Prayagraj · Magh Mela 2027 · Getting there
How to Reach Prayagraj for Magh Mela 2027: Train, Road and Air
Most pilgrims come by train. Prayagraj Junction (PRYJ) is the main station, and Indian Railways counts nine stations in the Prayagraj area. The city also has an airport at Bamrauli, UPSRTC buses from across Uttar Pradesh, and expressways and highways from Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi and Kolkata.
No special trains, extra buses or traffic plan for Magh Mela 2027 had been announced on 16 October 2026. The mela is expected from 15 January to 6 March 2027.
Prayagraj at a glance
| Mode | How | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Train | Prayagraj Junction (PRYJ) and eight more stations around the city, on three railway zones | Which station your train uses, on NTES or IRCTC |
| Air | Prayagraj Airport (IXD) at Bamrauli, about 12 to 13 km from the city. Varanasi and Lucknow airports are further away. | Current flights, with the airline |
| Bus | UPSRTC buses to the Civil Lines, Zero Road and Leader Road bus stations. Private buses also run. | Routes and booking through upsrtc.up.gov.in, and any temporary mela bus stations |
| Car or taxi | Expressways and national highways from Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi, Patna and Kolkata | Parking and no-vehicle zones around the bathing days |
By train: the stations of Prayagraj
For the 2025 Maha Kumbh, Indian Railways prepared nine stations in the Prayagraj area. They belong to three railway zones (North Central, North Eastern and Northern), so trains from different directions use different stations. The codes are from NTES.
Photo: Apurv013, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons| Station | NTES code | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Prayagraj Junction | PRYJ | The main station. Prayagraj is the headquarters of North Central Railway. |
| Prayag Junction | PRG | |
| Prayagraj Rambagh | PRRB | Shown on NTES as Prayagraj Rambag |
| Prayagraj Sangam | PYGS | |
| Naini Junction | NYN | |
| Prayagraj Chheoki | PCOI | Many long-distance trains from Mumbai, Patna, Bhopal and Varanasi stop here instead of Prayagraj Junction (NTES, October 2026) |
| Subedarganj | SFG | Developed for the 2025 Maha Kumbh as a satellite station for Prayagraj Junction |
| Phaphamau Junction | PFM | |
| Jhusi | JI | Spelled Jhunsi in railway notices |
Many trains do not stop at Prayagraj Junction. On NTES in October 2026, about half the regular trains from Mumbai and Patna, a third from Bhopal and a quarter from Varanasi stopped at Prayagraj Chheoki (PCOI) on the Naini side instead. Most trains from Lucknow and Ayodhya stop at Phaphamau, Prayag or Prayagraj Sangam. Check the station on your ticket.
Check the station on your ticket, not only the city. The station decides how you continue to the mela ground.
No special trains for Magh Mela 2027 have been announced. As of 16 October 2026 we found no Indian Railways or PIB notice of extra trains for the mela. Book only what NTES or IRCTC shows, not a train you read about in a forwarded message.
By air: Prayagraj Airport at Bamrauli
Prayagraj Airport (code IXD), earlier called Allahabad Airport, is listed by the Airports Authority of India; its airfield is at Bamrauli. Its new terminal opened on 16 December 2018. The district puts it 12 km from the city and the mela authority 13 km.
The district says it serves a limited number of cities. AAI’s summer 2026 schedule, which runs to 24 October 2026, lists direct flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Bhubaneswar; Kolkata, listed in 2025, was not on it. The winter schedule, which covers the Magh Mela, was not yet on AAI’s site when we checked on 20 October 2026. Check flights for January to March with the airline.
The other airports are Varanasi (Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, about 150 km by the district’s figure, or about 2 hours 20 minutes by road by the mela authority’s) and Lucknow (about 200 km). The mela authority also listed Ayodhya, about 4 hours away by road. From these, continue by train, bus or taxi.
In 2025, shuttle buses and e-rickshaws ran from the airport to the mela on non-peak days. The arrangement for 2027 has not been announced.
Where trains and buses arrive
Prayagraj Junction, the other stations, the bus stands and the Sangam on one map, drawn from OpenStreetMap.
