How to Reach Mathura and Vrindavan
मथुरा-वृंदावन कैसे पहुँचें
Page 4 of 5 | Mathura-Vrindavan Series
Mathura is about 145 km from Delhi on the Delhi-Agra route, one of the best-connected stretches of road and rail in North India. Vrindavan is about 12 km from Mathura. This page covers trains, buses, roads, the new Noida International Airport, local transport, the best time to visit, hotels and a ready 2-day plan.
Distance and Travel Time
दूरी और समय
| From | Distance | By road | By train |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi | About 145 km | 2.5 to 3.5 hrs | About 1.5 to 2.5 hrs |
| Noida Intl Airport (Jewar) | About 90 to 100 km | About 1.5 hrs | No direct train |
| Agra | 55 to 60 km | 1 to 1.5 hrs | About 1 hr (frequent) |
| Jaipur | About 230 to 240 km | 4 to 5 hrs | 4 to 6 hrs |
| Mumbai | Over 1,300 km | Not practical | 16 to 20 hrs |
| Mathura to Vrindavan | About 12 km | 25 to 35 min | No direct train |
Distances are approximate and change with the route. Road times depend heavily on traffic around Delhi and the Mathura city lanes.
By Train - The Easiest Way
रेल से
Mathura Junction (MTJ) is on the main Delhi-Mumbai and Delhi-Chennai railway routes and is a stop for many daily trains. From the station, Vrindavan is a 12 km auto or taxi ride, about Rs 150 to 200 for a shared or bargained auto. Prepaid auto and taxi counters are at the station exit.
| Train | Departs | Mathura Jn | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhopal Shatabdi 12002 | New Delhi, about 6:00 AM | About 7:20 AM | Daily. Chair car only. |
| Taj Express 12280 | New Delhi, about 6:55 AM (Nizamuddin 7:08 AM) | About 8:35 AM | Daily. |
| Other Delhi-Agra-Jhansi, Mumbai and Chennai line trains | New Delhi / Hazrat Nizamuddin | About 1.5 to 2.5 hrs later | Many daily stops. Check IRCTC. |
Correction for travellers: The Gatimaan Express does not stop at Mathura. It stops at Agra Cantt, so if you take it you must travel the last 55 to 60 km by road. The Mumbai Rajdhani (12951) also does not stop at Mathura. Train times shown are indicative and change with each railway timetable, so check IRCTC or the NTES app before booking.
By Road - Car or Bus
सड़क से
From Delhi, take the Delhi-Agra highway (NH-19) via Faridabad and Palwal, or the Yamuna Expressway from Greater Noida and take the Mathura exit. The highway is mostly four to six lanes. Plan on 2.5 to 3.5 hours, longer in rush hour or fog in winter. Parking in Vrindavan is very limited, so park at your hotel or at the designated lots and use an e-rickshaw for the temple lanes.
UP Roadways buses leave regularly for Mathura from Anand Vihar and Kashmiri Gate, and private AC buses run from other Delhi points. Fares are roughly Rs 150 to 400 depending on the type of bus. Journey time is 3 to 4 hours. Check the current fare when you book.
By Air
हवाई मार्ग
Mathura has no airport. The newest and closest option is Noida International Airport at Jewar. It sits just off the Yamuna Expressway and is about 1.5 hours from Mathura by road. Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport is about 150 to 175 km away, and Agra's civil airport, about 55 km away, has limited flights. Most pilgrims still fly to Delhi and take a train or taxi, but Jewar is worth checking for flights from your city.
Local Travel in Mathura and Vrindavan
स्थानीय यात्रा
| Mode | Typical fare | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-rickshaw | About Rs 150 to 200, Mathura to Vrindavan. Bargain before you sit. | Most common option between the two towns. |
| Hired taxi for the day | About Rs 1,500 to 2,500 for a day around Mathura, Vrindavan and Govardhan. Fix the price first. | Families and elderly visitors. |
| E-rickshaw | About Rs 10 to 20 per seat in Vrindavan | Short rides inside Vrindavan. Not for the full route to Mathura. |
| Walking | Free | Banke Bihari, Radha Raman, Nidhivan and Seva Kunj are within 15 to 20 minutes' walk of each other. |
Fares are indicative and rise during festivals. Always confirm the price before you start.
Best Time to Visit
यात्रा का सही समय
| Season | What to expect | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Oct - Feb | 15 to 28 C. Cool and comfortable. Kartik month (late Oct to late Nov) is very sacred. Dhanteras, Diwali, Govardhan Puja and Kartik Purnima usually fall in October or November. | Best overall |
| March | Holi falls in March. Lathmar and Phoolon ki Holi come about 4 to 6 days before Rangwali Holi. Very crowded. Book 6 to 8 weeks ahead. | Best for festivals |
| April - June | Often 38 to 45 C. Temple lanes with no shade are hard. Go early morning only. | Avoid if possible |
| July - Sept | Monsoon rains, lush but muddy, Yamuna can flood. Jhulan Yatra and Janmashtami (August or September). | Good for Janmashtami |
For senior citizens: October to February is the best window. Mornings are cool, and a hired taxi saves a lot of walking. Winter floors can be cold, so carry socks. The Banke Bihari and Nidhivan lanes have uneven stone paths, so good footwear helps.
