Prayagraj, India: travel guide

Sangam of the Ganges and Yamuna, and home of the Kumbh Mela

Sangam city at the confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna, and mythical Saraswati rivers — host to the world's largest human gathering, the Kumbh Mela.

About Prayagraj

Prayagraj, formerly Allahabad, sits where the Ganges and Yamuna meet, a confluence known as the Sangam and considered holy in Hinduism. Boats carry pilgrims out to the meeting point, where the two rivers' waters run in different shades side by side.

The city hosts the Kumbh Mela, among the largest religious gatherings on earth, and its sacred geography fills the calendar. Closer to town, the Allahabad Fort, Swaraj Bhavan, the Bade Hanuman Temple, and the gardens of Khusro Bagh show its political and Mughal past.

Prayagraj suits pilgrims and history readers. The winter months, from November to February, are the most comfortable for visiting.

Country
India
Currency
INR
Time zone
Asia/Kolkata
Nearest airport
IXD

Last updated

Plan a Prayagraj trip

Top places to visit in Prayagraj

  • Triveni Sangam

    river-confluence · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate

    The sacred confluence of the Ganges, Yamuna and mythical Saraswati rivers, India's holiest bathing site and the focal point of the colossal Kumbh Mela.

  • Anand Bhavan

    history · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h · entry ₹200

    The grand ancestral mansion of the Nehru-Gandhi family, now a museum tracing India's freedom struggle and the dynasty that shaped modern India.

  • New Yamuna Bridge

    bridge · 4.3 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

    A striking cable-stayed bridge over the Yamuna (Naini Bridge), an elegant modern landmark especially photogenic when lit up at night.

  • Allahabad Museum

    art-history · 4.3 rating · about 1.3 h · entry ₹500

    A major state museum in Azad Park with rich collections of terracotta, miniature paintings, Bharhut sculptures and Nehru-era memorabilia.

  • Allahabad Fort & Patalpuri

    mughal-fort · 4.4 rating · about 1.3 h · check the fee at the gate

    Akbar's mighty 1583 riverside fort by the Sangam, housing the Ashokan pillar, the underground Patalpuri temple and the revered immortal Akshayavat tree.

  • Bade Hanuman Temple

    temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

    A unique temple near the Sangam housing a large reclining Hanuman idol, believed to be partly submerged by the Ganges floods each year before re-emerging.

  • Chandrashekhar Azad Park

    urban-park · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · entry ₹5

    The city's largest park (Alfred Park), where freedom fighter Chandrashekhar Azad died in 1931; home to the Allahabad Museum, Public Library and a memorial.

  • All Saints Cathedral

    cathedral · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

    A magnificent late-19th-century Gothic-revival cathedral ("Patthar Girja") designed by William Emerson, one of the finest Anglican churches in India.

  • Khusro Bagh

    mughal-tombs · 4.3 rating · about 1 h · free entry

    A walled Mughal garden enclosing the elegant sandstone tombs of Prince Khusro, his mother and sister — a tranquil, often-overlooked heritage retreat.

  • Alopi Devi Mandir

    temple · 4.4 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

    An unusual Shakti Peeth where devotees worship a wooden canopy (doli) rather than an idol, one of Prayagraj's most revered and distinctive temples.

  • Swaraj Bhavan

    history · 4.4 rating · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate

    The original Nehru family home, donated to the freedom movement as Congress headquarters and birthplace of Indira Gandhi, now a museum and planetarium.

  • Mankameshwar Temple

    temple · 4.5 rating · about 0.5 h · check the fee at the gate

    An ancient riverside Shiva temple near the Yamuna and Saraswati Ghat, a peaceful and popular spot for darshan close to the fort.

Things to do

  • Triveni Sangam Boat Ride Cultural · 1 h · from INR 400 per person
  • Sangam & Ghats Heritage Walk Walking Tour · 2.5 h · from INR 700 per person
  • Allahabad Fort & Akshayavat Visit Sightseeing Tour · 2 h · from INR 600 per person
  • Anand Bhavan & Freedom Trail Tour Sightseeing Tour · 3 h · from INR 800 per person
  • Prayagraj Temple Trail Sightseeing Tour · 3 h · from INR 700 per person
  • Prayagraj Food Walk Food Tour · 2.5 h · from INR 800 per person
  • Khusro Bagh Heritage Visit Walking Tour · 1.5 h · from INR 500 per person
  • Yamuna Sunset & Bridge Tour Leisure · 1.5 h · from INR 500 per person

