Varanasi to Ayodhya Distance, Taxi Fare & Travel Options (2026)
TL;DR: Varanasi to Ayodhya is 200 km via NH-31 (Jaunpur bypass) and takes 4 to 5 hours. Sedan taxi fare is ₹3,500–₹3,800 one way, same-day return from ₹6,500. One toll plaza (₹215 at Jaunpur). Taxi drops you 800 m from Ram Mandir security gate — way faster than train + auto combo. For group vehicles, use our Ayodhya tempo traveller price list.
Also searched as: Banaras se Ayodhya ki duri • वाराणसी से अयोध्या की दूरी • बनारस से अयोध्या कितने किलोमीटर है • Kashi to Ayodhya distance
Quick Distance & Fare Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|
| Road distance (NH-31 bypass) | 200 km |
| Road distance (via Jaunpur city) | 219 km |
| Typical drive time | 4 to 5 hours |
| Route | Varanasi → Babatpur → Jaunpur bypass → Sultanpur → Faizabad → Ayodhya |
| Toll plazas | 1 (Jaunpur toll plaza — ₹215 car, ₹345 SUV) |
| Fuel cost estimate | ₹1,400–₹1,600 (one way, petrol car) |
| Taxi fare (sedan one-way) | ₹3,500–₹3,800 |
| Taxi fare (same-day return) | ₹6,500+ |
Varanasi to Ayodhya Route: Turn-by-Turn Landmarks
Most Varanasi taxi drivers take this route — it's the fastest and avoids Jaunpur city traffic:
| Km from Varanasi | Landmark | Notes |
|---|
| 0 | Varanasi hotel/airport pickup | Our drivers reach 15 min early |
| 18 | Babatpur bypass | Connects airport road to NH-31 |
| 55 | Jaunpur toll plaza | ₹215 (sedan) — included in our fare |
| 58 | Jaunpur bypass junction | Stay on bypass, don't enter city |
| 105 | Mariahu | Good chai/snack halt (Bhagwanpur dhaba) |
| 142 | Sultanpur bypass | Smooth 4-lane past this point |
| 175 | Faizabad bypass | 25 km to Ayodhya from here |
| 195 | Ayodhya outskirts | Traffic slows — police checkpoints |
| 200 | Naya Ghat parking / Lata Mangeshkar Chowk | Taxi drop point, 800 m walk to Ram Mandir gate |
Alternate route via Prayagraj: 280 km, 6-7 hours — only useful if combining Sangam + Ayodhya.
Varanasi to Ayodhya Taxi Fare — All Vehicle Types
| Vehicle | Capacity | One-way fare | Same-day return | Best for |
|---|
| Sedan (Dzire/Etios) | 4 pax | ₹3,500–₹3,800 | ₹6,500–₹7,000 | Couples, solo, small families |
| Ertiga / 6-seater | 6 pax | ₹4,500–₹5,000 | ₹7,500–₹8,500 | Families with luggage |
| Innova Crysta | 6-7 pax | ₹6,000–₹6,500 | ₹9,000–₹10,000 | Larger families, elder comfort |
| 12-seater Tempo | 10-12 pax | ₹8,500–₹9,500 | ₹14,500 | Groups, joint family |
| 17-seater Tempo | 15-17 pax | ₹10,000–₹11,000 | ₹16,500 | Large groups, wedding parties |
What's included: Toll (₹215), fuel, driver meals, pickup/drop.
What's extra: Parking at Ram Mandir (₹100–₹150), night halt charges if overnight (₹300 driver stay).
For exact group pricing, use the Ayodhya tempo traveller fare page.
For live booking, use the direct Varanasi to Ayodhya taxi page.
Train vs Taxi: Honest Comparison
| Factor | Train | Taxi |
|---|
| Cost | ₹150–₹600 (sleeper to AC) | ₹3,500+ (can split 4 ways = ₹875/head) |
| Travel time | 4–5 hrs (often delayed) | 4–5 hrs (door to door) |
| Pickup | You go to station | Picks you up from hotel/airport |
| Drop point | Ayodhya Junction (5 km from Ram Mandir) | 800 m from Ram Mandir gate |
| Return flexibility | Fixed train time | Leave whenever your darshan finishes |
| Luggage | You carry it | Stays safe in car |
| Elderly / kids | Station stairs, crowd | AC, comfortable, no transfers |
| Auto/rickshaw after arrival | ₹200–₹300 each way extra | Not needed |
Bottom line: If you're 2+ people, taxi per-head cost is close to AC train after adding auto transfers — but infinitely more convenient. For solo budget travellers, train wins.
Best Trains: Varanasi to Ayodhya
| Train | Departs | Arrives | Duration | Type |
|---|
| Varanasi–Lucknow Intercity | 06:15 | 10:30 | 4h 15m | Express |
| Kashi Vishwanath Express | 17:10 | 21:00 | 3h 50m | Superfast |
| Sealdah–Lucknow Express | 08:25 | 12:40 | 4h 15m | Express |
Note: These run from Varanasi Junction. If you're near the airport, a taxi to the station itself takes 30–45 min.
