There is a popular Bengali travel expression, “Dipuda”—Di for Digha, Pu for Puri, and Da for Darjeeling. Bengalis know these three destinations especially well, and if you are planning a trip to any of them, this blog will certainly be useful.
Many people travelling from Kolkata to Puri fail to get a direct Howrah–Puri train ticket. They then plan to book a ticket only up to Bhubaneswar and travel from Bhubaneswar to Puri by local train. Be extremely careful with this plan: it can lead to serious inconvenience, hardship, and endless harassment.
Direct bus journey to Puri
In late October 2024, I could not book a direct train from Puri to Kolkata. So, I booked a sleeper-class ticket from Bhubaneswar to Howrah on the Howrah Superfast Express. However, I am repeatedly warning travellers because no reserved seats were available on this train—and the same happened in our case.
The entire reserved sleeper coach had effectively turned into a general compartment. There was not even space to keep luggage, and people were sitting on every berth. It is shocking that, even 77 years after Independence, there seemed to be no accountability for reserved seats on a superfast train. The ticket examiner remained a silent spectator.
For travellers who cannot get train tickets or prefer road travel, direct buses between Kolkata and Puri can be a practical alternative. Current booking platforms list multiple sleeper and seater services, including Greenline, OSRTC, Shyamoli Paribahan, Express Line and Dolphin Tours & Travels. Fares and timings vary by date, coach type, demand and boarding point, so check live availability before booking.
Kolkata to Puri by bus
Digha, Puri and Darjeeling—collectively known as “Dipuda”—are classic Bengali travel destinations. Digha and Darjeeling are ideal for leisure trips, while Puri is often considered one of the best low-budget pilgrimage destinations.
Many travellers do not enjoy train journeys, while others like to combine train and bus travel. Long-distance bus travel can involve some bumps and body aches, but it also has its own charm: you can watch the changing landscapes from your seat and travel directly to Jagannath Puri.
With the growth of sleeper coaches, places once considered practical only by train—such as Siliguri, Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar—are now accessible by bus. Puri has also joined this list.
A video shared by Greenline, a travel operator, became popular on social media. The company runs direct buses from Kolkata to Puri. Greenline’s route services include luxury Volvo AC sleeper coaches; listings commonly show an overnight departure from Kolkata and arrival in Puri the next morning, although schedules and fares change dynamically.
These sleeper buses can include charging points, soft berths, pillows and blankets, depending on the operator and service class. Always confirm onboard amenities from the live booking listing before paying.
Expected fare and journey time
Bus fares vary greatly by date and coach type. On current online listings, Kolkata–Puri bus fares can begin around ₹600 and go beyond ₹1,800 or ₹2,000 for premium sleeper services; travel time is usually around 9 to 11 hours.[2][3][4]
- AC or non-AC seater: approximately ₹400 to ₹800
- AC or non-AC sleeper: approximately ₹700 to ₹2,500
- Travel duration: roughly 8.5 to 11.5 hours
Other operators that may run on this route include:
- Shyamoli Paribahan: approximately ₹1,000 to ₹1,500
- Express Line: approximately ₹1,000 to ₹1,500
- Royal Cruiser: approximately ₹800 to ₹1,200
- Dolphin Tours & Travels: approximately ₹600 to ₹1,000
You can search and book through RedBus, MakeMyTrip, Goibibo, AbhiBus, ixigo, or the operator’s official website. Availability, exact vehicle type, route and price can change daily.
OSRTC Kolkata–Puri service
Odisha State Road Transport Corporation (OSRTC) also operates Kolkata–Puri services. Online listings show Volvo variants including sleeper and semi-sleeper buses; check the official OSRTC booking portal or app for the latest timetable, boarding points, vehicle number and fare.
The route mentioned is:
Santragachi – Kolaghat – Kharagpur Bypass – Balasore Bypass – Bhadrak Bypass – Chandikhol – Cuttack – Phulnakhara – Bhubaneswar – Pipili – Puri
For booking and fare details, visit https://booking.osrtc.org or use the OSRTC app. Confirm the schedule immediately before travel because timings and services can be revised.
Where to stay in Puri
A large share of Puri’s visitors come from Bengal. Around Swargadwar Road, New Marine Drive Road and Chakratirtha Road, Bengali is widely visible on hotel signs, shop boards and local establishments. This often makes Bengali travellers feel at home.