Day trips and tours

  • Prayagraj Sangam & Spiritual Day 7 h · from INR 1,800
  • Prayagraj Heritage & Freedom Trail Day 7 h · from INR 1,700
  • Prayagraj Temples & Ghats Half-Day 5 h · from INR 1,200

Where to stay in Prayagraj

  • Chowk Area about INR 1,500 per night

    Historic area near Triveni Sangam with temple accommodation

Hotels

  • Bless Inn 2-star · INR 1,458 to INR 2,000 per night
  • Hotel Kanha Shyam 4-star · INR 5,000 to INR 9,000 per night
  • Icon Residency Inn 3-star · INR 2,268 to INR 3,000 per night
  • Grand Continental 4-star · INR 4,000 to INR 7,000 per night
  • Hotel Milan International 3-star · INR 3,000 to INR 5,500 per night
  • Hotel Polo Max 3-star · INR 3,000 to INR 5,000 per night

Where to eat

  • Netram Moolchand & Sons North Indian, Street Food, Desserts · about INR 150 per person
  • El Chico North Indian, Continental, Mughlai · about INR 600 per person
  • Loknath Ki Kachori Street Food, North Indian, Chaat · about INR 120 per person
  • Kamdhenu Sweets North Indian, Desserts, Street Food · about INR 250 per person
  • Eat On Family Restaurant North Indian, Chinese, Continental · about INR 500 per person
  • Tandoor Restaurant North Indian, Mughlai · about INR 650 per person
  • Eden Cafe Cafe, Continental, Fast Food · about INR 400 per person
  • Rahi Ilawart Restaurant North Indian, Chinese, Continental · about INR 450 per person

Getting to Prayagraj

Airport: Prayagraj (IXD)

How visitors arrive in Prayagraj

  • Train from New Delhi By train from New Delhi · common

    Prayagraj Junction is the main station; many express trains run from New Delhi, Howrah and other cities. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

  • Bus or car on national highways By road from Varanasi, Lucknow, Kanpur · common

    Four national highways serve the city and buses link it with nearby cities. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

  • Flight to Prayagraj Airport By air from New Delhi / Bengaluru · possible

    A small civil enclave at Bamrauli has limited domestic flights. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

From the airport to the centre

  • Taxi from Prayagraj Airport

    Prayagraj Airport lists car hire and an interstate taxi service at the arrival hall, plus a city bus. No general or prepaid taxi counter is listed, so book a car in advance or ask at arrivals. Source: aai.aero

From the railway station to the centre

  • Train to Prayagraj Junction

    Prayagraj Junction is the main of nine stations, on the Howrah-Delhi and Howrah-Mumbai lines; some trains use Chheoki or Rambagh. Source: en.wikivoyage.org

Getting around

  • Auto Rickshaw useful for some trips

    Auto rickshaws have long been a popular way to get around Prayagraj, alongside city buses.

  • Cycle Rickshaw useful for some trips

    Cycle rickshaws and e-rickshaws are widely used for getting around Prayagraj.

  • Walking

Safety and scams to avoid

  • Pre-paid taxi "broken meter"

    Airports, train stations, popular squares

    Driver insists meter is broken, quotes ~3x the fair price; or detours via "shopping" stops earning commission.

    How to avoid it: Use pre-paid taxi counter at airport, or Uber/Ola/Rapido apps. Insist on meter or agree price upfront.

Best time to visit Prayagraj

  • Jan 23°C
  • Feb 28°C
  • Mar 34°C
  • Apr 40°C
  • May 42°C
  • Jun 40°C
  • Jul 35°C
  • Aug 33°C
  • Sep 34°C
  • Oct 34°C
  • Nov 30°C
  • Dec 25°C

More in India

Frequently asked questions about Prayagraj

What are the top-rated places to visit in Prayagraj?
The highest-rated places in our Prayagraj guide are Triveni Sangam, Anand Bhavan, Bade Hanuman Temple, All Saints Cathedral, Mankameshwar Temple.
Where should I stay in Prayagraj?
Our guide covers these areas to stay in Prayagraj: Chowk Area.
How do I get around Prayagraj?
Ways to get around Prayagraj covered in our guide: Auto-rickshaw, Cycle rickshaw, Walking.
What scams should I watch out for in Prayagraj?
Scams reported to us for Prayagraj include Pre-paid taxi "broken meter". Each is explained in the guide, with how to avoid it.
What is the weather like in Prayagraj?
Average daytime highs in Prayagraj run from 23°C in Jan to 42°C in May.
Which airport is nearest to Prayagraj?
The nearest airport to Prayagraj has the code IXD.
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