How to Reach Ayodhya from Kolkata: Train, Flight & Road Guide
Kolkata to Ayodhya by train, flight, bus or car – train list, fares, travel time, best route & cost comparison for 2026. Plan your Ram Mandir trip easily.
How to Reach Ayodhya from Kolkata: Train, Flight & Road Guide (2026)
Wondering how to reach Ayodhya from Kolkata in the easiest and cheapest way? You have four options: a direct overnight train, a connecting flight, an AC sleeper bus, or a road trip by car. Each suits a different budget and family type, and choosing the wrong one can cost you an extra day or a lot of money.
We checked more than a dozen travel portals and blogs for this route and found that many of them give outdated or even wrong information. Some still say there is no direct train from Kolkata, and some mix up Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh with Ayodhya Pahar in Purulia. This guide fixes all of that with updated 2026 details, written specially for travellers from Kolkata, Howrah and the rest of West Bengal.
- Cheapest way: Direct train – about ₹450 (Sleeper) to ₹1,300 (3AC), 17–19 hours
- Fastest way: Connecting flight to Ayodhya airport – about 6–7 hours including the stopover
- Best for families & seniors: 13151 Kolkata–Jammu Tawi Express, which reaches Ayodhya early in the morning
- Distance: about 870 km by rail and around 900 km by road
- Important: This is Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh (Ram Janmabhoomi), not Ayodhya Pahar in Purulia, West Bengal
Which Option Is Best for You? (Comparison Table)
| Mode | Travel Time | Approx. Cost (one way, per person) | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Direct train | 17–19 hrs | ₹450 – ₹1,750 | Families, budget travellers, seniors (in AC) |
| Connecting flight to Ayodhya | 6–7 hrs | From around ₹6,000 – ₹10,000 | Short trips, busy professionals |
| Flight to Varanasi / Lucknow + cab or train | 5–7 hrs | Flight fare + ₹2,500–₹4,000 cab (per vehicle) | Those combining Kashi or wanting cheaper fares |
| AC sleeper bus | About 25 hrs | Around ₹2,500 | When trains are fully booked |
| Own car / cab | 2 days with night halt | Around ₹20,000 – ₹30,000 per car (one way) | Large families, groups of 5–7 |
All fares are approximate and change with season. Check IRCTC, airline and bus apps for live prices.
Kolkata to Ayodhya by Train (Most Popular Way)
Yes, there are direct trains from Kolkata to Ayodhya. Trains leave from Kolkata (Chitpur) station and Howrah and stop at Ayodhya Dham Junction (AY), the station closest to Ram Mandir.
| Train No. & Name | From | Departs | Reaches Ayodhya | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13151 Kolkata – Jammu Tawi Express | Kolkata (KOAA), Chitpur | 11:45 AM | Around 6:10 AM next day | Daily |
| 13009 Doon Express | Howrah (HWH) | 8:25 PM | Around 2:00 PM next day | Daily |
| 12317 Akal Takht Express | Kolkata (KOAA), Chitpur | 7:40 AM | Next day | Selected days |
Train Fare from Kolkata to Ayodhya
- Sleeper (SL): about ₹445 – ₹500
- 3rd AC (3A): about ₹1,195 – ₹1,300
- 2nd AC (2A): about ₹1,710 – ₹1,750
- 1st AC (1A, Doon Express): about ₹2,900
Which Train Should You Choose?
- 13151 is best for most people. You leave Kolkata at noon, sleep on the train and reach Ayodhya early morning – just in time for a fresh morning darshan.
- 13009 Doon Express suits office-goers. You can leave after work from Howrah and reach Ayodhya in the afternoon. Plan Saryu aarti on day one and Ram Mandir darshan the next morning.
- Return journey: Use the return trains 13152 (towards Kolkata) or 13010 Doon Express (towards Howrah). Check exact timings on IRCTC.
Station Guide: Kolkata (Chitpur) vs Howrah
Many travellers get confused because 13151 does not leave from Howrah or Sealdah. It leaves from Kolkata station at Chitpur (KOAA) in north Kolkata. If you live in south Kolkata or Howrah district, keep at least 1.5 hours for the road journey to Chitpur, as traffic around the station can be heavy.
From North Bengal?
If you live in Malda or nearby districts, the Malda Town – Gomti Nagar Amrit Bharat Express also stops at Ayodhya. It can be a convenient option instead of first travelling down to Kolkata.
Kolkata to Ayodhya by Flight
Ayodhya has its own airport – Maharishi Valmiki International Airport (AYJ). However, according to current airline schedules, there is no regular non-stop flight from Kolkata (CCU) to Ayodhya right now. You will usually fly with one stop (often via Delhi, Bengaluru or another hub), and the total travel time is around 6–7 hours.
- Airlines on connecting routes: IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express and Akasa Air
- Fares: usually from about ₹6,000 to ₹10,000 one way if booked early; much higher close to festivals
- Tip: Always check whether a new non-stop flight has started – routes to Ayodhya are being added and changed frequently.
Smart Routes via Varanasi and Lucknow (Our Recommended Hack)
Most competitor guides skip this, but it is often the smartest way to travel – especially when direct trains are waitlisted or you want to add Kashi Vishwanath to your trip.
Option A: Kolkata → Varanasi → Ayodhya
- Kolkata to Varanasi has many daily trains and direct flights, so tickets are easier to get.
