Ayodhya to Mathura Distance and Back: Routes, Time and How to Travel

Key facts at a glance

Ayodhya and Mathura: an overview

Ayodhya, the birthplace of Lord Rama on the Sarayu and Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna on the Yamuna, are two of the seven holy cities of India and two of the most cherished pilgrimage destinations in the land, both drawing great numbers of devotees. The distance between them is about 542 to 563 km by road, a drive of roughly 7 hours 34 minutes to 8 hours, carried for most of the way by the Agra-Lucknow Expressway. This guide gives every route in both directions with its distance and time, all the ways to travel and the great pilgrimage circuit that joins the two birthplaces; and if you would like it all arranged, a mathura vrindavan tour package with Experience My India can guide your days in Braj and beyond.

From the ground (Gurudutt): Since the great temple opened at Ayodhya, so many of my guests join the two birthplaces, Rama's and Krishna's, on one journey and it is a beautiful thing to do. My honest advice is that seven and a half to eight hours is a long day on the road, so start early, take the Agra-Lucknow Expressway and plan a rest and meal near Lucknow, roughly the middle of the drive. Reach Mathura rested and give your heart to the birthplace and to Vrindavan. Jai Shri Ram and Radhe Radhe. See our Mathura Vrindavan tour Package  or message WhatsApp +91 7302265809.

Ayodhya to Mathura distance: the routes

There are three main road routes from Ayodhya to Mathura; here they are side by side:

In short: the quickest way from Ayodhya to Mathura is the 556 km route via the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, about 7 hours 34 minutes; a slightly shorter route of 547 km, adding NH 27 and the Yamuna Expressway, takes about 7 hours 40 minutes, while a route combining NH 27 and the Agra-Lucknow Expressway is longer in time at about 9 hours 49 minutes.

Mathura to Ayodhya distance: the routes

Going back, the routes and times are much the same; the main options are these:

In short: from Mathura the quickest way to Ayodhya is the 557 km route via the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, about 7 hours 43 minutes; a route adding NH 27 is 549 km and about 7 hours 56 minutes, while the shortest in distance, 542 km via NH 34, is slower at about 8 hours 39 minutes. The Agra-Lucknow Expressway is the fast spine of the journey either way.

Which route should you choose?

• For the quickest drive: the Agra-Lucknow Expressway. In both directions the Agra-Lucknow Expressway is the fast spine of the journey, about 7 hours 34 minutes to Mathura and about 7 hours 43 minutes back to Ayodhya, on smooth, fast expressway for most of the way; it is the usual and best choice.

• For a slightly shorter distance: add the Yamuna Expressway. Coming to Mathura, the 547 km route via NH 27, the Agra-Lucknow Expressway and the Yamuna Expressway is a little shorter, about 7 hours 40 minutes and brings you in smoothly past Agra.

• Break the journey if you can. Around eight hours is a long day; Lucknow, roughly the midpoint, makes a natural rest and meal stop and those with time can add Prayagraj or Varanasi to the east.

Check live traffic on the day, since conditions near Lucknow, Agra and the expressway junctions can decide which route is quickest; a driver who knows the roads will pick the best one.

How to travel between Ayodhya and Mathura

There are several ways to make the journey; the options at a glance:

• By car or taxi. The most flexible way, about 7 hours 34 minutes to 8 hours by the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, letting you break the drive at Lucknow; comfortable for families and those who wish to see the holy cities on the way and easily arranged as part of a pilgrimage tour.

• By train. Trains connect the Ayodhya stations to Mathura Junction, some via Lucknow or Kanpur; the journey is long, so many pilgrims take an overnight train and arrive rested. From Mathura Junction, Vrindavan is about 15 km. Check the current timetable and book ahead.

• By air. Ayodhya now has its own airport and the nearest airports to Mathura are Delhi and Agra; you can fly from Ayodhya to Delhi or Agra and continue by road, which is the quickest way for those short of time. There is no airport at Mathura itself.

• By bus. Long-distance and expressway buses run between the two regions, usually with a change at Lucknow or Delhi; it is the budget option, though slower and less comfortable than a train or car for so long a trip.

If you arrive at Mathura by rail, our tundla to vrindavan distance guide covers the nearby railheads and the last leg into Braj and our how to commute in vrindavan guide covers getting around once you arrive.

The two birthplaces: pairing Ayodhya and Braj

For most travellers the Ayodhya to Mathura journey joins the birthplaces of two of the most beloved forms of the Lord and it pairs beautifully:

• Ayodhya for the birthplace of Lord Rama, the Ram Mandir and the ghats of the Sarayu

• Then Braj: Mathura and Vrindavan for the birthplace and childhood of Krishna

• With Lucknow on the way and Prayagraj and Varanasi to the east for a fuller circuit

• And, close to Mathura, Agra and the Taj Mahal for those with more days

Our mathura vrindavan ayodhya varanasi tour is built exactly for this circuit, linking Braj with Ayodhya and Varanasi, while the braj 84 kos yatra covers the whole of Braj. We hold both holy birthplaces with reverence.

What to see when you arrive in Mathura

Mathura, the birthplace of Krishna and Vrindavan close by reward even a short stay; the essentials to see when you arrive:

In Mathura are the birthplace at the shri krishna janmabhoomi temple, the shri dwarkadhish temple and the braj yamuna ghats and leela sites at Vishram Ghat; a short way on in Vrindavan are the beloved banke bihari temple and the magnificent prem mandir vrindavan. Remember the main temples close for a few hours at midday, so plan darshan for the morning or evening; our mathura vrindavan temple timings guide keeps the current hours.

Best time, tips and how to plan

• Around eight hours is a long drive; travel overnight by train or break the journey at Lucknow.

• Take the Agra-Lucknow Expressway for the fastest drive, adding the Yamuna Expressway near Mathura.

• Consider flying into Ayodhya's new airport, then continuing your circuit by road.

• Carry water and cash for tolls; the expressways are tolled.

• October to March is the pleasantest season for the drive and the temple cities.

• Around Ram Navami, Janmashtami and other great festivals, roads and trains fill fast, so book ahead.

Our mathura vrindavan tour itinerary helps you shape your Braj days once you arrive from Ayodhya.

We arrange guided Braj tours for pilgrims arriving from Ayodhya and the eastern holy cities, with pick-up in Mathura or Vrindavan, a comfortable vehicle and a knowledgeable Braj-born guide and we can arrange the wider circuit too. A shared day tour starts from around ₹1,499 per person, with darshan free at the temples; our mathura vrindavan tour covers the twin cities, our vrindavan tour package Vrindavan in a day and the agra mathura vrindavan tour package adds Agra and the Taj Mahal. Message me on WhatsApp at +91-7302265809 to plan your visit from Ayodhya.

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