The nearest airport is Maharishi Valmiki International (AYJ), about 10 to 15 km from Ram Mandir, roughly a 30 to 40 minute drive. Flight schedules are still growing, so check current flights before you book. If flights do not fit your dates, fly to Lucknow and drive about 2 hours 46 minutes by road.

If you are planning a first trip to Ayodhya from abroad, the question is usually how to reach Ayodhya by air and whether it is worth the effort compared with a road or rail journey. I have guided visitors on this route for years, and the honest answer depends on your dates, your arrival city and how much flexibility you want. This guide compares the options so you can choose the simplest route.

Distance at a glance from the main cities

Lucknow is the city most visitors come through, and the road is about 137 km, or around 2 hours 46 minutes by road via NH 27. The drive is comfortable in a private car, and the Lucknow to Ayodhya distance guide covers the route in more detail.

From Varanasi, the distance is about 219 km, around 4 hours 33 minutes by road via NH731 and NH 330. Kanpur is about 242 km, or around 4 hours, using the Purvanchal Expressway. If your trip starts in Kanpur, the Kanpur to Ayodhya route, time and transport notes set out the three road options.

Coming from further away, such as Vrindavan, the road is about 557 km and takes around 8 hours via the Agra Lucknow Expressway. Many pilgrims break that journey at Lucknow, which turns one long day into two shorter ones.

How to reach Ayodhya by air: the airport and the flight question

The airport is Maharishi Valmiki International, Ayodhya Dham, code AYJ. It sits about 10 to 15 km from the temple, which is roughly a 30 to 40 minute drive. For most visitors, this is the shortest transfer of any option on this page, and it is the reason I usually suggest it first when the flight suits.

Be realistic about the schedule. Flights into the new airport are still growing, so the number of routes and frequencies may be limited compared with a major hub. Before you commit to dates, check current flights directly with the airline or a booking site on the day you plan to travel, and allow a buffer in case a flight is changed. Do not plan a tight connection or a same-day temple visit around an unconfirmed flight. You can read the Ayodhya how to reach guide for a fuller set of transport notes before you book.

If no flight fits, Lucknow's Chaudhary Charan Singh airport is about 135 km away, which is 2.5 to 3 hours by road. Varanasi's airport is about 200 km away. Flying into a larger city and then taking a car is often the more reliable choice for international travellers, because schedules there are more frequent.

Comparing the options

The table below sets out each option the sources confirm. Cost is not stated in my sources, so I have not guessed at figures. Get a quote from your driver or check fares when you book.

My own view is that the private car is the easiest for most first timers. It removes the need to match train times, it lets you stop when you want, and the driver can handle the local roads. Trains work well if you are already on the rail network and want to avoid the traffic, and the station's proximity to the temple is a real advantage.

Worthwhile stops on the way

If you arrive through Varanasi, Trilochan Mahadev Dham near Varanasi is worth an hour of your time. It is free and open 4:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily, and the Pilpila Sarovar pond is part of the visit. Plan your departure around these hours, and see the Trilochan Mahadev Dham timings and darshan guide before you set off.

Bindu Madhav Temple in Varanasi is also free to enter. It is open 4:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM, with the Mangala and Shayan aarti at the set times. Because the midday closure is long, arrive for the morning session or choose the evening one, rather than arriving at noon and finding the doors shut.

If you have spare time in Varanasi, Adi Keshava Temple is another Vishnu shrine that pairs well with a Bindu Madhav visit on the same day. Keep the schedule loose, since the drive from Varanasi to Ayodhya is still over four hours.

Best option for a first time international visitor

For a first trip, I recommend flying into AYJ if the flight fits your dates, because the transfer to the temple is only 30 to 40 minutes. If it does not, fly into Lucknow and take a private car with a driver. Sources describe this as the most comfortable and flexible way for pilgrims to travel, and I agree with that view.

Book your car with a driver who knows the Ayodhya route and can wait for you at the temple area. Confirm the pickup point, the expected drive time and whether tolls or waiting time are included before the trip begins. If you plan to continue to another holy city after Ayodhya, the Ayodhya to Prayagraj distance guide from Varanasiayodhyatours covers the next leg.

On arrival in Ayodhya

Cars cannot reach the inner temple zone, so plan for the last stretch on foot or by e-rickshaw through the old lanes. Ayodhya Dham Junction is about 1 km from the temple, which makes it a practical arrival point if you come by train. Carry a light bag, wear comfortable shoes and allow extra time, because the lanes are crowded and you cannot drive into them.

Dress modestly for the temple and remove your shoes at the shrines, as is customary at Indian places of worship. Keep your passport and valuables in a secure pocket, and carry small change for rickshaws and shoe minders.

Many visitors find the Saryu aarti at sunset quieter than the evening rituals in Varanasi. It is worth scheduling your first evening around it if you can, since the river setting gives you time to settle in after a long journey.

Frequently asked questions

Is there a direct flight to Ayodhya?

Flights do operate into Maharishi Valmiki International, Ayodhya Dham (AYJ), which is the nearest airport to the temple. The network is still growing, so check current flights directly before you book, and do not assume a particular airline or frequency until you have confirmed it.

How long is the drive from Lucknow to Ayodhya?

The road is about 137 km and takes around 2 hours 46 minutes via NH 27. A private car is the most suitable option for this route, because it lets you set your own pace and make stops along the way.

Can I drive my car up to the Ram Mandir?

No. Cars cannot reach the inner temple zone. Use an e-rickshaw through the old lanes, and allow time to walk the final stretch. Arrange for your driver to drop you at the nearest permitted point.

How far is the airport from the temple?

Maharishi Valmiki International is about 10 to 15 km from the temple, roughly a 30 to 40 minute drive, depending on traffic and the route you take.

Should I take a train or fly?

If a flight to AYJ fits your dates, it is the quickest option. If you are already travelling by rail, Ayodhya Dham Junction is about 1 km from the temple, which makes the train a sensible choice. Compare the time and convenience against your itinerary before deciding.