Ayodhya How to Reach: A Comprehensive Guide for Travelers

Knowing how to reach Ayodhya is the first practical step before planning any visit to this sacred city. Ayodhya sits in the Faizabad district of eastern Uttar Pradesh, on the southern bank of the Sarayu River, roughly 135 km from Lucknow, 170 km from Prayagraj, 200 km from Varanasi, and 640 km from Delhi. The city is well connected by air, train, and road — and since the inauguration of the Ram Mandir in January 2024, all three modes of transport have expanded significantly to handle the surge in pilgrims and tourists.

This guide covers every route to Ayodhya in detail — flights, trains, road distances, bus services, and local transport once you arrive — along with route-specific guidance from the four most common origin cities.

By Air: Maharishi Valmiki International Airport (AYJ)

Ayodhya now has its own international airport. Maharishi Valmiki International Airport (IATA: AYJ), also called Ayodhya Airport, was inaugurated in December 2023 and made operational in January 2024 — timed with the Ram Mandir pran pratishtha ceremony. The terminal building is designed to reflect the temple architecture of Ayodhya, with a shikhara-style roof.

Current flight routes (as of early 2026):

• Delhi (DEL) — multiple daily flights via IndiGo and Air India; flight time approximately 1 hour
• Mumbai (BOM) — direct flights via IndiGo; flight time approximately 2 hours
• Ahmedabad (AMD) — direct flights via IndiGo; flight time approximately 1 hour 40 minutes
• Bengaluru (BLR) — direct flights; flight time approximately 2 hours 10 minutes
• Chennai, Kolkata, and Hyderabad — routes have been announced; check availability on MakeMyTrip or the airline websites for current schedule

Airport to city centre: The airport is located about 8 km from central Ayodhya. Prepaid taxis and app-based cabs (Ola, Uber) are available at the exit. The fare to Ram Janmabhoomi or Ram Ki Paidi is typically between ₹200–₹350. Auto-rickshaws are also available for shorter hops if you are travelling light.

Practical note: The airport is still expanding. During high-traffic periods like Ram Navami, Diwali, and Kartik Purnima, seats fill up weeks in advance. Book early.

By Train: Ayodhya Junction and Ayodhya Cantt

Train is the most popular way to reach Ayodhya, especially from northern and eastern India. The city has two railway stations:

• Ayodhya Junction (AY) — the main station, located 1.5 km from Ram Janmabhoomi. This is where most express and superfast trains stop. The station was completely rebuilt and reopened in a grand Ram Mandir-inspired design ahead of the 2024 inauguration.
• Ayodhya Cantt (AYC) — a secondary station on the outskirts, useful if your train does not halt at Ayodhya Junction. Slightly more auto-rickshaw distance to the temple area.

Key trains and routes:

Origin	Train Name / Number	Journey Time	Station
New Delhi	Ayodhya Express (15707), Sadbhavana Express (19037), Vaishali Express (12553)	7–9 hours	Ayodhya Jn (AY)
Lucknow	Multiple passenger and express trains daily	2–2.5 hours	Ayodhya Jn (AY)
Varanasi	Kashi Vishwanath Express (15003), multiple trains via Faizabad	3.5–4.5 hours	Ayodhya Jn (AY)
Prayagraj	Prayagraj–Gonda Express and other Gonda-bound trains	3–4 hours	Ayodhya Jn (AY)
Mumbai	Pushpak Express (12533), Avadh Express (19039)	20–24 hours	Ayodhya Jn (AY)
Kolkata	Howrah–Gonda Express, Howrah–Barauni Express	16–18 hours	Ayodhya Cantt (AYC)

Check real-time availability and book tickets at IRCTC. During festivals, trains get booked out weeks ahead — set up waitlist alerts if you are travelling during Ram Navami, Sawan, or Diwali.

From Ayodhya Junction to the temple zone: The distance from Ayodhya Junction to Ram Mandir is about 1.8 km by road. Auto-rickshaws charge ₹30–₹50 per person; e-rickshaws are ₹10–₹20 for shared rides. You can also walk it in about 20 minutes.

