Have a simple packed dinner (paratha, curd, fruit) from station stall or a budget dhaba to avoid expensive platform vendors and ensure you have food on the overnight leg.
Take an overnight express/sleeper train from Ahmedabad to Mathura (cheapest way to save time and money). Book sleeper (SL) or second sleeper; journey ~14h (arrive next morning).
Eat a hearty local breakfast (stuffed paratha + chai or lassi) from a popular station stall or small bhojnalaya to fuel a day of temple visits. Cheap and filling.
Visit the historic Krishna Janmabhoomi complex in Mathura to see the birthplace site and shrines; meaningful for devotees and interesting for cultural context. Typical visiting windows: morning until ~12:30pm and evening reopening (check day-of hours).
Walk to Vishram Ghat on the Yamuna for riverfront views and to watch puja preparations; then browse Mathura's flower & sweet shops for peda and souvenirs.
Visit ISKCON for peaceful temple architecture, prasadam options and regular aartis; typically open from early morning to late evening (confirm day-of).
Attend evening darshan at Banke Bihari Temple — one of Vrindavan's most famous and vibrant temples. Evening darshan generally starts around late afternoon/evening (confirm timing).
Try local chaat, kachori or sweet lassi from trusted stalls near the temple; inexpensive and tasty. Avoid very late or unknown stalls — pick busy ones.
Visit Prem Mandir — famous for marble architecture and evening lighting & sound show; Prem Mandir typically opens early and remains open late (check exact timing); mornings are quieter for photos.
Have a light midday meal at a vegetarian restaurant (Govindas-style or local bhojan) that serves sattvic thali/plate — gentle on the wallet and stomach.
Take a short trip to the base of Goverdhan hill or Kusum Sarovar to see rural Vrindavan landscapes and do a short walk; the full 21km parikrama is optional and not required — check local weather and transport.
Return to Prem Mandir for the evening illumination and aarti (most visitors time a night visit for the light show); confirm show times (usually after sunset and runs late).
Short trip to Gokul (close by) to see small countryside shrines and get a different, quieter view of Krishna-bhakti life; transport via shared auto or short taxi.
If desired, return to Mathura for the evening Ganga aarti at Vishram Ghat; the aarti is atmospheric at sunset (usually 5:30pm–6:30pm but changes seasonally).
Have a final budget-friendly dinner near your guesthouse and pack for an evening departure the next day; keep plan to leave a bit earlier for train boarding.
Catch your return overnight/sleeper train from Mathura to Ahmedabad in the afternoon/evening; sleeper fare similar to outbound. Overnight travel saves a night's accommodation cost.