A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Islamabad vs. Amritsar for Vacations, Tours, and Honeymoons

Should you visit Islamabad or Amritsar?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Islamabad and Amritsar can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Where Should I go: Islamabad or Amritsar?

Islamabad

Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan, specially built in the 1960's to replace the former capital, Karachi. Most of the city's population are employees of the government, though many people come from all over Pakistan to enjoy the city's peaceful atmosphere and green spaces, museums, and monuments.

Amritsar

Amritsar is a holy city of the Sikh religion, named "holy pool of nectar" for the pool around the base of the Golden Temple complex. This complex is the city's main attraction, bringing pilgrims from all over to bathe in the waters of the sacred pool and visit the sacred temple.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Adventure Tours to Pakistan, The Best Cultural Tours in Pakistan, The Best Food and Culinary Tours in India, and The Best Photography Tours in India.


Which place is cheaper, Amritsar or Islamabad?

These are the overall average travel costs for the two destinations. These travel costs come from the actual spending of real travelers.

The average daily cost (per person) in Islamabad is $52, while the average daily cost in Amritsar is $59. These costs include accommodation (assuming double occupancy, so the traveler is sharing the room), food, transportation, and entertainment. While every person is different, these costs are an average of past travelers in each destination. What follows is a categorical breakdown of travel costs for Islamabad and Amritsar in more detail.



Accommodation
  • Accommodation Hotel or hostel for one person
    Islamabad $20
    Amritsar $20
  • Accommodation Typical double-occupancy room
    Islamabad $40
    Amritsar $40
Compare Hotels in Islamabad and Amritsar

Looking for a hotel in Islamabad or Amritsar? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options and compare which is best for your budget and travel style.

Hotels in Islamabad


Hotels in Amritsar


Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world. Compare prices for multiple destinations when planning your next trip.


Our Analysis
We've analyzed the average and typical hotel prices based on guest reviews, star ratings, and hotel amenities here: Islamabad Hotel Prices and Amritsar Hotel Prices.

Local Transportation
  • Local Transportation Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    Islamabad $7.65
    Amritsar $15

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Islamabad

Also for Islamabad, here are a few examples of actual transportation services:

  • Islamabad Airport Transfers: $54
  • Islamabad International Airport Arrival Pick up Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Departure Drop off Transfer: $55
  • Islamabad International Airport Transfer - ARRIVAL: $40
  • Premium Services: Islamabad Day Trip & Round Trip Airport Transfers.: $170
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Arrival: $55
  • Premium Services: Islamabad International Airport Transfer - Departures: $55
  • Private Chauffeur: Arrival Transfer Airport Pick up (Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore): $50
  • Private Transfer from Islamabad Airport to Pakistan: $61
  • Transit Trip: Islamabad City Exploration Day Tour & Round Trip Airport Transfer: $110

Hired Cars and Shuttles in Amritsar

Some specific examples of transportation prices in Amritsar:

  • Amritsar to Dharamshala Tour (One Way Transfer): $79
  • Half Day city tour with Lunch & transfers: $60
  • Private Transfer from Amritsar to Amritsar Raja Sansi (ATQ) Airport: $38

Is it cheaper to fly into Islamabad or Amritsar?

Prices for flights to both Amritsar and Islamabad change regularly based on dates and travel demand. We suggest you find the best prices for your next trip on Kayak, because you can compare the cost of flights across multiple airlines for your prefered dates.





Food
  • Food Meals for one day
    Islamabad $26
    Amritsar $29

Food Tours and Cooking Classes in Amritsar

Also, here are some specific examples of food and dining related activities in Amritsar.

  • Agra: Guided Street Food Tour w/ Private Transportation: $20
  • Amritsar Food Tour: $29
  • Lunch/Dinner and Cooking Class with a Local Family (3-4 hours): $38
  • Sadda Pind With Lunch Or Dinner From Amritsar: $164

Entertainment
  • Entertainment Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    Islamabad $9.44
    Amritsar $13

Tours and Activities in Islamabad

Also, here are some specific examples of entertainment, tickets, and activities for Islamabad.

