Puri is a holy city in Odisha. Lord Jagannath lives here. This is one of the four Bada Char Dham of India. Many people come here every year for darshan.
This guide will help you plan the full trip. It tells you how to reach Puri, where to stay, what things cost, and how to stay safe.
Best Time to Visit Puri
Puri is warm most of the year. The weather is best from October to February. Summers (April to June) are hot. The Rath Yatra festival comes in June or July.
Weekdays (Monday to Friday)
• Fewer people at the temple. Darshan is quicker and easier.
• Hotel prices are usually lower.
• Best choice for senior citizens who want a calm trip.
Weekends (Saturday and Sunday)
• More people visit, since it is a holiday for many families.
• Hotel prices go up a little.
• Book your hotel and cab a few days early if you are travelling on a weekend.
How to Reach Puri and What It Costs
Puri does not have its own airport. But it is easy to reach by train, bus or flight. Here is what each option costs and how to book it.
By Train
Puri has its own railway station, close to the temple. Trains connect Puri to Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Mumbai, Hyderabad and many other cities.
|
Class |
Approx Cost (one way) |
|
Sleeper class |
Rs 300 to Rs 800 |
|
AC 3 Tier |
Rs 900 to Rs 2,200 |
|
AC 2 Tier |
Rs 1,400 to Rs 3,500 |
Book your train ticket here: Click to Book Train Tickets
By Bus
Buses run to Puri from Bhubaneswar, Kolkata and Visakhapatnam. Buses cost less than trains but take a little longer.
|
Bus Type |
Approx Cost (one way) |
|
Non-AC bus |
Rs 300 to Rs 700 |
|
AC Volvo / Sleeper bus |
Rs 700 to Rs 1,800 |
Book your bus ticket here: Click to Book Bus Tickets
By Flight
The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik Airport in Bhubaneswar. It is about 60 km from Puri, around 1.5 hours by road.
|
Route |
Approx Cost (one way) |
|
From Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai |
Rs 3,500 to Rs 9,000 |
|
From Kolkata |
Rs 2,000 to Rs 5,000 |
|
Booked 3 to 4 weeks early |
Usually the cheapest fare |
If you are flying in from another country, first land in Delhi, Mumbai or Kolkata, then take a short domestic flight to Bhubaneswar.
Book your flight here: Click to Book Flights
Cabs (From Airport or Railway Station to Puri)
Ola and Uber do not work well inside Puri town. The safest and easiest way is to pre-book a cab before you travel.
|
Route |
Approx Cost (one way) |
|
Bhubaneswar Airport to Puri |
Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,000 |
|
Bhubaneswar Railway Station to Puri |
Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,800 |
Book your cab here: Click to Book a Cab
Puri Holiday Package (All-in-One)
If you do not want to book each thing separately, you can book a full holiday package. This includes travel, hotel and local sightseeing together.
|
Package Price Puri holiday packages start from Rs 15,000 per person. The price depends on the number of days, the hotel you choose, and the season. |
See Puri holiday packages here: Click to View Puri Packages
Simple 3-Day Plan for Puri
Day 1
• Reach Puri and check in to your hotel.
• Rest for a while if you travelled at night.
• Visit Jagannath Temple in the evening, once the heat goes down.
• Walk near Grand Road. Have an early dinner.
Day 2
• Visit the temple early in the morning. It is less crowded before 7 AM.
• See Gundicha Temple and Narendra Tank nearby.
• Spend the afternoon at Puri Beach.
• Shop for handicrafts near the temple in the evening.
Day 3
• Visit Konark Sun Temple, about 35 km from Puri.
• Stop at Chandrabhaga Beach on the way back, if you have time.
• Return to Puri, have lunch, and start your journey home.
Where to Stay: Hotels for Every Budget
Hotel prices change with the season and with festival dates. Please check the final price on the booking page before you pay.
Budget Hotels (Rs 1,200 to Rs 2,500 a night)
• Hotel Arya Palace, close to the beach.
• Hotel Agrawal Pride, 300 metres from Jagannath Temple.
• Hotel Subudhi Inn, 600 metres from Puri Railway Station.
Dharamshalas like Sri Chaitanya Gaudiya Mutt and Assam Jatri Niwas are even cheaper, but you must call and book directly. They are not listed online.
Mid-Budget Hotels (Rs 2,500 to Rs 7,000 a night)
• Hotel Jagadish Puri, near the beach.
• Hotel Holiday Resort, sea-facing, close to the temple.
• The Chanakya BNR Hotel, a heritage hotel near the beach.
• Pride Ananya Resort, close to the temple and beach.
Premium Hotels (Rs 8,000 and above a night)
• Taj Puri Resort & Spa, a 5-star beach resort.
• Mayfair Heritage, Puri, seaside with garden and pool.
• Mayfair Waves, Puri, beachfront with private beach access.
• Toshali Sands, Puri, a large resort good for families
• Fortune Beachfront, Puri (ITC Hotels Group).
• Swosti Premium Beach Resort, Puri.
Tip for senior citizens: pick a hotel close to the temple, on the ground floor or with a working lift.
Important Numbers to Save
|
Help Needed |
Number |
|
Police, fire, ambulance (any emergency) |
112 |
|
Police |
100 |
|
Ambulance |
108 |
|
Puri Police tourist helpline (24 hours) |
6370967100 |
|
Senior citizen helpline |
1090 |
|
Women's helpline |
1091 |
Simple Safety Tips
• Keep an ID card and your hotel address with you at all times.
• Fix a meeting point with your family in case someone gets lost in the crowd.
• Do not swim far into the sea. The waves and pull can be strong.
• Book your cab, hotel and tickets a few days early, using the links in this guide.
• Carry your regular medicines with you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ola or Uber available in Puri?
No, not reliably. Ola and Uber work well in Bhubaneswar but not inside Puri town. Use a pre-booked cab, an auto-rickshaw, or your hotel's travel desk instead.
How much does a train ticket to Puri cost?
A sleeper class ticket costs roughly Rs 300 to Rs 800, depending on distance. AC classes cost more, starting from about Rs 900.
What is the best time of year to visit Puri?
October to February has the best weather. Summers (April to June) are hot and humid. Rath Yatra falls in June or July.
How many days are enough for a Puri trip?
Three days are enough to cover Jagannath Temple, Puri Beach and Konark Sun Temple. Add one more day if you also want to see Chilika Lake.
Are Puri hotels senior-citizen friendly, with a working lift?
Many are, but not all. Always ask the hotel directly about a working lift, and try to book close to the temple to reduce walking.
Can I book everything together instead of separately?
Yes. A Puri holiday package usually includes travel, hotel and sightseeing together, and starts from around Rs 15,000 per person. Click to View Puri Packages
Disclosure This post contains affiliate links. If you book a train, bus, flight, cab, hotel or holiday package through these links, dekhodham.com may earn a small commission. You do not pay anything extra. We only link to services we would suggest to our own family. |
A Note on Prices All prices in this post are approximate. They were checked in recently from public listings and may change with season, demand and festival dates. Please check the final price on the booking page before you pay. |
Read More On
• Our complete guide to the 12 Jyotirlingas - Click Here
• Our guide to the Bada Char Dham - Puri, Rameshwaram, Dwarka and Badrinath - Click Here
• Our Hindu Calendar series for festival dates through the year - Click Here
With this plan, your trip to Puri can be smooth and full of peace. Jai Jagannath.