Ayodhya to Varanasi — Train, Bus, Taxi & Best Route Guide 2026
Complete Ayodhya to Varanasi guide: 200 km journey by train (3–4 hrs, ₹180–600), bus (4–5 hrs, ₹300) or taxi (4 hrs, ₹2,500–3,200). Best trains, booking tips and combining both holy cities in one trip.
Ayodhya to Varanasi — your complete route guide
Ayodhya and Varanasi are two of Hinduism's seven sacred cities (Sapta Puri) — and one of the most natural pilgrimage combinations in India. Ayodhya is the birthplace of Ram; Varanasi (Kashi) is the eternal city of Shiva. Visiting both in a single trip is deeply meaningful for pilgrims and enriching for any traveller.
| Route detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Distance | ~200 km |
| Fastest option | Train — 3–4 hours |
| Cheapest option | Bus — ₹280–350 |
| Most comfortable | AC train / private taxi |
| Scenic road | NH27 → NH19 via Sultanpur or Jaunpur |
Option 1: Train (recommended)
Trains are the most practical Ayodhya–Varanasi option. Ayodhya Dham Junction (station code: AY) is the main station; it's connected to Varanasi Junction (BSB) and Varanasi Cantt (BC).
Key trains:
| Train | Name | Departure (AY) | Arrival (BSB/BC) | Duration | Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15707 | Amrapali Express | 05:45 AM | 11:05 AM | 5:20 hrs | Daily |
| 11061 | Darbhanga Express | 10:15 AM | 02:15 PM | 4:00 hrs | Daily |
| 11053 | LJN–AMH Express | 04:20 PM | 08:05 PM | 3:45 hrs | Selected days |
| 19037 | Avadh Express | 09:30 PM | 02:00 AM | 4:30 hrs | Daily |
Train schedules are indicative — verify on IRCTC before booking.
Fares (approximate):
| Class | Fare |
|---|---|
| Sleeper (SL) | ₹180–250 |
| 3AC (3A) | ₹480–600 |
| 2AC (2A) | ₹700–900 |
| First Class (FC) | ₹1,200–1,500 |
Book on IRCTC (irctc.co.in) or the IRCTC Rail Connect app. Book 7–10 days in advance during peak season (Oct–Mar) as trains fill quickly.
Alternative: Book a tourist quota ticket at Ayodhya Dham station's tourist counter (go early — counter opens at 8 AM, quota is limited).
Option 2: Bus
UPSRTC (Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport) buses run multiple daily services from Ayodhya to Varanasi.
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Departure point | Naya Ghat bus stand, Ayodhya |
| Arrival | Varanasi bus stand (Cantt area) |
| Duration | 4–5 hours |
| Fare (UPSRTC ordinary) | ₹280–350 |
| Fare (AC Volvo / private) | ₹450–700 |
| Frequency | Every 1–2 hours (6 AM–8 PM) |
Private operators (Shyam Travels, UP Link, Bharat Travels) also run non-AC and AC sleeper buses, typically departing in the evening. Book through Redbus.in or at the bus stand.
Cons of bus travel: Roads via Sultanpur can have heavy traffic on weekends. The journey can stretch to 5.5+ hours during rush periods. The Jaunpur route is smoother but less direct.
Option 3: Taxi / Self-drive
Route: Ayodhya → NH27 East → Sultanpur → NH19 → Varanasi (or Ayodhya → Jaunpur → Varanasi via State Highway)
| Mode | Cost | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Shared taxi (aggregated cabs) | ₹500–700/person | 4–5 hrs |
| Private AC taxi (Innova/Swift) | ₹2,500–3,200 | 4–4.5 hrs |
| Self-drive (Zoomcar) | ₹1,200–1,800/day | 4–4.5 hrs |
Taxi booking options:
- Hotel concierge (most reliable; book the night before)
- InDriver app (negotiate fares)
- Ola intercity bookings
- Local taxi unions near Ayodhya Dham station
Jaunpur detour: If you have time, a 1-hour detour through Jaunpur adds the Atala Mosque and Jaunpur Fort — one of the finest examples of medieval Sultanate architecture in the region.
Option 4: Ayodhya–Varanasi combined package
Several operators offer pilgrimage packages combining both cities. Typical structure:
- 2-night Ayodhya + 2-night Varanasi (4 nights total): ₹8,000–15,000 per person (includes accommodation, transport and a guide)
- Most packages depart from Lucknow by train or from Ayodhya directly
- Look for packages from UP Tourism, IRCTC Tourism or operators listed on MakeMyTrip under "Pilgrimage packages"
Planning your combined Ayodhya–Varanasi trip
Suggested 5-day itinerary:
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive Ayodhya · Hanuman Garhi · Evening laser show |
| Day 2 | Mangla Aarti · Ram Mandir darshan · Kanak Bhawan · Ghat bath |
| Day 3 | Morning: Mani Parvat + Sita Ki Rasoi · Afternoon: Train to Varanasi · Evening: Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat |
| Day 4 | Kashi Vishwanath Mandir · Sarnath (10 km from Varanasi) · Evening boat on Ganga |
| Day 5 | Sunrise Ganga boat ride · Manikarnika Ghat · Train home |
Day 3 timing: Take the afternoon train (10:15 AM or 4:20 PM from Ayodhya) to reach Varanasi in time for the famous Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat (7:00 PM daily) — one of the most spectacular rituals in India.
What to expect in Varanasi after Ayodhya
| Ayodhya | Varanasi | |
|---|---|---|
| Deity | Ram (Vishnu avatar) | Shiva |
| Sacred river | Saryu | Ganga |
| Atmosphere | Devotional, relatively new development | Ancient, chaotic, overwhelming (in the best way) |
| Main aarti | Ram Mandir Sandhya Aarti (7 PM) | Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh (7 PM) |
| UNESCO | No | Varanasi region on Tentative List |
| Night life | Quiet after 10 PM | Ghats active around the clock |
Last verified: June 2026. Train schedules subject to change — verify on IRCTC.co.in.
Last updated: 30 June 2026.
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