  • Islamabad and Rawalpindi Sightseeing Tour: $70
  • Full Day Islamabad & Taxila UNESCO Site Tour: $78
  • Exclusive Luxury Private Tour: Discover the Gems of Islamabad: $80
  • Half Day Private Instagram Guided City Tour: $80
  • Islamabad City Tour: $80
  • Best of One-Day Sightseeing Tour: $85
  • Private Tour: Islamabad Full Day Customized Exploration Tour: $90
  • Islamabad Instagram Tour: Most Famous Spots (Private & All-Inclusive): $95
  • Best of Islamabad City Landmarks Exploration Tour (Private & Guided).: $95
  • Rawalpindi guided private city tour, Old City Charm: $100
  • Best of Islamabad Half Day Tour (Morn & Eve Slots): $100
  • Full Day Private Guided Tour of Taxila Gandahara Civilization: $100

Tours and Activities in Amritsar

Here are a few actual costs in Amritsar for available activities, ticket prices, and tours:

  • 2 Days Tour! City Tour , Village Tour, Food n Heritage Walk Tour: $109
  • A Day Trip of Amritsar Golden City from Delhi with Flight Tickets: $60
  • Agra : Taj Mahal & Mausoleum Tour With Skip-the-Line Entry: $6.76
  • Agra: Agra Fort and Baby Taj Private Tour with Pickup & Drop: $15
  • Amritsar - Half day City tour (In & Around Golden Temple): $37
  • Amritsar 1 Day Guided Tour-Golden Temple, Jalliawala Bagh, Wagah: $48
  • Amritsar 1 Day Sightseeing with Wagah Border: $32
  • Amritsar 1 Day Tour: Golden Temple, Jalianwala Bagh, Wagah Border: $49
  • Amritsar City Tour: $204
  • Amritsar City Tour ( EXCLUDING WAGAH BORDER): $48
  • Amritsar City Tour ( Including Wagah Border Ceremony): $54
  • Amritsar City Tour (Golden Temple, Wagah Border): $60

Alcohol
  • Alcohol Drinks for one day
    Islamabad $2.87
    Amritsar $12


When comparing the travel costs between Islamabad and Amritsar, we can see that Amritsar is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Asia, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Islamabad Expensive? and Is Amritsar Expensive?.


Which is Bigger, Islamabad or Amritsar?

Amritsar has a larger population, and is about 82% larger than the population of Islamabad. When comparing the sizes of Islamabad and Amritsar, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.


When is the best time to visit Islamabad or Amritsar?

Islamabad has a temperate climate with four distinct seasons, but Amritsar experiences a warm climate with fairly sunny weather most of the year.

Should I visit Islamabad or Amritsar in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Islamabad as well as Amritsar. The warm climate attracts visitors to Amritsar throughout the year.

It's very hot in Amritsar this time of the year. Islamabad can become quite hot in the summer. In July, Islamabad is generally around the same temperature as Amritsar. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 32°C (90°F), and Amritsar fluctuates around 33°C (91°F).

The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Amritsar. People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Islamabad this time of the year. In the summer, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Amritsar. Islamabad gets 247 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amritsar receives 215 hours of full sun.

It's quite rainy in Amritsar. Islamabad receives a lot of rain in the summer. Islamabad usually gets more rain in July than Amritsar. Islamabad gets 237 mm (9.3 in) of rain, while Amritsar receives 206 mm (8.1 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Summer Average Temperatures July
    Islamabad 32°C (90°F) 
    Amritsar 33°C (91°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Amritsar in the Autumn?

Both Amritsar and Islamabad are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Plenty of visitors come to Amritsar because of the warm climate and sunshine that lasts throughout the year.

