Patna to Vrindavan Distance: Routes, Driving Time, Trains, Flights and the Best Way to Travel

Patna, the ancient capital of Bihar and Vrindavan, the temple town of Krishna, lie some 920 km apart, but the fast new Purvanchal and Agra-Lucknow expressways have cut what was once a very long drive to about 13.5 hours. For Bihar's many devotees of Krishna, the journey to his land is easier than ever. Here, from one born in Braj, is the complete guide to the Patna to Vrindavan distance, the routes both ways and the best way to travel. Plan your visit with our Mathura Vrindavan tour packages.

Key takeaways

• Patna to Vrindavan is about 922 to 957 km, roughly 13.5 to 15.5 hours by road.

• The fastest route uses the Purvanchal and Agra-Lucknow expressways, about 922 km.

• The new expressways have cut this journey to about 13.5 hours, far quicker than before.

• It is still a long journey, so flying or the train is often better than driving.

• Fly Patna to Delhi (about 1.5 to 2 hours), then drive 3 to 3.5 hours to Braj.

• The route passes near Ayodhya and Varanasi, a natural pilgrimage pairing.

I am Gurudutt, born in Gokul in the Mathura district, guiding pilgrims through Braj since 2018, more than 50,000 of them. Many who come to us travel from Patna and Bihar and the new expressways have transformed their journey. Here is everything you need, told by someone who receives these travellers: the exact distances and routes both ways, the flight and train options, the best way to travel over such a long distance and the last leg into Vrindavan.

Patna to Vrindavan distance and driving routes

By road, the distance from Patna to Vrindavan is about 922 to 957 km and the drive takes roughly 13.5 to 15.5 hours depending on the route, west across Uttar Pradesh. The new expressways have made it much quicker. There are three main ways.

Patna to Vrindavan road routes. Approximate; the Purvanchal and Agra-Lucknow expressway route is quickest.

The route combining the Purvanchal and Agra-Lucknow expressways is much the fastest, about 13.5 hours, on smooth new roads that have transformed this journey. Even so, it is a long drive, so break it overnight, perhaps at Lucknow, which lies on the way. A car that knows the roads makes it easier; our Mathura Vrindavan taxi service can carry you the whole way or meet you for the last leg.

Vrindavan to Patna distance (the return journey)

The road back, from Vrindavan to Patna, is much the same, about 924 to 957 km and 14 to 15.5 hours. If you are planning the reverse leg, these are the main routes.

Vrindavan to Patna road routes. Approximate; the expressway combination is quickest.

Patna to Vrindavan by train

For so long a journey, the train is a comfortable and popular choice and Patna has excellent rail links to the north. There is no major station in Vrindavan, so you travel to Mathura Junction, the railhead for Braj and drive the last 14 km. Trains run from Patna Junction towards Mathura, taking around 12 to 16 hours, so a good overnight train is the way; from Mathura, we can meet you.

• Where to board: trains run from Patna Junction towards Mathura Junction.

• How long it takes: roughly 12 to 16 hours; choose a good overnight train.

• The last leg: from Mathura Junction, Vrindavan is about 14 km, around 30 minutes.

• Book ahead: reserve your Patna to Mathura ticket well in advance, especially in festival season.

Patna to Vrindavan by air

For this distance, flying is the quickest and a popular way. Patna has a major airport (Jay Prakash Narayan International) with flights to Delhi and the nearest airport to Braj is Delhi, about 150 km away. A flight from Patna to Delhi, about 1.5 to 2 hours, then a 3 to 3.5 hour drive to Vrindavan, is quicker than the 13.5-hour road journey. For many travellers from Patna, flying via Delhi is the best way.

• Patna has a major airport with flights to Delhi and other cities.

• Nearest airport to Braj: Delhi, about 150 km away.

• Fly Patna to Delhi (about 1.5 to 2 hours), then drive 3 to 3.5 hours to Vrindavan.

• Flying via Delhi is quicker than the long road journey and a popular choice.

Patna to Vrindavan by bus

Buses run from Patna towards Lucknow, Agra and the Delhi side, taking around 15 to 18 hours and are the budget option. But they are long and tiring over such a distance, so a flight or an overnight train is far easier and worth the extra cost for most travellers.