After reaching Puri, the biggest concern is usually finding a suitable hotel. Puri has no shortage of accommodation, but visitors often look for a sea-facing room, an AC hotel near Swargadwar, a budget lodge, a holiday home, or a family-friendly stay near Marine Drive.
This section aims to provide hotel and holiday-home options around Swargadwar, New Marine Drive Road, Sea Beach Road and Chakratirtha Road. Please verify every phone number, location, room condition, tariff, sea-view claim, booking policy and recent guest review independently before sending money or confirming a room. Hotel ownership, contact numbers and standards may change over time.
Bengali-friendly stays
1. Oyster Hotel & Holiday Home / Shiv Niwas Guest House — Near ISKCON Temple, Swargadwar. Contact: 9330284083 / 7278245167
2. Asha Lodge — Gauranga Chowk, Swargadwar. Contact: 9831657807 / 7501857157
3. Sudurer Piyasi — Contact: 7003429452 / 8910547080
4. Strategic Inn — Swargadwar Market. Contact: 8334995995
5. Sree Krishna Lodge — About two minutes’ walk from Marine Drive Sea Beach. Contact: 7003686473
6. SS Bhaban — Near the Chaitanya statue. Contact: 9051830212 / 6290489693
7. Nil Madhab Nivas — Swargadwar Market. Contact: 9831657807 / 8016460007
Sea Beach Road stays
8. Central Excise Holiday Home — Booking through the Assistant Commissioner/Superintendent, Bhubaneswar Commissionerate, GST and Central Excise Holiday Home; email: ccbbsr@rediffmail.com; phone: 0674-2589160
9. Sri Sri Balananda Tirthashram — Contact: 06752-228727
10. Hotel Shakuntala — 9438651863 / 9238687026
11. Deep Resort — 9830887957 / 9830852065
12. Park Beach Resort — 9007665888
13. Puri Hotel — 8280259999
14. Hotel Sona International — 9937159373 / 9534126910
15. Victoria Club Hotel — 9078802005 / 8480499822
16. Hotel Golden Tree — 7606000710 / 7606000716
17. Hotel Swapnapuri — 9437708888 / 9437025855
18. Hotel Mahodadhi Palace — 9090093414 / 9169166789
19. Sea View Hotel — 7855029117 / 9938138185
20. Sagarika Hotel — 9231625878 / 9007995888
21. Hotel Crystal Bay — 9437281256
22. Hotel Ocean View — 8260267729 / 8895491408
23. Hotel Park — 9007181584 / 8191900072
24. Hotel Pulin Puri — 7653018543
25. Sonali Hotel — 9938812877 / 9903795377
26. Shipping Corporation Holiday Home — At Lily Cottage; booking through Shipping House, 13 Strand Road, Kolkata–1; phone: 033-22543400
27. Jessop Company Shilali Holiday Home — 24 Netaji Subhas Road, Kolkata–1, first floor, room 14; phone: 033-22304454; WhatsApp: 7278322487
28. Hotel Seagull — After Kanchi Shankaracharya Math. Contact: 06752-223618 / 9178795925
29. Hotel Nilachal — Near Jagannath Temple Road, after the Chaitanya statue at Swargadwar crossing. Contact: 9776231733
New Marine Drive stays
30. Hotel Sai — Near Bidesh Ghar Restaurant, Swargadwar Market. Contact: 7008680552 / 8917454843
31. Hotel Om — 9861233944 / 06752-233347
32. Hotel Heaven — 983143228 / 9230544497
33. Hotel Ambar — 9778508797
34. Hotel Trimurti — 7873246143
35. Ram-Lakshman / RL Hotel — 9861728858
36. Ma Anandamayi Ashram — Head office, Agarpara Ashram: 033-25531208; local phone: 06752-223258
37. Hotel Annapurna Palace — 8917633940
38. Hotel Mahasuar Palace — 8480050900
39. Hotel Bangalakshmi — 06752-230711 / 8249883506
40. Hotel Belabhumi Nivas — 7205393090 / 9432353306
41. Hotel Atithi Heritage — 7064459204 / 9778498313
42. Gochhikar House — 9586596600 / 06752-231064
43. New Horizon — 7790008090 / 06752-297227
