We ended up traveling by overnight train from Bikaner to Amritsar in Punjab on a bit of a mission to make our way north from Jaisalmer. The challenge? There aren’t many options of train out of Jaisalmer and there are limited trains heading north from Bikaner.
But it wasn’t a bad thing! Here is everything you need to know about travelling from Bikaner by train to Amritsar as well as some essential tips for surviving – and thriving – the journey by sleeper train in India.
And hey! The real spoiler alert for this journey? It wasn’t even a completely overnight trip!
Read on for the full details.
- Bikaner to Amritsar
- Options for travel
- Train options from Bikaner to Amritsar
Ju Jat Express - Classes of train travel in India
- Classes of travel Bikaner to Amritsar
- What is it (honestly) like?
- Buying tickets
- Things to know
- Meals
- Toilets
- Have more time?
- Where to stay in Bikaner and Amritsar
Why were we traveling from Bikaner to Amritsar anyway?
Our journey by train from Bikaner to Amritsar started with the challenge of trying to work out how to get from Jaisalmer to Amritsar.
Our plan in heading north from Rajasthan to Amritsar was that we planned on crossing the Wagah Border from Amritsar, India to Lahore, Pakistan.
- Tip: We have done this border crossing four times now by the way! You can read about that here.
But it turns out there are no direct trains from Jaisalmer to Amritsar. From Jaisalmer there aren’t trains much further than Jodhpur or Jaipur in Rajasthan. But it is possible to first go by bus from Jaisalmer to Bikaner. And from there we could get an overnight train from Bikaner to Amritsar.
It made sense to go from Jaisalmer to Bikaner and on to Amritsar to save doubling back through Rajasthan or Delhi. And plus, it seemed like a great opportunity to visit Bikaner for a first time too.
- Read about the bus from Jaisalmer to Bikaner.
Options for travel from Bikaner to Amritsar
There are only two options for travel from Bikaner to Amritsar:
- Road
- Rail
By road the journey from Bikaner to Amritsar takes around 9 – 10 hours. It is possible to go by bus (including overnight bus) or you could in theory book a private driver.
Realistically though, the most convenient way to get there is to travel by train.
Is there a direct train from Bikaner to Amritsar?
Yes. The good news is there is a direct train from Bikaner to Amritsar.
Options by train from Bikaner to Amritsar
What makes this much easier to choose a way to make the trip is that there is oinly one daily train from Bikaner direct to Amritsar.
- JU JAT EXPRESS #19255
Departs daily from Bikaner (BKN) at 12:05pm and arrives to Amritsar (ASR) at 00:50am taking 12 hours 45 mins.
We were pleased to find there is a daily option by rail to get from Bikaner to Amritsar. However, practicalities of the arrival time after midnight make it a bit of a pain for checking in to accommodation in Amritsar. But we needed to get there, and it sounded like an adventure.
Classes of train travel in India
There are eight different classes of train travel in India that vary by comfort level, amenities and price.
These are the classes of train travel in India listed in descending order according of price per fare.
- First Class (1A)
- Second AC / 2-Tier AC (2A)
- Third AC / 3-Tier AC (3A)
- AC Executive chair class (EC)
- Seated AC / AC Chair Car (CC)
- Sleeper Class (SL)
- General / Second Class Seats (2S, II)
- Unreserved General Class (UR)
However, the decision of which train travel class to take for the route by train from Bikaner to Amritsar is more straight forward as not all these classes are available.
Classes of train travel on the train from Bikaner to Amritsar
The Ju Jat Express train from Bikaner to Amritsar is a local Mail/Express train and only have three classes of travel:
- JU JAT EXPRESS: 2A, 3A, SL
Note that each of these classes – 2A, 3A and SL – are all ‘Sleeper’ classes of train travel in India.
Each of these classes of train travel have bunk-style seating. However, the biggest difference is that 2A and 3A have air-conditioning while SL does not. SL is officially called ‘Sleeper Class’ and has similar bunk seating. But it does not have air-conditioning and thus has open slat-style windows.
About the journey. What is it really like?
We travelled in Second Class on the Ju Jat Express. We made sure to arrive extra early to the train station in Bikaner as we were aware there is only one train per day from Bikaner to Amritsar and we had no other way of getting there!
Overall, we had a good journey to Amritsar. The AC Second Class is comfortable for a mid-overnight length of train travel in India. However, the biggest downside of traveling this route from Bikaner to Amritsar was the late-night arrival time. Arriving after midnight makes it tricky to go to sleep as we didn’t want to miss the stop.
- Tip: The Ju Jat Express runs all the way from Jodhpur to Vaishno Devi Katra in Jammu and Kashmir, so it only stops at Amritsar for 10 mins!