- 1Triveni SangamGhat
- 2Akshayavat and Bade Hanuman, by the FortTemple
- 3Nag Vasuki TempleTemple
- 4Prayagraj JunctionRailway · Main station
- 5Prayag JunctionRailway
- 6Prayagraj Sangam stationRailway
- 7Civil Lines bus stationBus
- 8Zero Road bus standBus
A guide to where places are, not a route plan. During the mela, roads and ghats open and close by the official plan; follow police and mela directions.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Some temple locations from Wikidata (CC0). openstreetmap.org/copyright
By bus and by road
Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) runs buses to Prayagraj from across the state and beyond. Its list of depots and bus stations for the Allahabad region includes Civil Line, Zero Road and Leader Road in the city, and the district names Civil Lines and Zero Road as its UPSRTC bus stands. Tickets can be booked through the link on upsrtc.up.gov.in. Private buses also run.
In 2025 the mela authority also opened temporary bus stations at the edge of the mela, among them Jhusi and Bela Kachchar. Plans for 2027 have not been published.
Prayagraj is linked to the rest of India by national and state highways, the district says. The road distances below are from the mela authority’s 2025 visitor guide. The district’s own table gives different figures, so check the distance and time on a map on the day you travel.
| From | By road (mela authority, 2025) |
|---|---|
| New Delhi | 670 km via the Yamuna Expressway, or 721 km via the Agra-Lucknow Expressway |
| Lucknow | 201 km |
| Varanasi | 121 km via NH 19 |
| Patna | 371 km via NH 19 |
| Kolkata | 793 km via NH 19 |
From other cities
The main train, bus and flight options from eight cities, with what to check before you travel. Pick your city.
The cities with travel cards on this page, and the way to Prayagraj. Straight lines show direction, not routes.
Rivers and coast, simplified. Not a political map: no borders are shown. Natural Earth (public domain) and OpenStreetMap contributors. openstreetmap.org/copyright
From Ayodhya
- TrainNTES lists 11 regular trains from Ayodhya Dham (AY) and Ayodhya Cantt (AYC); 2 run daily, the Saryu Express (14234, about 4.5 hours) and a MEMU (64222). Most take about 3.5 to 5.5 hours.Check: Ayodhya Dham or Ayodhya Cantt; many stop at Prayagraj Sangam or Phaphamau, not Prayagraj Junction; NTES or IRCTC
- BusUPSRTC's booking site showed 17 buses from the Ayodhya Dham and Ayodhya bus stands for a sample date, 22 October 2026, about 4 to 8 hoursCheck: Your date on onlineupsrtc.co.in, the bus type, and which Prayagraj bus station it ends at
- CarIn 2025 the mela authority put Ayodhya about 4 hours from Prayagraj by road; UPSRTC's routes are 172 to 197 kmCheck: The route on a current map, and parking and no-vehicle zones near bathing days
From Bhopal
- TrainNTES lists 17 regular trains from Bhopal Junction, Rani Kamalapati and Sant Hirdaram Nagar; 3 run daily. Most take about 12 to 13.5 hours; the daily Kamayani Express (11071) from Bhopal Junction takes about 11.5.Check: Which Bhopal station; some stop only at Prayagraj Chheoki; the running days on NTES or IRCTC
- AirAAI's summer 2026 schedule lists no flight from BhopalCheck: Whether a connection through Delhi or Mumbai suits you better than the train
From Delhi
- TrainNTES lists 63 regular trains from New Delhi, Anand Vihar Terminal and Delhi Junction; 19 run daily. Most take about 7 to 8.5 hours. The Vande Bharat trains (22436 and 22416, six days a week) take about 6 hours, and the daily Prayagraj Express (12418) about 9.Check: Which Delhi station, whether it stops at Prayagraj Junction or Subedarganj, the running days, and any change on NTES or IRCTC
- AirAAI's summer 2026 schedule lists an IndiGo flight from Delhi six days a week, not on Saturdays, about 1.5 hoursCheck: The winter schedule from late October, not yet on AAI's site, with the airline
- BusUPSRTC's booking site showed 3 buses from Anand Vihar for a sample date, 22 October 2026, about 15 to 16.5 hoursCheck: Your date on onlineupsrtc.co.in, the bus type, and which Prayagraj bus station it ends at
- Car670 km via the Yamuna Expressway, or 721 km via the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, by the mela authority's 2025 guideCheck: The route on a current map, and parking and no-vehicle zones near bathing days
