Patna flights from London take 13-16 hours depending on your routing. The city is served by Jay Prakash Narayan International Airport (PAT), located around 5km southwest of the city centre.
No direct flights from UK. Routes connect via Delhi, Mumbai, or Middle East hubs. The most popular connections route via Delhi (Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet), Mumbai (Air India), Dubai (Emirates).
Return fares range from £480-600 in low season to £750-1,000 during peak periods. November-February / Chhath Puja / Diwali typically sees the highest demand. March-May / September-October offers the best deals.
Patna operates on GMT+5:30 (5.5 hours ahead of London in winter, 4.5 hours ahead in summer). Budget time from the airport, as traffic can add to your journey.
Price Patterns
Prices typically drop Tuesday/Wednesday for bookings
Last-minute deals are rare for popular routes
Peak seasons push prices up 30-50%
Sweet Spot
6-10 weeks before travel for best combination of availability and price.
Avoid Booking
Less than 2 weeks out (premium pricing)
During November-February / Chhath Puja / Diwali without advance planning
School holiday periods if travelling with families
Bodh Gaya Day Trip
UNESCO site 115km south where Buddha attained enlightenment. The Mahabodhi Temple is essential viewing.
Nalanda Ruins
Ancient Buddhist university ruins 95km from Patna. UNESCO World Heritage site. Allow half a day.
Patna Museum
Excellent collection including Buddhist art, Mauryan sculptures, and Didarganj Yakshi statue.
Golghar
British-era granary with 145 steps to the top. Good city views and unusual architecture.
Gandhi Ghat
Riverside promenade on the Ganges. Evening arati ceremonies and peaceful sunset walks.