassle
- Roads at night: fast traffic and few lights
Calmer areas to stay
Laws visitors break by accident
- Satellite phones and satellite messengers like Garmin inReach are illegal without a licence; travelers have been arrested at airports.
- Alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat, Bihar, Nagaland and Mizoram; beef is illegal in many states.
- Drones need registration and permission; photographing military sites, airports and bridges can lead to detention.
How Amritsar compares in India
| Place | Safety |
|---|---|
| Rishikesh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kochi | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Kolkata | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hyderabad | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Dharamshala | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Leh | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Chennai | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pondicherry | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Varkala | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Hampi | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Amritsar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jodhpur | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Jaisalmer | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Pushkar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Palolem | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Darjeeling | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Munnar | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Alleppey | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Andaman Islands | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Shimla | 4/5 · Safe with normal care |
| Delhi | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Goa | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Mumbai | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Jaipur | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Agra | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Varanasi | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Bangalore | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Udaipur | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Manali | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Anjuna | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
Quick answers
Is Amritsar safe for solo female travelers?
Usually comfortable, especially around the Golden Temple. Stares occur; dress modestly, cover hair in gurdwaras and use app cabs after dark.
Is Amritsar safe at night?
The temple area stays open and busy 24 hours and feels safe. Elsewhere the city is quiet after 10–11 pm.
What is the crime rate in Amritsar?
Pickpocketing in the crowded Old City lanes, overcharging by autos and shops, and rare bag snatching near the station. Nationally, India records 2.8 homicides per 100,000 people a year (2022).
What number do I call in an emergency in Amritsar?
Police 100 · Ambulance 108 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1363 · All emergencies 112.
More about Amritsar
Going to Amritsar solo?
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Sources
- US State Department travel advisory
- Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (Golden Temple)
- Amritsar Airport (Airports Authority of India)
- Indian Railways (IRCTC)
- World Bank: intentional homicides (UNODC)
- World Bank: road traffic deaths (WHO)
Safety ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment from official advisories, crime data and local reporting. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.