From Kolkata
- TrainNTES lists 21 regular trains from Howrah, Sealdah, Kolkata Terminal and Santragachi; 4 run daily, among them the Netaji Express (13051). Most take about 12.5 to 14 hours. The Howrah Rajdhani (12301, six days a week) takes about 10 hours.Check: Howrah, Sealdah or Kolkata Terminal; some stop only at Prayagraj Chheoki; the running days on NTES or IRCTC
- AirAAI's summer 2026 schedule lists no direct flight from Kolkata, though the mela authority listed one in 2025Check: Whether the winter schedule adds one, with the airlines
- Car793 km via NH 19, by the mela authority's 2025 guideCheck: The route on a current map, and parking and no-vehicle zones near bathing days
From Lucknow
- TrainNTES lists 11 trains from Lucknow Junction (LKO); 5 run daily. Most take about 4 to 6 hours. The Vande Bharat (22549, six days a week) takes about 3 hours; daily trains include the Intercity (14210) and the Ganga Gomti Express (14216), about 4 hours.Check: Many stop at Phaphamau, Prayag or Prayagraj Sangam, not Prayagraj Junction; the running days on NTES or IRCTC
- BusUPSRTC's booking site showed 36 buses from Alambagh for a sample date, 22 October 2026, ordinary and AC, about 4.5 to 6 hoursCheck: Your date on onlineupsrtc.co.in, the bus type, and which Prayagraj bus station it ends at
- Car201 km, by the mela authority's 2025 guideCheck: The route on a current map, and parking and no-vehicle zones near bathing days
From Mumbai
- TrainNTES lists 41 regular trains, most from Lokmanya Tilak Terminus and others from CSMT, Bandra Terminus, Dadar and Panvel; 8 run daily. Most take about 21 to 24 hours. The Prayagraj Duronto (12293, Mondays and Fridays, from LTT) takes about 19.5 hours.Check: About half, including the daily Mahanagari Express (22177), stop only at Prayagraj Chheoki (PCOI), not Prayagraj Junction; NTES or IRCTC
- AirAAI's summer 2026 schedule lists a daily Akasa Air flight and an IndiGo flight six days a week from Mumbai, about 2 hoursCheck: The winter schedule from late October, with the airline
From Patna
- TrainNTES lists 65 regular trains from Patna Junction, Patliputra and Danapur; 15 run daily. Most take about 6 to 7 hours. The daily Rajdhani trains (12309 and 12423) take about 5 hours.Check: About half stop only at Prayagraj Chheoki (PCOI), not Prayagraj Junction; the running days on NTES or IRCTC
- BusUPSRTC's booking site showed no bus from Patna for a sample date, 22 October 2026Check: Bihar state or private buses, and where they stop in Prayagraj
- Car371 km via NH 19, by the mela authority's 2025 guideCheck: The route on a current map, and parking and no-vehicle zones near bathing days
From Varanasi
- TrainNTES lists 62 regular trains from Varanasi Junction (BSB) and Banaras (BNRS); 20 run daily. Most take about 2.5 to 3.5 hours. The Vande Bharat trains (22415, 22435 and 20175, six days a week) take about 1.5 hours.Check: Which Prayagraj station: some stop only at Prayagraj Chheoki, Rambagh or Jhusi; the running days on NTES or IRCTC
- BusUPSRTC's booking site showed 41 buses from Varanasi Cantt for a sample date, 22 October 2026, about 2 to 3.5 hoursCheck: Your date on onlineupsrtc.co.in, the bus type, and which Prayagraj bus station it ends at
- Car121 km via NH 19, by the mela authority's 2025 guideCheck: The route on a current map, and parking and no-vehicle zones near bathing days
From the station or bus stand to the Sangam
The Sangam is about 7 km from Civil Lines, according to the district. How you cover the last part depends on the day.
- On ordinary days, cabs, autos, e-rickshaws and city buses are available near the stations, the district says. In 2025 the mela authority also ran shuttle buses and e-rickshaws from every station on non-peak days.
- On main bathing days, expect to walk. In 2025, vehicles were kept out of a zone around the mela from the day before to the day after each main bathing day, and parking was 1 to 2 km from the ghats.
- Signs and separate routes. In 2025, walking signs led from every railway station to the mela, and pilgrims arriving by rail, bus and car were given separate routes.
Main bathing days usually draw the most pilgrims; follow police and mela instructions on the day. Read the Sangam guide for the road and boat routes to the bathing area, and where to stay to choose a base.
