Ayodhya airport at a glance
The airport is called Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya. Its IATA code is AYJ and its ICAO code is VEAY. Ayodhya no longer depends on Lucknow for flights, although Lucknow (LKO) remains a second option. Do not mix up the codes: AYJ is the airport, while the railway station Ayodhya Junction uses the code AY.
Flights link Ayodhya with Delhi and other Indian cities. Nonstop service and frequency can change by season, so check the schedule for your date before you plan around it. If you want transport arranged with a guided visit, see the Ayodhya temple tours and day trips.
Our pick: pickup at Ayodhya airport
This tour picks you up at the airport or your hotel, so the transfer to the temples is part of the booking.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Ayodhya tours and day trips
Temple tours, ghat visits and day trips around Ayodhya, with live prices and availability.
Taxi and transfers from the airport
Rough costs in 2026. They are guides, not fixed fares.
| Option | Rough cost | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Prepaid taxi | INR 300 to INR 600 | Takes about 20 to 30 minutes to the centre. Agree the price before you get in. |
| App cab | INR 300 to INR 500 | Price depends on demand. Check that the pickup point is where you expect. |
| Auto-rickshaw | INR 150 to INR 300 | Fine for light luggage. Negotiate before you start. |
| Bus | INR 20 to INR 50 | Cheapest option. Ask about the route and the stop, since a fixed airport shuttle is not assured. |
For most travellers arriving with luggage, a prepaid taxi or an app cab is the simplest choice. Take the bus only if you know your route and stop and travel light.
Car with driver from Ayodhya airport
A private car is comfortable, but it has limits.
You can hire a car with a driver for the transfer or for a day around Ayodhya. It saves you from negotiating at the exit and is useful with children or heavy bags. It does not buy a special entry. Roads near the temples can be restricted, and there is no fixed drop-off point at the temple gate. Expect to walk the last part. Parking prices and rules near the airport and the temples are not fixed, so ask the driver or your host before you rely on them.
Agree on the price, the pickup time and the route in writing, and keep the driver's phone number. If you arrive late at night, tell your hotel so someone can meet you.
Where the airport sits
Distances to the main reference points.
Ayodhya Junction
The airport lies about 8 km south of the railway station Ayodhya Junction. These are bearings for orientation, not taxi routes.
Ayodhya Cantt
It lies about 3 km north-east of Ayodhya Cantt, the second main station in the city. The two stations are different places, so ask your driver which one you mean.
Ayodhya Dham and the temple area
The distance is about 10 km to Ayodhya Dham and 8 to 10 km to the temple area and city centre. The drive is short, but crowds and road controls can add time on busy days. Leave extra time before your flight, and read the darshan timings before you fit a temple visit around it.
Lucknow airport as a backup
When AYJ does not fit your dates.
Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport in Lucknow has the code LKO. It is a sensible backup if Ayodhya has no flight that suits you. From Lucknow you continue by road or rail. The distance from the city of Lucknow to Ayodhya is about 130 km by road, and the transfer from the airport itself depends on your route, so ask for a quote and a time before you book. For trains and buses, see getting to Ayodhya. In winter, fog can disturb flights and trains, so see the Ayodhya weather before you plan tight connections.
Ayodhya airport: frequently asked questions
What is the code of Ayodhya airport?
The IATA code is AYJ and the ICAO code is VEAY. The airport is called Maharishi Valmiki International Airport, Ayodhya. The railway station Ayodhya Junction uses a different code, AY.
How far is Ayodhya airport from Ram Mandir?
About 8 to 10 km to the temple area and the city centre, and about 10 km to Ayodhya Dham. A taxi usually takes 20 to 30 minutes, but crowds and road controls can add time.
How much is a taxi from Ayodhya airport?
As a rough guide in 2026, a prepaid taxi costs INR 300 to INR 600, an app cab INR 300 to INR 500 and an auto-rickshaw INR 150 to INR 300. These are not fixed fares.
Is there a bus from Ayodhya airport?
A bus costs roughly INR 20 to INR 50. A fixed airport shuttle with a set line and timetable is not assured, so ask about the route and the stop on arrival.
Can a taxi take me to the temple gate?
Not necessarily. A taxi or a car with a driver may be stopped some distance away because of road controls. Plan to walk the last stretch.
Is Lucknow still an option?
Yes. From Lucknow airport (LKO) you continue by road or rail. Ayodhya is about 130 km from the city of Lucknow by road.