How to Get to Gaya. Flights, Transportation, Airlines

Air Travel to Gaya

Closest Air Hubs

Gaya Airport (GAY) directly serves the region. Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport (PAT) in Patna is a bigr domestic hub.

Airports Serving Gaya

Gaya Airport (GAY): Domestic, seasonal international flights.
Patna Airport (PAT): Major domestic hub, 110-120 km from Gaya.
Connections: Via major Indian cities like Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai.

Flight Options

IndiGo and Air India operate domestic flights. Seasonal international flights (Oct-Mar) connect Gaya to Southeast Asia.

Airline Information

Domestic: IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, Vistara, Akasa Air.
International (Seasonal): Thai Airways, Druk Air, Myanmar Airways, SriLankan Airlines.
No direct flights from major global hubs; connect via Indian cities.

Gaya Airport Services

Smaller airport with basic facilities, immigration, customs, limited food stalls, taxis.

Patna Airport Facilities

Larger airport with lounges, diverse food, car rental, prepaid taxi services.

Transfers to City

Gaya Airport: 15-20 mins to Bodh Gaya. Patna Airport: 2.5-3.A five-hour journey by taxi/private car.

Flight Availability and Transfers

Seasonal Flights

Gaya (GAY): International flights highly seasonal (Oct-Mar).
Patna (PAT): Consistent schedule, prices fluctuate with demand.
Domestic: Frequencies may increase during peak season.
Prices: Higher during peak pilgrimage season.

Airport Transfers

Gaya Airport: Prepaid taxis, auto-rickshaws available. (15-40 min).
Patna Airport: Taxis/private automobiles best option (2.5-3.5 hrs).
Patna to Gaya: Buses from Mithapur bus stand.
Patna to Gaya: Train from Patna Junction.

Airport Services at a Glance

Gaya GAY

Basic amenities, immigration, customs. Limited food and taxi services.

Patna PAT

Lounges, diverse food options, car rentals, prepaid taxis.

No Direct Global Flights

International travelers connect via major Indian cities or Southeast Asian hubs.

Land Transportation

Rail Connections

Gaya Junction (GAYA) is a major railway hub with excellent connectivity to most major Indian cities.

Train Travel Details

Connections: Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Varanasi, Puri.
Booking: Book in advance via IRCTC website/app or authorized agents.
Classes: AC First, 2-tier, 3-tier, Sleeper Class, Second Sitting.

Bus Options

Gaya Bus Depot connects to various cities within Bihar and adjacent states. Both state-run and private operators serve routes.

Bus Network

Operators: BSRTC and private companies.
Routes: Patna, Varanasi, Rajgir, Nalanda, Ranchi, Kolkata.
Comfort: Varies; choose AC for longer, more comfortable travel.

Driving in India

Self-driving is generally not advised for foreign tourists due to challenging street conditions and dense traffic.

Rental Choices

Self-Drive: Not common or recommended for tourists.
Requirements: International Driving Permit (IDP) and national license needed.
Driver-Cum-Car Rental: Highly recommended option for comfort and safety.

Regional Borders

Gaya is inland; direct border crossings are not applicable. If from Nepal, crossings like Sonauli or Raxaul lead to onward travel to Gaya.

Nepal Connections

Nepal Border: Common land crossings are Sonauli or Raxaul.
Onward Travel: From borders, proceed to Gaya by train or bus.
Inland Location: Gaya does not have direct international land borders relevant for entry.

Road Travel Hazards

Road Conditions: Vary significantly, expect congestion and potholes.
Traffic: Chaotic mix of vehicles, cycles, pedestrians, animals. Defensive driving.
Night Driving: Avoid due to poor visibility and risks.

Accidents: Frequent road accidents occur.
Congestion: Expect delays in urban areas.
Rules: Drive on the left; horn used as communication tool.

Sea/River Travel Not Applicable

No Sea/River Arrivals

Gaya is an inland destination. Sea or river arrivals are not a common mode of transport for tourists. The Falgu River is not navigable for passenger services.

Falgu River Use

Falgu River: Sacred, but not used for organized passenger transport.
No Ferries: No ferry services or cruise ports in the region.
Inland: Region lacks seaport access.

Past Water Routes

Historically, smaller boats may have been used for local transport, but this is not applicable for modern tourist travel to Gaya.

Current Usage

Not for Tourism: River transport not organized for tourists.
Local Use: Limited to specific religious or local purposes.
Focus on Land/Air: Main travel methods are air and land routes.

Visa Assistance

For visa application services, check IVisa or VisaHQ to streamline your process.

Car Rental Deals

Find competitive car rental options for onward travel from main urban centers via DiscoverCars.com.

Flight Deal Alerts

Stay updated on flight deals to India with subscriptions to services like Dollar Flight Club for notifications.

Departure Information

Departure Essentials

No special exit charges or taxes exist to foreign tourists beyond those already included in airline tickets.

Recommended Arrival

International Flights: Arrive 3 hours before departure.
Domestic Flights: Arrive 2 hours before departure.
Train Departures: Arrive 30-45 minutes before departure.

Facilities for Departures

Gaya Airport has limited facilities. Patna Airport has more amenities. Gaya Junction features various stalls.

Amenities Available

Gaya Airport: Basic waiting area, few small shops.
Patna Airport: Food courts, limited duty-free, lounges.
Gaya Junction: Waiting rooms, food stalls, book stalls.

Final Checks Before Departure

Passport & Visa

Confirm passport validity, visa status, and return ticket confirmation.

Packing & Security

Ensure all things are packed, valuables secured, and carry-on liquids comply with regulations.

Route to Airport/Station

Confirm transport arrangements to the airport or station and allow ample travel time.

Smooth Departure Tip

Always verify if there are any last-minute travel advisories or flight/train schedule changes before heading to your departure point.

How to Get to Gaya