A 2-Day Mathura-Vrindavan Itinerary
दो दिन की यात्रा योजना
- 5:30 AM: Reach Vishram Ghat for sunrise. Walk to Dwarkadhish Temple nearby for morning darshan (opens about 6:30 AM).
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast of kachori-sabzi and chai at a dhaba near the temple.
- 9:30 AM: Krishna Janmabhoomi. Leave phones and bags in the lockers and queue for the Garbha Griha. Allow 45 to 60 minutes on a weekday.
- 11:30 AM: Return to the hotel and rest in the midday heat.
- 3:30 PM: Boat ride on the Yamuna from Vishram Ghat.
- 6:00 PM: Evening aarti at Vishram Ghat, around sunset.
- 7:30 PM: Dinner and a box of Mathura peda to take home.
- 7:00 AM: Reach Vrindavan, about 30 minutes by auto. Go straight to Banke Bihari (opens about 7:00 AM in summer, 8:00 AM in winter) for the curtain darshan.
- 9:00 AM: Walk to Radha Raman Temple (about 10 minutes).
- 10:00 AM: Nidhivan and Seva Kunj. Be out before sunset.
- 11:30 AM: A short walk at Kesi Ghat on the Yamuna.
- 12:30 PM: Lunch at Govinda's, the vegetarian restaurant at ISKCON.
- 2:30 PM: ISKCON Krishna Balaram Mandir darshan (it reopens about 4:30 PM, so check the afternoon break).
- 4:30 PM: Prem Mandir, then stay for the light show after sunset.
- 8:30 PM: Head back to Mathura or Delhi, or stay a second night.
3-day option: Add Barsana (Shriji temple, about 50 km from Mathura), Nandgaon (about 8 km from Barsana) and Govardhan (about 25 km from Mathura). A full-day taxi is the easiest way to cover them. Gokul (about 15 km) can be added if you have time.
Where to Stay
ठहरने की जगह
Budget lodges about Rs 500 to 1,000 and mid-range hotels about Rs 1,500 to 3,000 per night. Good for railway access and early darshan.
Small guesthouses at about Rs 700 to 1,500 and better hotels beyond that. Ideal if you want to walk to the temples.
Clean and well run, with vegetarian meals. Rates are higher than basic lodges and rise at Janmashtami. Book ahead.
Low-cost trust-run lodging with basic facilities. Contact the trust directly. Rates and availability vary.
Hotel prices are indicative. Rates can rise 2 to 3 times during Holi, Janmashtami and Kartik Purnima week, so book early.
Things to Know Before You Go
यात्रा से पहले जानने योग्य
Meat and liquor sales are prohibited in the Mathura-Vrindavan pilgrimage area, so you will find only vegetarian food.
Small shops, shoe stands and e-rickshaws often take cash only. UPI works at many but not all places. ATMs are near the station and on the main roads.
Phones and bags are generally not allowed inside. Use the free lockers and carry as little as possible.
They snatch glasses, phones and food, particularly near Nidhivan, Kesi Ghat and the Banke Bihari lanes.
During Holi, Janmashtami and Kartik Purnima the lanes are packed and rooms cost much more. Book 6 to 8 weeks ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
अक्सर पूछे जाने वाले प्रश्न
How far is Mathura from Delhi?
Mathura is about 145 km from Delhi by road. It takes 2.5 to 3.5 hours by car on the Delhi-Agra highway or the Yamuna Expressway. By train it takes about 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Which trains stop at Mathura from Delhi?
The Bhopal Shatabdi (12002) and the Taj Express (12280) stop at Mathura Junction, and many other Delhi-Agra-Mumbai-Chennai trains do too. The Gatimaan Express and the Mumbai Rajdhani do not stop at Mathura. Check the live timetable on IRCTC or NTES.
How to reach Vrindavan from Mathura?
Vrindavan is about 12 km from Mathura. Take an auto-rickshaw (about Rs 150 to 200, 25 to 35 minutes) or a taxi. Inside Vrindavan, e-rickshaws and walking are the main ways to get around.
Is there an airport near Mathura?
There is no airport in Mathura. The nearest options are Noida International Airport at Jewar (about 1.5 hours by road), Agra (about 55 km, limited flights) and Delhi (about 150 to 175 km).
What is the best time to visit Mathura and Vrindavan?
October to February is the best weather. March is best for Holi, but very crowded. Avoid April to June when temperatures are very high.
Can we do Mathura and Vrindavan in one day from Delhi?
Yes, but it is tiring. Leave by 6:00 AM, see two or three temples in each town and return late. Two days is much better, especially for elderly pilgrims.
Is non-vegetarian food available in Mathura-Vrindavan?
No. Meat and liquor sales are prohibited in the pilgrimage area, so restaurants serve vegetarian food only.
Where should I stay, Mathura or Vrindavan?
Mathura has more hotels and is better for railway access and Janmabhoomi. Vrindavan is better if you want to walk to Banke Bihari, Radha Raman and ISKCON. Many pilgrims stay in one and visit the other for a day. See the Where to Stay section for typical price ranges.
Mathura-Vrindavan Series - All 5 Pages
- Page 1: Story of Lord Krishna
- Page 2: Temple Darshan Guide - Timings, Rules and Tips
- Page 3: Festivals of Braj - Holi, Janmashtami and More
- Page 4: How to Reach, Hotels and 2-Day Itinerary - you are here
- Page 5: Fact Check - What Is True and What Is Not
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