Travelling to Dhamma Bodhi
(Updated Dec. 2007)
 By Air
The closest national airport is Patna airport (112 km from Bodhgaya). There are several direct flights
daily from Delhi and Kolkata. A taxi journey from Patna to Bodhgaya should cost approx Rs. 2000/-.
The closest international airport is at Gaya, approximately 12 to 15 Kms from Bodhgaya, but as of now,
this airport entertains flights from only a few Asian countries.
By Train
The nearest Railway station is Gaya (16 km from Bodhgaya). A taxi to Bodhgaya should cost approx. Rs. 400/-,
or a Scooter rickshaw about Rs.100/- ( more or less depending on the time of day). A shared Scooter rickshaw
could cost as little as Rs.12/-. For train timetables log on to http://www.indianrail.gov.in/, click on ‘train
between important stations’. To book ticket, click on ‘internet reservation’, or go directly to: www.irctc.co.in.
Some helpful hints:
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In the ‘class’ column, ‘A’ represents air-conditioned…these coaches are locked at night and are generally
safer for travel. Class 1A, where available, is the most expensive; ‘sleeper’ is the least expensive.
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City names have to entered in abbreviated form…these pop up by clicking on the tiny icons next to the relevant
boxes (after these have been filled up with the full names).
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Reservations are available for only up to 60 days in advance; book as early as you can.
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The 'I-ticket' is a ‘hard’ paper ticket delivered to your mailing address. The ’e-ticket’ is a web page that must be printed out.
By Road
The nearest transport hub is Gaya, a major point on the historical Grand Trunk Road. There are regular direct
bus services from Gaya, Patna, Nalanda, Rajgir & Varanasi. The Bihar State Tourism Development Corporation
run buses on the Patna-Bodhgaya route twice a day.
From Bodhgaya to Dhamma Bodhi: Travel to and from Bodhgaya to the Vipassana centre is a few kilometers,
and there are plenty of taxis, cycle-rickshaws, and auto-rickshaws available (at approx. 50 rupees per journey,
and much less for shared ‘cabs’).
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