Kolkata to Ujjain Travel Guide: Routes and Best Travel Mode

The Honest Overview – What This Journey Really Looks Like

Let me be completely honest with you. The journey from Kolkata to Ujjain is a long haul. No two ways about it. We are talking about a distance of roughly 1,450 to 1,500 kilometers depending on the route. You are crossing almost the entire width of India – from the eastern coast to the heart of Madhya Pradesh. A direct train takes anywhere from 27 to 32 hours. A flight plus train combination cuts that down to 8 to 10 hours but costs more. And driving? Only do that if you have two to three days to spare and a co-driver. I have made this trip from Howrah to Mahakaleshwar Temple four times over the last six years – for work, for pilgrimage, and once just to prove to myself that I could drive it. This guide gives you the real picture. No sugarcoating. No generic "plan your trip" nonsense. Just the raw facts, real costs, and practical advice that only comes from doing the journey yourself.

Understanding the Scale – Distance and Travel Time

Before we dive into options, let us understand the sheer scale of this journey.

The rail distance from Howrah (Kolkata) to Ujjain is approximately 1,450 kilometers. The road distance is slightly longer – around 1,520 kilometers because highways cannot be as straight as train tracks.

Here is what your total travel time looks like for each option:

• Direct train (fastest) : 27 to 28 hours

• Direct train (slower) : 30 to 32 hours

• Flight from Kolkata to Indore + taxi : 8 to 9 hours (including airport time)

• Flight from Kolkata to Bhopal + train : 9 to 11 hours

• Self-drive car : 24 to 28 hours (with overnight stop)

• Bus : Not recommended – there are no direct buses this long

  

The best time to make this journey is between October and March. Winters are pleasant in both Kolkata (15-25°C) and Ujjain (10-25°C). Summers (April to June) are brutal – Ujjain touches 44-45°C, and Kolkata is not far behind with its humid 40°C. Avoid monsoon (July to September) if you are taking a train – delays are common due to waterlogged tracks in Jharkhand and Madhya Pradesh.

Best Travel Mode #1 – Direct Train (The Most Popular Choice)

For most people traveling from Kolkata to Ujjain, the direct train is the best balance of cost, comfort, and convenience. You board in Howrah or Santragachi, and you wake up the next day (or two) in Ujjain.

The King of This Route – Train 22912 (Shipra Express)

Train number 22912 (Shipra Express) is the only direct train from Kolkata to Ujjain. It runs from Howrah Junction (HWH) to Indore Junction (INDB) , but it stops at Ujjain Junction (UJN) .

Approximate fares (2025-2026 rates – one way) :

• Sleeper class (SL) : ₹650 – ₹750

• 3rd AC (3A) : ₹1750 – ₹1950

• 2nd AC (2A) : ₹2550 – ₹2800

• 1st AC (1A) : ₹4300 – ₹4700

Why Shipra Express is your best bet : It takes a relatively straight route – Howrah → Asansol → Dhanbad → Bokaro → Bilaspur → Raipur → Nagpur → Itarsi → Bhopal → Ujjain. The track is good for most of the journey, and the arrival time (9:58 PM) is actually perfect – you reach Ujjain at night, check into a hotel, sleep well, and wake up fresh for the Bhasma Aarti at 4 AM.

The honest downside : 28 hours on a train is no joke. By the 20th hour, your back will hurt. Your legs will feel like jelly. The food will start tasting the same. This is not a "fun" journey – it is a functional one. You do it because you need to reach Ujjain.

Alternative Train – Via Nagda (Breaking the Journey)

If you cannot get a confirmed seat on Shipra Express (it sells out fast), consider this hack – take any train from Howrah to Nagda Junction (NAD) , which is just 40 minutes and 35 kilometers away from Ujjain. From Nagda, you can take a local train (passenger) or a taxi to Ujjain.

