Is A Day Trip To Bodh Gaya From Varanasi Worth It?
During my time in Varanasi, I took a Bodh Gaya day trip that turned out to be one of the longest days of my India vacation. Bodh Gaya (sometimes spelled Bodhgaya) is traditionally recognized as the site where Buddha reached enlightenment. With an early departure, a slow five-hour drive each way, and a return to Varanasi well after dark, a day trip to Bodh Gaya from Varanasi is definitely a long day.
So, was it worth it?
For me, yes. But I would mainly recommend this trip to travelers who have a real interest in Buddhist holy sites, Buddhist history, or the life of Buddha. This was not a casual side trip. It was long, hot, tiring, and focused almost entirely on the main Buddhist sites in Bodh Gaya.
Is A Day Trip To Bodh Gaya From Varanasi Worth It? - Table of Contents
- Leaving Varanasi Before Sunrise
- The Long Drive from Varanasi to Bodh Gaya
- Why I Would Not Try to Do This Independently
- Arriving at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya
- The Mahabodhi Temple Complex
- The Great Buddha Statue
- The Sleeping Buddha Statue
- Was the Day Trip Worth It?
- Who Should Take This Trip
- Tips for a Bodh Gaya Day Trip from Varanasi
- Final Thoughts
- Bodh Gaya Tour Options
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Leaving Varanasi Before Sunrise
I left my hotel in Varanasi around 5:00 a.m. to meet my guide, Himanshu and our driver. After confirming that they had arrived, I walked through the dark alleys of Varanasi to the main road. At that early hour, the city felt calm and peaceful.
I booked this private trip to Bodh Gaya from Varanasi with Himanshu as he had already been an excellent guide in Varanasi. After spending a full day touring with him, I trusted him to handle the long drive and the logistics of a more complicated trip like this one.
Once at the car, we began the lengthy drive to Bodh Gaya. Since it was still early, we were able to get through Varanasi fairly quickly before starting the much longer highway stretch. Even though the ride from Varanasi to Bodh Gaya was going to be around five hours each way, I was still excited. As a teacher who covers world religions, I had especially wanted to visit the place where Buddha is traditionally believed to have reached enlightenment.
The Long Drive from Varanasi to Bodh Gaya
The 250 kilometer drive from Varanasi to Bodh Gaya took about five hours each way. Most of the route followed National Highway 19, which was in decent condition overall. The bigger issue was the traffic. There were so many trucks on the road that we spent much of the drive slowly weaving around vehicles moving well below the speed limit. Because of that, the trip felt slow almost the entire way.
Himanshu had upgraded the vehicle to an SUV, which I appreciated on such a long drive. The SUV ran on clean natural gas, so we had to stop multiple times to refuel. Those stops were actually welcome because they gave us a chance to stretch our legs.
About an hour before reaching Bodh Gaya, we stopped for lunch at a small restaurant. I had vegetable chow mein, which was excellent. We reached Bodh Gaya at around 10:30 a.m parking in a lot near the outskirts of the city.
Why I Would Not Try to Do This Independently
Before the trip, I had looked into taking the train from Varanasi to Gaya and then transferring by taxi to Bodh Gaya. After actually arriving in Bodh Gaya, I can say with confidence that I think that would have been a logistical nightmare.
There were crowds, transportation was not immediately obvious, and even finding a local guide was overwhelming. At one point, around 15 different people crowded around us offering guiding services or trying to sell something. Without Himanshu, I think I would have felt lost in the middle of the confusion.
For me, paying about $170 for a private driver and guide was absolutely worth it. The day was already long enough. Trying to piece it together independently would have made it much more stressful.
Arriving at the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya
When we arrived in Bodh Gaya, we parked on the outskirts and then switched to a Tuk Tuk to reach the Mahabodhi Temple area. We had parked a few kilometers away in a designated parking area, and the Tuk Tuk took us right up to the temple’s entrance.
There were quite a few rules in place at the Mahabodhi Temple. Phones were not allowed inside, so I had to check both my phone and my bag before entering. The bag check was easy and free. Before going in, you pass through a security check where your belongings are x-rayed.
I also had to pay for camera permits. My camera pass cost 100 INR and my GoPro pass cost 300 INR. I paid in cash, although I am not sure whether cash was the only option.
Once inside, it was clear that this was the main highlight of the day.
The Mahabodhi Temple Complex
There is no entrance fee for the Mahabodhi Temple itself, and Himanshu had arranged for a local guide. Unfortunately, that part of the experience was not especially helpful. The guide did not do a very good job explaining the history of Buddha or the temple, and he repeatedly tried to get me to pay monks to “bless” me.
After walking the Mahabodhi Temple grounds with the local guide, Himanshu essentially took me through the temple grounds a second time himself, and that ended up being much more meaningful.
He and I discussed the story of Siddhartha Gautama, who was born into privilege, left palace life, witnessed suffering in the world, and eventually sought enlightenment. Himanshu explained how Bodh Gaya is traditionally recognized as the place where Buddha reached enlightenment under a Bodhi Tree, and how the Mahabodhi Temple marks that sacred location.
