Wagah Border taxi tour with pickup & local driver Amritsar

4.96

(25 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the thump of boots on concrete — sharp, echoing across the open space at the Wagah Border. Our driver, Mr. Singh, had picked us up right from the hotel in Amritsar (he even waited while I ran back for my sunglasses — sorry again). The drive out to the Indo-Pak border took about 45 minutes, past fields that smelled faintly sweet and dusty at the same time. I’d seen videos of the flag retreat ceremony before, but being there is just… different.

We got dropped at the parking lot where everyone gathers before heading to the seating area. There’s this buzz — families chatting in Punjabi, vendors selling chai in little paper cups (I caved and grabbed one), and kids waving tiny flags. The sun was still high but softening a bit; you could feel everyone getting a little restless waiting for things to start. When the soldiers finally appeared, people started clapping and shouting — not in sync or anything, just pure excitement. Our guide didn’t come with us inside (drivers can’t go past a point), but he told us exactly where to sit for the best view and where he’d be waiting after.

The actual ceremony is loud and proud — boots stomping, arms swinging almost theatrically. The crowd on both sides tries to out-cheer each other; it’s half serious, half playful. I tried to follow along with some of the chants but definitely messed up a few words (the lady next to me laughed and helped me out). As dusk crept in and they lowered the flags, there was this weird mix of pride and something quieter I can’t quite explain. Maybe it’s just being so close to that line between two worlds.

Afterwards we found our driver right where he said he’d be — honestly relieved not to have to figure out transport back into Amritsar in that crowd. The ride home felt slower somehow; maybe it was just all of us thinking about what we’d seen. I still think about those cheers echoing as night fell over the border.