Buddhist circuit: Sarnath, Kushinagar and Shravasti
Buddhist circuit from Varanasi: Sarnath, Kushinagar and Shravasti
The Buddhist circuit from Varanasi: Sarnath, Kushinagar and Shravasti covers about 833 km of driving over 5 days. For 5 days with driver, a 17-seater tempo traveller costs ₹35,400–43,300 and a 49-seater coach ₹76,100–1,02,300 (as of Oct 2026).
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Photo: Preeti Prajapati, CC BY-SA 4.0 (cropped), via Wikimedia Commons
- Days
- 5 days
- Driving
- 833 km
- the whole loop
- Stops
- 3
- from Varanasi
- Fare from
- ₹35,400–43,300
- Tempo Traveller 17-seater, 5 days
The Uttar Pradesh half of the Buddhist circuit with one vehicle: Sarnath, where the Buddha first taught, Kushinagar, where he passed away, and Shravasti, where he spent many rainy seasons.
Groups from abroad usually join it in Varanasi; Lumbini in Nepal is a crossing away from Kushinagar for those with the papers.
How many are going?
Slide to your group size: the vehicle that fits and its fare, from the tables on this page.
Fits your group
Tempo Traveller 17-seater or Force Urbania (luxury van)
13–17 or 10–17 seats
₹6,800–8,400 for a full day (250 km)
Buddhist circuit: Sarnath, Kushinagar and Shravasti
₹35,400–43,300
Tempo Traveller 17-seater · 833 km loop one way · 5 days, round trip
Indicative fares from the tables on this page (see the notes under them); operators quote the exact price.
- Varanasi
- Sarnath
- Kushinagar
- Shravasti
Day-by-day plan (5 days)
Day 1: Varanasi to Sarnath11 km
The Dhamek Stupa, the Deer Park and the museum; the Ganga aarti in the evening.
Day 2: Sarnath to Kushinagar247 km
A long drive east by Gorakhpur; evening at the Mahaparinirvana temple.
Day 3: Kushinagar
The Ramabhar Stupa and the monasteries of the Buddhist countries.
Day 4: Kushinagar to Shravasti260 km
West to Shravasti; the Jetavana garden in the late afternoon.
Day 5: Shravasti to Varanasi315 km
Back to Varanasi for the flight or train.
What the circuit costs
About 833 km over 5 days with one vehicle and driver for the whole trip.
| Vehicle | Seats | Round trip, 5 days | Quotes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tempo Traveller 12-seater | 9–12 | ₹30,100–38,000 | Get quotes |
| Tempo Traveller 17-seater | 13–17 | ₹35,400–43,300 | Get quotes |
| Tempo Traveller 20–26 seater | 18–26 | ₹40,600–51,100 | Get quotes |
| Mini Bus 28–35 seater | 27–35 | ₹56,400–76,100 | Get quotes |
| AC Coach 40–49 seater | 36–49 | ₹76,100–1,02,300 | Get quotes |
Indicative range, updated Oct 2026; actual quotes from verified operators may differ. For a round trip with driver: vehicle hire at the class's ₹/km band (minimum 250 km a day), driver allowance ₹500 a day, night halt ₹300, 5% GST. Tolls and parking are extra, at actual cost. Post your trip for exact itemised quotes.
Cost per person
The 5-day fare split across every seat in the vehicle.
| Vehicle | Seats | Per person |
|---|---|---|
| Tempo Traveller 12-seater | 12 | ₹2,510–3,170 |
| Tempo Traveller 17-seater | 17 | ₹2,080–2,550 |
| Tempo Traveller 20–26 seater | 26 | ₹1,560–1,970 |
| Mini Bus 28–35 seater | 35 | ₹1,610–2,170 |
| AC Coach 40–49 seater | 49 | ₹1,550–2,090 |
Per person if every seat is filled (the Seats column); an estimate as of Oct 2026. Fewer people means a higher share each.
Which vehicle for your group
One vehicle and driver for the whole circuit; leave a seat or two spare for luggage.
| People | Vehicle | Full day (250 km), each |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Tempo Traveller 12-seater (9–12 seats) or Force Urbania (luxury van) (10–17 seats) | ₹5,800–7,400 |
| 17 | Tempo Traveller 17-seater (13–17 seats) or Force Urbania (luxury van) (10–17 seats) | ₹6,800–8,400 |
| 26 | Tempo Traveller 20–26 seater (18–26 seats) | ₹7,900–10,000 |
| 35 | Mini Bus 28–35 seater (27–35 seats) | ₹11,000–15,000 |
| 49 | AC Coach 40–49 seater (36–49 seats) | ₹15,000–20,200 |
Sizes come from the seats each vehicle class carries; leave a seat or two spare for luggage on long trips. Day fares are indicative, with driver allowance and 5% GST.
Good to know
- Monasteries welcome visitors quietly: dress modestly and keep voices low in the shrines.
Operators for Buddhist circuit: Sarnath, Kushinagar and Shravasti
Approved operators who take groups to Buddhist circuit: Sarnath, Kushinagar and Shravasti. Ask for quotes here: your request reaches them through the platform and you compare itemised offers.
VIJAY TRAVELS
VerifiedVehicle Owner
Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
2 vehicles · 7–16 seats
Questions groups ask
How many days do you need for Buddhist circuit: Sarnath, Kushinagar and Shravasti?
5 days. Over 5 days: day 1: Varanasi to Sarnath; day 2: Sarnath to Kushinagar; day 3: Kushinagar; day 4: Kushinagar to Shravasti; day 5: Shravasti to Varanasi.
How far is the Buddhist circuit: Sarnath, Kushinagar and Shravasti circuit?
About 833 km of driving in total. The longest day is day 5 (Shravasti to Varanasi), 315 km. Group vehicles average 45–50 km an hour with stops.
What does a Buddhist circuit: Sarnath, Kushinagar and Shravasti trip cost for a group?
For 5 days with driver: Tempo Traveller 12-seater ₹30,100–38,000; Tempo Traveller 17-seater ₹35,400–43,300; Tempo Traveller 20–26 seater ₹40,600–51,100; Mini Bus 28–35 seater ₹56,400–76,100; AC Coach 40–49 seater ₹76,100–1,02,300 (indicative, October 2026). Hotels, food and entry tickets are extra.
Which vehicle should we take?
12 people: Tempo Traveller 12-seater or Force Urbania (luxury van); 17 people: Tempo Traveller 17-seater or Force Urbania (luxury van); 26 people: Tempo Traveller 20–26 seater; 35 people: Mini Bus 28–35 seater; 49 people: AC Coach 40–49 seater. Leave a seat or two spare for luggage on long trips.
Can we add Bodh Gaya and Lumbini?
Yes: Bodh Gaya is in Bihar, a long drive east of Varanasi, and Lumbini is across the Nepal border from Gorakhpur. Ask operators to quote the longer circuit; foreign visitors need the right visa to cross into Nepal.