Getting Around Bihar Sharif
Bihar Sharif is a compact city in Nalanda district, and getting around it is straightforward once you know what to expect. There is no metro, no tram and no local train network here, so almost all movement within the city happens on the road. The good news for visitors is that the city sits on a well-connected highway network and has its own railway station, which makes arriving and leaving easy; getting between sights is mostly a matter of flagging down a three-wheeler or hiring a car.
Local Transport Within the City
Local transport in Bihar Sharif consists essentially of auto-rickshaws. There is no city bus service and no suburban rail, so autos are the lifeline for daily commuters and visitors alike. They are common for short in-city trips, and while the supply is generally described as insufficient for the volume of commuters, Bihar Sharif still has more auto-rickshaws than any other town in Nalanda district.
- Auto-rickshaws — the main way to move around the city; best for short hops and reaching the railway station or bus stand.
- Cycle rickshaws — available in some local areas for very short rides; the cheapest option.
- Shared tempos — three-wheelers that run between parts of the city and nearby villages, useful if you are heading to the outskirts.
In relative terms, cycle rickshaws and shared tempos are the least expensive, auto-rickshaws are low-cost, and cars or taxis sit at the moderate-to-high end. Carry small change for local transport, and confirm the fare before you set off in an auto or taxi rather than assuming a meter will be used.
Rail
Bihar Sharif has its own railway station on Railway Station Road. It is the most important station in Nalanda district, though it is not a junction, and only a limited number of express and passenger trains halt there. Within Bihar, there are direct rail connections to Patna, Rajgir, Gaya and Bakhtiyarpur. Outside the state, trains connect to Delhi, Kolkata, Varanasi and Ranchi. The station sits on the Bakhtiyarpur–Rajgir section of the East Central Railway loop line.
For travel to more distant major cities such as Mumbai or Bangalore, you will generally need to change trains, usually at Patna Junction, which is the wider-connectivity hub for the region. Patna Junction is also the natural rail gateway if you are arriving from further afield and continuing to Bihar Sharif by road.
- Buy tickets at the station in the usual way; for reserved travel, book in advance, as halts here are limited.
- For PNR and reservation enquiries, dial 139.
- For rail catering complaints, dial 1800-111-139.
Buses and Other Public Transport
The city bus stand handles both local and intercity boarding. State buses connect Bihar Sharif with Patna, Gaya, Rajgir, Nalanda and other nearby cities, and private operators run AC and non-AC intercity coaches on similar routes. Buses from Patna and other cities run throughout the day.
- State buses — the cheaper option.
- Private coaches — generally more comfortable, at a moderate fare.
Note that bus connectivity beyond the immediate region is poorer than rail, so for longer journeys the train is usually the better bet.
Taxis, Cars and Ride-Hailing
For flexibility, especially if you want to combine several nearby sites in one day, a private car or rented taxi is the most practical choice. App-based taxis, car rentals and chauffeur services are available from hubs such as Patna or Gaya rather than being based in Bihar Sharif itself, so it is worth arranging these in advance. Parking exists near most major attractions, sometimes as informal lots.
- Negotiate a return price when hiring a car for a full day.
- Renting a car with a driver is the easiest way to combine Nalanda, Rajgir and Pawapuri in a single trip.
- Google Maps works for most local navigation.
Walkability
Bihar Sharif is a compact city, and short trips on foot are realistic in and around the areas you are visiting, particularly for reaching nearby shops, eateries and landmarks. For anything longer, though, the heat and the absence of a formal pedestrian or public transport network make an auto-rickshaw or a hired car the more sensible choice. Treat walking as a way to cover short distances between nearby points rather than as a primary way of getting across the city.
Getting There from the Airport
Bihar Sharif has no airport of its own. The nearest airport is Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport (airport code PAT) in Patna, roughly 75 km from central Bihar Sharif. Patna airport has daily direct and indirect flights to most major Indian cities and is served by all the leading airlines. Its address is Khajpura, Shaheed Pir Ali Khan Marg, Patna, Bihar 800014, and the airport phone number is 0612 222 0683.
From Patna, you have two main options for the onward leg:
- By train — Patna Junction is the region's main rail hub, with services onward to Bihar Sharif. This is the cheapest way to complete the journey.
- By road — a rental car or a private Volvo bus, bookable through private travel agencies in Bihar Sharif, is the alternative. The road route runs via the highway network connecting Patna with the Nalanda district.
Because bus connectivity to Bihar Sharif is weaker than rail, many visitors find it simplest to take the train from Patna and then pick up a local auto-rickshaw or taxi at Bihar Sharif station for the final stretch into the city.