Road trip guide

Bhadrak Varanasi

Planning to travel from Bhadrak to Varanasi? It is about 800 km by road and 15 to 18 hours by bus. Here is the whole journey: the towns on the way, the best time to leave, and how to travel comfortably.

about 800 kmabout 15 to 18 hours3 big stops on the way

Photo: Dashashwamedh Ghat, Saaremees, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Quick answer

Bhadrak to Varanasi by bus takes about 15 to 18 hours and covers about 800 km by road, via Baripada, Hazaribagh, Sasaram. Leave in the afternoon or evening and arrive the next day.

The journey, stop by stop

The big towns the road passes, in order.

Bhadrakstart
Baripada
Hazaribagh
Sasaram
Varanasi arrive

What the road is like

From Bhadrak the road passes Baripada, Hazaribagh and Sasaram before reaching Varanasi.

Varanasi on the Ganga is one of the holiest cities in India, known for its ghats and the evening Ganga aarti.

Bhadrak is a busy town on the coastal highway, home of the Bhadrakali temple. It sits between Balasore and Cuttack on the main north-south road.

Trains also connect the Bhadrak area with Varanasi. Check IRCTC for direct trains and current availability: on festival and holiday dates they often sell out weeks ahead.

Why go by bus, not train?

Why more and more people now choose the road for Bhadrak to Varanasi.

Board near home: a bus stops at towns and junctions along the way, so you do not have to travel to a big station first.
Seats when trains are full: on popular dates, train seats to Varanasi sell out weeks ahead, while buses add capacity close to the date.
Live tracking your family can follow, so nobody has to call you at midnight to ask where you are.
A proper berth to sleep in: a modern AC sleeper coach gives you your own lie-flat berth with curtains, charging and a reading light.
Why buses are growing: new expressways, better coaches and online booking with seat choice have made long-distance road travel faster and far more comfortable than it was a few years ago.

Tips for the journey

Pick a lower berth if you get up at night, and an upper berth if you want the most privacy and the least foot traffic.

Carry a light shawl: AC coaches run cool after midnight, even in summer.

Keep your ID, phone charger and water in a small bag at your berth, and the big bag in the luggage hold.

Share your live bus tracking link with family before you sleep, so they can see where you are without calling.

Eat a light dinner before boarding. Long-route coaches stop for meals, but timings depend on the road.

Questions travellers ask

How long does Bhadrak to Varanasi take by bus?

About 15 to 18 hours, depending on traffic, stops and the exact road.

How far is Varanasi from Bhadrak by road?

About 800 km.

Which towns are on the way from Bhadrak to Varanasi?

Baripada, Hazaribagh and Sasaram.

When is the best time to leave?

Leave in the afternoon or evening and arrive the next day.

Is it better to go by bus or train from Bhadrak to Varanasi?

Both work. A bus lets you board near home and often has seats when trains are full; a train can be faster on some routes. For a trip this long, choose an AC sleeper berth.

Useful links: the road route on Google Maps and IRCTC for current trains. Distances and times are rounded and vary with traffic and stops.

Last updated 15 October 2026 by the Nandighosh travel team.