44. Hotel New Sea Hawk — 8895295238 / 9007857627
45. Srijagannath Lodge — 8984200756 / 7947417023
46. Camelia Resort — 06752-254131 / 231424
47. The Finch Hotel — 9827039478 / 9937157479
48. Larica Hotel — 8596091113 / 7053058484
49. Hotel Diamond Palace — 9439361840 / 9238648283
50. Hotel Swimming — 06752-254445/6
51. Hotel Shubha Palace — 8895345485 / 06752-254341
52. Hotel Neeldeep — 9830007084 / 8191900072
53. Hotel Asia Inn — 06752-231307 / 231347
54. Hotel Shyamajyoti — 06752-231129
55. Oyster Bay Beach Hotel — 8917404734 / 8658682037
56. Hotel Tara Palace — 9861058172 / 9556836821
57. Birla Guest House — 9861335931
58. Lakshmi Resort — 7065009189 / 9692549588
59. Hotel Shrihari — 7077581141 / 9583002971
60. Hotel Niladri — 9583003710 / 06752-230799
61. Hotel Prabhupad — 9583002951 / 9583002952 / 9583002953
62. Puri Beach Resort — 9937231888 / 06752-231888
63. Hotel Lakshmijyoti — Near Puri Lighthouse. Contact: 8763329729
64. Hans Coco Palms Resort — Near the Paikpara Raja Estate. Contact: 9040030954 / 9040030952
65. Hotel Sonar Bangla — 9777184314 / 6371873665
66. Hotel Dreamland — 9776239343 / 9831188959
67. Blue Bay Resort — 9238131312 / 9040147047
68. Lighthouse Inn — 9836117733 / 9830256503
69. NRS Royal Palace — 8917400850 / 8917400860 / 06752-296360
70. Balaji International Hotel — 8599808415 / 9938009737
71. Hotel Niladri Premium — 7436901234
72. Hotel Golden Dust — 9583000611
73. Hotel Bay Suite Sea Facing — 8480886779 / 6290993028
74. Bipattarini Chandibari — Clean overnight accommodation available. Contact: 9433246548
75. East-West Hotel — 9583009010 / 9583009012
76. Shri Dhananjay Das Kathiyababa Sebashram — Nearby: Blue Lily Beach Resort, contact 9583003751
77. Emperor’s Hotel — 8342805307 / 7381891007
78. Hotel Jiban Sandhya — 7735747970 / 06752-297742
79. Hotel Ashiana Lagoon — 7205854676 / 8260194676
80. Sterling Holiday Beach Resort — Near the Dhaudia River estuary, at the end of New Marine Drive Road. Contact: 9003302727 / 06742-602444
Near Sonar Gouranga Temple
81. New Shankar International — 9439466666 / 7653011111
82. Hotel Blue Waves — 9439930041 / 7978134368
83. Hotel Lotus — 9437753675 / 06752-227033
84. Hotel Sea Palace — 6372523699
85. Hotel Pink House — 9437204850
86. Hotel Sapphire International — 9776101116
87. Dalmia Atithi Bihar — 06752-225557 / 226861
88. Garden Resort — 9776240501 / 9437133395
89. Hotel Kalinga — 9337560071 / 06752-225102
Chakratirtha Road stays
Chakratirtha Road is not directly on the seafront throughout its length. Instead, several lanes lead from the road towards the sea, often around 200 to 300 metres away.
90. Odisha Tourism Panthanivas — 06752-222562; puri.panthanivas@gmail.com
91. Hotel Zamindar Palace — 7682830917 / 7682830918
92. Mayfair Waves — 06742-610101
93. Hotel Bijaya International — 06752-222702
94. Nayak Beach Resort — 7682822204
95. Hotel Samudra — 9776360105
96. Puri Youth Hostel — 06752-222424 / 225424; youthhostelpuri@rediffmail.com
97. Hotel Sagar Tarang Residency — 9778227000 / 06752-227000
98. BNR Chanakya Hotel — 9778373373 / 06752-223006
99. Hotel Holiday Resort — 06752-222440
100. Hotel Mahabir Sheraton — 06752-232831
101. Ramakrishna Math, Puri — Devotee accommodation available; 06752-222479 / 7855997631; rkmpuri@rediffmail.com
Whether Bengalis reach Puri by train or bus, choose a luxury resort or a modest lodge, the appeal of Puri has never faded—and it is unlikely to fade in the future.