Ayodhya–Varanasi–Prayagraj in 5 Days: The Ideal Itinerary for NRIs on a Short India Trip

By the Your Travel Partner team, Ayodhya. Last updated: 12 October 2026.

Most NRI families do not have three weeks in India. They have a wedding in Delhi, a few days with parents in Lucknow or Pune, and then a small window, usually five days, for the trip they have been promising themselves for years: Ram Lalla in Ayodhya, a dip at the Sangam in Prayagraj, and the Ganga aarti in Kashi. This guide is built for exactly that window. It tells you which airport to fly into and out of, the order that saves the most time, what each day looks like hour by hour, how the temple rules differ between the three cities, and what to arrange before you leave home.

Quick Answer

The best 5-day Ayodhya Varanasi Prayagraj itinerary for NRIs runs in one direction, with no backtracking: fly into Ayodhya (usually via Delhi), spend a day and a half there, drive to Prayagraj for the Triveni Sangam, continue to Varanasi, and fly out of Varanasi. The two road legs are about 165 km (Ayodhya to Prayagraj) and about 120 to 130 km (Prayagraj to Varanasi). Keep one car and driver for the whole circuit. Ram Mandir darshan is free; at Kashi Vishwanath, general darshan is free and the temple trust also sells its own official tickets for faster entry and aartis.

In This Guide

• Who this itinerary is for
• Which airports to fly in and out of
• Which order: Ayodhya first or Varanasi first?
• The 5-day itinerary, hour by hour
• If you have 4 or 6 days instead
• Temple rules in each city
• Making the most of Prayagraj in one morning
• If you are carrying ashes for visarjan
• When to go: dates for 2026 and 2027
• Where to stay in each city
• Getting around: car, rickshaw and boat
• Travelling with parents
• Food along the route
• What to pack for five days
• Before you leave home
• What decides the cost
• Mistakes that waste a day
• Plan it with us
• FAQs

Who This Itinerary Is For

This plan is written for Indians living abroad, OCI cardholders and visiting families who:

• are already in India for family time or a wedding, and can spare five days;
• want the three most important pilgrimage cities of Uttar Pradesh in one trip, without rushing darshan;
• may be travelling with parents in their sixties or seventies;
• prefer a private car and a fixed plan to working things out on the spot;
• need the trip to fit between two flights.

If you are still planning the international part of your journey, our country guides cover flights, visas and costs in detail: from the USA, from Canada, from the UK, from Melbourne and from Sydney.

Which Airports to Fly In and Out Of

The single decision that makes a 5-day Ayodhya Varanasi Prayagraj trip work is flying into one end of the route and out of the other. Booking a simple return to one city forces you to drive back across the state on your last day.

The cleanest booking is an open-jaw ticket: your home city to Ayodhya via Delhi on the way in, and Varanasi to your home city via Delhi on the way out, on one booking if the airline sells it. Your bags are checked through, and if a domestic flight is late, the airline has to rebook your international connection. Routes and schedules change from season to season, so check the current timetable for your dates.

Which Order: Ayodhya First or Varanasi First?

Both directions work. The table shows when each one makes more sense.

The rest of this guide follows the Ayodhya-first direction. Reverse the days if you are flying into Varanasi.

The 5-Day Itinerary, Hour by Hour

Times are a guide, not a contract. Darshan queues set the real pace, so every day keeps the afternoon light.

Day 1: Arrive in Ayodhya, evening on the Saryu

Day 2: Ram Mandir darshan, then on to Prayagraj

If you would rather have a full second day in Ayodhya, add Guptar Ghat and Bharat Kund at Nandigram and make it a 6-day trip. On a strict five days, this order gives Varanasi the most time.

Day 3: Triveni Sangam at sunrise, Varanasi by evening

Day 4: Kashi Vishwanath and the ghats

Day 5: Sunrise on the Ganga, then fly home

The 5 days on one page

If You Have 4 or 6 Days Instead

Whatever the length, keep the same rule: one direction, daylight driving, and one main visit per half-day. That is what makes any Ayodhya Varanasi Prayagraj itinerary feel unhurried.

