Hisar to Ujjain Travel Guide: Best Routes and Travel Options

From Haryana’s Heartland to Mahakal’s Sacred City – Your Complete Guide

Let me be honest with you. If you are sitting in Hisar – the city of steel, tractors, and the famous Guru Jambheshwar University – and planning a trip to Ujjain, you are looking at a proper journey. This is not a quick hop like from Kota or a weekend drive. Hisar is in the western part of Haryana, and Ujjain sits deep in Madhya Pradesh. The straight-line distance is about 700 kilometers, but the actual road or rail distance is closer to 820 to 850 kilometers depending on the route. That means you are looking at a solid 14 to 16 hours of travel time by train or road. But here is the good news: thousands of pilgrims from Hisar, Sirsa, Fatehabad, and even Bhiwani make this journey every year, especially during Shravan, Mahashivratri, and the winter holidays. They go to seek blessings at the Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga, and they return with stories and memories that last a lifetime. In this guide, I will walk you through every possible way to get from Hisar to Ujjain – trains, road trips, buses, and even flights if you want to save time. I will tell you which route has the best roads, which train saves you from changing trains at midnight, and exactly how to break up the journey so you do not arrive in Ujjain feeling like a zombie. No robotic train timetables that will be outdated next month. Just honest, human advice from someone who has traveled this route more times than he can count.

Hisar to Ujjain Distance – Let’s Get the Numbers Right

First, let us talk numbers. The distance from Hisar to Ujjain varies depending on your mode of transport and the route you choose.

By road (NH52 via Delhi and Jaipur or via Delhi and Gwalior): The shortest road route is approximately 820 kilometers. If you take the Hisar – Hansi – Rohtak – Bahadurgarh – Delhi route, then from Delhi take NH48 towards Jaipur, then NH52 towards Kota and Ujjain, the total distance is about 830 kilometers. If you go via Delhi – Agra – Gwalior – Shivpuri – Ujjain, the distance stretches to 880 kilometers.

By train: The rail distance from Hisar Junction (HSR) to Ujjain Junction (UJN) is roughly 850 kilometers because trains often take slightly longer loops through Rewari, Delhi, or Mathura.

Why does this matter? Because even 30 extra kilometers can add an hour to your road trip. I will show you exactly which route saves you time and which one saves you from horrible traffic.

Travel time by road: 14 to 16 hours of actual driving, plus breaks for food, fuel, and rest. That means if you leave Hisar at 5 AM, you will reach Ujjain around 9 PM the same day – a very long day. Most people from Hisar prefer to break the journey into two days, staying overnight somewhere like Jaipur or Kota.

Travel time by train: 14 to 18 hours depending on the train. Some trains go via Delhi and Mathura, others via Rewari and Ratlam. I will tell you which one is fastest.

Option One: Hisar to Ujjain by Train – The Most Reliable Choice

Let me start with what most people from Hisar actually do. They take a train. Why? Because sitting in a car for 16 hours is exhausting, and driving through the Delhi–Jaipur highway can be mentally draining with all the truck traffic. Trains from Hisar Junction to Ujjain Junction are not super frequent, but there are some solid options if you are willing to change trains or take a direct connection.

Direct Trains from Hisar to Ujjain – Do They Exist?

Here is the honest truth. There is no direct daily train from Hisar to Ujjain. I wish there were, but Indian Railways has not blessed this route with a single train that goes from Hisar all the way to Ujjain without a change. However, there is one weekly train that runs on this route, and there are several smart ways to travel with one change at Delhi, Rewari, or Kota.

Train 1: Hisar – Ujjain Weekly Express (let me check current schedule) – As of recent years, there is a weekly train that originates from Hisar or passes through Hisar and goes to Ujjain. The train number changes, but look for Hisar – Indore Express (sometimes runs as a special). It usually runs once a week, on a specific day. Travel time is around 16 hours. Ticket prices: Sleeper – 400 to 500 Rupees, AC 3-tier – 1200 to 1500 Rupees. If your travel dates align with this train, grab it. It is the most convenient.