By Road: National Highway 27 and Distance Chart

Ayodhya is well connected by road via National Highway 27 (NH-27), which runs east-west through Uttar Pradesh. The roads to Ayodhya from Lucknow and Prayagraj have been significantly upgraded in recent years, making road travel comfortable for private vehicles and buses alike.

Distance and estimated drive times from major cities:

Origin City	Distance	Drive Time (approx)	Primary Route
Lucknow	135 km	2.5–3 hours	Lucknow–Faizabad Highway (NH-27)
Prayagraj	170 km	3–3.5 hours	NH-19 to Allahabad Bypass → NH-27 towards Faizabad
Varanasi	200 km	3.5–4 hours	NH-19 to Jaunpur → Faizabad Road
Delhi	640 km	9–11 hours	Agra Expressway → Lucknow → NH-27
Gorakhpur	145 km	2.5–3 hours	NH-27 via Basti
Kanpur	200 km	3.5–4 hours	NH-27 via Lucknow or direct via Unnao–Rae Bareli

If you are driving from Delhi, the Purvanchal Expressway (connecting Lucknow to Ghazipur) brings you to within easy reach of Ayodhya via Lucknow. This expressway significantly cuts travel time for the Delhi–Ayodhya route compared to the older NH-19 alignment.

By Bus: UPSRTC and Volvo Services

State-run and private buses connect Ayodhya to most major cities in Uttar Pradesh. The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) operates regular ordinary, express, and Volvo AC bus services.

Key bus routes:

• Lucknow to Ayodhya — Most frequent. UPSRTC runs ordinary and AC buses from Lucknow’s Charbagh Bus Stand every 30–45 minutes from early morning until late evening. Journey: 2.5–3 hours. Fare: ₹150–₹250 depending on bus type.
• Prayagraj to Ayodhya — UPSRTC services from Civil Lines Bus Stand, Prayagraj. Several departures daily. Journey: 3.5–4 hours. Fare: ₹200–₹300.
• Varanasi to Ayodhya — Services from Varanasi Bus Stand via Jaunpur. Journey: 4–5 hours.
• Delhi to Ayodhya — Several private operators (RedBus, AbhiBus) run overnight AC sleeper buses from Anand Vihar ISBT. Journey: 10–12 hours. Volvo AC sleeper fares: ₹700–₹1,200.
• Gorakhpur to Ayodhya — Frequent UPSRTC buses on NH-27. Journey: 3 hours.

Ayodhya’s main bus terminus is the Naya Ghat Bus Stand (also called Ayodhya Bus Stand), located near the Sarayu riverfront. From here, local transport can take you to any temple or ghat within 10–20 minutes.

From Lucknow to Ayodhya (The Most Travelled Route)

Lucknow is the single most common starting point for Ayodhya visitors, given it is Uttar Pradesh’s capital with an international airport and excellent rail connectivity from across India.

Option 1 — Train: The best option. Multiple trains run daily from Lucknow Charbagh Station to Ayodhya Junction. Journey is 2–2.5 hours. The Lucknow–Gonda Intercity and several passenger trains cover this route. Fares start at ₹55 in unreserved class. Book via IRCTC well in advance during festivals.

Option 2 — Bus: UPSRTC AC buses from Charbagh Bus Stand are comfortable and leave frequently. Journey: 2.5–3 hours. Good option if you miss a train or travel last-minute.

Option 3 — Private taxi/cab: Ola, Uber, and local operators charge ₹1,800–₹2,500 one-way for a sedan. Travel time is 2.5 hours on a clear day. Worth considering if you are a group of 3–4 and want door-to-door convenience.

Option 4 — Self-drive: NH-27 from Lucknow to Faizabad/Ayodhya is a well-maintained four-lane highway. Toll applies. Free parking areas have been developed near the Ram Mandir complex, but they fill up fast on weekends and during festivals.

From Varanasi to Ayodhya (Spiritual Circuit Route)

Many pilgrims combine Varanasi and Ayodhya as part of a broader spiritual circuit through eastern UP. The two cities are about 200 km apart.

