Varanasi to Ayodhya Distance: Road, Train & Air Travel Guide
Varanasi and Ayodhya are two of the most historic places. Planning your trip? This comprehensive guide on the Varanasi to Ayodhya distance will help you establish the exact parameters for your journey, providing everything you need to know about the travel time, routes, and best transport options.
While most people might consider the distance between Varanasi and Ayodhya to be a single fixed number, the actual travel metric changes dramatically depending on whether you choose to travel by road, rail, or air.
To be clear, a comparison of the three primary travel methods—road, rail, and air—is essential for any traveler asking how far Ayodhya is from Varanasi. This foundational difference explains the varying kilometer counts.
Distance and Travel Time Summary : Quick Comparison
The following table summarizes the exact metrics, providing the fundamental trade-offs between speed, distance, and flexibility inherent in each travel choice. This covers the most common queries, from Varanasi to Ayodhya, how many kilometers to the quickest journey time.
Key Distance & Time Summary
Mode of Transport | Approximate Distance (Km) | Approximate Travel Time | Notes/Fastest Option |
Road (Shortest Route: NH 731/330) | 219 km | 4 – 5 hours | Best balance of speed and distance |
Road (Purvanchal Expressway Route) | 232 km | 5 hours | Longer distance, high-speed potential |
Rail (Varanasi Jn to Ayodhya Dham) | 188-189 km | 2 hours 30 minutes (Vande Bharat) | Fastest overall, highly efficient |
Aerial Distance | 176 km | N/A | Straight-line measurement only |
Varanasi to Ayodhya Distance by Road: Routes, Time, and Conditions
Road travel is the most flexible but also introduces complexity due to traffic, variability in road conditions, and the choice between multiple routes. General road travel time from Varanasi city center ranges from 4 to 5 hours. For comfort, you can prebook your private cab through Worldview Travel. VNS
Route 1: The Shortest and Recommended Path via NH 731 and NH 330
The most used and recommended route for travel between Varanasi and Ayodhya follows NH 731 and NH 330. This path provides the best balance between distance and road quality, making it a trustworthy choice.
The distance via this route is recorded at approximately 219 KM, with a corresponding travel time of 4 to 5 hours, depending heavily on daily traffic conditions and stops. The journey is noted for passing through important towns such as Jaunpur and Sultanpur. Because this route includes segments of national highways, the roads are generally well-maintained, but conditions can fluctuate based on ongoing repair work or weather events, such as excessive seasonal rainfall.
Route 2: Using the Purvanchal Expressway to travel faster
The Purvanchal Expressway represents a modern, high-speed alternative. While expressways typically reduce travel time, this specific route configuration results in a slightly longer total distance for the Varanasi-Ayodhya connection compared to the NH 731 route.
This path covers a distance of roughly 232 KM and generally requires about 5 hours.The choice between this route and the shorter NH route often comes down to driver preference: accepting a longer distance for potentially smoother, uninterrupted high-speed driving versus prioritizing the shortest physical path regardless of local traffic segments
Alternative Routes and Scenic Detours (Via SH36/NH27)
For travelers who prefer calm environments, alternative routes exist. One such journey utilizes State Highway (SH) 36 and NH 27, passing through towns such as Mau and Akbarpur.
This journey is similar in duration to the primary routes, taking approximately five hours, but it is often recommended for those seeking a more relaxed drive due to fewer crowds.
Crucial Checkpoint: Varanasi Airport (VNS) to Ayodhya Driving Time
For people not from Varanasi, their journey to Ayodhya directly from Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) needs major time and distance savings. Since the airport lies outside the congested city center, travelers avoid urban traffic and reach the highways faster.
The distance from VNS to Ayodhya is about 177 km, compared to 219 km from the city center, and the drive takes roughly 2 hours and 38 minutes instead of 4–5 hours. This makes starting from VNS the most efficient option for air travelers. Taxi fares for this route generally range between ₹1,840 and ₹3,500, providing a clear idea for budgeting
Detailed Road Route Comparison
Route | Primary Highways Used | Approx. Distance (Km) | Approx. Travel Time | Key Advantage |
Recommended Short Route | NH 731, NH 330 | 219 km | 4 – 5 hours | Shorter physical distance, passing through Jaunpur/Sultanpur 1 |
Purvanchal Expressway Route | Purvanchal Expressway | 232 km | 5 hours | High-speed driving, fewer local intersections 1 |
Alternative Scenic Route | SH36 and NH27 | 230 km | 5 hours | Less crowded, ideal for relaxed travel 9 |
VNS Airport Direct Drive | N/A (Optimal local roads) | 177 km | 2 hours 38 minutes | Fastest driving option, bypasses city congestion 10 |
Varanasi to Ayodhya Distance by Train: Fastest and Most Efficient Mode
Rail travel is well-known for its speed and affordability, so it is one of the shortest option for travelling between Varanasi and Ayodhya.
