Auto-rickshaw
The default for short hops into town or up to the temple. Agree the fare before you get in; most drivers know Baliapanda and Marine Drive well.
Getting to Puri
Train, air and road — the three ways in, the stations and airports that serve them, and the last quiet mile along Marine Drive to our door.
- Nearest railway station
- Puri approx. 15 min by road
- Nearest airport
- Bhubaneswar approx. 60 km
- From Bhubaneswar
- Approx. 1–1.5 hrs by road
- From Kolkata
- Approx. 500 km overnight train or a long drive
- To the temple
- Approx. 3 km from the hotel
A note on timings. Road timings below are typical rather than guaranteed, and rail schedules change with the railway's seasonal timetable. Confirm your specific train and check road conditions before you travel — our travel desk is happy to help once you have a booking.
Arriving by rail
By train
Puri is a terminus, which makes rail the most civilised way to arrive. Trains come in on the East Coast Railway line via Khurda Road, the junction where the line from Bhubaneswar branches south to the coast. Because Puri is the end of the line, you step off and the town is immediately in front of you — no onward connection to arrange.
From Bhubaneswar the trip is short and frequent; several daily services cover it, and it is the usual choice for anyone arriving by air. From Kolkata there are long-distance services toward Puri and Bhubaneswar, most comfortably taken overnight. From Chennai and the south, services run up the east coast through Visakhapatnam.
At Puri railway station
- Autos and taxis wait outside the main exit; agree the fare first, or use the prepaid counter if one is operating.
- The station to hotel run is short — roughly fifteen minutes — but the last stretch along Marine Drive is best done in a vehicle rather than on foot with luggage.
- If you would rather not negotiate on arrival, ask reservations to book a car to meet your train. Give them the train number and expected arrival time.
Worth knowing — around Rath Yatra and other major festival days the town's roads close to traffic and the station precinct becomes extremely busy. Book transport in advance and allow a lot more time than usual.
Arriving by air
By air
Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar is the airport for Puri — about sixty kilometres away by road. It receives domestic services from the major Indian metros and a limited number of international connections.
Land at Bhubaneswar
Collect your bags and step out to the taxi rank, or meet a pre-booked car. App-based cabs operate at the airport, though availability can thin out late at night.
Choose road or rail onward
By road the drive is straightforward and takes roughly an hour to an hour and a half. By rail, Bhubaneswar station is close to the airport and there are frequent trains to Puri, which suit anyone who prefers not to drive after a flight.
Arrive and settle
Whichever you choose, tell us your arrival window and the front office will keep your room ready. If you land late, note it on the booking so someone is expecting you.
Arriving by road
By road
Puri is on NH-316, the coastal road that links Bhubaneswar, Konark and the beach settlements. Driving yourself is entirely practical, and the coastal road south to Konark is one of the better drives in Odisha.
| From | Route | Approx. distance | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bhubaneswar | NH-316 via Pipili or the direct Puri road | About 60 km | 1–1.5 hrs |
| Konark | Marine Drive / coastal road north | About 35 km | 1 hr |
| Chilika Lake | Via Satapada or Balugaon | Depends on the jetty | 1.5–2.5 hrs |
| Cuttack | Via Bhubaneswar | About 85 km | 2 hrs |
| Kolkata | NH-16 coastal, via Balasore and Bhadrak | About 500 km | 9–11 hrs |
Parking. If you are driving, tell the front desk in advance so they can allocate space. Distances and times in the table are indicative only — the coastal road slows considerably around festivals and during the monsoon.
Once you are here
Getting around Puri
Taxi or app cab
Better for airport runs, Konark and Chilika, or when it is raining. Availability is thinner than in a metro, so book ahead for early departures.
Hotel travel desk
Car hire with a driver, arranged through the hotel — the simplest option for day trips where you want to stop often.
On foot
The beach, Marine Drive and the hotel's own stretch of coast are all walkable. For the temple and the main bazaar, take a vehicle.
The last mile
Finding the hotel
New Marine Drive Road follows the coast north from the town. Baliapanda is the residential stretch where we sit — quieter than the beachfront strip closer to the centre, and set back just enough to be peaceful at night.
Tip for drivers. Give the driver "Marine Drive, Baliapanda, near the hotel strip" rather than only the postcode — Baliapanda is a long road and the hotel is not at its southern end.
Hotel address
Hotel Sonar Bangla, Puri
New Marine Drive Road
PO/PS - Baliapanda
Puri, Odisha 752001, India
A well-planned arrival
How the first day tends to go
If you are arriving from a distance, this is the shape of an afternoon and evening that works.
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Midday
Arrive and check in
Drop the bags. The front desk will confirm your view category and walk you through the hotel. If your room is ready early, so much the better.
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Early afternoon
Lunch at the multi-cuisine restaurant
Settle in without leaving the property — a relaxed meal, then a shower and a proper rest after the journey.
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Late afternoon
Walk the beach
The light softens, the crowd thins, and the water is at its most photogenic. Go east from the hotel gate and keep walking.
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Sunset
The terrace at Sundowner
Snacks and a drink above the water. This is the hour the whole property is designed around.
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Evening
Plan the next day at the desk
Book a car for the temple, or set up an early start for Konark while the roads are still cool and quiet.
Practical notes for the journey
- Carry cash
- Book festival transport early
- Allow for humidity
- Confirm your train
- Share your ETA
- Share your arrival time. Message or call reservations with your train or flight details and the front desk can plan around you — including an early check-in if the room allows.
- Travel light in festival season. Roads around the temple close during Rath Yatra and the town fills up; a smaller bag makes the last stretch far easier.
- Humidity is real. The Odisha coast is humid most of the year. Light cotton and a spare set of clothes in hand luggage will serve you better than a heavy coat.
- Ask about transfers. The travel desk arranges cars, and for a group or a family it is usually cheaper than two separate taxis.
- Accessibility. Tell us in advance about mobility needs — step-free access, a ground-floor room, or space for equipment — and the team will tell you plainly what is possible before you travel.
Arrival FAQs
Yes. Share your train or flight details with reservations and the travel desk will arrange a car. Give as much notice as you can, particularly in festival season.
Roughly fifteen minutes by road along Marine Drive. It is a short trip, but we recommend a vehicle rather than walking with luggage.
It is a long coastal drive of around 500 km. Many guests prefer the overnight train; if you do drive, plan a break at Balasore or Bhadrak and check road conditions on the day.
Tell us in advance if you are arriving by car so space can be allocated. See the FAQs for the full list of what the hotel provides.