Ram Mandir: What to Expect When You Arrive
Queue Times (based on recent visitor reports)
| Day type | Expected queue | Best arrival time |
|---|
| Weekday (Mon-Thu) | 1–2 hours | 9:30–10:00 AM |
| Friday | 2–3 hours | 9:00 AM |
| Saturday/Sunday | 3–5 hours | 8:00 AM or earlier |
| Ram Navami / Festivals | 5–8 hours | Consider overnight stay |
| Long weekends | 4–6 hours | Avoid if possible |
Ram Mandir Entry Rules (2026)
- Allowed: Valid government ID, small handbag, phone
- Not allowed: Large bags, laptop bags, power banks, cameras with zoom lens, food/water bottles
- Dress code: Modest clothing recommended (no shorts above knee)
- Lockers: Available at Naya Ghat parking (₹20/bag)
- Shoes: Remove before security check area — deposit at shoe counters (free)
After Darshan: What Else to See
Most same-day visitors also cover:
- Hanuman Garhi — 10 min walk from Ram Mandir, no queue on weekdays
- Kanak Bhavan — Ram-Sita temple, beautifully decorated, 15 min from main temple
- Saryu River ghat — Evening aarti if you're staying overnight
- Dashrath Mahal — 5 min walk, rarely crowded
Can You Visit Ayodhya in One Day from Varanasi?
Yes — it's the most popular same-day trip from Kashi. Here's the optimised plan:
| Time | Plan |
|---|
| 5:30 AM | Leave Varanasi |
| 9:30–10:00 AM | Reach Ayodhya |
| 10:00 AM–12:00 PM | Ram Mandir darshan |
| 12:15–12:45 PM | Hanuman Garhi |
| 1:00–1:45 PM | Lunch |
| 2:00–2:45 PM | Kanak Bhavan |
| 3:00–3:30 PM | Dashrath Mahal (optional) |
| 3:30–4:00 PM | Leave Ayodhya |
| 8:00–9:00 PM | Reach Varanasi |
Tip: If your group includes elders or you want a relaxed pace, consider an overnight stay in Ayodhya. We can arrange pickup the next morning.
Kashi to Ayodhya by Road: Distance Variants
People search different versions of this route — here are the actual distances:
Banaras se Ayodhya ki duri (distance from Banaras to Ayodhya) is approximately 200 km via NH-31 bypass. बनारस से अयोध्या की दूरी लगभग 200 किलोमीटर है और सफर में 4 से 5 घंटे लगते हैं। बनारस से अयोध्या का किराया (taxi fare) सेडान में ₹3,500 से शुरू होता है।
| From | To | Distance | Drive time |
|---|
| Varanasi (Lanka/BHU area) | Ayodhya (Ram Mandir) | 205 km | 4.5 hrs |
| Varanasi (Cantonment/Junction) | Ayodhya (Ram Mandir) | 200 km | 4 hrs |
| Varanasi Airport (VNS) | Ayodhya (Ram Mandir) | 195 km | 4 hrs |
| Varanasi (Assi Ghat) | Ayodhya (Ram Mandir) | 210 km | 4.5 hrs |
| Sarnath | Ayodhya (Ram Mandir) | 208 km | 4.5 hrs |
All distances via NH-31 Jaunpur bypass route. Add 15-20 km if going through Jaunpur city.
Best Time for the Varanasi-Ayodhya Trip
| Season | Months | Temperature | Verdict |
|---|
| Winter (best) | Nov–Feb | 8–22°C | Most comfortable for travel and darshan |
| Spring | Mar–Apr | 22–35°C | Good, mornings pleasant |
| Monsoon | Jul–Sep | 25–35°C + rain | Road ok, but Saryu floods — check before going |
| Summer | May–Jun | 35–45°C | Hot — start very early, carry water |
Avoid: Ram Navami week (queue 5-8 hours), Independence Day & Republic Day weekends.
Varanasi to Ayodhya via Prayagraj (Alternate Route)
Some travellers want to combine Sangam at Prayagraj with Ram Mandir at Ayodhya. This is a 2-day plan, not same-day:
| Leg | Distance | Time |
|---|
| Varanasi → Prayagraj | 121 km | 2.5–3 hrs |
| Prayagraj → Ayodhya | 170 km | 3.5–4 hrs |
| Ayodhya → Varanasi (direct) | 200 km | 4–5 hrs |
| Total circuit | 491 km | 2 days minimum |
Fare for circuit: Sedan ₹9,500–₹11,000 (including overnight driver halt charges).
See our Varanasi-Ayodhya-Prayagraj pilgrimage package for curated itineraries.
Overnight Stay in Ayodhya: When It Makes Sense
Stay overnight if:
- You're visiting on a weekend or festival (queue saves more than the hotel cost)
- You want to attend Saryu river evening aarti (6:30 PM daily)
- You're combining with Naimisharanya (additional 90 km from Ayodhya)
- Elderly travellers — breaking the journey is kinder
- You want to visit Faizabad heritage sites (10 km from Ayodhya)
Budget stays near Ram Mandir: ₹800–₹1,500/night (dharamshalas and guesthouses near Naya Ghat).
How to Book Your Varanasi to Ayodhya Taxi
- Call or WhatsApp: +91 80621 82380 — instant quote
- Share: Travel date, pickup point, group size, vehicle preference
- Confirm: We share fare breakdown, driver details, and arrival time
- Trip day: Driver reaches 15 min early. Toll, fuel, parking — everything handled.
No hidden charges. No surge pricing. Fixed fare confirmed at booking.
Ayodhya Destination Guide
Planning your itinerary after reaching Ayodhya? The Ayodhya Ram Mandir darshan & travel guide on Bharat Tourism covers temple timings, security protocols, nearby attractions, and local transport options to help you make the most of your visit.
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