Delhi to Patna is 1,000 km — well past the gray zone. The Rajdhani takes 12-16 hours. The flight takes 1.5 hours. For most travelers, flying is the clear choice.
Comparison
Verdict
- ✈️ Fly: Saves 9-12 hours. Worth the ₹3,000 premium for most
- 🚂 Rajdhani if: Extreme budget constraint or you enjoy overnight trains
- 💡 Chhath Puja (Nov): Both fares spike — book 4-6 weeks early!
From Patna — Explore Bihar
- 📚 Nalanda: UNESCO — world's first university ruins (90 km)
- 🛕 Bodh Gaya: Where Buddha attained enlightenment (110 km)
- 🏛️ Rajgir: Ancient ruins + Japanese peace pagoda