Patna spreads along the southern bank of the Ganges, a long, low city where the river is never far from the conversation. It is an old place with a working, modern surface: government offices, markets, railway traffic and pilgrimage routes all overlapping in the same few square kilometres.
For a visitor, the practical geography is simple. Most of what you will want to see and most of the places to sleep sit in the central stretch between Patna Junction railway station and Gandhi Maidan, with Frazer Road, Exhibition Road, Station Road and the streets around the maidan doing much of the work. This guide covers which of those areas to base yourself in, and what each is like to stay in.
Best areas to stay in Patna
1. Frazer Road and Station Road
This is the belt running from Patna Junction down towards the centre of the city, and it holds the densest concentration of places to sleep in Patna. You find budget and mid-range accommodation here, along with a few larger properties. It suits first-time visitors and anyone arriving or leaving by train, because you can walk out of the station and be at your door.
It also suits budget travellers, since the cheapest rooms in the city are found on the road leading from the train station towards the Mithapur bus stand, where very basic rooms start at ₹400. Expect traffic noise and a busy street scene rather than quiet.
2. Exhibition Road
Exhibition Road runs through the commercial heart of the city and carries a broad mix of accommodation, from budget rooms to mid-range and larger hotels. It sits close to Gandhi Maidan, which makes it a convenient base for the central sights and for shopping.
It suits visitors who want to be within walking distance of the maidan and the museum area, and who would rather have restaurants and shops on the doorstep than a quiet street. One property here is described as a 15-minute walk from Gandhi Maidan park and about 2.3 km from the Bihar Museum.
3. South Gandhi Maidan and R Block
The area around Gandhi Maidan, particularly its southern side, and the nearby R Block are where you find the city's larger, more established hotels. This is the most comfortable end of the market in Patna, and it suits travellers who want space, services and a central location rather than the lowest price.
Staying here puts you beside the maidan itself, which is a useful landmark for orienting yourself, and keeps you within reach of Exhibition Road and the museum. R Block sits slightly away from the busiest commercial stretches while remaining central.
4. Dak Bunglow Crossing and Bhattacharya Road
The crossings and roads just north of the station area, including Dak Bunglow Crossing and Bhattacharya Road up to Naya Tola, hold a cluster of budget and mid-range places. It is a practical, workaday part of the centre rather than a scenic one.
It suits budget travellers and those who want to be near the station without being on top of it. Rooms here tend to be plain, and the area is best treated as a base for moving around the city rather than a place to spend the day.
5. Patliputra Colony
Patliputra Colony is a residential colony away from the station and maidan cluster, and it appears in the sources as a location for budget accommodation. It is quieter and more residential in character than the central commercial roads.
It suits travellers who prefer a calmer base and do not mind being outside the main hotel belt, or those with business in that part of the city. You will rely more on transport to reach the central sights.
6. Jamal Road
Jamal Road is another central address with budget accommodation, sitting within the same general cluster as Frazer Road and Exhibition Road. It is a straightforward option if the streets closer to the station are full.
It suits budget travellers who want to stay central and are flexible about the exact street. As with the rest of this belt, expect a busy urban setting.
Where to stay on a budget, mid-range or splurge
- Budget: basic rooms, often in older buildings, concentrated around Frazer Road, Station Road, Bhattacharya Road, Jamal Road and Patliputra Colony. The cheapest and most basic rooms are found on the road from the train station towards the Mithapur bus stand.
- Mid-range: comfortable but unremarkable hotels, largely along Frazer Road, Exhibition Road and at Dak Bunglow Crossing, with some in R Block.
- Splurge: the city's largest and most established hotels, mainly on South Gandhi Maidan, Exhibition Road and R Block, with some near Birchand Patel Path.
Note that Patna is a growing business city, and hotels here tend to be overpriced for the room provided. Many are full most nights, which gives little incentive to improve facilities, so it is worth booking ahead.
Best area for a first visit
Frazer Road and Station Road is the most practical base for a first visit. It puts you within walking distance of Patna Junction, gives you the widest choice of rooms at every level, and leaves you a short ride from Gandhi Maidan, Exhibition Road and the museum. If you would rather be closer to the sights than to the station, Exhibition Road is the alternative.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I stay if I am arriving by train?
The streets around Patna Junction, particularly Frazer Road and Station Road, are the obvious choice, since you can reach your accommodation on foot. Budget rooms are also found on the road leading from the station towards the Mithapur bus stand.
Which area is best for budget travellers?
The central belt around Frazer Road, Station Road, Bhattacharya Road, Jamal Road and Dak Bunglow Crossing holds most of the budget accommodation, with the very cheapest and most basic rooms near the station on the way to the Mithapur bus stand.
Which area has the larger hotels?
The larger, more established hotels are concentrated around South Gandhi Maidan, Exhibition Road and R Block, with some on Birchand Patel Path.
Should I book ahead?
Yes. Patna is a growing business city, many hotels are full most nights, and rooms tend to be overpriced for what is provided, so arranging accommodation before you arrive is sensible.
Compare live prices for the areas above with the booking tools on this page before you decide.