Travel Guide

🗺️ suggested itineraries

Day 1–2 Bodh Gaya – Mahabodhi temple, meditation, monasteries. Overnight Bodh Gaya.

Day 3 Rajgir & Nalanda – Vulture's Peak, ruins, museum. Stay in Rajgir.

Day 4 Vikramashila / Bhagalpur – Buddhist ruins, silk weaving (if time).

Day 5 Vaishali & Kesaria – Ashokan pillar, world's tallest stupa. Drive to Patna.

Day 6 Patna – Golghar, Patna Museum, Takht Sri Patna Sahib, local food.

For spiritual circuit (Bodh Gaya–Rajgir–Nalanda–Vaishali) 4 days suffice.

🚑 important contacts

Ambulance: 108 / 102
Tourist helpline: 1800‑345‑6213
Railway enquiry: 139
Patna airport: +91 612 222 6541

📅 best time to visit

October to March – pleasant, festivals (Chhath, Sonepur fair).
April–June: hot (35‑42°C), low season. July–Sept: monsoon, lush but humid.

18–28°C (winter) monsoon moderate

🚆 getting there & around

Air

Patna (PAT) – direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru. Gaya (GAY) – international (Bangkok, Colombo) and seasonal.

Rail

Major junctions: Patna Jn, Rajendranagar, Gaya Jn, Bhagalpur. Vist Indigo, Shatabdi, Rajdhani from Delhi/ Kolkata.

Road

NH 19 (Kolkata–Delhi), NH 31. State buses (ordinary & deluxe) connect all districts.

Local

Prepaid taxis, auto‑rickshaws, app‑based cabs (Patna). Cycle‑rickshaws in small towns.

🏨 where to stay (by budget)

💰 budget ₹500–1500

Bodh Gaya

Thai Monastery guesthouse, Rahul International. Clean, basic.

💰 mid‑range ₹2000–4000

Rajgir

Indo Hokke Hotel, Royal Residency – near ropeway.

💰 premium ₹5000+

Patna

Maurya, Chanakya, Lemon Tree – modern amenities.

🏕️ unique stays

Nalanda

Bihar Tourism hotels, also forest lodge near Rajgir.

🍛 eat like a local

Sattu paratha, litti chokha, kadhi bari, and the famous khaja (sweet) from Patna. Street food: samosa, jalebis, and malpua during festivals.

Must try: Litti chokha with ghee. For sweets, thekua (offered during Chhath) and parwal mithai.

📌 Patna food lane: near Maurya lok, Dak bungalow road.

📍 at a glance