The AC 2-Tier layout means that there are four bunks in a cabin space within the air-conditioned carriage. This is convenient travelling as a family of four as it means usually, we end up with all four bunks in the one cabin space.
Though traveling in 2A differs from 1A in that the cabin space in 2A is separated from the rest of the carriage by a curtain. In 1A there is a lockable door in each cabin of two or four bunks. And in 3A there is usually no curtain separating the cabin spaces and bunks.
Railway stations in Bikaner and Amritsar
Bikaner Junction is the main railway station in Bikaner with six platforms including one for long-distance trains:
- Bikaner Junction (BKN)
Amritsar Junction is the central railway station in Amritsar:
- Amritsar Junction (ASR)
It is IMPORTANT to check the departure station and the station code of your train ticket so you know which railway station you are traveling to and from. However it is easier for the train from Bikaner to Amritsar as it departs and arrives from the main railway stations in each city.
- Book tickets for trains in India through 12GoAsia.com.
Buying tickets for train travel in India
There are several options for you to book and buy tickets for the trains in India independently:
- Go to a railway station (in Delhi) and book in person when you arrive
- Book online directly from Indian Railways at the IRCTC website www.irctc.co.in
- Book online through third party 12GoAsia.
With the IRCTC website you really need to have an Indian phone number to log in which is tricky from overseas. The easiest option is with 12GOAsia.
- Read our complete guide to train travel in India and how to buy tickets for India Railways.
IMPORTANT things to know before boarding the train (any train in India)
The first thing is to check you eTicket and find these details:
- Train Name and Number
eg. JU JAT EXP #19225
- Platform
eg. PL 6
- Carriage
eg. A1 or B3
- Seat
eg. 33 or 34
Arriving at the station in Bikaner or Amritsar to board your train (or any train in India), look for the large electronic board with the scheduled departure times, expected arrival/departure times and the platform numbers.
You can confirm the platform number by using your train name or number.
There are small electronic signs above the platform that display the next arriving train number as well as the carriage number that pulls in directly in that space.
- Tip: Check your carriage number (eg. A1 or B3) and make sure to stand and wait in the correct spot on the platform for easy boarding.
Are there meals included on the train Bikaner to Amritsar?
No. Meals are not included in the ticket price for the Mail/Express trains in Rajasthan. However, there are Indian Railway staff that come through the carriage in the early evening to take orders for a hot dinner.
- Tip: It costs 150 – 250 INR for a vegetarian Thali meal on the train delivered around 8:00pm.
Otherwise, there are snacks, water and drinks available at the railway station in Bikaner and Amritsar. As well as staff that come through the carriage regularly selling bottled water, snacks and drinks.
What about toilets?
Without beating around the bush, the toilets on the train from Bikaner to Amritsar are basic. Remembering they are set up for Second and Third Class as well as the cheaper Sleeper Class. These classes of train travel in India don’t always have a Western style toilet. However, there are usually two options of a squat toilet in between the carriages so you can pick and choose the best of the situation in the moment…
- Tip: Read about how to use a squat toilet in Asia here. (Go on; you know you want to know!).
More about things to do in Bikaner and Amritsar
Planning your itinerary for India and wondering how long you need in Bikaner and Amritsar?
- Read about the best things to do in Bikaner plus how to visit the Golden Temple and other things to see in Amritsar.
Where to stay in Bikaner and Amritsar
- Bikaner / Budget: The Prince Haveli
Owner Atik and staff are gracious hosts. The haveli has been lovingly restored and is an affordable way to experience a traditional Haveli in Bikaner.
- Amritsar / Budget: Hotel Sapphire
A basic hotel literally right outside the main entrance to Golden Temple though note only the upstairs rooms have a balcony and direct views.
- Amritsar / Mid-Range / Luxury: Hyatt Regency
We have a fabulous stay each time with a swimming pool, restaurant and incredible breakfast buffet and only a short drive to the Golden Temple with the famous Nexus Alpha Mall is right next door!
Traveling further in India?
See our India Travel Guides for the best things to do, where to stay and how to get around.
More about travel planning for India and beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime and can recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia through 12Go.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world including everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance before riding those trains in India!
Read more from travel in South Asia
- How to use a squat toilet: Everything you didn’t want to ask…
- Our complete packing list for travel in India.
- Taking an overnight train in Pakistan.
- How to apply for a Pakistan e-Visa: And can you use it at the Wagah Border?
- Crossing the Wagah Border from India to Pakistan.
- Pakistan with kids: A complete guide to travel in Pakistan.
- Using ATM’s, withdrawing and carrying your money safely in India.
