National park · India
Nalandaनालंदा राष्ट्रीय उद्यान
Enter Nalanda for ₹5–₹600, hike the Mahavihara ruins (0.5–1 km (0.3–0.6 mi)) in under 2 h, or do the longer Rajgir‑Nalanda trail (≈5 km (3.1 mi)) in 3 h; visit Oct–Mar for cooler weather and fewer crowds.Enter Nalanda for ₹5–₹600, hike the Mahavihara ruins (0.3–0.6 mi (0.5–1 km)) in under 2 h, or do the longer Rajgir‑Nalanda trail (≈3.1 mi (5 km)) in 3 h; visit Oct–Mar for cooler weather and fewer crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
0 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (0 km²)
approximate
Established
2016
Best months
Mar, Oct–Nov
UNESCO
World Heritage
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
At a glance
- Country
- India
- Area
- 0 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (0 km²)
- The protected area covers roughly 14 hectares of archaeological ruins (check official sources).
- Established
- 2016
- Best months
- Mar, Oct–Nov
- Permits
- For some areas
Nalanda preserves the ruins of the ancient Buddhist university, a UNESCO World Heritage site, offering short walks among stupa terraces and a museum of Pala‑Mauryan art.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- UNESCO World Heritage · 2016Nalanda Mahavihara listed as a World Heritage Site.
Size and age
0 km² (0 sq mi)0 sq mi (0 km²) · national park since 2016
The protected area covers roughly 14 hectares of archaeological ruins (check official sources).
Why go
- Explore the ruins of the ancient Buddhist university spread over 14 ha.
- See the excavated stupa terraces and smaller stupas.
- Visit the Nalanda Archaeological Museum with Pala‑Mauryan statues.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarBest
- AprCaution
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulAvoid
- AugAvoid
- SepCaution
- OctBest
- NovBest
- DecGo
- JanCool, dry; clear skies
- FebMild, dry; good for walking
- MarWarm, dry; pleasant mornings
- AprHot; start early
- MayVery hot; avoid midday
- JunMonsoon begins; humid
- JulHeavy rain; flooding risk
- AugPeak monsoon; trails muddy
- SepRain tails; clearing
- OctDry, cool; ideal
- NovCool and dry
- DecCool, clear; light crowds
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Local bird speciesMar–May, Oct–Dec | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Patna
Train to Nalanda station then shared jeep to gate (≈2 km (1.2 mi))Train to Nalanda station then shared jeep to gate (≈1.2 mi (2 km))
check
Open the page →
From Rajgir
Shared jeep or rickshaw 15 km (9.3 mi) to gateShared jeep or rickshaw 9.3 mi (15 km) to gate
check
From Bihar Sharif
Bus or shared jeep to turn‑off, then 2 km (1.2 mi) on foot or cartBus or shared jeep to turn‑off, then 1.2 mi (2 km) on foot or cart
check
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Main gate & ruins | Entrance, Mahavihara ruins, ticket office, stupa terraces. | Open with ticket. |
| Archaeological Museum | Museum with statues, air‑conditioned rooms. | Open with ticket; closed Fridays. |
| Xuanzang Memorial | Small memorial to the Chinese monk. | Open free. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; approximate centre of the site.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance to Mahavihara ruins (foreigners) | INR 600 (≈ US$7) | person | Check official site for Indian‑national rates |
| Nalanda Archaeological Museum | INR 5 (≈ under US$1) | person | Closed Fridays |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
What would our group pay?
People
Nights or days
- ₹600≈ US$7
- ₹5≈ under US$1
Tick the fees that apply to your trip to see a total.
A guide, not a quote: the ranges are estimates (checked 2026-09) and each fee may have rules on who pays it. Check with the park or your operator before you go.
Park rules
- Guides
- Not required for the main ruins walk; optional for longer trail.
- Photography
- Allowed, but no flash inside museum.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish; bins limited.
Where to stay
Near the park
Rajgir
Hotels, guesthouses, and youth hostel within 15 km (9.3 mi) of gate.Hotels, guesthouses, and youth hostel within 9.3 mi (15 km) of gate.
Safety
Heat medium
Monsoon flooding high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Main gate area reachable by car; short flat walks.
Visiting lightly
- Use shared Tonga carts to reduce traffic.
- Buy food from local stalls, not packaged imports.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Nalanda?
Entrance to the ruins is ₹5 per person; the stupa terrace ticket for foreigners is ₹600; museum entry is ₹5.
What are the best hikes in Nalanda?
The short Mahavihara ruins walk (0.5–1 km) takes 1–2 h; the longer Rajgir‑Nalanda trail (≈5 km) takes about 3 h.
When is the best time to visit Nalanda?
October to March offers cool, dry weather and fewer crowds; avoid July–August monsoon.
How do I get to Nalanda from Patna?
Take a train to Nalanda station (≈3 h) then a shared jeep 2 km to the gate.
Where can I stay near Nalanda?
Rajgir, 15 km away, has a range of hotels, guesthouses and a youth hostel.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Nalanda
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