How to do this :

1. Take Train 12301 (Howrah–Rajdhani Express) to Nagda – 22 hours, arrives at 7:30 PM

2. From Nagda, take a passenger train to Ujjain – 40 minutes, ₹30-₹50

3. Or take a shared taxi from Nagda to Ujjain – 45 minutes, ₹150-₹200 per person

This two-train combination often costs less than a direct ticket on Shipra Express because Rajdhani has dynamic pricing. Plus, you reach Nagda earlier (7:30 PM vs 9:58 PM), so you are in Ujjain by 8:30 PM.

Best Travel Mode #2 – Flight + Train (The Fastest Way)

If time is more valuable than money for you, this is the way. Fly from Kolkata to a nearby airport, then take a short train or taxi to Ujjain.

Option A – Fly to Indore + Taxi (Fastest Overall)

Airlines that fly this route: IndiGo (direct), Air India (via Mumbai or Bhopal), Akasa Air (direct on some days). Check for direct flights – they save you 2-3 hours.

Who this is for : Business travelers, elderly pilgrims who cannot handle 28 hours on a train, families with young children, or anyone who just wants to get to Ujjain without losing two days.

Honest advice : Book your flight at least 3-4 weeks in advance. Last-minute fares on the Kolkata-Indore route can touch ₹12,000 – at which point it is cheaper to take the train and stay in a 5-star hotel in Ujjain.

Option B – Fly to Bhopal + Train (Budget-Friendly Flight Option)

If flights to Indore are too expensive, check flights to Bhopal (BHO) . Bhopal is further from Ujjain (180 km vs 55 km), but flights are often cheaper.

Why choose this : You save ₹2,000-₹3,000 compared to flying to Indore, and you still cut your travel time from 28 hours to 8-10 hours. The train from Bhopal to Ujjain (like Avantika Express or Shipra Express) is a short, comfortable ride.

Best Travel Mode #3 – Road Trip (Only for the Brave)

I am going to be very honest here. Driving from Kolkata to Ujjain is not for casual travelers. You will be on the road for 24 to 28 hours of actual driving. That means two full days if you stop overnight, or one brutal stretch if you take turns with a co-driver.

The Route (The Only Sane One)

Kolkata → Dhanbad → Bokaro → Bilaspur → Raipur → Nagpur → Bhopal → Ujjain

That is approximately 1,520 kilometers. Here is the breakdown:

Cost breakdown (petrol car, 12 km/liter, ₹105/liter) :

• Fuel cost : ₹13,300 – ₹13,600

• Toll charges : ₹2,200 – ₹2,500

• Food (2 days) : ₹600 – ₹1,000 per person

• One night hotel (if stopping overnight) : ₹800 – ₹1,500

• Total cost (car + toll) : ₹15,500 – ₹16,100

• Cost per person (4 people) : ₹3,875 – ₹4,025

Cost per person (4 people including hotel and food) : ₹4,800 – ₹5,500

Is it worth it? Only if you are traveling with 3 or 4 people and you genuinely enjoy long drives. The cost per person is actually higher than train sleeper class (₹650-₹750) and similar to 3AC train fare (₹1,800-₹1,900). So you are not saving money. You are choosing the road for the experience – not for savings.

Road Trip Warning – Read This Before You Decide

1. Do not do this alone. The stretch between Bokaro and Bilaspur goes through dense forests with patchy mobile network. If your car breaks down there at night, it is a real problem.

2. Start at 4 AM from Kolkata. You will cross the Vidyasagar Setu before traffic builds up. By 9 AM, you are past Dhanbad. By 4 PM, you are in Bilaspur or Raipur. Stop for the night at Raipur (hotels from ₹800-₹1,500). Then leave Raipur at 6 AM, reach Ujjain by 5-6 PM.

3. Keep cash for tolls. Many toll booths on the Bilaspur-Raipur-Nagpur stretch have "card machine not working" issues. Keep at least ₹2,500 in cash for tolls and unexpected expenses.

4. The Odisha-Jharkhand border area has bad roads for about 30 kilometers near Kendujhar (if you take that route). Stick to the Dhanbad-Bokaro-Bilaspur route – it is longer but better maintained.