By Train: The Kashi Vishwanath Express (15003/15004) and several other trains running on the Varanasi–Gonda or Varanasi–Lucknow route stop at Ayodhya Junction. Journey time: 3.5–4.5 hours depending on the train. This is the most relaxed option.

By Road: Drive via NH-19 to Jaunpur, then take the Sultanpur Road towards Faizabad/Ayodhya. The road is generally good but passes through several small towns — expect 4 hours in normal traffic. Private taxis from Varanasi charge ₹2,800–₹3,500 one way.

Combining with Prayagraj: Many travellers on the Varanasi–Prayagraj–Ayodhya triangle take a shared cab or self-drive. The three cities form a natural Ramayana and Hindu pilgrimage circuit. Our Prayagraj–Ayodhya–Varanasi tour package covers all three cities with accommodation and guided temple visits.

From Prayagraj to Ayodhya

The distance from Prayagraj (Allahabad) to Ayodhya is approximately 170 km, making it a comfortable day trip or an easy transit between two major pilgrimage cities.

By Train: Take any Prayagraj–Gonda or Prayagraj–Gorakhpur bound train from Prayagraj Junction (PRYJ). These trains call at Ayodhya Junction. Journey: 3–4 hours. Unreserved seats usually available on local/passenger trains; book reserved seats on express trains via IRCTC.

By Road: Take NH-19 from Prayagraj towards Varanasi for about 30 km, then branch north on the Sultanpur–Faizabad highway. The road quality is good through most of this stretch. Drive time: 3–3.5 hours. Shared cabs from Prayagraj to Ayodhya charge ₹300–₹400 per seat from Civil Lines area; full-car hire runs ₹2,200–₹2,800.

By Bus: UPSRTC buses from Civil Lines Bus Stand, Prayagraj depart through the day. Journey: 3.5–4 hours. Fare: ₹200–₹300.

Prayagraj is also the base for the Ayodhya destination hub — travellers combining Prayagraj’s Triveni Sangam with Ayodhya’s Ram Mandir do so regularly, particularly during Ram Navami and Makar Sankranti.

From Delhi to Ayodhya

Delhi is 640 km from Ayodhya, making it a long-distance journey best handled by train or flight.

By Flight: The fastest option. Delhi to Ayodhya Airport (AYJ) takes about 1 hour. IndiGo and Air India both operate this route. Fares vary from ₹2,500 to ₹7,000 depending on booking lead time. The airport is 8 km from the temple complex.

By Train: Multiple trains run from New Delhi / Hazrat Nizamuddin / Anand Vihar stations to Ayodhya Junction. Key trains include the Sadbhavana Express (19037), Ayodhya Express (15707), and the Vaishali Express (12553) which halts at Ayodhya. Journey: 7–9 hours. Fares: ₹300 (sleeper class) to ₹1,800 (3A). Overnight trains are comfortable and save on accommodation.

By Road: Take the Yamuna Expressway to Agra, then the Agra–Lucknow Expressway to Lucknow, then NH-27 to Ayodhya. Total distance: 640–680 km. Drive time: 9–11 hours with breaks. Not recommended as a single-day drive unless you are very comfortable on long roads.

By Bus: Private operators (Shrinath, Patel Travels, RedBus-listed AC sleepers) run overnight buses from Anand Vihar ISBT to Ayodhya. Depart around 9–10 PM, arrive early morning (5–6 AM) — useful if you want to be at the temple at dawn for the morning aarti. Book via RedBus or AbhiBus.

Local Transport in Ayodhya

Once you are in Ayodhya, several transport options help you navigate between the temples, ghats, and key sites.

Auto-rickshaws: The most versatile option for point-to-point travel. Negotiated fares. Typical examples: Railway Station to Ram Mandir ₹30–₹50; Ram Mandir to Hanuman Garhi ₹20–₹30; Ram Mandir to Ram Ki Paidi ₹30–₹40. Meters are rarely used — agree on the fare before boarding.

