Ask ten people how to go from Delhi to Vrindavan and you will hear ten answers. Take the Shatabdi, take the bus, hire a cab, take the Yamuna Expressway. They are all right. The question is which suits you, and the honest answer depends on your luggage, your companions and the hour you land.
This note compares the train and the bus with plain pros and cons, so that you can decide without a sales pitch. We are a cab service, and we will say when the train is the better choice.
Distance and time (live map check)
Delhi to Mathura is roughly 140 to 180 km depending on the source, with a road figure of about 145 km often given. Vrindavan is another 12 km beyond Mathura. By road from Delhi airport it is about 170 to 175 km, usually three hours. By train, the fastest services to Mathura Junction are reported at about one hour twenty minutes, with typical times of one and a half to three hours.
These figures come from aggregator sites and may be out of date. Check the live timetable on the day you travel.
Route options and road conditions
By rail, you take a train from New Delhi, Hazrat Nizamuddin or another Delhi station to Mathura Junction, then travel the last 12 km by road. By road, the Yamuna Expressway and NH-19 are the main routes, both with tolls. Buses use the same roads.
The Mathura to Vrindavan stretch can be slow in the daytime, with traffic and crowded junctions. Allow thirty to forty-five minutes for 12 km. The old rail branch between the two towns has been closed since March 2023, so there is no train for this stretch.
Cab, train, bus: honest comparison
The train is comfortable, fast and cheap. One aggregator lists around forty-five trains between Delhi and Mathura, and a Shatabdi service is listed at about 1 hour 19 minutes. The drawbacks are the booking, since good trains fill early, the transfer from the station to Vrindavan, and the crowd on the platform. It is a good choice for light travellers and for those arriving in daytime.
The bus is cheap and runs often, but it is slower, more crowded and stops at a bus stand, not at your stay. Luggage space can be tight, and women travelling alone may find it tiring. There are also private coaches, some of which are listed on route-comparison sites, but quality varies.
A cab costs more, but it is door to door, handles luggage, allows a stop on the way and suits groups, elders and late arrivals. For a family of four or more, a cab is often the better value.
The last 12 km: Mathura to Vrindavan
From Mathura Junction, e-rickshaws, autos and taxis go to Vrindavan. Agree the full fare before you sit, because quotes for tourists can be high. Some shared vehicles ply the Mathura-Vrindavan road, and buses run too. If you have luggage, a prepaid taxi or a pre-booked cab is simpler.
Tell your stay the time of your arrival, since many places close their gates early.
Keep a screenshot of the ticket with the pick-up contact in one note.
Which one should you choose
Choose the train if you travel light, like to see the countryside and arrive in daytime. Book early, aim for a morning train, and arrange the transfer from Mathura beforehand. Choose the bus if budget is your only concern and your plans are flexible. Choose a cab if you are with elders, children or heavy luggage, if you land at night, or if you want to stop at Kokilavan on the way.
There is no shame in mixing: some guests take the train to Mathura and a cab arranged for the last 12 km, which gives the speed of the rail and the comfort of a car. We can arrange such a pick-up at the station if you give us your train number.
Booking fairly
For a train, book through the official IRCTC site or a trusted app, choose a train with comfortable timing, and keep the e-ticket. For a cab from the station, ask for a fixed fare and the driver's name. For a full cab from Delhi, see our taxi note: price with tolls inside, car type, wait terms and written confirmation.
Never pay a stranger who approaches you at the platform and offers to book you a room or a cab.
Charge your phone fully the night before.
Safety and comfort tips
Keep your bag in front of you on trains and buses, use a chain or a lock if you sleep, and keep valuables in an inner pocket. Carry water and a snack. Avoid arriving at Mathura Junction late at night alone, as the station area is busy and confusing at night, so pre-arrange a pick-up.
In winter fog, trains and flights are delayed. Keep a buffer.
Arrival plan in Braj
Tell your driver or stay your train number and expected time. Plan to rest on arrival, and choose a calm temple in the evening. If you arrive at Mathura, a quick Janmabhoomi visit is possible only if it is open and you have no phone or bag to leave; otherwise go to your stay first.
Remember that cars cannot enter the old lanes of Vrindavan, so ask your stay where the vehicle stops.
Related guides
See our guides on Delhi to Vrindavan by taxi, Delhi airport to Vrindavan and fog-season transfers, and the Banke Bihari guide page.
Questions, answered
What is the fastest train from Delhi to Mathura?
Reported at about 1 hour 19 minutes for a Shatabdi service. Check the live IRCTC timetable.
How do I get from Mathura station to Vrindavan?
By e-rickshaw, auto, taxi or bus, about 12 km. Agree the fare first.
Is a cab better than a train?
A cab takes you from your pickup to your stay, and suits groups and luggage. The train is cheaper and faster for light travellers.
Timings, entry rules and fees change. Please confirm on the day with the temple or your driver.
- Live train timetable and fares
- Bus operators and stands
- Fare for the Mathura to Vrindavan transfer
- Fog delays
Walking this path soon?
If you would like a driver who knows the lanes and the timings, the lala:Cab app is there when you are ready. No advance, no pressure.