Islamabad is around the same temperature as Amritsar in the autumn. The daily temperature in Islamabad averages around 26°C (80°F) in October, and Amritsar fluctuates around 27°C (81°F).

It's quite sunny in Amritsar. The sun comes out a lot this time of the year in Islamabad. Islamabad usually receives more sunshine than Amritsar during autumn. Islamabad gets 287 hours of sunny skies, while Amritsar receives 252 hours of full sun in the autumn.

In October, Islamabad usually receives less rain than Amritsar. Islamabad gets 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain, while Amritsar receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the autumn.


  • Autumn Average Temperatures October
    Islamabad 26°C (80°F) 
    Amritsar 27°C (81°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Amritsar in the Winter?

Both Amritsar and Islamabad during the winter are popular places to visit. Warm weather and sunshine bring visitors to Amritsar year-round.

In the winter, Islamabad is around the same temperature as Amritsar. Typically, the winter temperatures in Islamabad in January average around 14°C (57°F), and Amritsar averages at about 14°C (58°F).

It's quite sunny in Islamabad. In the winter, Islamabad often gets more sunshine than Amritsar. Islamabad gets 213 hours of sunny skies this time of year, while Amritsar receives 181 hours of full sun.

Islamabad usually gets more rain in January than Amritsar. Islamabad gets 34 mm (1.3 in) of rain, while Amritsar receives 23 mm (0.9 in) of rain this time of the year.


  • Winter Average Temperatures January
    Islamabad 14°C (57°F) 
    Amritsar 14°C (58°F)

Should I visit Islamabad or Amritsar in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Islamabad and Amritsar. Amritsar attracts visitors year-round for its warm weather and sunny climate.

In April, Islamabad is generally around the same temperature as Amritsar. Daily temperatures in Islamabad average around 27°C (80°F), and Amritsar fluctuates around 28°C (83°F).

People are often attracted to the plentiful sunshine in Amritsar this time of the year. In Islamabad, it's very sunny this time of the year. Islamabad usually receives around the same amount of sunshine as Amritsar during spring. Islamabad gets 258 hours of sunny skies, while Amritsar receives 265 hours of full sun in the spring.

In April, Islamabad usually receives more rain than Amritsar. Islamabad gets 37 mm (1.4 in) of rain, while Amritsar receives 25 mm (1 in) of rain each month for the spring.


  • Spring Average Temperatures April
    Islamabad 27°C (80°F) 
    Amritsar 28°C (83°F)

Typical Weather for Amritsar and Islamabad

Islamabad Amritsar
Temp (°C) Rain (mm) Temp (°C) Rain (mm)
Jan 14°C (57°F) 34 mm (1.3 in) 14°C (58°F) 23 mm (0.9 in)
Feb 16°C (61°F) 50 mm (2 in) 17°C (62°F) 32 mm (1.3 in)
Mar 21°C (70°F) 61 mm (2.4 in) 22°C (72°F) 41 mm (1.6 in)
Apr 27°C (80°F) 37 mm (1.4 in) 28°C (83°F) 25 mm (1 in)
May 32°C (89°F) 32 mm (1.3 in) 33°C (91°F) 18 mm (0.7 in)
Jun 35°C (94°F) 52 mm (2 in) 35°C (96°F) 45 mm (1.8 in)
Jul 32°C (90°F) 237 mm (9.3 in) 33°C (91°F) 206 mm (8.1 in)
Aug 31°C (89°F) 221 mm (8.7 in) 32°C (90°F) 178 mm (7 in)
Sep 31°C (87°F) 78 mm (3.1 in) 31°C (88°F) 99 mm (3.9 in)
Oct 26°C (80°F) 12 mm (0.5 in) 27°C (81°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Nov 20°C (68°F) 10 mm (0.4 in) 21°C (70°F) 6 mm (0.2 in)
Dec 15°C (59°F) 30 mm (1.2 in) 16°C (60°F) 19 mm (0.7 in)


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