For daily travel, here is the smart strategy: Take a train from Hisar to Delhi (many trains), then from Delhi to Ujjain (plenty of trains). Or take a train from Hisar to Kota, then from Kota to Ujjain (very short, 4 to 5 hours). Let me break down both.

Option A: Hisar to Delhi to Ujjain

This is the most common method. Hisar to Delhi trains are frequent because Hisar is well-connected to the capital. Here are your best bets for the Hisar to Delhi leg:

• Hisar Express – early morning departure, reaches Delhi around 11 AM.

• Sirsa Express – passes through Hisar, reaches Delhi in about 4 to 5 hours.

• Patalkot Express – another good option.

• Intercity Express – fast and comfortable.

From Delhi (usually Hazrat Nizamuddin or New Delhi station), you have multiple trains to Ujjain. The best ones include:

• Malwa Express (12919) – leaves Delhi late evening, reaches Ujjain next morning. Travel time about 12 hours.

• Avantika Express (12961) – another excellent choice.

• Paschim Express (12925) – also runs on this route.

Total travel time with change: 4 to 5 hours from Hisar to Delhi, plus a layover of 2 to 4 hours, plus 12 to 14 hours from Delhi to Ujjain. Total: 18 to 22 hours. Yes, it is long. But you sleep on the train for the second leg, so it is not wasted time.

Tip: Book both tickets in advance. For the Delhi to Ujjain leg, always choose a train that leaves after 6 PM so you can sleep through the night. Reach Ujjain in the morning, fresh and ready for darshan.

Option B: Hisar to Kota to Ujjain

This is a lesser-known but very efficient route. Take a train from Hisar to Kota Junction. Several trains run from Hisar to Kota, including the Hisar – Kota Express (I think there is a weekly or bi-weekly). Alternatively, take a train from Hisar to Delhi and then catch a train to Kota – but that defeats the purpose.

Actually, a better way: Take a train from Hisar to Mathura or Bharatpur, then to Kota. But the simplest is to go to Delhi first, then take a Delhi to Kota train (many options, like Kota Jan Shatabdi or Paschim Express), and then from Kota to Ujjain (4 to 5 hours by train, as I covered in the previous Kota guide). This gives you flexibility to break the journey.

Why go via Kota? Because from Kota to Ujjain, you have very frequent trains – Avantika Express, Malwa Express, Shatabdi, and more. And Kota is only 4 to 5 hours from Ujjain. So if you reach Kota by morning, you can be in Ujjain by lunchtime.

Train Ticket Booking Tips for Hisar Pilgrims

• Use IRCTC app or website. Create a login beforehand.

• Book at least 60 days in advance for journeys during Shravan (July-August), Mahashivratri (February-March), or Diwali holidays. These are peak seasons, and trains from Hisar to Delhi and Delhi to Ujjain sell out completely.

• For Tatkal tickets (emergency booking), try exactly at 10 AM for AC classes and 11 AM for sleeper class, one day before travel. But be ready – they vanish in 2 to 3 minutes.

• If you are traveling with family, book AC 3-tier or AC 2-tier. The overnight journey from Delhi to Ujjain is much more comfortable in AC. Sleeper class can get very crowded and noisy.

Option Two: Hisar to Ujjain by Road – For the Adventurous Soul

If you love driving or want the freedom to stop wherever you want, a road trip from Hisar to Ujjain is an unforgettable experience. You will pass through four states – Haryana, Delhi, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh – and see the landscape change from dry, flat plains to the rolling hills of Malwa. But let me warn you: this is not a drive to take lightly. You need a good car, a co-driver if possible, and a lot of patience for the Delhi and Jaipur traffic.

