Bhubaneswar to Puri: The Pilgrim's Complete Travel Guide

Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, is the most common starting point for a pilgrimage to Puri. The two cities lie barely 60 km apart, joined by a busy corridor of trains, taxis and state buses that make the journey quick and easy. As a family-run dharamshala just 120 metres from the Singhadwara (Lion Gate), we welcome devotees arriving from Bhubaneswar every single day, and in this Bhubaneswar to Puri guide we share the cleanest, calmest ways to make the trip — along with how to reach our doorstep from Puri station.

By train — the easiest and most popular way

The Bhubaneswar–Puri branch line carries regular passenger and express services throughout the day, and the journey takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours. Trains arrive at Puri Railway Station, which is only 1.5 km from the Jagannath Temple — a 5-minute auto-rickshaw ride or a pleasant 20-minute walk along the Bada Danda.

A few practical notes:

• Trains are comfortable and inexpensive, but they fill up fast on weekends and during festivals.
• Book through the official IRCTC website or app a few days ahead.
• Keep your ticket — digital or printed — handy; the queue at Puri station moves quickly once tickets are checked.
• For early-morning temple darshan, choose a train that reaches Puri the previous evening, so you can begin the next day well rested.

By taxi or cab — best for families with luggage

A private taxi from Bhubaneswar to Puri takes about 1.5 hours via the state highway and gives you door-to-door comfort. This is the wise choice when you are travelling with elderly family members, small children, or heavy luggage. Cabs can be pre-booked from Biju Patnaik International Airport (BBI) — the nearest major airport to Puri — or from any of the recognised taxi stands in Bhubaneswar.

A few tips for a smooth ride:

• Agree on the fare in advance and confirm whether it includes waiting time at Puri.
• If you are flying in late at night, a pre-booked cab is safer than searching for one at the airport.
• Share our address — Sri Purushottam Bhakta Nivas, on the Grand Road, 120 metres from the Singhadwara — and any local driver will know the way.

By state bus — the budget option

The Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) runs regular buses between Bhubaneswar and Puri, and the popular Mo Bus city service also covers the route. Buses depart from the Baramunda bus stand in Bhubaneswar and arrive at the Puri Bus Stand, about 1 km from the temple. The ride takes roughly two hours and costs very little.

Buses can get crowded during holidays and festivals, so travel light, carry water, and try to board at the originating stand to secure a seat.

The final hop — Puri station to the temple

Once you reach Puri, the last stretch is short. Auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws wait outside both the railway station and the bus stand; a typical ride to the Bada Danda takes only a few minutes. Many devotees actually prefer to walk this final kilometre and a half, chanting the name of Jagannath with every step — the journey itself becomes a pilgrimage.

For a fuller picture of navigating the temple area once you arrive, read our guide on how to reach Jagannath Temple in Puri.

A combined temple circuit

Many pilgrims combine Bhubaneswar and Puri into a single sacred circuit, since the two are so close. A common plan is to spend a day among Bhubaneswar’s ancient sandstone temples — the soaring Lingaraj, the delicately carved Mukteshvara and the Jain rock-cut caves of Khandagiri–Udayagiri — before continuing to Puri for Jagannath darshan. Some travellers add Konark’s Sun Temple as a third point, forming the “Golden Triangle” of Odisha. If your time allows, this rhythm lets you experience three faces of Odisha’s devotional heritage in a single trip, all within roughly 60 km of each other.

When to travel

The road and rail corridor is busiest during the Rath Yatra in June–July, the winter holiday season from October to February, and around major Hindu festivals. On these days, leave early, expect slightly longer travel times, and book your train tickets and your room well ahead. If you would like advice on the quietest hours to arrive, please reach us through our contact page — we are always glad to help plan a calmer journey.

Travelling from Bhubaneswar to Puri is the gentle opening chapter of any pilgrimage. The moment you step onto the Bada Danda and catch your first glimpse of the temple spire, the journey already feels worthwhile.