Taxi & Transport Scams in Amritsar, India
Overcharging, meter tampering, fake taxis, and transport cons targeting tourists. Below are the taxi & transport scams reported in Amritsar — how they work and how to avoid them.
For broader context, compare this scam type with nearby destinations like Kochi, Udaipur, and Kandy.
Last updated: April 4, 2026
4
Taxi & Transport Scams
13
Total in Amritsar
How it works
Auto-rickshaw and cycle-rickshaw drivers outside Amritsar Railway Station routinely quote fares 3–5 times the metered or standard rate to tourists. Drivers claim the meter is broken or that a flat rate applies. The route to the Golden Temple is a common target, as is transport to the Wagah Border.
How it works
Auto-rickshaw and cycle-rickshaw drivers in Amritsar routinely divert tourists to commission-paying shops under the guise of sightseeing or helpful recommendations. Drivers claim that a specific market, textile shop, or gem dealer is a must-see local attraction or that the tourist's intended destination is closed. Tourists are taken to a shop where the driver collects a commission on any purchase, and goods are marked up significantly. This pattern is well-documented across multiple India travel guides and is distinct from straightforward fare overcharging.
How it works
Unlicensed taxi drivers outside the arrivals hall at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport approach travelers and quote fares several times the going rate for the 11 km journey into the city. Some use unmarked vehicles and refuse to provide receipts.
How it works
The parking contractor at Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport systematically overcharges arriving and departing passengers, with multiple documented cases reported in Tribune India and viral complaints on social media through 2024–2026. Staff have been found switching off FASTag scanners to collect manual cash payments, charging double the posted tariff, and deliberately delaying vehicles in the designated free pickup/drop zone to force payment once the window expires. In one documented 2026 case, a visitor was charged ₹110 for a ₹55 slot.
See all scams in Amritsar
13 total warnings across all categories