How to Reach Ayodhya
Flights to AYJ, trains to Ayodhya Dham Junction, buses and road routes — from every major Indian city.
Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama, is now one of India's most-visited pilgrimage cities since the consecration of the Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir on 22 January 2024. The city is well-connected by air via the new Maharishi Valmiki International Airport (AYJ), by rail through Ayodhya Dham Junction and by road via NH-27. This guide compares every option — flight, train, bus and self-drive — from Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Varanasi, Bengaluru and more.
By Air
Maharishi Valmiki International Airport (AYJ), 15 km from Ram Mandir. Direct flights from Delhi (1h 25m), Mumbai (2h 15m), Bengaluru (2h 40m), Ahmedabad (2h), Kolkata (2h).
By Train
Ayodhya Dham Junction (AY), 1.5 km from Ram Mandir. Vande Bharat, Tejas, Shatabdi & Saryu Yamuna Express connect Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Patna, Gorakhpur.
By Bus
UPSRTC AC & Volvo buses from Lucknow (3 hrs, ₹350), Varanasi (5 hrs, ₹450), Gorakhpur (4 hrs, ₹300), Delhi (12 hrs, ₹1,200). Terminus is on Ram Path, 1 km from temple.
By Road / Self-drive
NH-27 & NH-330 are well-paved. Lucknow 135 km · Gorakhpur 140 km · Varanasi 200 km · Allahabad 170 km · Delhi 630 km via Agra–Lucknow Expressway.
Route times from major cities
| From | Flight | Train | Road |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | 1h 25m (AYJ direct) | 11–13 hrs (Vande Bharat / Saryu Yamuna Exp) | 630 km · 10–12 hrs via Agra–Lucknow Exp |
| Mumbai | 2h 15m (AYJ direct) | 26–30 hrs (Saket / Kamayani Exp via Lucknow) | 1,500 km · 28+ hrs (not recommended) |
| Lucknow | — | 2–2.5 hrs (multiple daily) | 135 km · 2.5–3 hrs via NH-27 |
| Varanasi | — | 3.5–5 hrs (Manduadih–Ayodhya) | 200 km · 4.5 hrs via NH-233 |
| Gorakhpur | — | 2.5–3 hrs (NER trains) | 140 km · 3 hrs via NH-27 |
| Prayagraj (Allahabad) | — | 4–5 hrs | 170 km · 3.5 hrs via NH-330 |
| Bengaluru | 2h 40m (AYJ direct) | 36+ hrs (via Lucknow) | — |
| Kolkata | 2h (AYJ direct) | 18–22 hrs (Doon Exp / Kolkata–Jammu Exp) | 1,000 km · 19 hrs |
FAQs — reaching Ayodhya
Which is the nearest airport to Ayodhya Ram Mandir?
Maharishi Valmiki International Airport (IATA: AYJ), about 15 km from the temple — roughly a 30-minute drive. Direct flights operate from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Kolkata via IndiGo, Air India and Akasa.
Which is the nearest railway station to Ram Mandir?
Ayodhya Dham Junction (AY) is just 1.5 km from Ram Mandir. Ayodhya Cantt (AYC) is 8 km away and handles longer-distance trains. Faizabad Junction was renamed Ayodhya Cantt in 2021.
How to reach Ayodhya from Delhi?
Fastest: 1 hr 25 min flight to Ayodhya AYJ. By train: overnight Vande Bharat / Tejas / Saryu Yamuna Express to Ayodhya Dham (≈ 11–13 hrs). By road: 630 km via Agra–Lucknow Expressway and NH-27, around 10–12 hours by car.
How to reach Ayodhya from Lucknow?
By road: 135 km / 2.5–3 hours via NH-27. Regular UPSRTC AC buses (₹250–400) and Ola/Uber Outstation cabs (₹2,500–3,500). By train: 2–2.5 hours; several daily MEMU and express trains.
How to reach Ayodhya from Varanasi?
By road: 200 km / 4.5 hours via NH-233. By train: 3.5–5 hours via the Varanasi–Lucknow line — book the Kashi–Manduadih or Ayodhya Express.
Is Ayodhya well-connected by bus?
Yes. UPSRTC runs frequent Volvo and ordinary buses from Lucknow, Gorakhpur, Varanasi, Allahabad (Prayagraj), Delhi and Patna to Ayodhya Bus Stand on Ram Path (1 km from Ram Mandir).
How to reach Ram Mandir from Ayodhya railway station?
Ayodhya Dham Junction is 1.5 km away — a 5-minute e-rickshaw ride (₹20–30), 10-minute walk via Ram Path, or shared shuttle during festivals.
Last updated: June 2026.