Getting Around Hajipur
Hajipur sits on the north bank of the Ganges, directly across the river from Patna, and the two cities are linked by the Mahatma Gandhi Setu bridge. Because the two are so close and share so much of their infrastructure, a visitor to Hajipur will often find that the practical transport options overlap with those of Patna. Hajipur itself is a district headquarters with a good network of rail, road and water transport connecting it to the rest of Vaishali district, the state and the country.
Rail
Hajipur Junction (station code HJP) is the city's main railway station and is served by East Central Railway. It is the arrival point for trains coming from the Nepal border area, including Gorakhpur and Raxaul, as well as some services from Delhi, Varanasi and the North-East. If you are travelling between Hajipur and Patna, note that Patna Junction is on the opposite bank; although the two stations are close in straight-line terms, the crossing over one of India's longest river bridges can take anywhere from around forty minutes to as long as two hours when traffic is bad.
Patna's other stations — Rajendra Nagar Terminal, Patliputra Junction and Patna Junction itself — are all part of the same wider rail cluster, so depending on your train you may arrive on either side of the river. Long-distance services connect the region to major cities across India, including Lucknow, Varanasi, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad and many others.
Metro and Trams
There is no metro or tram network in Hajipur. The Patna Metro is under construction and only a small number of stations on its Blue Line are operational so far; it does not currently serve Hajipur. For now, rail, road and shared road transport are the realistic options.
Buses and Shared Transport
Public bus services in the Patna–Hajipur area are limited. A few buses run on the main routes, and BSRTC operates services on major routes inside and outside the city, generally originating from Gandhi Maidan in Patna and calling at Patna Junction. Bus fares tend to be lower than shared tempos, though the buses are less comfortable.
The easiest and cheapest way to move around locally is the shared auto-rickshaw, commonly called a tempo. Fares are low and drivers rarely try to overcharge on shared routes. If you want to reserve an auto privately rather than share it, be aware that this is not the locals' preferred option and you may be quoted exorbitant rates — it helps to know the distance in advance before negotiating.
For travel between Patna Junction and Hajipur Junction, prepaid and shared taxis and rickshaws are available throughout the day. Shared rickshaws leave from the south side of Patna Junction.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Car rental companies operate in the Patna area, and taxis — both prepaid and shared — are a practical way to cross between Patna and Hajipur. Foreign travellers who have not driven in India may find driving in Patna and Bihar stressful because of poor road conditions and constant heavy traffic, although the roads have improved. Unless you are already comfortable driving in Indian traffic, it is usually easier to hire a driver or take a taxi than to drive yourself.
Walkability
For short hops within a neighbourhood, walking is feasible, but for crossing between Hajipur and Patna or reaching outlying temples and sites, you will want motorised transport.
Getting There from the Airport
The nearest airport is Jay Prakash Narayan Airport (PAT) in Patna, the domestic airport serving the city. It has direct connections to Delhi, Lucknow, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Chennai, Ahmedabad, Indore and Ranchi, with daily flights to and from Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.
From the airport you will need to cross the Ganges to reach Hajipur. The route runs via the Mahatma Gandhi Setu bridge, and traffic on the crossing can be heavy, so allow generous time. Prepaid and shared taxis are the most straightforward option for the airport-to-Hajipur journey; alternatively, you can take a taxi or shared rickshaw to Patna Junction and continue by train to Hajipur Junction. Another bridge, the Digha–Sonpur Bridge, crosses the Ganga north-west of Patna and shortens the distance between Hajipur and Patna, giving drivers an alternative crossing.
Practical Tips
- Keep small change handy for shared tempos and rickshaws; fares are low and paid in cash.
- Agree on a price before reserving an auto privately, since reserved fares are not standardised.
- Allow extra time for any journey that crosses the Ganges — bridge traffic can turn a short trip into a long one.
- If you are arriving by train from the Nepal border, the North-East, Delhi or Varanasi, you may well arrive directly at Hajipur Junction rather than Patna.
- For longer trips out of the region, buses and rental cars are available from Patna, including services toward the Nepal border, Gaya, Siliguri, Ranchi, Jamshedpur and Purnia.