Indian Railways Route Guide · Updated 2026-06-06

Puri to Kolkata Train

Quick Answer

Puri to Kolkata (Howrah) by the Puri Howrah Express (12838) takes approximately 6–8 hours daily — covering 500 km. Sleeper from ₹255, 3AC from ₹680. Book early for Rath Yatra season (June/July) — return trains from Puri sell out months in advance.

500 km 6–8 hours Sleeper from ₹255 3AC from ₹680 2AC from ₹980
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Popular Puri to Kolkata Train Trains

12838
Puri Howrah Express Puri → Howrah  ·  Runs: Daily
Superfast

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Puri to Kolkata Train — Distance, Duration & Fares

DetailInfo
Rail Distance~500 km
Journey Duration6–8 hours
Sleeper Class (SL)From ₹255 approx.
3 Tier AC (3AC / 3A)From ₹680 approx.
2 Tier AC (2AC / 2A)From ₹980 approx.
Advance Booking Opens120 days before journey at 8:00 AM IST
Tatkal Booking Opens1 day before — AC at 10:00 AM, Non-AC at 11:00 AM IST

* Fares are approximate base fares. Actual fares vary by train, quota, and season. Check live fares on IRCTC before booking.

How to Book Puri to Kolkata Train Ticket

  1. Check seat availability first — use PNR Alert route search to see which trains have confirmed seats on your travel date and class.
  2. Choose train and class — Rajdhani is fastest, AC-only. For Sleeper class, choose Express or Superfast trains. Compare departure times, days, and classes.
  3. Book on IRCTC — go to irctc.co.in or IRCTC Rail Connect app. Log in, select train/class/quota, and pay. Book up to 120 days in advance at 8:00 AM.
  4. Note your PNR number — your 10-digit PNR appears in the IRCTC booking confirmation email and SMS. Enter it on PNR Alert to track status and get WhatsApp alerts.

Booking Tips

Book return at the same time as departure — Rath Yatra period return trains fill completely.
3AC is recommended during peak season when Sleeper coaches are very crowded.
Tatkal opens 1 day before at 10 AM (AC) / 11 AM (non-AC).
Chilika Lake and Konark trips are best done before the return — plan 2–3 nights in Puri.
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Track PNR & Get Alerts

After booking a Puri to Kolkata Train ticket, track your PNR status on PNR Alert — no login needed:

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  • See CNF, WL, RAC status per passenger
  • Free WhatsApp alert when status changes
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On travel day, use live running status to track train location and delay.

Puri Howrah Express (12838)

Puri Howrah Express (12838) runs daily from Puri to Howrah Junction (HWH) in approximately 6–8 hours with Sleeper, 3AC, and 2AC. The most popular return service for Bengali pilgrims returning from Jagannath Temple.

Booking Well Ahead for Rath Yatra

Rath Yatra (June/July) is the peak pilgrim season — millions attend and return trains from Puri are completely booked months ahead. Book return at the same time as your departure.

Puri Station

Puri station (PURI) is 1–2 km from the beach and 2–3 km from Jagannath Temple. Cycle and auto rickshaws connect the station to all parts of town.

Bhubaneswar as an Intermediate Option

If you want to visit Bhubaneswar's temples (Lingaraj, Mukteswar) or Udayagiri Caves, you can break your Puri–Kolkata journey at Bhubaneswar (BBS) and continue later on another train.

Frequently Asked Questions — Puri to Kolkata Train

Puri Howrah Express (12838) runs daily from Puri to HWH in approximately 6–8 hours. Multiple other trains also serve this route.
~6–8 hours. Distance: 500 km.
Sleeper from ₹255. 3AC from ₹680. Fares vary.
Howrah Junction (HWH) — most trains arrive here.
Enter your 10-digit PNR at pnralert.in/pnr-status. Free WhatsApp alerts available.
Yes during Rath Yatra, Durga Puja, and summer holidays. This is one of India's busiest pilgrim corridors. Book well ahead.
Yes — most Puri–Kolkata trains stop at Bhubaneswar (BBS). Buy a separate ticket for Puri–Bhubaneswar and then Bhubaneswar–Kolkata to break the journey.
Yes — Puri has direct trains to Delhi (Purushottam Express), Mumbai, and various Odisha cities. It is a well-connected pilgrimage terminus.

Railway Guides for This Journey

PNR Status Meaning CNF, WL, RAC, Chart Prepared explained When Waitlist Gets Confirmed GNWL movement and timing guide GNWL vs RLWL vs PQWL Which waitlist type confirms faster Tatkal Booking Time AC opens 10 AM, Sleeper 11 AM How to Get Confirmed Ticket 7 tips that actually work on IRCTC Sleeper vs 3AC Which class to choose for this journey Cancellation Refund Rules Before and after chart preparation Advance Booking: 120 Days Guide ARP, Tatkal, current booking windows

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