Train vs Flight vs Car – A Honest Comparison Table

Reaching Mahakaleshwar Temple from Ujjain Railway Station or Airport

Once you arrive in Ujjain, here is how you get to the temple.

From Ujjain Railway Station (UJN) – about 2.5 km from temple:

• Shared auto-rickshaw : ₹40 – ₹60

• Private auto-rickshaw : ₹150 – ₹200

• E-rickshaw (shared) : ₹20 – ₹30

• City bus : ₹15 (route numbers 2, 4, or 6)

• Walking : 25-30 minutes (only if you have a small bag)

From Indore Airport (if you flew in) – 55 km:

• Prepaid taxi from airport : ₹1,200 – ₹1,500 (1 hour 15 minutes)

• Ola/Uber from airport : ₹1,000 – ₹1,300 (but availability is hit or miss)

• Airport to Indore bus stand (auto ₹100) then bus to Ujjain (₹100-₹150, 2 hours) : Cheaper but longer

From Bhopal Airport (if you flew there) – 180 km:

• Prepaid taxi from airport to Bhopal railway station : ₹150-₹200, 30 minutes

• Train from Bhopal to Ujjain : 3-4 hours, ₹200-₹400 (3AC)

• Direct taxi from Bhopal airport to Ujjain : ₹2,500 – ₹3,000 (3.5 to 4 hours)

Where to Stay in Ujjain for Different Budgets

After a 28-hour train or a flight, you need a decent place to sleep. Here is what you can expect.

Under ₹500 (Dharamshalas – Bare Basics)

• Shri Mahakal Dharamshala (100 meters from temple) – ₹300 per bed, shared bathroom

• Gurudwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha (1.5 km from temple) – free for devotees, donate ₹100-₹200

• Bholenath Dharamshala (near the station) – ₹400-₹500 for a simple room

₹500 – ₹1,200 (Decent Budget Hotels)

• Hotel Siddharth (700 meters from railway station) – ₹700-₹900 for a double room

• Hotel Vishnu Priya (1 km from temple) – ₹800-₹1,100, clean, basic

• Hotel Mahakal (near the temple) – ₹1,000-₹1,200, small but convenient

₹1,200 – ₹2,500 (Comfort Stay)

• Hotel Abika Inn (near Chintaman Ganesh) – ₹1,500-₹2,000, restaurant available, family-friendly

• Shipra Residency (near the railway station) – ₹1,800-₹2,500, clean, good service

• Hotel Atharv (on Indore Road) – ₹1,600-₹2,200, modern, safe parking

Over ₹2,500 (If You Want Rest After a Long Journey)

• Hotel Anjushree (near Mahakal temple) – ₹3,000-₹4,000, excellent service

• Mittal Paradise – ₹3,500-₹5,000, best in the city

Booking tip : If you arrive on Shipra Express at 9:58 PM, call your hotel before you board the train to confirm late check-in. Many budget hotels lock their gates at 11 PM. Ask them to keep the reception open for you.

Sample 3-Day Itinerary from Kolkata to Ujjain (The Smart Way)

This is the itinerary I have personally used. It is relaxed, covers everything, and does not leave you exhausted.

Day 1 (Travel Day – Train Option) :

• 3:00 PM – Reach Howrah station (traffic can be bad, leave early)

• 5:55 PM – Board Shipra Express (22912)

• 8:00 PM – Dinner on train (carry your own – the pantry car food is average)

• Sleep well – you have 28 hours ahead

Day 2 (Second Day on Train) :

• 8:00 AM – Breakfast (packed thepla or sandwiches)

• 12:00 PM – Lunch (order from pantry car or eat your own snacks)

• 7:00 PM – Start getting ready to deboard

• 9:58 PM – Arrive at Ujjain junction, take auto to hotel

• 11:00 PM – Reach hotel, check in, sleep

Day 3 (Darshan Day) :

• 3:30 AM – Wake up, freshen up

• 4:15 AM – Reach Mahakaleshwar Temple for Bhasma Aarti queue

• 6:00 AM – Aarti ends, have darshan

• 7:30 AM – Breakfast at Ram Ghat (kanda poha and jalebi – ₹50-₹70)

