How many days do I need for Ayodhya, Varanasi, and Prayagraj?

7 days is ideal (2 Ayodhya + 2 Prayagraj + 2 Varanasi + 1 Sarnath/departure). 5 days is possible if tight (1 Ayodhya + 1 Prayagraj + 2 Varanasi + 1 departure). 10 days is generous if you add day trips like Chitrakoot or Jaunpur.

How do I book Ram Mandir darshan?

Register at srjbtkshetra.org with a mobile OTP and photo ID. Choose Suvidha Pass (free) or Aarti Pass (INR 100 to 400). Book 25 to 30 days ahead for weekends and festivals.

Can I fly directly to Ayodhya?

Yes. Ayodhya's Maharishi Valmiki International Airport opened in 2024. Direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad. Fares INR 4,500 to 8,500 one-way from Delhi in 2026-27.

Is Prayagraj safe during Kumbh Mela?

Yes, but expect 40 to 60 million pilgrims during Jan-Mar 2027 Ardh Kumbh. Book accommodation 4+ months ahead, follow crowd management routes, avoid photography near main snan ghats without a guide.

What is the best time to visit Varanasi?

October to March. Sunrise Ganga boats are magical November through January. Avoid April-June (heat) and July-September (monsoon flooding of ghats).

How do I get from Ayodhya to Varanasi directly?

Overnight train (Kaifiyat Express) or drive (7h, 320 km). Prayagraj is a natural stopover midway; most 7-day circuits do Ayodhya-Prayagraj-Varanasi in sequence.

Is the Ram Mandir aarti worth the fee?

Yes if you can time it. Mangala Aarti (4:30 AM) and Shayan Aarti (10:00 PM) are the atmospheric peaks. INR 100 to 400 for the pass is fair for the experience.

Best AI trip planner for a Ram Mandir + Varanasi trip?

Winnie at trywinnie.com. India-only, understands the UP pilgrimage circuit, plans Vande Bharat legs and hotel tiers.

Ayodhya + Varanasi + Prayagraj Pilgrimage Circuit: 7-Day Itinerary (2026-27)

Why these three cities together

Ayodhya is the birthplace of Ram and now the site of the newly consecrated Ram Mandir. Varanasi is the oldest continuously inhabited city on earth and Shiva's city, the moksha destination for devout Hindus. Prayagraj is the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and the mythical Saraswati, and the site of the biggest religious gathering on the planet, the Kumbh Mela.

The three form a 300 km eastward arc: Ayodhya, Prayagraj, Varanasi. Combined in one trip, they cover Vaishnav, Shakta, and Shaiva traditions plus the confluence. The circuit has always existed for religious travellers; since the Ram Mandir opening it has surged among tourists too.

The 7-day route at a glance

Days 1 to 2: Ayodhya (arrive, temples, evening aarti at Ram Ki Paidi).
Day 3: Ayodhya to Prayagraj (transit, ~5h drive or Vande Bharat + local).
Day 4: Prayagraj (Triveni Sangam boat, Kumbh Mela ground, Bade Hanuman).
Days 5 to 6: Prayagraj to Varanasi (3h drive), Varanasi ghats, sunrise Ganga boat, evening Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh.
Day 7: Sarnath (Buddha's first sermon site), depart from Varanasi (fly or train).

Days 1-2: Ayodhya

Fly to Ayodhya (Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, opened 2024). Direct flights from Delhi (1h 15m), Mumbai (2h), Bengaluru (2h 30m), and Ahmedabad (2h 15m). Domestic fares in 2026-27: INR 4,500 to 8,500 one-way from Delhi.

Alternative: train to Ayodhya Cantt station. New Delhi to Ayodhya Cantt via Vande Bharat sleeper (post 2026 rollout) or Kaifiyat Express overnight. Fares: INR 1,650 to 2,900 (AC classes).

What to see in Ayodhya

Ram Mandir (the new temple, absolute highlight). Darshan is free but ticketed via the online booking system.
Hanuman Garhi (the local guardian temple; visit before Ram Mandir per tradition).
Kanak Bhawan (10 minutes walk from Ram Mandir).
Ram Ki Paidi (ghats on the Saryu river, sunset aarti is beautiful).
Bharat Kund (10 km outside town, Bharat's tapasya site, quiet spot).
Nageshwarnath Temple (evening lit up nicely).

How to book Ram Mandir darshan (2026-27)

Go to srjbtkshetra.org (the official Shri Ram Janmabhoomi Teerth Kshetra site).
Register with mobile OTP and a photo ID.
Choose Suvidha Pass (free darshan slot) OR Aarti Pass (paid, morning or evening aarti).
Available slots: 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM (morning), 3:00 PM to 8:30 PM (afternoon-evening).
Aarti Pass fees: INR 100 to 400 depending on aarti. Books 30 days ahead. Peak days (weekends, Ram Navami, Deepotsav) sell out in hours.

Ram Navami (falls on 27 March 2027) and Deepotsav (Diwali eve, 8 November 2026) are the biggest crowds. If you want to see either, book accommodation 3+ months out.

Where to stay in Ayodhya

Ayodhya's hospitality has expanded fast since 2024. New mid-range: The Ramayana (INR 5,500 to 9,000/night), Radisson Ayodhya (INR 6,500 to 11,000).
Budget: Ganga Mahal (INR 1,800 to 3,500), UP Tourism Ashok (INR 2,500 to 4,500).
Homestays: several new Airbnb-style stays near Ram Ki Paidi at INR 1,500 to 3,500.