Temple Rules in Each City

The three main temples on this route work differently. Knowing this in advance saves a lot of confusion.

Ram Mandir darshan

• Timings listed by the Trust: Mangal Aarti 4:00 a.m., Shringar Aarti 6:00 a.m., darshan 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon and 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m., Shayan Aarti 10:00 p.m. They change with the season and on festival days, so check before you go.
• Darshan and passes are free. Passes are issued only on online.srjbtkshetra.org or at the Trust's counter, against each person's photo ID. Carry your passport or OCI card.
• No travel company can sell a pass, including us.

Kashi Vishwanath darshan

• General darshan is free, but queues can be long, especially on Mondays and festival days.
• The Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust sells Sugam Darshan and aarti tickets through its official website and app. Recent travel guides report Sugam Darshan at about ₹250 and the pre-dawn Mangala Aarti at about ₹500, with foreign nationals asked to book at the temple desk with passport and visa copies. Confirm current prices and the procedure for OCI holders on the trust's site or helpline before you go.
• Phones, cameras, pens and bags are not allowed inside. Carry a printed copy of any ticket.
• Buy only from the official trust. Anyone selling "VIP darshan" privately is not selling anything official.

Making the Most of Prayagraj in One Morning

On a 5-day Ayodhya Varanasi Prayagraj trip, Prayagraj gets one evening and one morning. That is enough if the morning is planned well.

• Go to the Sangam at sunrise. The light is beautiful, the boats are calmer and the heat has not set in.
• Agree on the boat price before you board, including waiting time at the Sangam and the return.
• Carry a change of clothes and a small towel if anyone in the family plans to take a dip.
• Bade Hanuman temple, with its reclining image of Hanuman, is a short walk from the Sangam area.
• If you have an extra hour: the Akshayavat inside the fort complex and the Alopi Devi temple are both nearby. Opening hours vary, so check locally.

Prayagraj's bathing season peaks during the Magh Mela, roughly January to February. The ghats are lively but very crowded then; allow more time for the boat.

If You Are Carrying Ashes for Visarjan

Many NRI families combine this circuit with asthi visarjan for a parent, usually at the Triveni Sangam in Prayagraj or on the Ganga in Varanasi. A few practical points:

1. Get the paperwork done abroad. Indian missions issue a certificate for transporting ashes to India. Requirements usually include the death and cremation certificates (often apostilled) and the deceased's passport. Check with the Indian embassy or consulate for your area well before you fly.
2. Use an X-ray-clearable container. Wood, plastic, cardboard or unlined ceramic usually screen well; metal and stone often do not.
3. Tell the airline you are carrying cremated remains, and check the rules of every airline on your route.
4. Plan the ritual for the Prayagraj morning in this itinerary, or for the Varanasi morning if you reverse the route. Agree on the priest's dakshina in advance.

This is general guidance, not legal advice. Requirements are set by the Indian mission, your country's authorities and the airlines, and they change. Families planning pind daan as well can add Gaya; see our guide to the cost of pind daan in Gaya.

When to Go: Dates for 2026 and 2027

For lit ghats and a festive atmosphere, plan your five days to end in Varanasi on Dev Deepawali. For a calm trip with short queues, choose February or the second half of November. Festival dates follow the Hindu calendar; confirm them closer to the time.

Where to Stay in Each City

For an NRI family on a short trip, location and comfort matter more than star ratings. Ask every hotel about a lift, hot water, a power backup and a vegetarian kitchen. All three cities are largely vegetarian around the temples.

Getting Around: Car, Rickshaw and Boat

• One car with a driver for all five days is the simplest arrangement. Your luggage stays in the vehicle on transfer days, and the driver knows the drop points in each city.
• In Ayodhya, cars are stopped short of several temples; an e-rickshaw covers the last stretch.
• In Prayagraj, the car takes you close to the Sangam ghats, and a boat takes you to the confluence.
• In Varanasi, cars stop at the edge of the old city, often around Godowlia. From there you walk, take a cycle-rickshaw, or use a boat along the river.
• Arrival and departure: pre-book the airport transfers at both ends. If any part of your journey is by train, ask for a railway station pickup.
• Do not drive between cities at night. Both road legs are planned for daylight in this itinerary.

