OnWheels
Varanasi to Ayodhya Cab & Tempo Traveller Service

Varanasi to Ayodhya Cab & Tempo Traveller Service

All Routes
Distance

204–224 km

Travel Time

4 to 5 hours

Route

NH31 + NH135A via Jaunpur

Varanasi to Ayodhya is 204 km by road, and the drive takes 4 to 5 hours through Jaunpur and Akbarpur on NH31 and NH135A. A same-day round trip is ₹6,500 in a sedan, and ₹10,500 if there are more of you and you need a tempo traveller. Your driver sorts out the Ram Mandir darshan with you, and on the way back he'll pull in at Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhawan.

It's 204 km by road from Varanasi Junction to the Ram Mandir. Count on 4 to 5 hours in the car, with one stop for tea. We measured the distance on OSRM (the OpenStreetMap route planner) on 11 October 2026; the hours are what our drivers actually take. You'll see other numbers around. The Ayodhya district site rounds it to 200 km, and UP Tourism says 209. There are really two roads. We take the shorter one: about 63 km on NH31 past Babatpur to Jaunpur, then about 134 km on NH135A through Shahganj and Akbarpur into Ayodhya. The second road also starts on NH31 to Jaunpur, but then turns onto NH731 for Sultanpur and comes up NH330 into Ayodhya. It's 224 km and 4.5 to 5.5 hours, so we'd only use it if you want to stop in Sultanpur. If you leave at 6 AM you should reach Ram Janmabhoomi by about 11, which beats the afternoon queue. Our drivers have done the temple routine plenty of times. Phones get deposited, there's a security check, and shoes come off. They know the closest authorised parking too. Same-day round trips are fine. So are 2-day trips that add Prayagraj.
Call to Book WhatsApp Plan Your Trip

Trip Highlights

  • Ram Janmabhoomi (Ram Mandir) darshan
  • Hanuman Garhi & Kanak Bhawan temples
  • Saryu Aarti at Naya Ghat (evening)
  • Nageshwarnath Temple & Treta Ke Thakur
  • Driver assistance with Ram Mandir security protocol
  • Optional add-on: Faizabad Gulab Bari overnight stop

Stops Along the Way

  1. 1

    Jaunpur

    Famous for Shahi Bridge and Atala Mosque — a 30-min cultural stop possible.

  2. 2

    Shahganj

    About 100 km out, on NH135A. It's a railway junction town and a decent place for chai.

  3. 3

    Akbarpur

    The Ambedkar Nagar district headquarters, around 145 km from Varanasi. Ayodhya's roughly an hour on from here.

  4. 4

    Ayodhya

    Ram Mandir, Hanuman Garhi, Kanak Bhawan, Saryu Ghat — 4–6 hours needed.

Fares by Vehicle

VehicleCapacityRound Trip (drop costs the same)
Swift Dzire (4-seater)1–4 pax₹6,500
Innova Crysta (6-seater)1–6 pax₹8,500
Tempo Traveller 12-seater6–12 pax₹10,500
Tempo Traveller 17-seater12–17 pax₹13,000
Maharaja Urbania (luxury)1–9 pax₹15,500

* Fares exclude driver allowance, tolls, parking, and 5% GST. Round-trip rates assume single-day return.

Drop only, or ending in another city? Our vehicles are based in Varanasi, so the driver comes back empty and a drop costs the same as the round trip. Staying longer or adding stops is billed on the full loop back to Varanasi at the vehicle's per-km rate, with a 250 km/day minimum, plus driver allowance. That's why most groups make it a 2–3 day circuit. See the circuits.

Travelling as a group of ten or more? Compare the 12, 17, 20 and 26-seater on our tempo traveller in Varanasi page, with fares for every route.

