Visitor Information
You can try the Government of Orissa Tourist Office (5 Jaydev Nagar; tel. 0674/243-2022; Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, closed on the second Sat of each month) for information about the region.
Getting There
By Air -- Bhubaneswar is connected to most of the main cities in India: Kingfisher (tel. 180-0209-3030; www.flykingfisher.com) and Jetlite (tel. 1800-22-3020; www.jetlite.com) have direct flights to Kolkata (55 min.); to Delhi (2 hr.) Indian Airlines (tel. 1800-180-1407; www.indianairlines.in), Jetlite, Kingfisher, Indigo (tel. 1800-180-3838; http://book.goindigo.in); and to Mumbai (3 hr.) you can use Indian Airlines and Kingfisher. There are connections to and from several destinations in South India, including Chennai and Hyderabad. Bhubaneswar's Biju Patnaik Airport is about 4km (2 1/2 miles) from the center, in the southwest. The airport has a tourist information counter, as well as a taxi service; though this is not a prepaid service, transfers into the city should cost no more than Rs 200.
By Train -- The best train from Delhi is the Rajdhani Express, but the trip is lengthy -- 25 hours -- and departures are only 2 days per week; other trains may take 30 to 42 hours. From Kolkata, the Howrah-Puri Express is the most convenient (it's overnight); however, the quickest is the Faluknama Express (under 7 hr.). Puri is 1 1/2 hours from Bhubaneswar, and there is regular train service between the two cities. For inquiries and reservations, your best bet is to see a travel agent or to visit the train reservation office personally.
By Road -- If you want to drive or bus it here from Kolkata (500km/310 miles away), count on spending 13 hours propped up in your seat.
Getting Around
By Taxi & Auto-Rickshaw -- Auto-rickshaws in Bhubaneswar are unusually comfortable and well maintained. Drivers are genuinely helpful, if sometimes unable to understand you. Taxis from Bhubaneswar to Puri or Konark are readily available; for taxi excursions, be clear about the duration of your journey, and the sights you wish to cover. Hiring a car and driver is a good way to save time. Try Mercury Travels at the Trident Hilton (Nayapalli; tel. 0674/230-1010, ext. 49), or Swosti Travels (103 Janpath; tel. 0674/253-5773 or -5771) -- each of which handles flights, car rentals, and tours of the state. Inexpensive full-day coach tours of the city and the entire Golden Triangle region are administered by the O.T.D.C. Head Office (tel. 0674/243-2382; www.orissa-tourism.com), but these are targeted at domestic visitors.
Tip: Heritage Tours (www.heritagetoursorissa.com) is a reputable outfit with years of experience. Located at the entrance of the Mayfair Beach Resort in Puri, it specializes in "Lifestyle Tours" (including learning trips on such subjects as yoga, Odissi dance, Ayurveda, stone carving, and sand sculpting) as well as rural and tribal excursions. Besides organizing every aspect of trips lasting anything from 1 to 20 days, Heritage Tours also deals with ticketing and transportation matters.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