Travelling as a larger party? Our group tour guide covers vehicles, rooms and group darshan in detail.

Travelling with Parents

Many NRIs plan this trip mainly for their parents. A few adjustments make a big difference:

• Book airline wheelchair assistance for every flight, including the domestic legs.
• Keep to one temple visit in the morning and one activity in the evening.
• In Ayodhya, use an e-rickshaw between temples so nobody has to walk long distances.
• Ask for the same driver for all five days; elders feel more at ease with a familiar face. Our cab service assigns one driver for the full trip.
• At Hanuman Garhi, elders who cannot manage the steps can offer prayers from below.
• Choose Varanasi hotels with car access, not ghat-side guesthouses up steep stairs.
• If anyone prefers trains for the domestic part, book a station pickup at each end so they are met on arrival.
• Ask both temple trusts about wheelchair facilities before your visit.
• Carry medicines in hand luggage, with prescriptions, and keep water and fruit in the car.
• Consider a 6-day version with a full rest day in Varanasi if the group includes anyone over 75.

Our guide to a comfortable Ayodhya darshan for senior citizens has more detail.

Food Along the Route

All three cities are largely vegetarian near the temples, and that is part of the pleasure of the trip. Some things worth trying, and some practical advice:

• Ayodhya: simple, satvik thalis and pedas from the shops near Hanuman Garhi.
• Prayagraj: kachori and sabzi for breakfast after the Sangam; the city is also known for its sweets.
• Varanasi: kachori and jalebi in the morning, Banarasi paan after dinner if you like it, and malaiyyo in the winter months.
• For sensitive stomachs: eat freshly cooked food from busy places, drink sealed bottled water, and skip raw salads and ice from street stalls.
• Fasting days: if anyone in the family fasts on darshan days, tell the hotel the evening before so a phalahari meal is ready.

What to Pack for Five Days

Travel light. You will be in three hotels in five days, and the lanes of Varanasi are no place for large suitcases. Leave the big bags with family in Delhi or Lucknow if you can.

Before You Leave Home

1. Documents: passport valid for at least six months, and either an Indian e-Visa or an OCI card. Since 30 June 2026, new OCI applicants receive an electronic OCI card, and existing holders can download one. Complete India's online e-Arrival card within 72 hours before landing if it applies to you.
2. Flights: book the open-jaw route described above, ideally on one ticket.
3. Ground plan: fix the car, hotels and airport transfers in writing before you travel. Our tour packages page shows the usual options.
4. Temple tickets: check Ram Mandir timings on the Trust's website, and book any Kashi Vishwanath tickets only on the official site.
5. Health: see your doctor or a travel clinic, buy travel insurance that covers older family members, and pack regular medicines.
6. Money: keep some Indian cash for boats, rickshaws, offerings and dakshina. Cards work at hotels and larger shops.
7. Phone: an international roaming plan, a travel eSIM or an Indian SIM. Download offline maps of all three cities.
8. Ashes, if carrying: start the consulate paperwork six to eight weeks before you fly.

What Decides the Cost

We do not print fixed prices on this page, because the cost of a 5-day Ayodhya Varanasi Prayagraj trip depends on dates, group size, vehicle and hotels. These are the factors that change the total:

For a quick estimate, tell us your vehicle preference and hotel category, and we will send a written quote for this Ayodhya Varanasi Prayagraj itinerary. Ask any operator for one written total and a list of what is included and excluded. That is the only fair way to compare an Ayodhya Varanasi Prayagraj tour package from two companies.

Mistakes That Waste a Day

1. Booking a return ticket to one city and driving back across the state on the last day.
2. Planning the Ayodhya to Prayagraj drive for the evening and arriving after dark.
3. Missing the Sangam sunrise because the hotel is far away and nobody set an alarm.
4. Assuming Kashi Vishwanath works like Ram Mandir. One is entirely free; the other also sells official tickets.
5. Paying anyone for "VIP darshan".
6. Booking a ghat-side guesthouse in Varanasi for elderly parents.
7. Leaving the ashes paperwork until the last two weeks.
8. Trying to add Bodh Gaya or Chitrakoot into five days.
9. Keeping a tight connection on the departure day in foggy January.