Days 3-4: Prayagraj

Ayodhya to Prayagraj is a 5-hour, 165 km road journey. Best done by hired car (INR 4,500 to 6,500 one-way). Train option: Ayodhya Cantt to Prayagraj Junction takes 4 to 5 hours by express train, fare INR 350 to 900 depending on class.

What to see in Prayagraj

Triveni Sangam (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati). Take a boat (INR 100 per person shared, INR 800 to 1,500 for a private one-hour ride).
Kumbh Mela ground (during Kumbh in Jan-Mar 2027, it becomes a temporary city of millions).
Bade Hanuman Mandir (the reclining Hanuman idol, unique in India).
Anand Bhavan (Nehru family home museum).
Allahabad Fort (Mughal era, riverside).

If your trip falls between January and March 2027, Prayagraj is Kumbh Mela. Read our Kumbh Mela 2027 guide before booking. Accommodation and roads are transformed during the mela, expect very different logistics.

Days 5-6: Varanasi

Prayagraj to Varanasi is 130 km, 3 hours by road. Vande Bharat between the two runs daily (2h 20m, INR 895 CC / INR 1,680 EC). Highly recommended over the car for this leg.

What to do in Varanasi

Sunrise Ganga boat ride from Assi Ghat (5:30 AM winter, 5:00 AM summer). INR 500 to 1,000 per person for the shared 90-minute ride.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple (the main Shiva temple, use the Suvidha darshan pass for INR 300 to skip the long queue).
Dashashwamedh Ghat evening Ganga aarti (starts around 6:45 PM, arrive by 6:00 PM for a good spot).
Manikarnika Ghat (the burning ghat, respect the space).
Vishwanath Corridor walk (the new pedestrianised temple approach).
Silk sari shopping in Vishwanath Gali (bargain hard, half the first price).
Blue Lassi shop (behind Kashi Vishwanath, the local institution).

Where to stay in Varanasi

Ghat-side heritage: BrijRama Palace (INR 15,000 to 30,000), Palace on Ganges (INR 6,000 to 12,000). Balconies over the river.
Mid-range: Ganpati Guest House at Meer Ghat (INR 3,500 to 6,500), Hotel Alka on Meer Ghat (INR 2,500 to 5,000).
Budget/backpacker: Kedareshwar B&B (INR 1,500 to 2,800), Stops Hostel (INR 800 to 1,500 for a dorm bed).
Recommendation: stay near Assi Ghat (quieter, better sunrise access) or near Meer Ghat (walkable to Vishwanath and Dashashwamedh).

Day 7: Sarnath and departure

Sarnath is 12 km from Varanasi city, where Buddha delivered his first sermon after enlightenment. Half-day trip: Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath Museum (holds the Ashokan lion capital, India's national emblem), Mulagandhakuti Vihara. Return to Varanasi and fly out. Direct flights from Varanasi (VNS): Delhi (1h 30m), Mumbai (2h 30m), Bengaluru (3h).

Real cost of the 7-day circuit (per person, INR)

Type	7-day cost per person	Notes
Backpacker (dorms + trains + street food)	INR 12,000 to 18,000	Excludes flights
Mid-range (3-star hotels + Uber/local car + mixed meals)	INR 28,000 to 42,000	Excludes flights
Comfort (4-star + private car whole trip + Vande Bharat)	INR 45,000 to 65,000	Excludes flights
Premium (5-star ghat-side + private car + guided tours)	INR 75,000 to 1,20,000	Excludes flights

Add INR 8,000 to 15,000 per person for round-trip flights from Delhi/Mumbai/Bangalore to Ayodhya + return from Varanasi.

Best time to do this circuit

October to March: ideal. Cool mornings for ghat walks, comfortable temples, no monsoon.
November: Deepotsav in Ayodhya (Diwali eve, huge crowds, book 3+ months ahead).
January to March: Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Skip if you want a quiet trip, prioritise if you want the Kumbh experience.
March-April: Ram Navami peaks in Ayodhya. Very crowded.
April to June: hot (35-42 degrees C). Not recommended.
July to September: monsoon. Rivers swell, ghats flood, avoid unless you specifically want the monsoon Ganga.

Practical tips for the circuit

Book Ram Mandir Aarti Pass 25 to 30 days before travel. Suvidha Pass (free darshan) opens closer to date.
Carry a lightweight temple wrap (women: dupatta or shawl; men: kurta or long shirt) for temple entries.
Phones are not allowed inside Ram Mandir sanctum or Kashi Vishwanath. Locker facilities are available at both.
Guides at Varanasi ghats: hire an official Uttar Pradesh Tourism guide (INR 1,000 to 1,500 for half day). Skip the touts at boat launches.
Do not accept a boat that quotes 'special rate for foreigner'. Standard rates are posted, boat cooperatives display them.

Plan this circuit with Winnie

Winnie at trywinnie.com plans your Ayodhya-Varanasi-Prayagraj circuit end-to-end: flights, Vande Bharat legs where they save time, hotel tier match, darshan booking reminders, and real INR costs. Ask for '7 days Ayodhya + Varanasi + Prayagraj from Delhi' and get a full itinerary in under a minute.