Mathura is approximately 145 km from Delhi by rail and 165 km by road. The fastest way to reach Mathura from Delhi is by train — express trains from New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin reach Mathura Junction in just 1.5–2 hours. By Yamuna Expressway, the drive takes 2–2.5 hours. Mathura is the birthplace of Lord Krishna and the gateway to the entire Braj region.
Mathura is ~145 km by rail and ~165 km by road from Delhi. Fastest option: Train to Mathura Junction / MTJ (1.5–2 hrs) from New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin. By car: Yamuna Expressway (2–2.5 hrs), toll ~₹220. Door-to-door taxi: ₹1,800–2,500. UPSRTC bus from Anand Vihar ISBT: 3.5–4.5 hrs. From Mathura you can continue to Vrindavan (12 km), Govardhan (22 km) or Gokul (10 km).
Comparison of all modes of travel from Delhi to Mathura
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Taxi service from Mathura station, local guides, full tour packages — one call covers it all.
Train is the fastest and most popular way to travel from Delhi to Mathura. Mathura Junction (MTJ) is a major railway junction with 20+ daily trains from Delhi — departing from New Delhi (NDLS), Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM), Old Delhi (DLI) and Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT).
Everything you need to know when you arrive at Mathura Junction (MTJ) — India's important pilgrimage railway junction.
Mathura Junction has two main exits. Main Exit (Platform 1 side) opens to the main taxi and auto stand. Use this exit for transport to Krishna Janmabhoomi, Vishram Ghat and Vrindavan.
Prepaid taxi counter is at the main exit (turn right after exiting). Auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws are directly outside the gate. For Vrindavan, fix fare before boarding — standard ₹150–200 by auto.
Multiple food stalls on the platforms — puri sabzi, chai, packaged snacks. Water available at station taps. IRCTC food plaza near the main concourse. Full meals available outside the station gates.
Luggage cloak room available at Mathura Junction — store bags for ₹20–30 per bag per day. Useful if you want to explore temples light. Locate near the station master's office.
AC and non-AC waiting rooms on Platform 1. AC waiting room requires a valid ticket. Retiring rooms available for overnight stays at the station — book via IRCTC website.
Mathura Junction is approximately 2 km from Krishna Janmabhoomi and 3 km from Vishram Ghat. Vrindavan is 12–13 km from the station. Ola/Uber also available from the station area.
Driving from Delhi to Mathura via the Yamuna Expressway is the best road option — smooth 6-lane highway, 2–2.5 hours, toll ~₹220. Total road distance: ~165 km.
Private taxis offer door-to-door service from Delhi to Mathura — ideal for families, pilgrims with luggage, and senior visitors. Book Ola Outstation, Uber Intercity, or a local operator.
* One-way fares. Confirm current rates before booking.
UPSRTC (Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation) runs frequent bus services directly from Delhi to Mathura Bus Stand. This is the most economical option for budget travellers.
Mathura is the gateway to the entire Braj region. Here are the key destinations from Mathura:
Taxi ₹400–500, Auto ₹250–300
Auto ₹120–150, E-rickshaw shared
Taxi ₹600–800, Shared tempo
Taxi ₹900–1,200, Yamuna Expressway
Important things to know before travelling from Delhi to Mathura
Depart Delhi by 6–8 AM for a morning arrival. Mathura is best explored before noon — ghats, Janmabhoomi darshan, and temple queues are shortest in the morning.
Book on IRCTC (irctc.co.in) or the IRCTC Rail Connect app. Book 1–2 weeks ahead for AC classes. Mathura Junction station code: MTJ.
Keep FASTag active or carry cash for toll (~₹220 one way for small car). Cameras enforce 100 km/h limit throughout. Fuel up before entering the expressway.
Janmashtami, Holi, and Govardhan Puja see 5–10 lakh pilgrims in Mathura. Book trains 2–3 months ahead for these dates. Roads can be 4–5x busier.
Hotels are available near Mathura Junction, Vishram Ghat and Dwarkadheesh Temple. Budget guesthouses to premium hotels. Book in advance during festival season.
Inner Mathura lanes are narrow — auto and e-rickshaw are better than taxis for temple-to-temple movement. Download Google Maps offline for Mathura before travelling.
Common questions about travelling from Delhi to Mathura
The fastest and most convenient way to reach Mathura from Delhi is by train. Multiple trains depart from New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin and Anand Vihar Terminal daily. Journey time: 1.5–2 hours to Mathura Junction (MTJ). By car via Yamuna Expressway: 2–2.5 hours. Door-to-door taxi: 2.5–3 hours.
Delhi to Mathura distance: approximately 145 km by rail. By road via Yamuna Expressway: ~165 km. By NH-19 (old Agra highway): ~150–160 km. Drive time: 2–2.5 hours by Yamuna Expressway (fastest). Train journey: 1.5–2 hours on express trains.
Multiple express and Shatabdi-class trains run daily from New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin and Anand Vihar to Mathura Junction. The Shatabdi-class trains cover the distance in approximately 90 minutes. Express trains take 1.5–2 hours. Book on IRCTC.co.in. Mathura Junction station code: MTJ.
Delhi to Mathura cost: By train (Sleeper): ₹100–200; Train (3AC): ₹400–600; Own car (fuel + toll): ₹500–700; Taxi/cab: ₹1,800–2,500; UPSRTC bus: ₹150–250. Most economical: Sleeper class train. Most comfortable: AC train or private taxi.
Mathura's top attractions: Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi (Krishna's birthplace), Vishram Ghat (sacred Yamuna ghat), Dwarkadhish Temple, Birla Mandir, Radha Kund, Gita Mandir, and the 25 ghats along the Yamuna. Most temples are open 5 AM–12 PM and 4–9 PM. Combine with Vrindavan (12 km) and Govardhan (22 km) for a complete Braj pilgrimage.
From Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI), Mathura is approximately 175–190 km by road (2.5–3.5 hours depending on Delhi traffic). Take taxi/Ola/Uber from IGI to Hazrat Nizamuddin station (30 min) then train to Mathura (1.5 hrs) — this is faster than direct road. Or book a direct airport-to-Mathura taxi (~₹3,000–4,000).
Yes — a Delhi to Mathura Vrindavan day trip is very popular. Depart Delhi by 7 AM (train or car), reach Mathura by 9 AM. Do Krishna Janmabhoomi and Vishram Ghat darshan (2–3 hrs), drive 12 km to Vrindavan (ISKCON, Banke Bihari, Prem Mandir — 3–4 hrs), then depart by 4–5 PM to reach Delhi by 7–8 PM. A local guide is highly recommended to maximize temple visits.
Yes — UPSRTC operates regular bus services from Anand Vihar ISBT (Interstate Bus Terminal) and Sarai Kale Khan to Mathura. Buses run throughout the day. Journey time: 3.5–4.5 hours. Fare: approximately ₹150–250. Private AC buses and Volvo services are also available. The bus drops you at Mathura Bus Stand near the city centre.
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