The Kartarpur Corridor, an approximately two-kilometer-long bridge, connects two important holy places: Dera Baba Nanak Sahib in India and Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan. Plan your visit to Kartarpur Sahib from Amritsar with this step-by-step guide, including modes of transportation and documentation.
What is the Kartarpur Corridor?
Now, let’s discuss why Kartarpur Corridor is important instead of starting with the way to reach it from Amritsar. The Kartarpur Corridor is a recent opening by Pakistan, effective for Sikh pilgrims from India. It enables them to visit Gurdwara Darbar Sahib in Pakistan without needing a visa. The corridor joins the 4.7km-long stretch between the Indian border and Pakistan so that pilgrims are able to complete their spiritual journey in just one day.
Travel Documents Required for the Kartarpur Corridor
Travelers will have to carry documents that would enable them to enter the Kartarpur Corridor coming from Amritsar:
- Valid passport, no visa required.
- The other is Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), which you apply online.
- Photocopy of your approved travel document Apply for the ETA at least a few days before your travel date.
How To Reach Kartarpur Corridor From Amritsar
The how to reach Kartarpur Corridor from Amritsar question has several answers based on your preferred modes of transport. This great city, home to the Golden Temple is accessible to the Kartarpur Corridor via multiple sources of transportation.
How to Reach Kartarpur Corridor from Amritsar Through Road: Direct Travel Options
The distance between Amritsar and Kartarpur Corridor is around 45 km, so it is quite a common medium for road travel to reach this place by pilgrims. You could travel in your own vehicle or book a taxi from Amritsar to reach Dera Baba Nanak. The duration would be close to 1-1.5 hours. Private taxis and travel operators are offering direct packages from Amritsar to the Kartarpur Corridor.
By Road: Convenient Travel Options
Kartarpur Corridor is approximately 45 km from Amritsar. Road transport has emerged as favourite mode of commute for the pilgrims. You may either drive your car or take private taxi from Amritsar to Dera Baba Nanak. So you will have about 1-1.5 hours in this travel.
Private taxis and tour agencies provide a number of direct journey packages to the Kartarpur Corridor from Amritsar.
Public Transport: Bus Options
For the budget travelers, there are buses available from Amritsar to Kartarpur Corridor. Punjab Roadways has straight buses from Amritsar to Dera Baba Nanak, Indian side of Kartarpur Corridor. You will proceed from there to the border crossing point. And as such, the buses leave every hour, but the journey takes around 2 hours. The distance from Amritsar to the bus is a journey that offers pilgrims the economical but still goes through the scene of Punjabi countryside.
By train, inexpensive rail options
Others who like train travel can take regular trains from Amritsar to Dera Baba Nanak Railway Station. The distance by train is about 1.5 hours. From Dera Baba Nanak, you walk or take an auto-rickshaw ride up to the Kartarpur Corridor entry point. It is a good way to your destination.
What to Expect after Reaching Kartarpur Corridor
From Amritsar to Kartarpur Corridor, by road, you would reach the Indian side of the border, and then at Dera Baba Nanak, an organized immigration and customs station await the pilgrims, where one has to produce travel documents and go through the procedure which is minimal formalities. Once that is over, pilgrims will be whisked across the border in shuttle buses.
Top Tips for Visiting the Kartarpur Corridor
Book your ETA: as much in advance as you can Ideally, you should book your ETA a week before your intended date of travel.
Be there early: The Kartarpur Corridor is only open for a limited hour each day, and in most cases, the earlier you arrive, the better you would not miss the shuttle service.
Respect the religious traditions: Be properly dressed, keep your head covered and keep your hands covered when you visit the Gurdwara.
Consider to stay nearby: If you like to stay in nearby, the Hotel Grand Hridey Amritsar is here. Stay here with comfort; it is centrally close to the city and accessible for travelers who want to visit the Kartarpur Corridor.
