Key hubs
Patna airport and railway station
- Airport
- Jay Prakash Narayan Airport (PAT), in the city; a new terminal opened in 2025. Expect roughly 30 to 45 minutes by road to central areas, traffic dependent
- Railway station
- Patna Junction (PNBE) is the main station, on Station Road beside Mahavir Mandir; Patna Sahib station serves the eastern side
- Getting around
- App cabs and autos work in the city; a hired car and driver is easiest for the eastern sights and for day trips. A first section of the Patna Metro has opened, but check current coverage.
How to reach Patna by air
Jay Prakash Narayan Airport (PAT) is within the city, about 30 to 45 minutes by road from most central areas, traffic dependent. A new terminal opened in 2025. Gaya Airport (GAY) is the alternative if you are heading mainly to Bodh Gaya.
How to reach Patna by train
Patna Junction (PNBE) is the main railhead, on Station Road beside Mahavir Mandir. Patna Sahib station serves the eastern side of the city and lies on the Howrah to Delhi main line.
How to reach Patna by road
Patna is linked by national highways to other Bihar cities and to neighbouring states. Nalanda is about 90 km and Bodh Gaya about 110 km by road, so a hired car and driver is the easiest way to do them as day trips.
Getting around Patna
App cabs and autos work across the city, and a hired car with driver is best for the eastern sights and day trips. A first section of the Patna Metro has opened, but check current coverage before relying on it.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Patna
- Allow extra time for traffic when going to Takht Sri Patna Sahib and the eastern sights; a car and driver is more comfortable than autos.
- At gurdwaras and temples you walk barefoot on stone, so carry socks where allowed and avoid midday when floors heat up.
- Carry bottled water and oral rehydration salts from April to October.
- 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.