Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience the Golden Temple. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Amritsar City Tour (Including Wagah Border Ceremony)

• Amritsar Excursion (Private Full-Day Tour)

• Golden Temple Guided Tour (Planet Amritsar Inc.)

• Amritsar Tour with a Sikh (Full-Day All Inclusive)

• Amritsar Golden Temple Tour

Admission to the Golden Temple is free for all—you can even get a vegetarian meal prepared in the community kitchen free of charge. That said, you might want to join a guided tour to learn more about Sikhism, Punjabi culture, and the cultural significance of the Golden Temple. Expect to pay around US$20 for a tour of just the temple, or around US$50 for a longer tour of the Amritsar area that includes the temple.

Yes, the Golden Temple is definitely worth visiting—many people travel to Amritsar in order to visit the holiest site in the Sikh faith. In a country with many dazzlingly beautiful buildings, Amritsar's Golden Temple is one of the most beautiful. Visit independently to walk around the grounds for as long as you'd like and watch the never-ending streams of devotees, or stop by on a guided tour to learn more.

Per one customer who booked the Amritsar City Tour (Including Wagah Border Ceremony), "Our tour included the Golden Temple and the India/Pakistani border closure display. Our guide, Mr Ravish, and his driver, were prompt for the hotel pickup, and he gave us a very detailed and interesting commentary of the recent history of Amritsar. He guided us around the Golden Temple and explained what happens there throughout the day and night. And he showed us the operation of the kitchens which provide meals for thousands of devotees daily."

Yes, anyone can visit the Golden Temple. Sikhism places a strong emphasis on the equality of all humans—irrespective of background, gender, or faith—and the temple features no areas that are off limits to anyone. All are welcome to dine together at the temple's langur (communal kitchen), where there is no charge for food served.

The best time to visit the Golden Temple is either first thing in the morning, when the Guru Granth Sahib (Sikh holy book) is brought out for the day, or at sunset, when the holy book is put to rest in a ceremony known as Sukhasan.

The best time of year to visit the Golden Temple is between October and March, when the weather is reasonably cool and dry. If you don't mind soaring temperatures, consider visiting for the annual Vaisakhi celebrations in April, which attracts huge crowds.

Yes, the Golden Temple has a dress code, but it’s not super strict. It’s important to keep your head covered and remove your shoes, but it’s also polite to dress modestly. If you don’t have a head covering, you can borrow one for free at the entrance of the temple.

There are many accommodation options near the Golden Temple, ranging from high-end hotels to budget guesthouses. There is also modest hostel-style accommodation within the temple grounds, which is free of charge. While many people give a donation in return, doing so is neither expected nor required.

There are some things to do when you're done visiting the Golden Temple. According to travelers, these are the top attractions in Amritsar:

• Attari-Wagah Border

• Jallianwala Bagh

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Amritsar.