Prayagraj 3 Letter Code: Your Guide to Airports, Railways, and Travel

• by Seraphina Durand
• Jun 29, 2025
• 0 Comments

Prayagraj 3 Letter Code: Your Guide to Airports, Railways, and Travel

Ever stopped to wonder what those three little letters on your plane ticket or train reservation mean? You know, the cryptic codes that somehow speak the international language of travel. Well, if you've set your sights on the historic city of Prayagraj—maybe for the iconic Kumbh Mela, a Ganga snan, a business trip, or just to see where the Ganges, Yamuna, and Saraswati famously meet—knowing the right three-letter code could save you from a serious travel headache. Lost bags, wrong train tickets, missed airport transfers? Yikes. But here's what's wild: Prayagraj actually has more than one code floating out there, depending on where and how you're traveling. Let’s get into it.

Prayagraj Airport Code: The IATA Three-Letter Identifier

Alright, so when you book a flight anywhere on the planet, you deal with IATA codes. That’s the three-letter shorthand that airlines, airports, and booking sites all use. For Prayagraj, the airport code is IXD. It stands for Allahabad Airport (yes, some places still use the old name), which officially switched to Prayagraj Airport but kept its original IATA code. If you pull up your airline booking, check your baggage tag at the airport, or scan a flight status board, 'IXD' is what you’re looking for.

Some quick facts to file away:

• IXD punches way above its weight for a regional airport, with daily flights to big cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.
• The code hasn’t changed since the name update, because IATA codes rarely get revised—airlines and booking systems prefer to keep the old codes for consistency.
• Airports Council International and global security systems are all tuned into IXD, so using Prayagraj’s other names won’t cut it if you’re searching for flights.

If you’re booking a flight from Kolkata to Prayagraj, check that your e-ticket says “Kolkata (CCU) – Prayagraj (IXD)” before you hit that checkout button. Lots of folks still confuse this, especially since the city got rebranded from Allahabad to Prayagraj just a few years ago. Pro tip: When giving your itinerary to someone unfamiliar, mention “IXD, the old Allahabad Airport”—you’ll avoid a lot of blank stares!

Why does all this matter? Mixing up the code could send your checked bag, or even your travel plans, somewhere totally different—nobody wants their suitcase ending up in Indore (IDR) when they’re headed for the confluence of the Sangam!

Prayagraj Junction Railway Station: The Indian Railways Code

Maybe you’re more of a train person—after all, few things feel as Indian as hopping on a long-distance express and watching the countryside slide by. Here’s where it gets interesting: Prayagraj Junction has its own three-letter railway code—'PRYJ.' But if you’re old-school or browsing rail sites that haven’t updated since the city’s name change, you might bump into the older code 'ALD,' which stands for Allahabad. Indian Railways officially switched to 'PRYJ' in February 2020, after the city’s renaming (for both station signage and reservation systems). Squint at your next train ticket, and you’ll spot it.

Some interesting quirks and notes for train travelers:

• 'PRYJ' is now the official station code for all mail, express, and superfast trains that stop at Prayagraj Junction.
• Smaller Prayagraj stations, like Prayagraj Chheoki (PCOI) and Prayag (PRG), each have their own unique three or four-letter codes as well.
• If a travel agent enters 'ALD' instead of 'PRYJ,' the booking will redirect you to Prayagraj Junction, but Indian Railways now standardizes 'PRYJ' for most official paperwork and tickets.

Why care about the station code at all? Try searching 'Allahabad' on ticketing apps—you’ll often get a warning or a note about using the correct code. Entering the wrong thing could mean you accidentally book for a different station (like Allahabad City, code 'ALY'), which is definitely not where most express trains go.

For anyone changing trains, double-check your ticket to make sure both the name and station code match up. Especially during crowded festival seasons—when the Kumbh Mela attracts millions—knowing the right code is the difference between a smooth transfer and a massive headache.

Historical Context: From Allahabad to Prayagraj and the World of Codes

Here’s a fact that’ll get you a nod from history buffs: Prayagraj wasn’t always called Prayagraj. Up until 2018, it was “Allahabad”—and let’s be honest, a lot of folks (including airlines, postal services, and booking agents) use the names almost interchangeably. The city was renamed Prayagraj to celebrate its religious and historical roots. But updating all the codes and records? That doesn’t happen overnight.

This is why the airport still goes by IXD instead of, say, PRY. IATA codes don’t always match city names—London Heathrow is LHR, Mumbai is BOM (for Bombay), Chennai is MAA (from Madras), and so on. Airports hang onto their legacy codes, so the tech works behind the scenes.

• Prayagraj’s major railway code moved from ALD (Allahabad) to PRYJ, but a patchwork of sites and databases still carries both names and codes. Always double-check when booking!
• The switch from ALD to PRYJ made big waves in the Indian Railways system. The railway station was repainted, tickets changed, and even the station jingle got a revamp.
• The airport code IXD still shows up as Allahabad in a lot of foreign booking sites. This isn’t a glitch—it’s just how the aviation industry works for consistency’s sake.

If you’re curious, here’s how these codes get made: IATA assigns airport codes, almost always three letters. Indian Railways uses three or four-letter station abbreviations, adjusting as cities change names. It’s not always logical—sometimes it’s about what’s available, sometimes there’s a history behind it, and occasionally, it helps with pronunciation or recognition for folks working in the industry.

During the city’s renaming, there were piles of paperwork, public signage to change, and old codes to update in computer systems. While the signs on the street say Prayagraj, the aviation and railway sectors have different speeds for shifting over to the new names. This can throw people off, so when in doubt, check the codes, especially if you’re booking long-haul connections or transferring between airlines or railways.

Tips for Travelers: Making Sense of Prayagraj’s Codes

Knowing codes isn’t just for airline agents or travel pros. For everyday travelers, a little code knowledge means saving time, avoiding mistakes, and, yes, even impressing the person at the ticket counter. Here’s how you can put this to use:

• Flight bookings: Always search for flights to IXD if you’re headed to Prayagraj, even if the airline says Allahabad. If you can’t find “Prayagraj” on some international booking sites, look up 'Allahabad.' Rest assured, it’ll land you at the right spot.
• Train journeys: On IRCTC or any ticket portal, use ‘PRYJ’ as your code for the central Prayagraj station. If you come across ‘ALD,’ that’s fine too, but expect a gradual phase-out.
• Luggage tags and boarding: Double-check your bag tags and boarding passes. Bags labeled IXD will go to Prayagraj airport, not some other ‘P’ city in India.
• Navigation apps: Entering IXD or PRYJ on Google Maps, cab booking apps, or ride-sharing services drops you right at the right terminal or platform.
• Festival seasons: During the Kumbh Mela or Magh Mela, book tickets well in advance and cross-check the codes—temporary platforms and extra trains often get added, and codes really help keep things straight.

One last fun tidbit: If you like collecting boarding passes or train tickets as souvenirs, see if you spot both the old and new codes—sometimes, station boards and digital tickets will use both for a while. It’s a quirky reminder of how cities evolve but don’t always leave their past behind in a hurry.

So next time you’re booking that trip, remember: there’s a story behind every three-letter code. Whether you’re catching a train or a flight, decoding Prayagraj’s 3-letter code makes you the savvy traveler who always ends up in the right place—no matter what the ticket says!