From Bangladesh to Bodh Gaya and the Buddha's path

A practical guide to reaching the four great pilgrimage sites from Dhaka by land, by air or via Nepal.

Since 2024 India has limited visas for Bangladeshi citizens, and some cross-border rail and bus services have been suspended or reduced. Check the latest IVAC and Indian High Commission notices before planning.

The four great sites

The four places of the Buddha's life are Lumbini (birth, Nepal), Bodh Gaya (enlightenment), Sarnath (first sermon) and Kushinagar (passing). Add Rajgir and Nalanda. Allow 9 to 12 days.

Route 1: overland via Benapole–Petrapole

1. Bus from Dhaka to the Benapole border. Pay the land-port travel tax at the border (Sonali Bank booth).
2. Cross on foot to Petrapole, then a local train or bus from Bongaon to Kolkata.
3. Overnight train from Kolkata (Howrah) to Gaya, usually 7 to 9 hours. Bodh Gaya is 12 km from Gaya by auto-rickshaw.

Cheapest option, but the border can be slow. Check whether direct Dhaka–Kolkata buses are running.

Route 2: by air via Kolkata

Dhaka–Kolkata flights take about an hour. Continue by train to Gaya or on the limited flights to Gaya airport. Faster, a little more expensive.

Route 3: if you cannot get an Indian visa — via Nepal

Nepal is a good alternative. Fly Dhaka–Kathmandu direct, see Boudhanath and Swayambhu, then fly to Bhairahawa, 22 km from Lumbini. As SAARC citizens, Bangladeshis usually get a free on-arrival visa for up to 30 days on their first visit in a year.

A 10-day order

1. Days 1–2: Kolkata to Gaya, rest in Bodh Gaya.
2. Days 3–4: Bodh Gaya — Mahabodhi Temple, the Bodhi tree, national monasteries.
3. Day 5: Rajgir and Nalanda.
4. Days 6–7: Varanasi and Sarnath.
5. Day 8: Kushinagar.
6. Day 9: cross at Sunauli into Nepal for Lumbini.
7. Day 10: return (re-entering India needs a multiple-entry Indian visa).

Open this trip in the planner

Money

• Get your US dollars endorsed on your passport as Bangladesh Bank rules require.
• Mobile wallets such as bKash and Nagad generally do not work abroad; carry a card enabled for international use and some cash.
• The planner's budget section shows daily costs in taka and rupees.

When to go

October to March is comfortable. December and January are Bodh Gaya's Tibetan teaching season, with big crowds and higher room prices. April to June is very hot in Bihar.

Last updated: 2026-10-17