How to reach Puri is simple once you know the gateway: Puri has no airport of its own, so every journey runs through Bhubaneswar, about 60 km away, or straight into Puri railway station. Trains are the easiest option from most Indian cities, road trips suit travellers from Odisha and West Bengal, and flights work best when combined with a short taxi or train ride from Bhubaneswar.
Key Highlights
- Puri has no airport: fly to Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, about 60 km away, then travel on by road or rail.
- Puri railway station (PURI) has direct trains from Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru.
- Bhubaneswar to Puri takes about 1 to 1.5 hours by train and about 1.5 hours by road via NH-316.
- Kolkata to Puri is roughly 500 km, about 8 to 10 hours by road or 7 to 8 hours by overnight train.
- October to February is the best time to travel, with the Rath Yatra season in June to July bringing the heaviest crowds.
Puri at a glance
Puri is a pilgrim and beach city on the Bay of Bengal coast in Odisha, about 60 km from the state capital Bhubaneswar. It is best known for the Jagannath Temple and the annual Rath Yatra, when the deities are taken out in chariots and the city fills with lakhs of devotees. The same city also draws beach visitors to Puri Beach and Swargadwar, and day trippers to Konark, about 35 km away. Knowing the transport layout in advance matters most during festival weeks, when trains and hotels fill early.
How to reach Puri by train
Train is the most convenient and affordable way to reach Puri for most travellers. Puri railway station (PURI) is a major terminus on the East Coast Railway, directly connected to Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru. Popular trains include the Purushottam Express from Delhi, the Jagannath Express, the Konark Express, the Neelachal Express and the Howrah to Puri expresses from Kolkata. From Bhubaneswar, frequent trains and passenger services cover the 60 km in about 1 to 1.5 hours.
The station sits just 2 to 3 km from the Jagannath Temple and the city centre, so autos and cycle rickshaws are easy to find on arrival. Book tickets through IRCTC or at railway counters, and book early for Rath Yatra and the winter holiday weeks. If your train arrives late at night, pre-book a taxi or hotel pickup rather than relying on the auto stand.
How to reach Puri by road
Puri is well connected by road to the rest of Odisha and to West Bengal. From Bhubaneswar, NH-316 runs the 60 km to Puri in about 1.5 hours by car or bus. From Cuttack, the distance is about 80 to 90 km, roughly 2 hours. From Kolkata, the road journey is nearly 500 km and takes about 9 to 10 hours, so most Kolkata travellers prefer the overnight train instead.
State transport and private buses run from Bhubaneswar, Cuttack, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam to Puri, with Puri Bus Stand as the main arrival point. Two bus termini serve the city, including Baramunda and the stand opposite the Rajya Ashok Hotel area. Private taxis and cabs can be hired from Bhubaneswar airport or railway station for the onward drive, and app-based cabs operate on the Bhubaneswar to Puri route.
How to reach Puri by air
Puri has no airport, so fly to Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI) in Bhubaneswar, about 60 km away. The airport has daily flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad and Bengaluru, along with a few international services. From the airport, hire a taxi for the 1.5 hour drive via NH-316, or take a bus or train from Bhubaneswar station to Puri.
For most long distance travellers, flight plus road is the fastest combination: a 2 hour flight from Delhi or Kolkata to Bhubaneswar, then 1.5 hours on the road, reaches Puri in about 4 to 5 hours door to door. A future Puri international airport has been discussed for years, but it is not operational, so plan every trip through Bhubaneswar for now.
Getting around Puri
Once in Puri, autos, cycle rickshaws and taxis cover the short distances between the station, the temple area and the beach. The temple is 2 to 3 km from the station, and most beach hotels sit within a few kilometres of both. Walking works well along the beach road, but hire an auto for temple visits in the heat or with luggage. Agree the fare before starting, since meters are rarely used.
Distance to Puri from major cities
Bhubaneswar is 60 km away, about 1.5 hours by road or 1 to 1.5 hours by train. Cuttack is 80 to 90 km away, about 2 hours by road. Kolkata is roughly 500 km away, 7 to 8 hours by train or 9 to 10 hours by road. Delhi is about 1,700 km away, best reached by flight to Bhubaneswar plus road, or by a 30 hour plus train journey. Chennai is about 1,200 km away, roughly 20 hours by train or a 2 hour flight to Bhubaneswar plus road.
Best time to travel to Puri
October to February is the best time to travel to Puri, with cooler weather, open skies and comfortable beach days. The Rath Yatra, usually in June or July, is the city’s biggest event and the most crowded time to visit: book trains and rooms months ahead if you plan to attend. Summer months are hot and humid, while the monsoon brings heavy rain and rough seas, though temple visits continue through the year.
What to see after you arrive
Most visitors start with the Jagannath Temple, then walk to Puri Beach and Swargadwar for the evening sea breeze. The ISKCON Temple in Puri is a calm second shrine, and Swargadwar Sea Beach and the Blue Flag Golden Beach cover the two main beach moods, one busy and local, one cleaner and more organised.
Day trips are easy from Puri. The Konark Sun Temple lies about 35 km away and pairs naturally with a beach morning. The Maa Batamangala Temple is a smaller shrine on the Puri route, and Rajhans Nature Camp on Chilika’s edge suits travellers who want a lagoon and island landscape after the temple crowds.
Travel tips for reaching Puri
Book trains early in festival season and winter holidays, and keep a buffer of an hour between a flight landing in Bhubaneswar and any onward train. Carry cash for autos and small shops, though cards and UPI work widely in hotels and restaurants. If you travel during Rath Yatra, expect road diversions near the temple and plan extra walking time. Pilgrims should note that non-Hindus are not admitted inside the Jagannath Temple, though the temple exterior and the surrounding streets are open to all.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the nearest airport to Puri?
The nearest airport to Puri is Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar, about 60 km away. From the airport, take a taxi for the 1.5 hour drive via NH-316, or travel to Bhubaneswar station and catch a train to Puri.
How long does Bhubaneswar to Puri take by train?
Bhubaneswar to Puri takes about 1 to 1.5 hours by train, with frequent express and passenger services through the day. By road the same journey takes about 1.5 hours via NH-316, depending on traffic, so either option works for a day trip.
Which trains run from Kolkata to Puri?
Trains from Kolkata to Puri include the Howrah to Puri expresses and the Dhauli Express, with a journey time of about 7 to 8 hours. Overnight trains are the most popular choice, since they arrive in Puri in the morning.
Can I reach Puri by direct flight?
No, Puri has no airport, so there are no direct flights to the city. Fly to Bhubaneswar and continue by taxi, bus or train, a final leg of about 1.5 hours by road or 1 to 1.5 hours by rail.
What is the best time to visit Puri?
October to February is the best time to visit Puri, with cool, dry weather for temple visits and beach days. The Rath Yatra in June or July is the biggest festival but also the most crowded period, so book transport and rooms well in advance.
How do I get around Puri after arriving?
Autos, cycle rickshaws and taxis cover Puri’s short distances, with the temple 2 to 3 km from the railway station. Walking works along the beach road, while an auto is better for temple trips in the heat or with luggage.
For most travellers the simplest plan is a train straight into Puri, or a flight to Bhubaneswar followed by a taxi down NH-316. Book early in festival season, and the journey itself becomes the easy part of the trip.