Distance Calculator
The distance from Puri to New Delhi is approximately 1,850 km by rail and around 1,800–1,900 km by road. Most travellers take the train – the Purushottam Express covers the route in roughly 30 hours. Flying via Bhubaneswar is the fastest option, taking about 5–6 hours door to door.
Key Highlights
- Distance: approx. 1,850 km by rail and 1,800–1,900 km by road; about 1,300 km as the crow flies.
- Best train: Purushottam Express (12801) — daily, roughly 30 hours, fares from ₹715 (sleeper) to ₹4,745 (first AC).
- Fastest option: fly Bhubaneswar to Delhi — around 5–6 hours door to door, typically ₹6,000–₹12,000 one way.
- Best time to travel: October to March; avoid Rath Yatra rush in Puri and Delhi’s December–January fog.
- Booking tip: reserve trains on IRCTC 60 days ahead — this corridor fills up fast in festival season.
How Far Is Puri From New Delhi?
Puri sits on the Odisha coast, and New Delhi is about as far away as two Indian cities can feel – this is a proper cross-country journey. The numbers shift a little depending on which source you check, but here is the practical picture:
- By rail: approximately 1,850 km, depending on the train and route.
- By road: roughly 1,800–1,900 km, taking around 29 hours of driving time.
- By air (straight line): about 1,300 km.
The route runs west-to-east across half of India – Odisha, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh before you finally pull into the capital. If you are still putting together your time on the coast, our Puri travel guide covers what to see before you set off, and the Golden Beach at Puri is worth a last morning walk before a long journey.
How to Travel From Puri to New Delhi
You have three real choices: train, flight, or road. The train is what most people pick – it is affordable, direct, and honestly the least tiring way to cover this much ground.
By Train: The Most Popular Option
Several trains connect Puri with Delhi, and the journey takes between 28 and 34 hours depending on the service.
The best-known is the Purushottam Express (12801). It leaves Puri at around 9:55 pm, runs every day of the week, and reaches New Delhi at about 4:00 am – roughly 30 hours later. A pantry car is attached, so hot meals are available on board. It passes through Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Tatanagar, Gaya, Prayagraj and Kanpur, which also makes it handy if you want to break the journey anywhere along the way.
Another solid choice is the Nandan Kanan Express (12815), which runs four days a week (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday). It departs Puri around 11:00 am and arrives at Anand Vihar Terminal in Delhi the following evening, taking roughly 28 hours. There is also the Neelachal Express on select days, which takes a little longer – around 34 hours.
Approximate one-way fares on the Purushottam Express:
- Sleeper (SL): around ₹715
- Second Sitting (2S): around ₹420
- AC 3-Tier (3A): around ₹1,885
- AC 2-Tier (2A): around ₹2,755
- First AC (1A): around ₹4,745
Fares shift with dynamic pricing and seasonal demand, so always confirm the current price on IRCTC before booking. For a trip this long, AC 3-tier is the sweet spot for most travellers – comfortable enough to sleep, without the first-AC price tag. Our guide on how to reach Puri also walks through the railway side of things.
By Flight: The Fastest Way
Puri does not have its own airport. The nearest one is Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, roughly 60 km away – count on 1.5 to 2 hours by taxi or bus to get there from Puri.
Direct flights from Bhubaneswar to Delhi take about 2 hours. Airlines including IndiGo operate this sector regularly. Once you add the Puri–Bhubaneswar transfer and airport formalities, the whole trip takes around 5–6 hours door to door – a huge saving over the train.
Expect to pay roughly ₹6,000–₹12,000 one way in economy, depending on how far ahead you book and the season. Booking 3–4 weeks out usually gets you the better end of that range.
By Road: For the Dedicated Road Tripper
Driving from Puri to New Delhi is a serious undertaking – about 1,800–1,900 km and roughly 29 hours of actual driving. The usual route runs via Bhubaneswar, Cuttack and Kharagpur on NH 16, then west through Durgapur, Varanasi and Lucknow on NH 19 towards Delhi.
