Getting Around Bareilly
Bareilly is a large city in the Rohilkhand region of Uttar Pradesh, and it is well connected both to the rest of northern India and, once you arrive, to its own spread-out neighbourhoods. The city sits roughly between Delhi and Lucknow, and it is served by a domestic airport, a busy main railway station, and a state-run bus terminus. For getting around within the city, visitors generally rely on a mix of auto-rickshaws, cycle-rickshaws, taxis, and app-based ride-hailing, with buses covering longer cross-city hops.
Arriving by Air
Bareilly Airport (BEK) is the city's domestic airport, located north of the city centre. It handles regular flights to and from Delhi, Bengaluru, and Mumbai, making it a practical entry point if you are coming from one of those cities. Because it is a domestic airport, you should not expect the scale of facilities found at a major international hub, but it puts you within a short road transfer of the city itself.
To get from the airport into the city, the usual options are:
- Pre-paid or app-based taxis — the most straightforward choice if you are arriving with luggage. Booking through a ride-hailing app before you land lets you avoid haggling at the curb.
- Auto-rickshaws — available outside the terminal and cheaper than taxis, though you will need to agree on a fare in advance.
- Hotel transfers — many hotels in the city can arrange a pickup if you ask in advance, which is worth doing if you are arriving late.
Since the airport is north of the city, the drive in is short, but allow extra time during peak hours when traffic builds up on the approach roads.
Arriving by Train
Bareilly Junction is the city's main railway station and lies on the Delhi–Kolkata line, which makes it a major stop with regular trains from other large cities across the country. It is a large and busy station, so if you are arriving here, plan to exit toward the main road where you will find auto-rickshaws and taxis waiting.
Bareilly is served by more than one railway station — six in total — so double-check which station your ticket names before you travel, as they are in different parts of the city. Izzatnagar, one of these stations, is the divisional headquarters of a division of North Eastern Railways.
Useful trains that connect Bareilly to other parts of the country include:
- Ala Hazrat Express (14312) — runs from Bhuj, departing in the early afternoon and reaching Bareilly the following evening.
- Triveni Express — connects Shaktinagar and Singrauli to Bareilly via Chopan, Mirzapur, Prayagraj (Allahabad) Junction, and Lucknow.
For booking, use the Indian Railways reservation system online or at the station counter. Reserved tickets are strongly advisable for long-distance journeys, as unreserved general compartments get very crowded.
Arriving by Bus
Bareilly has regular bus connections from a number of major cities, including Agra, Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Mathura, and Varanasi. The Roadways Bus Stand is the terminus for state-owned buses, so this is where you will arrive if you come in on a government service. State-run buses are the cheapest option for reaching Bareilly from nearby cities, though they are slower and less comfortable than the train.
Getting Around the City
Bareilly does not have a metro or tram network, so movement around the city is by road. The main modes are:
- Auto-rickshaws — the workhorse of local transport. They are widely available near railway stations, bus stands, and markets. Fares are usually negotiated; agree on the price before you set off, or ask for the meter if one is offered.
- Cycle-rickshaws — best for short hops within a neighbourhood or market area. They are slow but cheap and easy to flag down.
- Taxis and ride-hailing — app-based cab services operate in the city and are the most convenient option when you want a fixed price and air-conditioning. They are particularly useful for airport runs and for reaching parts of the city that auto-rickshaws are reluctant to serve.
- City buses — local bus services cover longer routes across the city and are the cheapest way to travel a significant distance. They are less useful for short trips, where an auto-rickshaw will be quicker.
Walkability
Walking is realistic for exploring individual neighbourhoods, markets, and the area around a landmark once you are there, but Bareilly is a spread-out city and not designed for walking between its major districts. Pavements are inconsistent, traffic is heavy, and the heat for much of the year makes long walks uncomfortable. Treat walking as a way to cover the last stretch of a journey rather than as a primary way to cross the city.
Practical Tips
- Carry small change for auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws, as drivers rarely have change for large notes.
- Agree on your fare before getting into any auto-rickshaw or cycle-rickshaw.
- Download a ride-hailing app before you arrive; it makes airport and station transfers much simpler.
- Confirm which of Bareilly's railway stations your train uses — they are not all in the same place.
- For intercity travel, trains are generally faster and more comfortable than buses, but buses reach some destinations that trains do not serve directly.