The best way to travel

The right choice depends on your time and budget. Flying to Delhi and driving on is the quickest; an overnight train is comfortable and good value; a private car on the new expressways is direct but long and best broken overnight; and the bus is the cheapest but the most tiring. The table sets them side by side.

A quick comparison. Over this distance, flying or an overnight train is usually best.

Breaking the journey and what to see on the way

The great feature of this route is that it passes near Ayodhya and Varanasi, two of the holiest cities of India, so many pilgrims break the journey there, weaving the birthplace of Rama and the city of Shiva into a grand pilgrimage that ends in Krishna's Braj. Lucknow, the graceful city of Nawabi heritage, also lies on the expressway, a fine overnight stop. For so long a distance, flying spares you the road; but pairing Ayodhya, Kashi and Braj is a beautiful pilgrimage in itself.

What to see when you arrive

Once in Vrindavan, the darshans begin. The most beloved is the Banke Bihari temple, best in the cool morning and the grand Prem Mandir with its evening light show. Add ISKCON Vrindavan for its continuous kirtan and the evening Yamuna aarti at Kesi Ghat. In nearby Mathura, see the Krishna Janmabhoomi, the birthplace and the grand Dwarkadhish temple. After a long journey, an overnight stay lets you take the darshan unhurried; see our Mathura Vrindavan hotels.

The best time to visit

The cool months of October to March are much the best for the journey and for Braj, pleasant on the road and at the temples, while the summer is very hot. Note that December and January can bring dense fog on the northern expressways, which slows the drive. If you travel in the festival season, around Janmashtami, Radhashtami, Diwali or Holi, expect the town to be joyful but crowded and book ahead. See our best time to visit Mathura Vrindavan guide and the Mathura Vrindavan festivals calendar for the seasons in full.

Tips for the journey

• Take the Purvanchal and Agra-Lucknow expressway route; it is much the fastest and smoothest.

• For speed, fly from Patna to Delhi and drive 3 to 3.5 hours to Braj.

• An overnight train from Patna Junction to Mathura Junction is a comfortable alternative.

• Pair Ayodhya and Varanasi on the way for a grand pilgrimage ending in Braj.

• Avoid the December-January fog on the expressways if you can or allow extra time.

• Book flights, trains and hotels well ahead, especially in festival season.

The honest bit

Honest words on the Patna to Vrindavan journey, from one born in Braj. This is a long trip, about 920 km, but the new Purvanchal and Agra-Lucknow expressways have made it far quicker, about 13.5 hours now rather than eighteen or more on the old roads. Even so, do not drive it in one tired stretch: break it overnight at Lucknow, take an overnight train or fly. The lovely exception is if you wish to make a pilgrimage of it and take in Ayodhya and Varanasi on the way, which this route allows beautifully. Beware the winter fog on the expressways. Distances and times are approximate. For the last leg and once you are here, a car that knows the town saves you time and touts; an early booking secures a good stay.

Why Experience My India is the right choice

I was born in Gokul in the Mathura district and I welcome travellers from Patna and Bihar every week. Guiding since 2018, more than 50,000 pilgrims, 4.5 stars on Google, WhatsApp first, 8 AM to 9 PM daily. Whether you fly, train or drive in, we meet you at Delhi airport, Mathura Junction or your doorstep, carry you around the temples in the right order and, if you wish, plan the wider pilgrimage of Ayodhya and Kashi with Braj, with the stories told on the ground and no touts. One clear fare and never a charge for free darshan.

Tip from Gurudutt: if you have the days, make a great pilgrimage of the journey. The expressways from Patna run past Ayodhya, the birthplace of Rama and near Varanasi, the eternal city of Shiva, before reaching Krishna's Braj. To touch all three, Rama, Shiva and Krishna, in one journey west, is a rare blessing. Or, if time is short, fly to Delhi and let us bring you straight to Braj, fresh for the dawn darshan of Banke Bihari. Either way, save your energy for the temples.

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Plan your trip

Tell me your dates and how you wish to travel, by flight, train or road and I will help you plan the whole trip and your days in Braj, meeting you and taking you around with a car and a guide born on this soil, for one clear price. Our Mathura Vrindavan tour packages from Delhi and the NCR suit visitors flying into Delhi. WhatsApp +91 7302265809, any day 8 AM to 9 PM. Packages from ₹1,999 per person, 4.5 stars on Google. Born in Gokul, Mathura.