Kaziranga National Park, located in Assam, is one of India’s finest wildlife destinations and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Famous for its Indian one-horned rhinoceros, wild elephants, tigers, swamp deer, and migratory birds, it attracts nature lovers and adventurers from around the world. However, Kaziranga does not have a railway station within the park’s vicinity, which often raises a common question for first-time travelers:
“How do I reach Kaziranga by train?”
This guide provides everything you need to know about train travel to Kaziranga—including the closest stations, connecting routes, train schedules, fares, local transfers, and practical tips to make your journey smooth and enjoyable.
1. Does Kaziranga Have Its Own Railway Station?
No.
Kaziranga National Park doesn’t have a railway station inside or adjacent to it. However, several nearby towns offer excellent train connectivity, and you can complete the final leg to the park by road.
2. Closest Railway Stations to Kaziranga
| Station Name | Code | Distance from Kohora Gate (Kaziranga) | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Furkating Junction | FKG | ~75 km | Nearest station, less crowded |
| Jorhat Town | JTTN | ~90 km | Good option with frequent trains |
| Guwahati | GHY | ~220 km | Best all-India connectivity |
| Tezpur (Dekargaon) | DKGN | ~70 km | Few services, suitable for locals |
3. Overview: Train Routes to Reach Kaziranga
To reach Kaziranga, you need to:
- Board a train to one of the nearest railway stations (Guwahati, Jorhat, Furkating, or Tezpur)
- Travel to the park by road, mainly to Kohora—the central gate and tourism hub
4. Major Rail Routes Connecting to Kaziranga Region
Let’s now break down the train routes based on departure regions across India:
A. From Delhi and North India
| Train Name | Number | Boarding Point | Stops at | Final Station | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North East Express | 12506 | Anand Vihar | Guwahati | GHY | 30–32 hrs |
| Rajdhani Express | 12424 | New Delhi | Guwahati | GHY | 28 hrs |
| Brahmaputra Mail | 15955 | Delhi Jn | Furkating | FKG | 38–40 hrs |
B. From Kolkata and East India
| Train Name | Number | From | Stops at | Final Station | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saraighat Express | 12345 | Howrah | Guwahati | GHY | 17 hrs |
| Kamrup Express | 15959 | Howrah | Furkating, Jorhat | Dibrugarh | 22–24 hrs |
| Kanchanjunga Express | 13175 | Sealdah | Lumding | Silchar | 24 hrs (limited use for Kaziranga) |
C. From Mumbai and West India
| Train Name | Number | From | Stops at | Final Station | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LTT–Guwahati Express | 15645 | Mumbai (LTT) | Guwahati | GHY | 47–50 hrs |
| Karmabhoomi Express | 22511 | Mumbai | Guwahati | GHY | Weekly |
D. From South India
| Train Name | Number | From | Stops at | Final Station | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guwahati Express | 12510 | Chennai | Guwahati | GHY | 52–54 hrs |
| Tambaram–Guwahati | 15629 | Tambaram | Guwahati | GHY | Weekly |
| Bangalore–Guwahati Express | 12509 | SBC | Guwahati | GHY | ~54 hrs |
5. Ideal Train Stations for Tourists
Let’s examine the pros and cons of each key station:
A. Furkating Junction (FKG)
- Distance to Kaziranga: ~75 km
- Pros: Closest railhead to the park
- Cons: Limited long-distance trains, small station
- Recommended For: Travelers from Dibrugarh or using Kamrup Express
B. Jorhat Town (JTTN)
- Distance: ~90 km
- Pros: Multiple train connections, nearby city with hotels
- Cons: Slightly longer road journey
- Recommended For: East India and Upper Assam travelers
C. Guwahati (GHY)
- Distance: ~220 km
- Pros: Best connectivity from all over India
- Cons: Long road transfer to Kaziranga
- Recommended For: Delhi, Mumbai, South India travelers
D. Tezpur / Dekargaon (DKGN)
- Distance: ~70 km
- Pros: Closest among all stations
- Cons: Only local/regional trains, very few services
- Recommended For: Locals or those coming from Silchar/North Assam
6. Sample Train Timetables (For Key Trains to Guwahati Region)
A. North East Express (12506)
- From: Anand Vihar (Delhi)
- To: Guwahati (GHY)
- Departure: 7:40 AM
- Arrival: Next day 4:50 PM
- Days: Daily
- Travel Time: 33 hrs
B. Brahmaputra Mail (15955)
- From: Delhi Jn
- To: Furkating Jn
- Departure: 11:35 PM
- Arrival: ~3rd day early morning
- Days: Daily
- Travel Time: ~40 hrs
- Benefit: Direct access to Furkating (near Kaziranga)
C. Kamrup Express (15959)
- From: Howrah
- To: Jorhat Town / Furkating / Dibrugarh
- Departure: 6:00 PM
- Arrival at Jorhat: ~5:30 PM next day
- Days: Daily
- Stops: Covers key Northeast towns
D. Saraighat Express (12345)
- From: Howrah
- To: Guwahati
- Departure: 3:50 PM
- Arrival: 9:45 AM next day
- Travel Time: ~18 hrs
- Class: Sleeper, 3AC, 2AC
7. Road Transfer from Railway Station to Kaziranga
After getting off the train, you’ll need to travel by road to reach Kohora Gate (Kaziranga’s central tourism zone).