• 9:00 AM – Visit Harsiddhi Temple (walking distance)

• 10:30 AM – Visit Kaal Bhairav Temple (auto ₹50)

• 12:30 PM – Lunch at Apna Sweets (thali ₹120-₹150)

• 2:00 PM – Rest at hotel

• 5:00 PM – Visit Ram Ghat for sunset (beautiful)

• 7:00 PM – Evening aarti at Mahakal (if you have energy left)

• 8:30 PM – Dinner at Bholanath Chaat Bhandar (chaat and dosa – ₹100-₹150)

• 10:00 PM – Sleep

Day 4 (Return or Explore More) – You can either take the return Shipra Express (departs Ujjain at 3:40 AM – yes, early morning) or extend your stay.

Money-Saving Hacks for the Kolkata-Ujjain Route

Here are real tips that booking apps will not tell you.

1. Book your return ticket from Ujjain to Kolkata before you leave Kolkata. Shipra Express return (22911) departs Ujjain at 3:40 AM. It sells out just as fast as the onward journey. Do not assume you will get Tatkal from Ujjain – the quota there is very small.

2. Carry your own food for the 28-hour train journey. The pantry car on Shipra Express is inconsistent. Sometimes the food is okay. Sometimes it is inedible. Carry 6-7 meals worth of dry food – thepla, khakhra, dry bhel, instant noodles, biscuits, fruits (apples and bananas last well), and a 2-liter water bottle plus a smaller bottle to refill.

3. If flying, book your flight 4-6 weeks in advance. The Kolkata-Indore route gets expensive very close to the travel date. Use Google Flights to track prices.

4. Travel on Tuesday or Wednesday if possible. Avoid leaving Kolkata on Friday evening – Howrah station is a madhouse on Friday evenings. Avoid Monday arrivals in Ujjain – the temple is extremely crowded on Mondays (especially the first Monday of every month).

5. Use the paid cloakroom at Ujjain railway station (₹20-₹40 per bag). If you arrive at 9:58 PM and your hotel is far, do not drag your suitcase around. Leave it at the cloakroom, take just a small bag to the hotel, and retrieve it the next day.

6. Keep at least ₹1,000 in small notes (₹10, ₹20, ₹50) . Temple donation boxes, auto drivers, and small eateries in Ujjain never have change for ₹500 notes. I have seen people pay ₹100 for a ₹20 chai because they had no change.

What No One Tells You About This Journey (But You Must Know)

The 28-hour train is mentally taxing. By the 24th hour, you will be tired of sitting, tired of the same faces, tired of the train noise. Download movies, podcasts, and audiobooks before you leave. The mobile network is patchy between Bokaro and Bilaspur – do not rely on streaming.

The Bhasma Aarti queue starts forming at 2 AM for a 4 AM aarti. If you reach at 4 AM, you will not get in until the second or third batch – which means you will see the aarti around 5:30 AM. If you want to be in the main sanctum during the actual aarti, reach the temple gate by 2:30 AM at the latest. Yes, it is that early. Yes, it is worth it.

Ujjain has very few good restaurants open after 10 PM. If you arrive on Shipra Express at 9:58 PM, your only food options near the station are a few chai stalls and maybe one or two dhabas that close by 10:30 PM. Eat dinner on the train before you deboard, or carry a snack for when you reach your hotel.

The return Shipra Express leaves Ujjain at 3:40 AM. That means you need to reach the station by 3:00 AM at the latest. If you are not a morning person, this is brutal. I have done it multiple times. Set two alarms. Pre-book an auto the night before (ask your hotel reception to arrange it). Do not rely on finding an auto on the road at 3 AM – you will be standing there for 30 minutes.

The heat in Ujjain during summer is not a joke. If you travel between April and June, the afternoon temperature hits 44-45°C. The temple floor will burn your bare feet. Carry socks to wear inside the temple (they allow it). Drink water constantly – the temple offers free drinking water, but the queues can be long. Carry your own bottle.