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

Key facts at a glance

Varanasi and Mathura: an overview

Varanasi, the ancient Kashi of Lord Shiva on the Ganga and Mathura, the birthplace of Lord Krishna on the Yamuna, are two of the seven holy cities of India and a pilgrimage that joins them is among the most cherished a devotee can make. The distance between them is about 675 to 713 km by road, a drive of roughly 9 hours by the fastest way, now much eased by the new Ganga Expressway that runs across Uttar Pradesh. This guide gives every route in both directions with its distance and time, all the ways to travel, the new expressway and the great pilgrimage circuit that links the two; 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): Many of my guests come to Braj as part of a great temple circuit that also takes in Kashi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj and the new Ganga Expressway has made that journey far quicker than it used to be. My honest counsel is that 9 hours is a long day on the road, so either travel overnight by train or break the drive at Prayagraj or Ayodhya, both holy and both on the way. Reach Mathura rested and give your heart fully to the birthplace and to Vrindavan. Radhe Radhe. See our Mathura Vrindavan tour Package  or message WhatsApp +91 7302265809. 

Varanasi to Mathura distance: the routes

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

In short: the quickest way from Varanasi to Mathura is the 693 km route via the Ganga Expressway and the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, about 9 hours 8 minutes; a near-identical route adding NH 19 is 690 km and about 9 hours 11 minutes, while the route on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway alone is longer at 713 km and about 10 hours 9 minutes.

Mathura to Varanasi 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 Varanasi is the 691 km route via the Agra-Lucknow Expressway and the Ganga Expressway, about 9 hours; the shortest in distance is the 675 km route via the Ganga Expressway, though a little slower at about 9 hours 57 minutes. Either way, the expressways carry you most of the journey.

Which route should you choose?

• For the quickest drive: the Ganga and Agra-Lucknow Expressways. In both directions, the route combining the Ganga Expressway and the Agra-Lucknow Expressway is the fastest, about 9 hours 8 minutes to Mathura and about 9 hours back to Varanasi, on smooth, fast expressway for most of the way.

• For the shortest distance to Varanasi: the Ganga Expressway. Going to Varanasi, the 675 km route via the Ganga Expressway is the shortest, though about an hour slower than the fastest; useful if you wish to stay on the new expressway for most of the drive.

• Break the journey if you can. Nine hours is a long day; both Prayagraj, with the Triveni Sangam and Ayodhya, the birthplace of Rama, lie on or near the way and make holy and restful stops.

Check live traffic and the latest expressway openings on the day, since the Ganga Expressway is new and its links are still being completed in places; a driver who knows the roads will pick the best route.

How to travel between Varanasi and Mathura

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

• By car or taxi. The most flexible way, about 9 hours by the expressways, letting you break the drive at Prayagraj or Ayodhya; 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 (popular). Several trains connect Varanasi to Mathura Junction, some direct; the journey is long, so many pilgrims take an overnight train and arrive rested. Book well ahead, especially in the festival seasons.

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

• By air. Varanasi has an airport (Lal Bahadur Shastri) and the nearest airport to Mathura is Delhi or Agra; you can fly Varanasi to Delhi or Agra and continue by road, which is the quickest way for those short of time.

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 Ganga Expressway: the new fast road

The reason this long journey is now so much quicker is the Ganga Expressway, a major new expressway across Uttar Pradesh; a few points a traveller should know:

• It links east and west UP. The Ganga Expressway runs across the state between the Meerut region and Prayagraj, joining the western plains near Delhi and Braj to the eastern holy cities and cutting hours from the old highway drive.

• It joins the Agra-Lucknow Expressway. Combined with the Agra-Lucknow Expressway, it gives an almost continuous expressway link between Varanasi and the Agra and Mathura region, which is why the fastest routes use both.

• It is new, so check the latest. As a newly opened expressway, some links and facilities are still being completed, so check the current route, tolls and fuel stops before a long drive or travel with a driver who knows the road.

Kashi to Krishna's land: the pilgrimage circuit

For most travellers the Varanasi to Mathura journey is part of a great pilgrimage across the holy cities of the north and it pairs beautifully:

• Varanasi (Kashi) for Lord Shiva, the Ganga aarti and the ancient ghats

• Prayagraj for the Triveni Sangam and Ayodhya for the birthplace of Rama, both on the way

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

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

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 all these holy cities 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

• Nine hours is a long drive; travel overnight by train or break the journey at Prayagraj or Ayodhya.

• Take the Ganga Expressway and Agra-Lucknow Expressway route for the fastest drive.

• Check the latest on the new Ganga Expressway, as some links and stops are still being completed.

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

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

• In the great festival and Kumbh seasons, roads and trains fill fast, so book well ahead.

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

We arrange guided Braj tours for pilgrims arriving from Varanasi 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 Varanasi.

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