Blog / Ayodhya travel guide
Varanasi to Ayodhya travel guide
Ayodhya has become one of the most-visited pilgrimage combinations with Varanasi, particularly since the Ram Janmabhoomi temple's completion drew renewed nationwide attention to the city.
Distance and travel time
Ayodhya is roughly 200 km from Varanasi, a drive of about 4-5 hours depending on the route and traffic through smaller towns along the way. This makes it more of an overnight trip than a single day trip for most travellers, unlike the shorter Sarnath or Prayagraj routes.
What to see
The Ram Janmabhoomi temple complex is the primary destination, along with Hanuman Garhi and Kanak Bhavan nearby. Security screening at the main temple is thorough, similar to Kashi Vishwanath, so the same guidance on leaving electronics and leather items behind applies.
Planning the trip
Given the distance, most visitors either take an early morning departure from Varanasi and return the same night (a long day), or stay one night in Ayodhya to see the temple without rushing, particularly for the evening aarti at Ram Ki Paidi along the Saryu river.
Best time to go
October to March again offers the most comfortable travel weather. Major festival dates connected to Ram Navami bring very large crowds and correspondingly long darshan queues — worth checking the calendar before you fix your dates if you'd prefer a quieter visit.
Combining with Varanasi
We can arrange this as an extension to any multi-day Varanasi package, with an SUV recommended over a sedan given the longer drive — see our car rental options.