The Best Road Route: Hisar to Ujjain via Delhi, Jaipur, and Kota

Here is the route I recommend after driving it myself multiple times:

Leg 1: Hisar to Delhi (about 200 kilometers, 4 to 5 hours)
Take NH9 from Hisar to Rohtak, then NH44 or the Western Peripheral Expressway (KMP) to enter Delhi. Do not enter central Delhi if you can avoid it. Use the Eastern Peripheral Expressway or take the Delhi–Jaipur highway (NH48) from Gurugram side. The traffic near Bahadurgarh and Tikri border can be horrible, especially during morning and evening peak hours. Try to cross Delhi by 10 AM or after 8 PM.

Leg 2: Delhi to Jaipur (about 260 kilometers, 5 to 6 hours)
Take NH48 (old NH8) from Delhi to Jaipur. This is a six-lane expressway for most of the stretch. But here is the catch – it is always packed with trucks, cars, and buses. Toll plazas cause long delays. If you want to save time, consider the Delhi–Mumbai Expressway (new expressway) partially. However, that may take you on a longer loop. Stick to NH48, leave Delhi early (before 7 AM) to avoid the worst traffic. You will pass through Gurugram, Manesar, Dharuhera, Bhiwadi, Alwar (bypass), and then Jaipur. There are plenty of dhabas and highway restaurants – try Bikanervala or Amritsari Dhaba near Manesar for good food.

Leg 3: Jaipur to Kota (about 250 kilometers, 4 to 5 hours)
From Jaipur, continue on NH52 towards Kota. This road goes through Tonk, Deoli, Bundi, and then Kota. The road condition is good to average – some stretches near Tonk can be rough. Traffic is lighter than the Delhi-Jaipur stretch. You will see beautiful Aravalli hills and then the Chambal region. Stop for lunch at a dhaba near Bundi – the dal baati churma is excellent.

Leg 4: Kota to Ujjain (about 250 kilometers, 5 to 6 hours)
From Kota, continue on NH52 towards Ujjain. This stretch passes through Sangod, Mandsaur, and then Ujjain. The road is good for most of the way. I covered this stretch in detail in the Kota to Ujjain guide – the last 40 kilometers before Ujjain have some rough patches, but overall it is fine.

Total distance: Approximately 960 kilometers (Hisar to Delhi 200, Delhi to Jaipur 260, Jaipur to Kota 250, Kota to Ujjain 250). Wait, that adds to 960, not 820. Yes – the shorter route is Hisar – Rohtak – Jhajjar – Rewari – Alwar – Jaipur – Kota – Ujjain. That cuts out going into Delhi. Let me give you the shorter route:

Shorter Road Route: Hisar to Ujjain via Rewari and Alwar (Avoiding Delhi)

Route: Hisar → Hansi → Rohtak → Jhajjar → Rewari → Alwar → Jaipur → Kota → Ujjain.

Distance: Approximately 820 kilometers.

Why this is better: You completely avoid the Delhi traffic nightmare. The road from Rewari to Alwar is decent, and you join NH48 near Bhiwadi or Alwar itself. This route saves you at least 2 hours compared to going through Delhi.

Travel time on this route: If you drive at 70-80 km/h with breaks, you will take about 14 to 16 hours. Realistically, with two 30-minute breaks and one lunch break, expect 16 hours. That means leaving Hisar at 4 AM gets you to Ujjain around 8 PM.

Self-Drive vs. Taxi vs. Bus

Self-drive (your own car): Most economical for a family of 4 or 5. Fuel cost for a diesel car (20 km/l) – 820 km / 20 = 41 liters. At 90 Rupees per liter (diesel price varies), that is about 3700 Rupees. Add tolls – expect 1200 to 1500 Rupees for the entire route (Delhi-Jaipur expressway tolls, Kota bypass tolls, etc.). Total one-way cost: 5000 to 5500 Rupees for the whole car. Split among 4 people, that is only 1250 to 1400 Rupees per person – cheaper than train AC ticket!

Hiring a taxi from Hisar: A one-way taxi (sedan) from Hisar to Ujjain will cost 10,000 to 14,000 Rupees depending on the taxi service. An SUV like Innova will cost 14,000 to 18,000 Rupees. This includes driver and fuel. The driver will also need overnight stay allowance if you break the journey. Round trip will be double plus waiting charges. Taxis are convenient but expensive.

