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Voykit pocket guide · India
Motihari
One day is enough to see the Gandhi Sangrahalaya, George Orwell Birthplace and Moti Jheel; add a night only if you prefer a relaxed pace.
Motihari is a small commercial hub in Bihar, known for the 1917 Champaran Satyagraha led by Mahatma Gandhi and as the birthplace of George Orwell. The main attractions are close together, so a half‑day to full‑day visit covers the historic sites and the lakeside park. Overnight stays are optional for travelers wanting a slower schedule or connecting to nearby towns.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Oct–Mar (cooler, dry)
- Avoid
- Apr–Jun (heat, pre‑monsoon)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹1,200–₹1,800 excl. bed · Mid ₹1,800–₹3,000 excl. bed · High ₹3,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Medical 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Tea/coffee at a local café | ₹30–₹70 |
| Street snack (samosa, chaat) | ₹20–₹50 |
| Auto‑rickshaw (per km) | ₹15–₹20 |
| Museum entry (Gandhi Sangrahalaya) | ₹50 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- PAT · Lok Nayak Jayaprakash Airport, Patna
- About 150 km (93 mi) (≈3 h by road) to MotihariAbout 93 mi (150 km) (≈3 h by road) to Motihari
Typical fares
- Auto‑rickshaw 5 km
- ≈₹80–₹100 (check)
- Patna → Motihara bus
- ≈₹300–₹500, 3 h (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
The town is compact; most sights are walkable. Auto‑rickshaws are the main local transport; negotiate fare before boarding.
See and do
Known for
- Champaran Satyagraha site
- Gandhi Sangrahalaya museum
- George Orwell Birthplace Museum
- Moti Jheel lake
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bettiah | Road, about 45 km (28 mi) north, 1 h by bus or taxiRoad, about 28 mi (45 km) north, 1 h by bus or taxi | ≈1.5 h round trip |
| Raxaul (border town) | Road, about 30 km (19 mi) east, 45 min by busRoad, about 19 mi (30 km) east, 45 min by bus | ≈1 h round trip |
Sleep
- Motihari town centre
- Budget hotels and guesthouses within walking distance of the museum and lake; book ahead in peak season.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much? | कितना है?kitna hai? |
| Thank you | धन्यवादdhanyavaad |
| Where is the museum? | म्यूजियम कहाँ है?museum kahaan hai? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- Summer heat can be intense; carry water and sun protection.
- Auto‑rickshaw fares may not be metered; agree on price first.
Motihari is generally safe; main concerns are heat, traffic, and occasional petty theft—keep valuables secure and stay hydrated.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Motihari yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Champaran Satyagraha site
- Gandhi Sangrahalaya museum
- George Orwell Birthplace Museum
- Moti Jheel lake
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Motihari: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- East Champaran District official site: eastchamparan.nic.in
- Wikivoyage: Motihari, revision 5319284 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5319284
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/motihari). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.