Mucalinda Sarovar
We began our second walkthrough at Mucalinda Sarovar, also called the Holy Pond. In the middle of the pond is a statue of Buddha being sheltered by Mucalinda, the serpent king. According to Buddhist tradition, Mucalinda protected Buddha during a great storm while he was meditating.
The Bodhi Tree and the Mahabodhi Temple
From there, we removed our shoes and walked around the temple complex. I had to take my shoes off multiple times in different sacred areas, especially near the Bodhi Tree and the Mahabodhi Temple itself.
Along the way, I saw imprints of Buddha’s footprints, offerings left by worshippers, and the Bodhi Tree that marks the sacred area associated with Buddha’s enlightenment. Even with other visitors around, the temple grounds felt peaceful overall.
One thing worth noting is that I was approached by multiple people offering to bless me for a tip. A polite “no thank you” worked the majority of the time. When it didn’t work, I simply walked away.
Inside the Mahabodhi Temple
Photos were not allowed inside the Mahabodhi Temple, although I was able to get a picture of the Buddha statue from outside using my zoom lens.
We also walked around the temple exterior, where I could see various stone carvings of Buddha etched into the structure. The temple itself was easily the highlight of the day. The statues later on were worth seeing, but if you go to Bodh Gaya, the Mahabodhi Temple is the main reason to make the trip.
It takes about an hour to walk the temple grounds at a comfortable pace, although you could spend longer if you wanted to move more slowly or observe more of the activity around you.
The Great Buddha Statue
After leaving the temple complex and reclaiming our belongings, we took another Tuk Tuk to the Great Buddha Statue. The Great Buddha Statue was completed in 1989 and was envisioned with support from the 14th Dalai Lama. The seated Buddha figure is 61 feet tall, and the overall monument measures about 80 feet.
We were not able to enter the grounds, but we could walk around the exterior and get good views and photos. Even from outside the fence, it was a worthwhile stop.
The Sleeping Buddha Statue
Our final stop in Bodh Gaya was the Sleeping Buddha Statue, also called the Reclining Buddha. This statue shows Buddha in the Mahaparinirvana pose, lying on his right side in calm acceptance of death. The statue was commissioned by the Buddha International Welfare Mission and opened in 2023.
I had to use my GoPro on its widest setting to get the full statue in frame. This stop was simpler than the Mahabodhi Temple, but I still thought it was worth including. The temple was the highlight, but I would not skip the statues if you are already making the long trip.
Was the Day Trip to Bodh Gaya Worth It?
We left Bodh Gaya at around 2:30 p.m. and got back to Varanasi around 7:45 p.m. By the time I returned to my hotel, I was exhausted. It had been a very long, hot, and tiring day.
Still, for me, it was worth it.
I would absolutely recommend this trip to people who are especially interested in:
- Buddhist Holy Sites
- Buddhist History
- The Life Of Buddha
- World Religions
If that is not your interest, I am less sure I would recommend it. There was not much else to see in Bodh Gaya outside of the Buddhist sights. This is not the kind of day trip you take just to casually explore a new town.
But if seeing one of the most important places in Buddhism matters to you, then I think it is a very rewarding experience.
Who Should Take This Trip
I think this day trip is best for:
- travelers with a strong interest in Buddhism
- people visiting India for religious or spiritual reasons
- teachers, students, or history-minded travelers
- anyone who specifically wants to see the Mahabodhi Temple in person
I think it is less ideal for:
- travelers looking for a relaxed day trip
- people who dislike long drives
- travelers who are not especially interested in Buddhist sites
- anyone hoping for a broader mix of sights
Tips for a Bodh Gaya Day Trip from Varanasi
- Expect a very long day. My trip ran from about 5:00 a.m. to 7:45 p.m.
- Use a private driver and guide if your budget allows. For me, that was the best way to do this trip.
- Do not underestimate the logistics. After arriving in Bodh Gaya, I was glad I did not try to manage trains, taxis, and local guides on my own.
- Bring cash. I paid cash for my camera permits.
- Be ready to remove your shoes multiple times. This was especially true near the Bodhi Tree and Mahabodhi Temple.
- Do not skip the statues, but prioritize the Mahabodhi Temple. That is the main reason to make the trip.
- Prepare for heat and fatigue. This was a rewarding day, but also an exhausting one.
Final Thoughts
For me, a day trip to Bodh Gaya from Varanasi was worth it, but only because I genuinely wanted to see one of the most important sites in Buddhism. The Mahabodhi Temple was the highlight, and seeing the Great Buddha Statue and Sleeping Buddha Statue rounded out the day well.
It was long, hot, and tiring, and I do not think it is the right trip for everyone. But for travelers with a real interest in Buddhist holy sites, I think this is a very rewarding journey.
Varanasi to Bodh Gaya Tour Options
Linked below are several tour options for traveling to Bodh Gaya from Varanasi. The first link on the left is Himanshu’s Varanasi tour. At the moment, he does not have a Bodh Gaya tour listed online. If you would like to tour with him, I recommend messaging him through Viator. He should be able to help you arrange a direct booking.
The three options on the right are Bodh Gaya tours offered by other companies. Please note that I am a Viator affiliate, so I may earn a small commission if you book a tour through one of my links, at no additional cost to you. If you book directly with Himanshu, I will not earn a commission. That is completely fine with me, as he is a hardworking guide and I am very happy to recommend him.
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