Realistically, this is a two-to-three-day drive with night halts. The highways are in decent shape, but you will rack up substantial fuel and toll costs – several thousand rupees each way for a regular car – plus hotel stops. It makes sense if you are travelling in a group and want to explore places like Konark (the Konark Sun Temple sits right on this side of the route) or break the trip in Varanasi. Otherwise, the train wins on both cost and comfort.
Nearest Railway Station and Airport
On the Puri side, things are straightforward: Puri railway station (station code PURI) is right in town and serves all the trains mentioned above. For flights, Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI), Bhubaneswar is the nearest airport, about 60 km from Puri.
In Delhi, most trains terminate at New Delhi station (NDLS), right in the heart of the city with metro connections everywhere. The Nandan Kanan and Neelachal Expresses arrive at Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT) in east Delhi, which is also metro-connected. Flights land at Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL). If Delhi is new to you, our New Delhi travel guide is a good place to start planning.
Travel Tips for the Puri–Delhi Journey
- Book trains early. IRCTC opens reservations 60 days ahead, and this is a busy corridor. Sleeper and AC classes fill up fast, especially around Diwali, Holi and the summer holidays.
- Watch the festival calendar. Puri’s Rath Yatra (June–July) draws enormous crowds, and trains out of Puri get packed in the days after it. Book well in advance or travel a week later.
- Mind the winter fog. If you are flying into Delhi between December and January, morning fog can delay or cancel flights. Keep a buffer day if you have onward plans, and pack something warm – Delhi winters are a shock after Puri’s coast.
- Carry food for the train. The Purushottam has a pantry car, but on a 30-hour journey it pays to carry your own snacks and water. E-catering services also deliver meals to your seat at major stations.
- Charge up. Most long-distance coaches now have charging points, but a power bank is still worth its weight on this route.
- Keep ID handy. Carry a government photo ID – it is checked during train travel and needed at airports.
Best Time to Make This Trip
October to March is the most comfortable window: pleasant weather in both Puri and Delhi. Summer (April–June) means brutal heat on the Delhi end, and the monsoon (July–September) can slow road travel through Odisha and West Bengal. Fares and crowds peak around major festivals, so shoulder-season travel is usually the best value.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the distance between Puri and New Delhi?
Approximately 1,850 km by rail and around 1,800–1,900 km by road. The straight-line (aerial) distance is about 1,300 km.
How long does the train take from Puri to New Delhi?
The Purushottam Express takes roughly 30 hours. The Nandan Kanan Express is slightly faster at about 28 hours, while some weekly services take up to 34 hours.
Is there a direct flight from Puri to Delhi?
No. Puri has no airport – you fly from Bhubaneswar, about 60 km away. Direct Bhubaneswar–Delhi flights take around 2 hours, with the total door-to-door journey taking 5–6 hours.
Which is the best train from Puri to New Delhi?
The Purushottam Express (12801) is the most popular: it runs daily, has a pantry car, and reaches New Delhi in about 30 hours. If its timings suit you better, the Nandan Kanan Express (four days a week) is a good alternative.
How much does it cost to travel from Puri to New Delhi?
Train fares start around ₹715 in sleeper class and go up to about ₹4,745 in first AC on the Purushottam Express. Flights from Bhubaneswar to Delhi typically cost ₹6,000–₹12,000 when booked a few weeks ahead.
Can I drive from Puri to New Delhi?
Yes, but it is a long drive – roughly 1,800–1,900 km and about 29 hours behind the wheel, usually split over two or three days. The route via NH 16 and NH 19 is well maintained, but fuel, tolls and night halts add up, so most solo travellers find the train cheaper and easier.
Planning a longer Odisha itinerary around this trip? Our Odisha travel guide covers the state’s temples, beaches and national parks – plenty to pair with your Puri stay before you head north.