Ujjain is on the cusp of a transformation that will change how millions of pilgrims reach the City of Mahakal. For decades, the closest airport has been Indore — 55 kilometres away. That is changing. A dedicated Ujjain Airport is in active planning, tied directly to the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028, and when it opens, flying to Mahakaleshwar will be faster, cheaper and more direct than ever before.
This article covers everything currently known about the Ujjain airport project — the MoU, the timeline, what it means for pilgrims, and what you should do right now to plan your visit while Indore remains the gateway.
Current Situation: Which Airport Do You Use for Ujjain?
As of 2026, Ujjain does not have an operational commercial airport. The nearest airport is Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport (IDR) in Indore, located approximately 55 km from Mahakaleshwar Temple. The journey by cab takes 60–75 minutes, depending on traffic.
Indore Airport is a well-functioning mid-size airport with direct flights from over 20 Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Pune and Varanasi. It handles millions of passengers annually and is well-equipped with pre-paid taxi stands, cafes and luggage facilities.
For most pilgrims arriving by air today, the process is: fly to Indore → pre-booked cab → Ujjain. Fly to Ujjain manages this transfer for thousands of pilgrims each year — clean AC cabs, drivers who know temple timings, and WhatsApp support throughout.
The Ujjain New Airport Project: What We Know
The MoU Between AAI and Madhya Pradesh Government
The Airports Authority of India (AAI) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Madhya Pradesh state government to develop a new greenfield airport at or near Ujjain. This MoU is directly linked to infrastructure preparation for Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028, which is expected to draw over 150 million pilgrims — more than any previous Kumbh in the city.
The rationale is straightforward: the existing Indore airport, while functional, cannot absorb a sudden 10–20x surge in passenger traffic during a 30-day pilgrimage event. A dedicated airport closer to Ujjain would distribute air traffic, reduce ground transfer times, and make the pilgrimage accessible to a far larger number of devotees from across India and the world.
Fly Bharati and the Smaller Airport Network
There have also been discussions under the Indian government’s UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) regional connectivity scheme to develop a smaller airstrip at Ujjain capable of handling ATR-72 or similar turboprop aircraft. This would allow regional flights from nearby cities such as Bhopal, Jabalpur, Raipur and Indore to land directly at Ujjain — a significant improvement for regional pilgrims.
Expected Timeline
The official target is for the new airport infrastructure to be ready before or during Simhastha 2028. However, greenfield airport projects in India have historically faced delays. The most realistic scenario is that a basic operational runway and terminal — capable of handling regional flights — is ready by early 2028, with full capacity available over subsequent years.
Until then, Indore remains the primary gateway. Plan accordingly — and book early, because Indore flight fares will spike significantly as 2028 approaches and pilgrims begin booking in volume.
Indore–Ujjain Metro: Another Game-Changer
Alongside the airport, the Madhya Pradesh government is developing the Indore–Ujjain Metro Rail project. This high-speed metro link will connect Indore city to Ujjain directly, with a planned stop near Mahakaleshwar Temple. When operational, this will allow pilgrims to take the metro from central Indore (or, via a feeder service, from Indore airport) directly to Ujjain in approximately 40–45 minutes — faster and cheaper than a cab.
The metro project, combined with the new airport and expanded road infrastructure, will make Ujjain one of the most well-connected pilgrimage cities in India by 2028.
What This Means for Pilgrims: Plan Ahead
The development of Ujjain airport is excellent news for pilgrims — but it creates a short-term planning challenge. Here is what you need to know right now:
- 2026–2027 travel: Fly to Indore and take a cab to Ujjain. This remains the best option and will be so for the next 1–2 years.
- Simhastha 2028: Book flights to Indore as early as possible — at least 6 months in advance. Fares will surge. The new Ujjain airport may be partially operational, but do not rely on it for confirmed bookings until official flights are announced.
- After 2028: Direct flights to Ujjain from major Indian cities should become available as the airport scales up.
How to Reach Ujjain Right Now: The Best Options
Option 1: Fly to Indore + Cab to Ujjain (Recommended)
Fly into Indore Airport (IDR) from your city. Direct flights are available from Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Pune and many other cities. Pre-book an AC cab with Fly to Ujjain — your driver meets you at arrivals and takes you directly to your hotel or to Mahakaleshwar Temple. Total travel time from landing to Mahakal doorstep: approximately 75–90 minutes.
Option 2: Fly to Bhopal + Train/Cab to Ujjain
Bhopal Airport (BHO) is approximately 185 km from Ujjain — about 3 hours by road. This is a viable alternative if you cannot find convenient flights to Indore. Bhopal also has a train connection to Ujjain via the Intercity Express.
Option 3: Train Directly to Ujjain Junction
Ujjain Junction is well-connected by rail to most major Indian cities. Key trains include the Mahakal Express (Varanasi to Indore, via Ujjain), the Avantika Express (Mumbai to Indore via Ujjain) and the Malwa Express (Delhi to Indore via Ujjain). Book 120 days ahead on IRCTC for confirmed berths.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ujjain Airport
Does Ujjain have an airport?
As of 2026, Ujjain does not have an operational commercial airport. A new airport is under planning and is expected to be developed ahead of Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2028. The nearest working airport is Indore (IDR), 55 km away.
When will the Ujjain airport open?
The Ujjain airport is targeted for completion before or during Simhastha 2028 (April–June 2028). Basic operations may begin by early 2028. Until then, Indore Airport remains the gateway to Ujjain for air travellers.
Which is the nearest airport to Mahakaleshwar Temple?
The nearest operational airport to Mahakaleshwar Temple is Devi Ahilya Bai Holkar Airport in Indore (IATA: IDR), approximately 55 km away. The cab journey from Indore airport to Mahakaleshwar Temple takes 60–75 minutes.
What is the IATA code for Ujjain airport?
Ujjain does not currently have an IATA-coded commercial airport. The nearest airport with an IATA code is Indore (IDR). When Ujjain’s new airport becomes operational, it will be assigned an IATA code by the International Air Transport Association.
Will there be direct flights to Ujjain?
Once the new Ujjain airport becomes operational, direct flights from major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and others are expected. Initially, regional connectivity via ATR-72 aircraft under the UDAN scheme is most likely, with larger aircraft and more routes added as traffic grows.