Total Rail Distance and Key Stations
The railway line between Varanasi Junction (BSB) and Ayodhya Dham Junction (AY) covers about 188–189 km. This is only slightly longer than the straight-line distance of 176 km, showing how efficiently the route is designed. In comparison, road routes are usually 30–50 km longer because they have to go around towns and other obstacles. This well-planned rail route is a big reason why train travel between the two cities is faster.
Travel Time Comparison: The Vande Bharat Advantage
The range of rail travel times is broad, depending on the class and speed of the service utilized. While standard services, such as the Chhapra-Lucknow Jn. Express, cover the 189 km distance in approximately 4 hours and 6 minutes, the most profit is realized through premium express trains.
The Varanasi-Meerut City Vande Bharat Express currently holds the record for the fastest travel time, covering the 188-kilometer distance in a rapid 2 hours and 30 minutes. This time is less than the 4 to 5 hours required by road, establishing the rail link as the logistical standard-bearer for speed. The longest duration service, the Doon Express (PT), still takes close to 5 hours (4 hours 58 minutes), illustrating the variance across the eleven daily services.
Varanasi to Ayodhya Rail Services Snapshot
Service Type | Example Train | Distance (Km) | Approx. Travel Time | Key Benefit |
Fastest (Premium) | Vande Bharat Express | 188-189 km | 2 hours 30 minutes | Optimal speed |
Standard Express | Chhapra-Lucknow Jn. Exp. | 189 km | 4 hours 6 minutes | Balanced speed and cost |
Longest Duration | Doon Express (PT) | 189 km | 4 hours 58 minutes | May offer preferred departure times |
Overall Average | All services | 188-189 km | 3 hours 41 minutes | General commute time |
Future Connectivity: The Proposed Ayodhya-Varanasi Expressway
- The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has launched the Ayodhya–Varanasi Expressway project to boost speed and connectivity.
- This project is part of a larger plan to create world-class highways and support the religious and tourism circuit.
- The Detailed Project Report (DPR) process has already begun.
- The expressway aims to ease congestion on current highways and enhance travel comfort for tourists and pilgrims.
It will also strengthen Ayodhya’s connection to Delhi through existing and upcoming road networks.
Expected Impact on Distance and Travel Time
The road journey takes a traveller around 4-5 hours, but the upcoming expressway, the Vande Bharat Express, will solve it by halving the journey; it will take 2 hours. this improvement This improvement will remove the rail network’s time advantage and create a balance between road and rail travel. The reduced travel time will also boost regional tourism, improve logistics for transport services like cabs and Tempo Travellers, and demonstrate the region’s commitment to developing top-quality travel infrastructure.
Comprehensive Travel Guide and Logistics
For travelers planning the journey, several logical considerations regarding road conditions, vehicle choice, and final destination points should be considered to ensure a smooth trip.
Essential Travel Tips and Road Conditions Checklist
For travelers planning the journey, several practical considerations regarding road conditions, vehicle choice, and final destination points should be addressed to ensure a smooth trip, whether you are calculating the Benaras to Ayodhya distance or the Ayodhya to Benaras distance. For the ultimate convenience and comfort, exploring the packages offered by Worldview Travel VNS is highly recommended.
Navigating the Destination: Ayodhya Dham Junction vs. Ram Mandir
It is important for travelers to know the difference between the official rail terminal (Ayodhya Dham Junction) and the ultimate pilgrimage destination (the Ram Mandir complex). While the precise highway distances (219–232 km) account for travel to the city limits or main junction, the total door-to-door road distance to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir is frequently approximated at the 200-kilometer mark.
The final part of the journey within Ayodhya may involve local traffic or, depending on ongoing development and security protocols, necessitate the use of local transport or walking to reach the final specific destination within the complex. Planning should therefore account for additional time and logistical shifts required upon arrival in the Ayodhya municipal area.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The shortest distance is the aerial (straight-line) distance, which is approximately 176 km or 180 km. However, the shortest physical route is by train, measuring 188-189 km.
The road distance varies by route: the shortest and most recommended path via NH 731 and NH 330 is approximately 219 KM, while the route using the Purvanchal Expressway is about 232 KM. The distance to the Ayodhya Ram Mandir is often approximated at 200 kilometers.
Travel by road typically takes between 4 and 5 hours, depending on the chosen route, traffic, and road conditions.
The fastest way is by train. The Varanasi-Meerut City Vande Bharat Express covers the 188 KM rail distance in just 2 hours and 30 minutes.
The driving distance from Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) to Ayodhya is approximately 177 KM.10 This direct route is faster than starting from the Varanasi city center, taking around 2 hours and 38 minutes.
