Getting Around Bhubaneswar
Bhubaneswar was one of modern India's first planned cities, designed by the German architect Otto Königsberger with wide roads, gardens and parks. That legacy shows: by Indian standards the roads are well laid out, the newer parts of the city are well planned, and getting around is generally easy and inexpensive. The city divides roughly into older and newer halves, with the planned capital area and its units in the south and the newer developments north of National Highway 5. Distances are manageable, and a mix of buses, auto-rickshaws, taxis and walking will cover almost everything a visitor wants to see.
Rail: Arriving and Moving Between Stations
Bhubaneswar is the headquarters of the East Coastal Railway and sits on the main line from Kolkata to Chennai, so it is well connected to most major Indian cities. The city has two long-distance railway stations, both of which several express trains serve. Bhubaneswar station serves the main part of the city and is the terminal of the Bhubaneswar Rajdhani Express. Bhubaneswar New station serves the northern part of the city, including Nandankanan. For timings and other details, check the Indian Railways website.
Express trains that stop at Bhubaneswar include services from Chennai (Coromandel Express, Howrah Mail), Howrah (Chennai Mail, Coromandel Express, Dhauli Express, Falaknuma Express, Jan Shatabdi Express, Puri Shatabdi Express, Puri Superfast Express, Puri Vande Bharat Express and Yesvantpur Express), Mumbai CSMT (Konark Express), New Delhi (Duronto Express, Purushottam Express and Tejas Rajdhani Express), Hyderabad (Falaknuma Express, Konark Express and Visakha Express) and Bangalore (Howrah Express and Prasanti Express).
Note that Bhubaneswar has no metro or tram network; rail here means Indian Railways, and it is chiefly how you arrive in the city rather than how you move around within it.
Buses and Public Transport
Town buses ply throughout the city. They are government-run and cheap. A public bus service called DTS, a partnership between the government of Odisha and a private company, also runs across the city. Buses generally operate between about 06:30 and 22:30 at roughly twenty-minute intervals, though timings for specific routes vary.
- Fares are very reasonable, and tickets are bought on the bus, by cash only.
- As on buses in any Indian city, expect crowding, so keep an eye on your belongings.
For journeys into Bhubaneswar from elsewhere in the region, buses originate at Baramunda Bus Station. The station is not central, so plan to reach it by auto-rickshaw. Tickets can be booked at the station, which is served by a good number of eateries, fruit and grocery stores, and even a barber.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Several app-based cab-hailing companies operate in Bhubaneswar, offering cars, auto-rickshaws, shared taxis, full-day rental cabs and even motorbike rides. Ola and Uber can be hired for day trips to Puri, Konark or Chilika, and you can also easily find safe and reliable hired taxis that will do the same. If you prefer to arrange a car through a local operator, several cab companies serve the city.
Auto-Rickshaws
Auto-rickshaws are the lifeline of Bhubaneswar and can be found on most streets. Drivers are generally courteous and honest. You can hire one for a short hop or book it for a period of time covering predetermined tourist spots.
- Autos do not run on meters, so agree on a price before the trip starts.
- Make sure the driver understands your destination before setting off.
- Shared autos run on some routes and are the cheapest option of all.
On Foot
The temples of Bhubaneswar are clustered around a small area. That area is overcrowded and connected by narrow roads and lanes, which makes it best explored on foot. Elsewhere, the wide, planned roads of the newer city are pleasant enough to walk, but for longer cross-city trips you will want a bus, auto or cab.
Getting from the Airport into the City
Biju Patnaik International Airport is small but looks new and well maintained. It is well connected with major cities of India, with direct flights from Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Mumbai and, to a lesser extent, Bangalore. International flights are available from Kuala Lumpur and Bangkok.
There are two officially sanctioned options for getting a taxi at the airport: Carzonrent, a private cab agency, and a prepaid taxi service run by the airport. Both have counters at the exit.
- The Carzonrent salesman may try to upsell you day-trip packages when you only want a ride; ignore him, as you are bound to find better options within the city.
- The airport's prepaid taxi counter is available only once you get past the security barrier, while Carzonrent is available both inside and outside. You are better off making your decision only after you step out.
- Another good option, if your destination is within the city, is to call for a radio cab.
Practical Tips
- Fix auto-rickshaw fares in advance, since meters are not used.
- Carry cash for bus tickets, which are bought on board.
- Use app-based cabs for longer trips or day excursions to Puri, Konark or Chilika.
- Explore the old temple town on foot, where the sights are close together but the lanes are narrow and busy.