Kolkata to Puri & Konark Itinerary: Travel Guide

The most popular way to do a Kolkata to Puri and Konark trip is a 3-day, 2-night road journey: drive roughly 500 km south to Puri (8.5 to 9.5 hours via NH16), spend a full day at Jagannath Temple and the beach, then take a half-day loop to Konark Sun Temple (about 35 km from Puri) before heading back. This route works beautifully by private cab because you can break the long highway run at Kharagpur or Balasore and reach the Bay of Bengal coast at your own pace.

Below is a complete, local-tested plan covering distances, indicative 2026 cab fares, what to see in Puri and Konark, the best time to visit, and the small details Bengali families learn only after doing this trip a few times.

Kolkata to Puri: Distance, Routes and Drive Time

Puri sits about 500 km from central Kolkata along National Highway 16 (the old NH5 / Kolkata-Chennai corridor). It is a smooth four-lane drive for most of the way, passing through Kharagpur, Balasore, Bhadrak and Cuttack before you turn off near Bhubaneswar towards Puri.

Two practical routings exist:

• Via Bhubaneswar (standard): Kolkata to Bhubaneswar on NH16, then NH316 down to Puri. Roughly 500 km, 8.5 to 9.5 hours with one meal stop.
• Via Cuttack-Pipili bypass: Marginally shorter in light traffic and lets you stop at Pipili village for its famous applique handicrafts before reaching Puri.

If you are weighing a train versus a private cab, the cab wins on flexibility because Konark has no railway station and local Puri-Konark buses run on their own clock. A car lets you cover the temple, the Sun Temple and Chandrabhaga beach in a single relaxed day. For the broader route options and city pickups, see our outstation cab from Kolkata page.

Indicative Cab Fares: Kolkata to Puri & Konark

The fares below are indicative 2026 ranges for a round trip including the Puri-Konark sightseeing loop. Final cost depends on the exact number of days, kilometres run, driver allowance and car category.

Note: fares vary with season (Rath Yatra and Durga Puja holidays are peak), traffic, fuel rates and car availability. Toll, parking and applicable taxes are usually extra.

Ready to lock in dates and a car? You can book your Puri-Konark cab here and get a confirmed driver who knows the NH16 stops.

Suggested 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1 — Kolkata to Puri (drive day)

Start early, ideally by 6 am, to beat Kolkata’s morning traffic on the way out via Kona Expressway. Plan a breakfast or tea halt around Kolaghat (famous for its highway dhabas) and a lunch break near Balasore or Bhadrak. You should reach Puri by mid-afternoon. Check into your hotel near the beach or the temple, then catch the sunset and the evening Mahaprasad scene at the seafront. Many travellers attend the evening aarti at Jagannath Temple on the first night.

Day 2 — Puri temples, Konark and Chandrabhaga

Spend the morning at the Jagannath Temple (one of the Char Dham). Go early to avoid the rush; remember non-Hindus are not permitted inside the main sanctum, but the surroundings and the rooftop view from nearby buildings are worth it. After lunch, drive the scenic Marine Drive to Konark Sun Temple (about 35 km, 45-60 minutes). Spend two to three hours at this 13th-century UNESCO World Heritage chariot temple, then unwind at Chandrabhaga Beach, 3 km away, before returning to Puri for the night.

Day 3 — Puri local + return to Kolkata

Squeeze in a quick morning visit to Gundicha Temple and the local Mahaprasad at Ananda Bazaar, or pick up Pipili applique and Odisha handlooms on the way out. Begin the drive back by late morning to reach Kolkata by evening.

Distances at a Glance

What to See and Do

• Jagannath Temple, Puri: The spiritual heart of the trip and home of the annual Rath Yatra. The Mahaprasad cooked here is legendary.
• Konark Sun Temple: Designed as the sun god Surya’s chariot with 24 intricately carved stone wheels and seven horses. A guide on site makes the carvings come alive.
• Puri Beach: Wide golden sand, camel rides and the famous sand-art near the lighthouse. Sunrise here is special.
• Chandrabhaga Beach: Cleaner and quieter than Puri Beach, ideal for a calm evening near Konark.
• Raghurajpur: A heritage crafts village near Puri known for Pattachitra painting, if you have an extra few hours.
• Optional extension: Add Chilika Lake (Asia’s largest brackish-water lagoon) for dolphin spotting, about 50 km from Puri.

Best Time to Visit

The ideal window is October to February, when the coastal weather is pleasant and the sea is calm enough for long beach walks. The Rath Yatra (usually June-July) is spectacular but extremely crowded, so book your cab and hotel weeks in advance. Avoid peak summer (April-May) when Odisha’s coast gets hot and humid, and watch out for the monsoon spells from late June to September.

Local Tips from Safar Kolkata

• Carry cash for temple offerings, panda (priest) charges and small handicraft stalls; UPI works in most hotels but not every kiosk.
• Dress modestly for temple visits and be ready to remove footwear; leave leather items in the car.
• Beware of unsolicited pandas at Jagannath Temple who demand high fees; agree on amounts upfront or stick to official channels.
• Try the Mahaprasad and local Odia thali, but eat at clean, busy stalls to stay safe.
• Keep your driver’s number handy and fix the Konark departure time so you are back in Puri before dark.
• If you are flying in from elsewhere, our Kolkata airport taxi service can pick you up and start the journey straight from the terminal.

Prefer a curated package with hotel, sightseeing and driver bundled together? Browse our Kolkata tour packages for ready Puri-Konark options, or book your trip now and we will tailor the itinerary to your dates.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do I need for a Kolkata to Puri and Konark trip?

Three days and two nights is the comfortable standard: one day to drive down, a full day for Puri and Konark sightseeing, and a return day. With four days you can add Chilika Lake or Bhubaneswar’s temples.

What is the distance from Kolkata to Puri by road?

Puri is about 500 km from Kolkata via NH16, taking roughly 8.5 to 9.5 hours by car with one meal break. Konark is an additional 35 km from Puri.

How much does a cab from Kolkata to Puri and Konark cost?

Indicative 2026 round-trip fares range from about Rs 11,000-14,000 for a hatchback to Rs 22,000-28,000 for a premium SUV, depending on car type, days and kilometres. Tolls and parking are usually extra and fares vary by season.

Can non-Hindus enter Jagannath Temple in Puri?

No, the main sanctum of Jagannath Temple is open only to Hindus. Visitors of other faiths can still view the temple complex from nearby rooftops and enjoy Puri’s beaches and Konark Sun Temple freely.

What is the best time to visit Puri and Konark?

October to February offers the most pleasant coastal weather. Rath Yatra in June-July is a major draw but very crowded, while summer and peak monsoon months are best avoided.