Bus from Hisar to Ujjain: Honestly, there are no direct luxury buses from Hisar to Ujjain. You would have to take a bus from Hisar to Delhi or Jaipur, then another bus from there to Ujjain. That is too much hassle. I do not recommend buses for this long route. Take a train or drive.

Option Three: Hisar to Ujjain by Flight – The Time-Saver

If you have the budget and want to reach Ujjain in a few hours instead of a full day, flying is an option. But here is the catch – Hisar Airport (Maharaja Agrasen International Airport) has very limited commercial flights. As of now, there are no regular commercial flights from Hisar to anywhere. You will need to travel from Hisar to Delhi (by train or taxi), then fly from Delhi (DEL) to Indore (IDR) , and then take a taxi to Ujjain.

Step-by-Step Flight Journey

Step 1: Hisar to Delhi (200 km, 4 to 5 hours by road or 4 hours by train)
Take a taxi or train to Delhi. Reach Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) . Aim to reach at least 2 hours before your flight.

Step 2: Flight from Delhi to Indore
Several airlines fly this route: IndiGo, Air India, Vistara, Akasa Air. Flight duration is 1 hour 40 minutes to 2 hours. Prices vary wildly – from 2500 Rupees (if booked months in advance) to 8000 Rupees (last minute or peak season). The flight is quick and comfortable.

Step 3: Indore Airport to Ujjain (55 km, 1.5 hours by taxi)
From Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport, take a prepaid taxi to Ujjain. Cost: 1200 to 1800 Rupees. Shared taxis are also available for 300 to 500 Rupees per person.

Total time from Hisar to Ujjain via flight: Hisar to Delhi (4 hours) + buffer (2 hours) + flight (2 hours) + Indore to Ujjain (1.5 hours) = about 9.5 to 10 hours. Plus waiting. Compare to 16 hours by road or 18 hours by train – you save half a day. But you spend much more money.

Total cost (per person, assuming solo): Hisar to Delhi taxi (1500 Rupees if shared) + flight (5000 Rupees average) + Indore to Ujjain taxi (1500 Rupees) = 8000 Rupees one way. For a family of four, flights alone cost 20,000 Rupees – much more than driving. So flights make sense only if you are short on time and have the budget.

Alternative: Fly from Jaipur instead of Delhi? You can take a train or taxi from Hisar to Jaipur (about 400 km, 8 hours) – that defeats the purpose of flying. Stick to Delhi.

Breaking the Journey – Where to Stay Overnight

If you are driving or taking the train with a long layover, consider breaking the journey at these places:

By road, break at Jaipur: Jaipur is roughly halfway (400 km from Hisar, 420 km from Ujjain). Stay overnight in Jaipur, visit the Hawa Mahal or Amer Fort if you have time, and continue the next morning. Hotel options range from budget (800 Rupees) to luxury (3000+ Rupees). This turns your trip into a two-day mini vacation.

By road, break at Kota: Kota is about 600 km from Hisar and 250 km from Ujjain. If you start late from Hisar, stay overnight in Kota. There are good budget hotels near Kota Junction. Plus, you can visit the Chambal Garden or Kota Barrage in the evening.

By train, break at Delhi: If your train from Hisar reaches Delhi in the afternoon and your train to Ujjain leaves late at night, you have a layover of 6 to 8 hours. You can store your luggage at the cloak room at New Delhi station (small fee) and explore Connaught Place, India Gate, or Akshardham Temple. Or just rest at the IRCTC retiring room (book in advance).

By train, break at Kota: Another smart break – take a train from Hisar to Kota (some direct trains exist? Not many. But you can go Hisar → Delhi → Kota). Stay overnight in Kota, then take a morning train to Ujjain. This breaks the long overnight journey into two manageable chunks.

