Gorakhpur Railway Station Guide: Platforms, Photos, Pin Code & Nearby Hotels
If you’re travelling anywhere across India by train, chances are your journey will connect through Gorakhpur Railway Station at some point. Officially known as Gorakhpur Junction, this station isn’t just another stop on the map — it holds the record for the world’s second-longest railway platform, after Hubballi Junction in Karnataka. Whether you’re catching a train, waiting for a connection, or exploring the city for the first time, here’s everything you need to know about this massive railway hub.
Why Gorakhpur Railway Station Is So Important
Gorakhpur Junction serves as the headquarters of the North Eastern Railway zone, and it shows — this is one of the busiest and best-connected stations in Uttar Pradesh. Almost every train travelling through eastern UP, whether headed to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, or the Northeast, halts here, making it possible to reach virtually any corner of India directly from Gorakhpur.
The station has also become one of the boarding points for the Amrit Bharat Express, Indian Railways’ newer long-distance train aimed at affordable, comfortable travel. From Gorakhpur, this service currently runs twice a week, on Mondays and Tuesdays, and is worth noting that it currently offers only Sleeper class coaches, with no AC options available yet.
How to Reach Gorakhpur Railway Station
Getting to the station is easy no matter where you’re coming from in the city. You’ll find autos, city buses, and app-based cab services like Ola, Uber, and Rapido readily available. Because the station campus is so large, it has a total of six entry and exit gates, so you can pick whichever one is closest to your route into the city.
Right around the entry gates, you’ll run into Gorakhpur’s famous street food scene. Litti chokha (also called bati chokha) stalls dominate the area, alongside a good spread of other local snacks and quick bites. A plate of chole bhature with achaar near the gate is a solid way to start or end your visit — simple, hot, and genuinely tasty.
Inside the Station: Photo Spots and Landmarks
Heading in through Gate No. 5 brings you to the station’s grand main entrance, the point from which most passengers make their way to the platforms. Near this entrance, keep an eye out for a vintage steam engine on display — a real, retired locomotive from the Indian Railways fleet that’s now preserved purely as a heritage attraction. It’s the most popular photo spot at the station, and if you’re looking for good Gorakhpur Junction Railway Station photos, this steam engine and the main entrance gate are your best bets. Beyond these two spots, though, the station isn’t designed for extensive photography, so don’t expect a scenic backdrop throughout the complex.
Gorakhpur Railway Station Platform Guide
The Gorakhpur railway station platform system is built to handle serious volume — the station has multiple platforms connected by a network of tracks, with Platform 1 recognised as the record-setting stretch that makes this the world’s second-longest railway platform.
Getting to your platform depends on where your train arrives:
- Platform 1: Accessible directly from the ground level, no stairs or lifts required.
- Other platforms: Reachable via lifts and escalators, which are available and functional for passengers carrying luggage or travelling with elderly family members.
Given how many trains pass through daily, the Gorakhpur Junction railway station platform area sees a constant flow of passengers, so it’s worth building in a little extra time when you’re catching a train, especially during festival seasons.
How Crowded Does It Get?
With an estimated one lakh passengers passing through daily, crowding is simply part of the experience here, particularly around festivals and holiday travel periods. The good news is that the station authorities keep the premises noticeably clean, and cleanliness standards are maintained consistently even with such heavy footfall.
Hotels Near Gorakhpur Railway Station
If you’re arriving in Gorakhpur and need a place to stay, you won’t have to look far. There are several good-quality hotels near Gorakhpur Railway Station within easy walking or short driving distance, catering to different budgets. A government bus station is also located within about 1 km of the railway station, useful if you’re combining rail and road travel.
For travellers who prefer a five-star stay, Radisson Blu is located roughly 5 km from Gorakhpur Junction, with several shopping malls within walking distance of the hotel — handy if you need to pick up essentials or want to spend an evening browsing.
Gorakhpur Railway Station Pin Code
For courier deliveries, address verification, or general reference, the Gorakhpur Railway Station pin code area falls under 273012, covering the railway station and the adjoining railway colony in Gorakhpur district, Uttar Pradesh. It’s always worth double-checking with your specific courier or postal service, since pin code boundaries can occasionally overlap between nearby localities.
Is the Area Around Gorakhpur Railway Station Safe?
Yes. The neighbourhood around the station stays active around the clock, with a steady police presence keeping an eye on things day and night. Combined with the constant footfall from passengers and vendors, the area feels secure for solo travellers, families, and anyone arriving late at night.
Planning Onward Travel
Since Gorakhpur connects so seamlessly to major cities, many travellers use it as a gateway before heading further afield. If Delhi is on your route, it’s worth reading through our guides to Chandni Chowk Delhi for food and shopping, Delhi Zoo for a family-friendly outing, and Purana Qila if you’re interested in the city’s heritage sites. You can also browse more destination guides on the Placetrail homepage.
FAQs About Gorakhpur Railway Station
Q1. What is special about Gorakhpur Railway Station? Gorakhpur Junction holds the record for the world’s second-longest railway platform and serves as the headquarters of the North Eastern Railway zone, making it one of the most significant stations in Uttar Pradesh.
Q2. How many platforms does Gorakhpur Junction have? The station has multiple platforms, with Platform 1 being the famous record-holding stretch that gives Gorakhpur its “second-longest platform in the world” status.
Q3. How many gates does Gorakhpur Railway Station have? The station has a total of six entry and exit gates spread across its large campus.
Q4. What is the pin code of Gorakhpur Railway Station? The Gorakhpur Railway Station pin code is generally listed as 273012, covering the station and its surrounding railway colony area.
Q5. Are there good hotels near Gorakhpur Railway Station? Yes, several hotels are available within walking distance of the station, and a five-star option, Radisson Blu, is located about 5 km away.
Q6. Does the Amrit Bharat Express run from Gorakhpur? Yes, it currently operates twice a week from Gorakhpur, on Mondays and Tuesdays, with Sleeper class coaches only.
Q7. Is Gorakhpur Railway Station safe at night? Yes, the area maintains round-the-clock activity and a visible police presence, making it a generally safe zone for travellers at any hour.