Getting Around Ujjain: Station to Mahakal, Auto Fares and Scooter Rental

Ujjain is a compact city, but its temples are spread out and the old-city lanes around Mahakal are narrow and often barricaded for crowds. Knowing your options before you arrive saves a lot of time and haggling.

Arriving in Ujjain

By train: Ujjain Junction (UJN)

Ujjain Junction is the main station and is only about 2 km from Mahakaleshwar temple. Autos and e-rickshaws wait outside the station at all hours. Shared seats usually cost ₹30 to ₹50, and a full auto to the temple area costs around ₹100 to ₹150. Vikram Nagar station, about 6 km away, is a smaller stop some trains use.

By bus

Buses from Indore, Bhopal and other cities arrive at the Dewas Gate and Nanakheda bus stands. Dewas Gate is close to the station and the old city, while Nanakheda is further south. Autos run from both to Mahakal.

By air: Indore airport

The nearest airport is Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar airport in Indore, about 55 km from Mahakal. The drive takes a little over an hour on the four-lane Indore-Ujjain highway. You can take a taxi, or a bus from Indore to Ujjain.

Distances from Mahakaleshwar temple

Approximate road distances to help you plan:

Ways to get around the city

Autos and e-rickshaws

Easy to find near the station, Mahakal and Freeganj. Agree on the fare before you sit, as meters are rarely used. For a full temple circuit, drivers usually quote a fixed package price, which adds up for a small group.

Taxis and cabs

Good for families, airport transfers and day trips to Omkareshwar. App cabs are available but can be slow to arrive in the old city.

Rent a scooter (our pick for 1 to 2 people)

With your own scooter you can reach Kal Bhairav, Mangalnath and Chintaman Ganesh without waiting or haggling, park close to each temple and change your plan whenever you like. A full day costs less than a couple of long auto rides. You need a valid two-wheeler driving licence, and helmets are a must on the road.

Parking near Mahakal

Vehicles are not allowed right up to the temple. There are paid parking areas around the Mahakal Lok corridor and the Rudra Sagar side, and two-wheelers can usually park closer than cars. On Mondays, festivals and during Shravan, the police close more roads, so a scooter is much easier than a car on those days.

Planning your day? See our 1-day and 2-day Ujjain itinerary and the Mahakal darshan and Bhasma Aarti guide.