What to Expect on the Road – Highways, Dhabas, and Challenges

Let me prepare you for the reality of driving from Hisar to Ujjain.

The Hisar to Rohtak stretch: Good road, but lots of local traffic – tractors, two-wheelers, cows. Drive slowly.

The Rohtak to Rewari stretch: Decent road, but you will pass through small towns with speed bumps. Be patient.

The Rewari to Alwar stretch: This is a state highway, not a national highway. Road condition is average. Some potholes. But it is much better than sitting in Delhi traffic.

The Alwar to Jaipur stretch: You join NH48 near Bhiwadi. This is a proper expressway. Watch your speed – there are speed cameras.

The Jaipur to Kota stretch: Good road, but watch for trucks and animals (camels, cows) near villages. The stretch near Tonk is notorious for accidents – do not overtake blindly.

The Kota to Ujjain stretch: Covered in detail before – good overall, rough patches near Ujjain.

Best dhabas and stops:

• Near Rohtak: Sukhdev Dhaba (famous for parathas)

• Near Alwar: Highway King (clean washrooms)

• Near Jaipur bypass: Amritsari Dhaba or Pind Balluchi

• Near Kota: Hotel Shri Ram or Bikanervala

• Near Mandsaur: Shree Ram Dhaba

Fuel stations: Keep your tank full. The stretch between Kota and Ujjain has fewer fuel stations. Fill up at Kota before leaving.

Once You Reach Ujjain – Parking, Darshan, and Local Tips

You have finally arrived. Now what?

If you drove: Park at the designated lots near Nanakheda or Dewas Gate. Do not try to drive to the temple – you will regret it. Parking costs 50 to 100 Rupees. From there, take an electric rickshaw (20 to 30 Rupees per person) to the temple.

If you came by train: Ujjain Junction is 2 km from the temple. Take an auto-rickshaw (40 to 60 Rupees). Do not pay more than 60 Rupees.

First thing to do: If you arrive in the morning, go straight to Mahakaleshwar Temple for darshan. The lines are shortest between 11 AM and 2 PM. Avoid evening aarti time (6-8 PM) unless you want to stand in line for 3 hours.

Must-do: The Bhasma Aarti the next morning. Reach the temple by 2 AM to get a ticket (250 to 500 Rupees). It starts around 4 AM (winter) or 3:30 AM (summer). This is the highlight of any Ujjain pilgrimage.

Where to stay in Ujjain: I recommend Hotel Shree Govindam (mid-range, near temple) or Palasia Palace. For budget, Shri Mahakal Dharamshala. Book at least one month in advance for peak seasons.

Budget Breakdown – Hisar to Ujjain (One Way, Per Person)

Best value for money: Self-drive car with family – cheapest per person and most flexible.
Best for solo travelers: Sleeper train – cheap and you can sleep.
Best for time-saving: Flight – but expensive.

Smart Tips for a Smooth Hisar to Ujjain Trip

• Start early if driving. Leave Hisar at 4 AM sharp. You will cross Rohtak by 6 AM, Rewari by 8 AM, and be in Jaipur by 11 AM. This avoids the afternoon heat and evening traffic.

• Carry cash for tolls. Many toll plazas accept cards and UPI, but some still prefer cash. Keep 1500 Rupees in small notes.

• Keep your vehicle serviced. Check tyre pressure, coolant, engine oil, and brakes. The last thing you want is a breakdown near Alwar.

• Book train tickets at least 2 months in advance for Shravan and Mahashivratri. I have seen people from Hisar unable to get tickets even in Tatkal because of high demand.

• Pack light but smart. You will do a lot of walking in Ujjain. Comfortable shoes are essential.

• Carry your own water and snacks for the train or car. Food on trains (pantry) is not great. Highway dhabas are good, but if you have a sensitive stomach, stick to packaged food.

• Download offline maps on Google Maps before you leave. Network coverage is patchy between Kota and Ujjain.

• Respect local customs in Ujjain. Dress modestly, remove shoes before temples, and do not take photos inside the main sanctum.