Plan It with Us

Your Travel Partner is based in Ayodhya and plans this circuit for families from India and abroad. For an NRI trip, we can arrange the car and driver for all five days, hotels in all three cities, airport and station transfers, boats in Prayagraj and Varanasi, and, if you wish, the domestic flights and help with your e-Visa. We do not sell darshan passes or temple tickets; Ram Mandir passes are free from the Trust, and Kashi Vishwanath tickets are sold only by its own trust.

Send us your arrival and departure flights, the number of travellers and their ages, and any special needs on +91 78811 55800 (call or WhatsApp). We will reply with a day-wise plan built around your flights and one written total. You can also see our tour packages and the domestic version of this route, the Ayodhya Prayagraj Varanasi tour by road.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is 5 days enough for Ayodhya, Prayagraj and Varanasi?

Yes, if you travel in one direction and fly in and out of different airports. Five days gives you darshan in Ayodhya, a sunrise at the Sangam and two nights in Varanasi without rushing.

2. What is the best order for the three cities?

Ayodhya, then Prayagraj, then Varanasi suits most families. Start in Varanasi instead if you are flying into Varanasi or if a Varanasi festival or asthi visarjan is the main purpose.

3. Which airport should NRIs fly into?

Fly into Ayodhya (usually via Delhi) or Lucknow, and fly out of Varanasi. An open-jaw ticket on one booking is the most efficient arrangement.

4. How far is Ayodhya from Prayagraj and Varanasi?

Ayodhya to Prayagraj is about 165 km, or 4 to 5 hours by road. Prayagraj to Varanasi is about 120 to 130 km, or 3 to 4 hours.

5. Is Ram Mandir darshan free for NRIs?

Yes. Darshan is free for everyone, and the Trust does not charge for aarti or darshan passes. Carry your passport or OCI card as photo ID.

6. Is Kashi Vishwanath darshan free?

General darshan is free. The temple trust also sells official Sugam Darshan and aarti tickets for faster entry, available on its website and app.

7. Can OCI cardholders and foreign passport holders visit all three temples?

Yes. Carry your passport and OCI card or visa. For ticketed entry at Kashi Vishwanath, foreign nationals have been asked to show passport and visa copies at the desk; confirm the current procedure before you go.

8. Can I do asthi visarjan on this trip?

Yes. The Prayagraj morning in this itinerary is planned around the Triveni Sangam. Arrange the consulate certificate and documents in your country of residence before you fly.

9. Should I travel by car or train between the cities?

By car for this itinerary. One car and driver for all five days keeps luggage in one place and lets you leave each city at the right time.

10. When is the best time for this trip?

October to March. February and the second half of November are the most comfortable. Dev Deepawali in Varanasi is on 24 November 2026.

11. Is this itinerary suitable for elderly parents?

Yes, with wheelchair assistance on flights, hotels with car access, and one main visit per half-day. Add a sixth day if anyone is over 75.

12. Can we add Sarnath?

Yes. Sarnath is about 10 km from Varanasi and is included on Day 4 of this plan.

13. Can we see Dev Deepawali on this route?

Yes. Time your five days so that you are in Varanasi on 24 November 2026, and book hotels and boats well in advance.

14. How do I book this 5-day Ayodhya Varanasi Prayagraj tour?

Send your flight details, number of travellers and their ages to +91 78811 55800. We will send a written day-wise plan and one total price before you pay anything.

The Short Version

Fly into Ayodhya, out of Varanasi. Ram Lalla on the first full morning, the Sangam at sunrise on the third, the Ganga aarti that same evening, Kashi Vishwanath on the fourth, and a boat on the river before your flight on the fifth. One car, one driver, one written plan. That is how five days become enough. Share your flights with us and we will build the rest around them.