- Varanasi to Ayodhya is only about 190 km. The Vande Bharat Express covers it in roughly 2.5 hours, or you can take a cab in about 4 hours.
- Bonus: You get Kashi Vishwanath darshan and Ganga Aarti in the same trip. See our Varanasi tour packages for a combined plan.
Option B: Kolkata → Lucknow → Ayodhya
- Kolkata to Lucknow has regular direct flights.
- Lucknow to Ayodhya is about 130 km – around 2 hours by the Gorakhpur–Prayagraj Vande Bharat Express or about 3 hours by cab via the Lucknow–Ayodhya highway.
Kolkata to Ayodhya by Bus
A few private operators run AC sleeper buses between Kolkata and Ayodhya. The journey takes about 25 hours and fares start at roughly ₹2,500. Since the bus takes longer and costs more than a 3AC train ticket, we suggest it only when train tickets are not available. You can book on apps such as AbhiBus, Paytm or Yatra.
Kolkata to Ayodhya by Car (Road Trip Guide)
The road distance is around 900 km. Driving non-stop is tiring and unsafe, so split it into two days.
Suggested Route
Kolkata → Durgapur → Asansol → Dhanbad → Aurangabad (Bihar) → Varanasi (night halt, about 680 km on NH-19) → Jaunpur → Sultanpur → Ayodhya (about 200 km on day two).
- Night halt in Varanasi lets you attend the evening Ganga Aarti.
- Tolls and fuel: budget for FASTag tolls and fuel for about 1,800 km (round trip).
- For groups of 6–12: A tempo traveller works out cheaper per person than flights and gives you complete flexibility.
From Station or Airport to Ram Mandir
| Arrival Point | Distance to Ram Mandir | Best Local Transport |
|---|---|---|
| Ayodhya Dham Junction (AY) | Very close – a short ride | E-rickshaw or auto |
| Ayodhya Cantt (formerly Faizabad) | About 7–8 km | Auto, cab |
| Maharishi Valmiki Airport (AYJ) | Around 10 km | Pre-paid taxi, cab |
Inside the temple area, many lanes are narrow and vehicle entry is restricted during crowded days. Battery e-rickshaws are the easiest way to move between Ram Mandir, Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhawan. You can pre-book one through our e-rickshaw service in Ayodhya – very useful for elderly family members.
Best Time to Travel from Kolkata to Ayodhya
- October – March: Best weather. Deepotsav (the day before Diwali) is spectacular but hotels and trains fill up months in advance.
- April – June: Very hot. Travel in AC class only and plan early-morning darshan.
- July – September: Monsoon; fewer crowds and easier ticket availability.
7 Common Mistakes Kolkata Travellers Make
- Going to Howrah for 13151. It leaves from Kolkata (Chitpur) station, not Howrah.
- Booking a ticket to "Ayodhya" without checking the station. Ayodhya Dham Junction is closest to the temple; Ayodhya Cantt is several kilometres away.
- Confusing Ayodhya (UP) with Ayodhya Pahar (Purulia). Many blogs mix these up – check your destination carefully.
- Assuming there is a non-stop flight. Check the stopover and total duration before paying.
- Reaching during the midday temple break. Plan your arrival so that darshan falls in the morning or evening session.
- Booking a hotel far from the temple. Walking distance matters more than star rating, especially with elderly parents.
- Trusting "VIP darshan" touts. Use only the official Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra website for darshan and aarti passes.
Want Us to Plan Everything?
Instead of juggling train tickets, hotels, cabs and darshan slots, let our team handle it. Check our complete Kolkata to Ayodhya tour package or browse all Ayodhya tour packages with hotel near Ram Mandir, AC cab and local guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a direct train from Kolkata to Ayodhya?
Yes. 13151 Kolkata–Jammu Tawi Express runs daily from Kolkata (Chitpur) station and 13009 Doon Express runs daily from Howrah. Both stop at Ayodhya Dham Junction.
How many hours does it take from Kolkata to Ayodhya by train?
The direct train takes about 17 to 19 hours, depending on the train.
Is there a direct flight from Kolkata to Ayodhya?
At present there is no regular non-stop flight. Connecting flights take about 6–7 hours. You can also fly to Varanasi or Lucknow and continue by train or cab.
What is the cheapest way to reach Ayodhya from Kolkata?
The sleeper class of a direct train is the cheapest, at around ₹450–₹500 per person one way.
What is the distance from Kolkata to Ayodhya?
About 870 km by rail and around 900 km by road.
Which railway station is nearest to Ram Mandir?
Ayodhya Dham Junction (AY) is the nearest station, just a short e-rickshaw ride from Ram Mandir.
Can I cover Varanasi and Ayodhya in one trip from Kolkata?
Yes. Travel Kolkata to Varanasi first, then take the Vande Bharat or a cab to Ayodhya (about 190 km). A 4–5 day trip covers both comfortably.
Plan Your Kolkata to Ayodhya Journey with Us
At Your Travel Partner, we help Kolkata families with train and flight bookings, hotels near Ram Mandir, cabs, e-rickshaws and complete darshan planning. One call and your whole trip is sorted.
📞 Call Now: 078811 55800 💬 WhatsApp for Free Quote
Jai Shri Ram! 🙏
Ayodhya-based travel writer and Ministry of Tourism (India) certified guide. 12+ years guiding pilgrims across the Ayodhya–Varanasi–Prayagraj Holy Triangle. Every guide is fact-checked against current temple timings and local transport before publishing.