- 1Triveni SangamGhat
- 2Akshayavat and Bade Hanuman, by the FortTemple
- 3Nag Vasuki TempleTemple
- 4Prayagraj JunctionRailway · Main station
- 5Prayag JunctionRailway
- 6Prayagraj Sangam stationRailway
- 7Civil Lines bus stationBus
- 8Zero Road bus standBus
A guide to where places are, not a route plan. During the mela, roads and ghats open and close by the official plan; follow police and mela directions.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL). Some temple locations from Wikidata (CC0). openstreetmap.org/copyright
What is not announced yet
- Special trains, extra stops or station changes for Magh Mela 2027.
- Extra UPSRTC buses and any temporary bus stations.
- The traffic plan: parking areas, diversions and no-vehicle zones for each bathing day.
- Shuttle buses and e-rickshaws from the stations, bus stands and the airport.
- The mela authority’s list of 2027 bathing days, expected from 15 January to 6 March 2027. See the Magh Mela 2027 page.
We will add each item, with its source, when Indian Railways, UPSRTC or the mela authority publishes it.
Questions people ask
Which Prayagraj station should I book for the Magh Mela?
The one your train really stops at. On NTES in October 2026, many trains from Mumbai, Patna, Bhopal and Varanasi stopped at Prayagraj Chheoki (PCOI) instead of Prayagraj Junction, and most from Lucknow and Ayodhya at Phaphamau, Prayag or Prayagraj Sangam.
Magh Mela kaise pahunchein?
By train to one of Prayagraj’s stations, by air to Prayagraj Airport at Bamrauli, about 12 to 13 km from the city, or by UPSRTC bus. The last stretch to the Sangam works differently on the main bathing days, so plan it separately.
Are there special trains for Magh Mela 2027?
Not yet. As of 16 October 2026, no special trains for the 2027 Magh Mela had been announced. We will add them, with the source, when Indian Railways publishes them.
Where is Prayagraj airport?
At Bamrauli, about 12 to 13 km from the city. Its code is IXD. The district says it serves a limited number of cities; Varanasi and Lucknow airports are the other options.
Sources
18 sources · checked 20 Oct 2026
- How to Reach (Plan your trip) · District Prayagraj, Government of Uttar Pradesh ·
- National Train Enquiry System (NTES): station names and codes for Prayagraj · Indian Railways (Centre for Railway Information Systems) ·
- Union Railway Minister inaugurated a war room at Rail Bhavan to monitor nine Prayagraj region stations via 1,186 CCTV cameras · Press Information Bureau, Government of India (Ministry of Railways) ·
- Indian Railways operate 137 Kumbh special trains to help devotees reach Prayagraj on day 3 of the ongoing Mahakumbh · Press Information Bureau, Government of India (Ministry of Railways) ·
- Prayagraj Airport · Airports Authority of India ·
- Journey of Prayagraj Airport · Airports Authority of India (HR Prayagraj) ·
- How to Reach (Maha Kumbh 2025 official website) · Prayagraj Mela Authority, Government of Uttar Pradesh ·
- Visitor Guide: How to visit Prayagraj (Maha Kumbh 2025 official website) · Prayagraj Mela Authority, Government of Uttar Pradesh ·
- Traffic Plan (Maha Kumbh 2025 official website) · Prayagraj Mela Authority, Government of Uttar Pradesh ·
- Depots and Bus Stations · Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation ·
- 43-day-long Magh Mela begins in Prayagraj (2026 mela arrangements) · News On AIR (All India Radio News, Prasar Bharati) ·
- Places of Interest (Sangam, Allahabad Fort, Patalpuri and Akshaya Vat) · District Prayagraj, Government of Uttar Pradesh ·
- Magh Mela 2027 · Incredible India, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India (listing credited to Uttar Pradesh Tourism) ·
- National Train Enquiry System (NTES): trains between stations to Prayagraj from Delhi, Lucknow, Varanasi and Ayodhya · Indian Railways (Centre for Railway Information Systems) ·
- National Train Enquiry System (NTES): trains between stations to Prayagraj from Patna, Kolkata, Bhopal and Mumbai · Indian Railways (Centre for Railway Information Systems) ·
- National Train Enquiry System (NTES): schedules of 22177, 12321, 12322, 12141 and 13202 (Prayagraj Chheoki stops) · Indian Railways (Centre for Railway Information Systems) ·
- UPSRTC Online Reservation: bus search to Prayagraj for 22 October 2026 · Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation ·
- Flight Schedule, Prayagraj Airport (summer 2026) · Airports Authority of India ·