Kartarpur Corridor Tour Cost
Of course, crossing the Kartarpur Corridor as well as making the ETA application is free of cost but the shuttle service on the Pakistan side charges minimal so do carry some local currency for your purchases or offerings at the Gurdwara.
Best Time to Visit Kartarpur Corridor
Kartarpur Corridor is open throughout the year. However, the summers can be hot and the best time is from October to March, so you should choose the latter. If you are coming from Amritsar, calculate the dates for festivals like Gurpurab, when large crowds of pilgrims throng the Gurdwara.
Why You Must See the Kartarpur Corridor
The Kartarpur Corridor happens to be a religious, historical, and cultural experience. Since this holy place has been open after more than 70 years, it happens to be an emotional and spiritual journey for many Sikhs spread all over this planet. This place is simply an excellent example of peace and light which closes the void between two nation states for a higher spiritual cause.
Places to Visit Near the Kartarpur Corridor
There are many places near the area that you might want to linger for a little longer if you have more time around there:
Dera Baba Nanak Sahib: On the same grounds as the Kartarpur Corridor, it has a historical tie with Sikhs. Visit Dera Baba Nanak Sahib.
Golden Temple: Can be visited either prior to or post the visit to Kartarpur Corridor; it’s nearly an hour’s drive from Dera Baba Nanak.
Jallianwala Bagh: The Jallianwala Bagh is just near the complex of the Golden Temple and throws light on India’s freedom struggle.
Amritsar Accommodation
For the traveler from far-off lands, Hotel Grand Hridey Amritsar could be an ideal choice, located as it is in a convenient location in Amritsar. The Golden Temple and the Kartarpur Corridor entry point at Dera Baba Nanak are just a stone’s throw away.
Additional Travel Tips for Visiting Kartarpur Sahib
Planning your trip from Amritsar to Kartarpur Corridor? Here are some additional travel tips worth knowing
Pre-Booking Accommodation: Those coming from other parts of the country or abroad would do well to book accommodation in Amritsar before proceeding on your pilgrimage to Kartarpur Sahib. It is a good opportunity to see the many attractions in the city. Hotel Grand Hridey Amritsar for comfort and proximity to both the Golden Temple and the Kartarpur Corridor.
Language Considerations: Most staff members at Gurdwara Darbar Sahib can communicate in Punjabi, English, and Urdu, but learning a few basic Punjabi phrases will enhance communication with locals. This will give the visitor an element of belonging to the place and its people.
Security measures and etiquette: Being at the doorsteps of the International Border, the Kartarpur Corridor is heavily security-minded. So, do not forget to see all the restrictions and rules of the officials, such as what should be carried across the border or what is forbidden to be carried. Do not carry expensive items and things that are forbidden to cross. Just follow the instructions given in your visit.
Amritsar’s Cultural and Culinary Experiences
If you wish to know how to reach Kartarpur Corridor from Amritsar, and if there is time for it, indulge in Amritsar’s rich cultural and gastronomical heritage before getting to Kartarpur Sahib. Absorb the vibrancy of this ancient city by going around local markets and purchasing handicrafts. Plan your travel on how to get to Kartarpur Corridor from Amritsar; do not miss trying out the street foods like Amritsari Kulcha, Lassi, and Chole Bhature.
For a deeper look into how partition affected the lives of those living in the border region, visit the Partition Museum in Amritsar. Read this for getting building up on your exploration of how to reach Kartarpur Corridor from Amritsar for all you need to know about shared history between India and Pakistan.
Conclusion: Your Journey from Amritsar to Kartarpur Corridor
An easy and rewarding journey from Amritsar to the Kartarpur Corridor is quite accessible by roads, bus, or train. Remember that advance reservation is a must, not forgetting about the relevant documents. Enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime spiritual journey: how to reach Kartarpur Corridor from Amritsar is up to you to decide for travel, but there’s any route you can choose to have a meaningful connection to this sacred site.
Observe this journey as part of your larger pilgrimage or cultural sojourn in Punjab.
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