Key hubs
Bhitarkanika airport and railway station
- Airport
- Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar (BBI); about 130 to 145 km, roughly 3.5 to 4 hours by road to Rajnagar and the park jetties
- Railway station
- Bhadrak (BHC) is the closest main railhead, about 50 to 75 km depending on the entry point; Cuttack (CTC) is another connection, about 100 to 120 km
- Getting around
- Hire a car and driver from Bhubaneswar or Bhadrak to the Khola or Gupti jetties, then travel inside the park only by licensed motorboat
How to reach Bhitarkanika by air
The nearest airport is Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar (BBI), about 130 to 145 km from the park jetties, roughly 3.5 to 4 hours by road depending on traffic and which entry point you use.
How to reach Bhitarkanika by train
Bhadrak (BHC) is the closest major railhead, on the Kolkata to Chennai main line, about 50 km from Chandabali and roughly 70 to 75 km from the park. Cuttack (CTC) is another connection, about 100 to 120 km away.
How to reach Bhitarkanika by road
From Bhubaneswar, take the national highway towards Chandikhol, then go via Kendrapara and Pattamundai to Rajnagar. Khola is about 30 km from Rajnagar and Gupti about 25 km. Buses and taxis run from Bhubaneswar and Cuttack, though a hired car is the easiest option.
Getting around Bhitarkanika
Inside the park, movement is by licensed motorboat or on foot on short forest paths. Boats can be hired from Khola, Gupti and Chandabali, and boat price, route and tide should be agreed in advance with the forest counter.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Bhitarkanika
- Plan at least one night near the park. A single day from Bhubaneswar means about seven to eight hours on the road and is very tiring.
- Boats are low and open. Ask the boatman to help with boarding, keep the life jacket on and carry a hat, water and sun protection; there is little shade on the water.
- Facilities inside the park are basic. Carry medicines, snacks and a torch, and check bedding and bathroom arrangements before you book a forest rest house.
- Skip Ekakula and long beach journeys unless you are comfortable on boats for several hours; Dangmal and the Khola creeks are the gentler choices.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.