Traveling to Lumbini, Nepal

Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord Buddha, is a significant pilgrimage site for Buddhists worldwide and holds a profound spiritual and cultural importance. Located in the Rupandehi District of Nepal, it's accessible by various means of transportation from India.

General Ways to Reach Lumbini

• By Flight: The closest airport to Lumbini is Gautam Buddha Airport (also known as Bhairahawa Airport) located in Siddharthanagar. After reaching the airport, one can take a local taxi or bus to Lumbini, which is approximately 22 kilometers away.
• By Train: There is no direct train to Lumbini. The nearest railway station is in Gorakhpur, India. From Gorakhpur, travelers can take a bus or hire a taxi to cross the border to Sunauli and then proceed to Lumbini.
• By Road: Lumbini is well-connected by road with various cities across Nepal and India. Travelers can take buses or hire private vehicles from major cities to reach the destination.

Traveling from India's Top 10 Cities to Lumbini

Here are suggested routes and modes for reaching Lumbini from India's top 10 cities:

Mumbai, Maharashtra

• Flight: Take a flight from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport to Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. From there, one can take a connecting flight to Bhairahawa or choose overland transportation to Lumbini.
• Train: Take a train to Gorakhpur and from there, take a bus or taxi to Lumbini.
• Road: (Approximately 1,720 km) Drive through the NH27 and NH 44, with a suggested stopover in Lucknow for rest.

Delhi

• Flight: Direct flights are available from Indira Gandhi International Airport to Tribhuvan International Airport, followed by a connecting flight or overland travel to Lumbini.
• Train: Direct trains to Gorakhpur are available, and then one can proceed by road to Lumbini.
• Road: (Approximately 585 km) Head via NH27 with a possible stopover in Agra.

Kolkata, West Bengal

• Flight: Take a flight to Tribhuvan International Airport, then transfer to Bhairahawa, and continue to Lumbini by road.
• Train: Board a train to Gorakhpur followed by a road journey to Lumbini.
• Road: (Approximately 620 km) Drive through NH12/NH27, with a stopover at Patna if needed.

Bangalore, Karnataka

• Flight: Fly from Kempegowda International Airport to Kathmandu, and then to Bhairahawa or travel overland to Lumbini.
• Train: Train services to Gorakhpur followed by road travel to Lumbini.
• Road: (Approximately 2,180 km) Via NH44 with a suggested stopover in Hyderabad.

Chennai, Tamil Nadu

• Flight: Chennai International Airport to Kathmandu with a subsequent flight or road trip to Lumbini.
• Train: Trains to Gorakhpur, then continue by road.
• Road: (Approximately 2,120 km) Traverse through NH44 with a possible rest in Vijayawada.

Hyderabad, Telangana

• Flight: Rajiv Gandhi International Airport to Kathmandu, then either fly or take overland transport to Lumbini.
• Train: Train to Gorakhpur and then reach Lumbini by road.
• Road: (Approximately 1,510 km) Via NH44, recommended stopover in Nagpur.

Ahmedabad, Gujarat

• Flight: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport to Kathmandu, then connecting to Bhairahawa by air or road to Lumbini.
• Train: Trains available to Gorakhpur, followed by a road trip to Lumbini.
• Road: (Approximately 1,250 km) Drive over NH27 with a possible halt in Jaipur.

Pune, Maharashtra

• Flight: Pune Airport to Kathmandu, then a connection to Bhairahawa or a road transfer to Lumbini.
• Train: Services to Gorakhpur, then proceed by road to Lumbini.
• Road: (Approximately 1,700 km) Via NH60 and NH27, consider stopping in Indore for rest.

Jaipur, Rajasthan

• Flight: Jaipur International Airport to Kathmandu, then either take another flight or opt for a road journey to Lumbini.
• Train: Trains to Gorakhpur then a road trip to your destination.
• Road: (Approximately 870 km) Through NH27. Agra could be an ideal stopover.

Surat, Gujarat

• Flight: Surat International Airport to Kathmandu Airport, followed by a connecting flight to Bhairahawa or continue by road to Lumbini.
• Train: Avail train to Gorakhpur and then by road to Lumbini.
• Road: (Approximately 1,400 km) Driving on NH48 and NH27 would be a viable route, with Udaipur as a potential stopover spot.

Note: The distance and routes suggested are approximate and actual travel might vary depending on traffic, road condition, and mode of transport chosen. It is recommended to always check current local advice and conditions before embarking on a long road trip or cross-border travel.