E-rickshaws (shared): The most affordable way to travel on main roads. Fixed shared rates of ₹10–₹20 per person per stretch. They are electric, quiet, and navigate narrow lanes easily. Highly recommended for solo travellers and budget pilgrims.

Shared tempos (Vikrams): Fixed-route shared tempos run on set roads — useful for moving between the bus stand, railway station, and the main temple zone. Fare: ₹10–₹15 per person.

Ram Parikrama Route Shuttle: A designated pilgrim shuttle circuit has been established for those doing the Ram Parikrama — the 14 km circumambulation route around Ayodhya’s sacred perimeter. During peak pilgrim seasons, government-run shuttle buses and electric vehicles operate along the parikrama path. Check at the tourist facilitation centre near Ram Janmabhoomi for the current schedule.

Walking: The core temple cluster — Ram Janmabhoomi, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, and Ram Ki Paidi — are all within a 1.5–2 km radius. On non-peak days, many pilgrims walk between them. The lanes are narrow but manageable with footwear you can remove easily at temple entrances.

Rented cycles and battery vehicles: Available near the railway station and Ram Ki Paidi. Useful if you want to explore at your own pace without waiting for shared transport.

Best Time to Travel to Ayodhya

The October to March window is the most comfortable time to visit Ayodhya. Winters in eastern UP are cool (8–22°C) and very pleasant for outdoor temple visits and ghats walks along the Sarayu.

Festival peaks to plan around:

• Ram Navami (March–April) — Biggest festival. Lakhs of pilgrims. Book transport 4–6 weeks ahead.
• Diwali / Deepotsav — Ayodhya’s Deepotsav (Diwali celebration) has become a nationally covered event with lakhs of diyas lit on the Sarayu ghats. Extremely crowded; arrive a day before for good viewing spots.
• Kartik Purnima (October–November) — Major bathing festival on the Sarayu. Heavy pilgrim footfall.
• Sawan (July–August) — Kanwariyas and Shiva devotees pass through; some congestion on roads.

Avoid travelling to Ayodhya in peak summer (April–June) unless festival-motivated — temperatures reach 42–45°C and the outdoor temple walks are uncomfortable. Monsoon (July–September) brings rain and occasional waterlogging near the ghats.

Traveller Tips

• Book trains at least 3–4 weeks ahead for festival travel. Ayodhya-bound trains are among the most in-demand in the NER and NR zones. Tatkal quota opens 1 day before travel at 10 AM — a good fallback if you are travelling last-minute.
• Airport transfers: If landing at Ayodhya Airport, do not rely on finding a cab outside — pre-book through your hotel or use Ola/Uber (both available at AYJ). Unmetered autos may quote high fares to first-time visitors.
• Footwear management: You will remove your shoes at multiple temples. Carry a cloth bag to hold them. Cloak rooms are available near Ram Janmabhoomi and Hanuman Garhi.
• Phone charging and locker facilities: Available near Ram Janmabhoomi and the railway station. Mobile phones and bags are not allowed inside the inner sanctum — use the cloak rooms.
• VVIP darshan queues: If you want to avoid the general queue (which can run 2–4 hours on busy days), check the Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra trust website for any online darshan slot booking system — this has been piloted during peak events.
• Road entry restrictions: During major festivals, vehicle access within 2 km of Ram Janmabhoomi may be restricted. Vehicles are diverted to designated parking areas on the outskirts. Account for 30–45 extra minutes on such days.
• Check whether Ayodhya is open for visitors during any upcoming construction or security restrictions — particularly relevant around Ram Mandir inauguration-related events and state functions.

Planning Your Ayodhya Visit Beyond the Journey

Reaching Ayodhya is only part of the planning. Once you are there, the temple itinerary matters just as much. After Ram Janmabhoomi, key sites include Hanuman Garhi, Ram Ki Paidi, Dashrath Bhawan, and Kanak Bhawan — all within 2 km of each other. A focused one-day itinerary can cover all four. For an extended visit covering Prayagraj and Varanasi as well, consider our Prayagraj–Ayodhya–Varanasi tour package which handles transport and accommodation across all three cities.

Frequently Asked Questions