| Station | Mode | Distance | Time | Fare (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Furkating | Taxi / Sumo | ~75 km | 1.5 hrs | ₹1,000–₹1,500 |
| Jorhat | Sumo / Van | ~90 km | 2 hrs | ₹1,200–₹1,600 |
| Guwahati | Taxi / Bus | ~220 km | 5–6 hrs | ₹3,000–₹4,000 |
| Tezpur | Local Taxi | ~70 km | 2 hrs | ₹800–₹1,000 |
Note: Shared sumos and Tata Magic vans are common in this region for budget travel.
8. Train Fare Estimates (3AC Class)
| From | Station | Fare (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| Delhi | Furkating / Guwahati | ₹2,300–₹2,600 |
| Kolkata | Guwahati / Jorhat | ₹1,500–₹1,800 |
| Mumbai | Guwahati | ₹2,800–₹3,200 |
| Chennai | Guwahati | ₹3,200–₹3,600 |
| Dibrugarh | Furkating | ₹500–₹700 |
9. Booking Your Train Tickets
A. Where to Book
| Platform | Link |
|---|---|
| IRCTC | www.irctc.co.in |
| Trainman | www.trainman.in |
| ConfirmTkt | www.confirmtkt.com |
| RailYatri | www.railyatri.in |
B. Tips for Booking
- Book at least 30–45 days in advance
- Use Tatkal if booking last minute (opens 1 day before)
- Retiring rooms are available at major stations like Guwahati
- Carry a printed ticket or SMS + valid ID
10. What to Expect on the Train
- Bedding is provided in AC classes
- Food is available from pantry cars or station vendors
- Vendors sell Assam tea, snacks, water bottles regularly
- Clean toilets are available in AC coaches (carry your own toiletries)
11. Important Notes for International Travelers
- Guwahati is the most recommended arrival station
- Book trains via an agent or ask hotel concierge for help
- Kaziranga does not require special permits, but if you plan to visit Arunachal Pradesh afterward, apply for an Inner Line Permit (ILP) in Guwahati
12. Suggested 5-Day Itinerary (With Train Travel)
| Day | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Train from Delhi/Kolkata to Guwahati/Jorhat |
| Day 2 | Arrive, drive to Kaziranga, check in |
| Day 3 | Jeep safari (morning & afternoon) |
| Day 4 | Local sightseeing: Orchid Park, tea estate visit |
| Day 5 | Return to station, board train back |
13. Final Thoughts: Should You Take a Train to Kaziranga?
Yes!
If you are looking for a budget-friendly, scenic, and relaxed journey, train travel is a great way to reach Kaziranga. While you’ll need to complete the final stretch by road, the train portion offers a comfortable and enriching experience, especially for longer distances.
Guwahati offers the most reliable train options, while Furkating and Jorhat bring you closer to the park. With proper planning, you can enjoy a well-balanced journey blending nature, culture, and comfort.
Zogyy Train Travel Tip
“If you're short on time, take a Rajdhani or Saraighat Express to Guwahati and continue early morning to Kaziranga. If you prefer less road travel, opt for Kamrup Express and deboard at Furkating.”