WhatsApp for This Route Call Now

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the distance from Varanasi to Ayodhya by road?
Varanasi to the Ram Mandir is about 204 km by road. We'd plan on 4 to 5 hours, and that's with a 20-minute chai stop. We go the short way, NH31 to Jaunpur and then NH135A through Shahganj and Akbarpur. You can also go via Sultanpur (NH731, then NH330), but that's 224 km and takes 4.5 to 5.5 hours. We measured both on OSRM on 11 October 2026. The district site says about 200 km and UP Tourism says 209, which is close enough, so don't be thrown by it.
Can I go from Varanasi to Ayodhya by train?
Yes, and honestly the train is quicker than our cab. Take 22489 Vande Bharat if you can. It's out of Varanasi Junction at 09:10 and pulls into Ayodhya Dham Junction (AY) at 11:34. Two hours twenty-four. Not on Tuesdays, sadly. On a Tuesday, or if that one's full, there are daily trains too. We'd look at 14225 (06:20, in by 09:20), the Ganga Sutlej Express 13307 (05:30, in by 09:25) or the 14213 Intercity in the afternoon (14:00, in by 17:40). One small trap. Some trains stop at Ayodhya Cantt (AYC) instead. That's the old Faizabad station, so read your ticket. The rail line is a bit shorter than the road, 189 km by erail and 191 by the district site. We pulled these times off erail.in on 11 October 2026. Check IRCTC before you go, though. Timetables change.
Is there a bus or flight from Varanasi to Ayodhya?
Buses, yes. The Ayodhya district site (ayodhya.nic.in, checked 11 October 2026) says UP State Road Transport buses run round the clock. It doesn't give times or fares, so you'll need to ask at the bus stand. Flights, no. Ayodhya's airport (AYJ) flies to Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Navi Mumbai, Dehradun and Hisar, but not to Varanasi, going by Wikipedia's airport page on 11 October 2026. You'd have to change in Delhi, and that takes longer than just driving.
How much does a Varanasi to Ayodhya cab cost?
Same-day round trip (2026): Swift Dzire ₹6,500, Innova Crysta ₹8,500, 12-seater tempo traveller ₹10,500, 17-seater ₹13,000, Maharaja Urbania ₹15,500. A drop to Ayodhya costs the same, because the vehicle returns to Varanasi empty. Driver allowance, tolls, and 5% GST are billed separately.
Can I do Varanasi to Ayodhya as a same-day round trip?
Yes — leave Varanasi by 5 AM, arrive Ayodhya 9–10 AM, complete Ram Mandir darshan + 2–3 other temples by 3 PM, return to Varanasi by 8 PM. Plan for 14–15 hours total. For a calmer pace, an overnight stay in Ayodhya is recommended.
Is Ram Mandir darshan included in the cab fare?
Darshan itself is free. The driver will park at authorized parking (Ram Path entry) and guide you to the security checkpoint. Mobile phones, leather items, and bags must be deposited. We can pre-arrange Sugam (priority) darshan tickets — share Aadhaar 24 hrs in advance.
What is the best time to leave Varanasi for Ayodhya?
5–6 AM departure is ideal. You arrive by 10–11 AM, beat the afternoon queue surge, and finish darshan by lunch. The drive back is more relaxed since highways clear after 6 PM.
Can the cab also cover Prayagraj on the same trip?
Yes. Varanasi → Prayagraj → Ayodhya → Varanasi is a popular 3-day pilgrim circuit, about 500 km of road plus local running. Pricing starts at ₹12,500 for the full 3-day loop in an Innova Crysta. WhatsApp +91 92503 31290 for a tailored quote.

Multi-Day Tour Packages on This Route

4 to 7 days

Ramayana Circuit Tour

₹5,000 onwards / person

7 to 14 days

Complete Pilgrimage Tour Package

₹12,000 onwards / person

From our group

Starting From

₹6,500 round trip

excl. driver allowance, tolls, GST

WhatsApp Us Call NowOr plan a custom trip →

Free quote · No booking fees · 24×7 support

Why Book With Us

  • Since 1993 — 33 years on this route
  • Drivers know every shortcut
  • Fixed rates — no surge pricing
  • Free flight tracking + waiting
  • 24×7 emergency support
Call NowWhatsApp