How to Reach Varanasi and Uttar Pradesh: Flights, Trains and Road Routes

The easiest way to reach Varanasi is to fly into Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, about an hour from the ghats, or take the Vande Bharat train from Delhi, which takes about eight hours. Lucknow, Agra, Prayagraj and Ayodhya each have airports and good rail links, so you can arrive in one city and leave from another.

Uttar Pradesh is large, and its cities are spread across the Gangetic plain. Choosing the right airport or station, and knowing how to reach the ghats in Varanasi's old city, makes the first day much easier. This guide explains the options by air, rail and road, and how to link Varanasi with Lucknow, Agra, Prayagraj, Ayodhya and Sarnath.

The short answer

Airports in Uttar Pradesh

Varanasi has flights from most major cities. The airport is at Babatpur, roughly 45 minutes to an hour from the ghats depending on traffic.

Lucknow is the state capital and the busiest airport, with domestic and some international flights. Agra, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur and Kushinagar have smaller airports with fewer flights, which can be useful for pilgrimage and Buddhist circuit routes.

By train

Varanasi is well connected by rail. From Delhi, the Vande Bharat takes about eight hours, and overnight trains reach Varanasi by morning. Varanasi Junction (often called Varanasi Cantt) and Banaras station are closest to the city, while Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, formerly Mughalsarai, is about 30 to 45 minutes away and handles many long-distance trains. From Kolkata, overnight trains are popular. Lucknow has fast trains from Delhi, including the Shatabdi, taking about six to seven hours.

By road

Expressways have improved road travel. The Yamuna Expressway links Delhi and Agra, and the Agra–Lucknow Expressway continues to Lucknow. From Lucknow, Varanasi is about five to six hours. From Bodh Gaya in Bihar, Varanasi is about six hours by road. Drive in daylight, as fog in December and January can make roads dangerous.

Drive times between key places

Getting around Varanasi

Within Varanasi, walking is the best way to explore the ghats and lanes. E-rickshaws and cycle rickshaws handle short distances, and app cabs work in the newer parts of the city. Boats on the Ganga link the ghats and are essential for sunrise and the evening Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat. A local walking guide helps in the maze of lanes around Kashi Vishwanath.

Linking the cities

Many travellers combine Varanasi with Lucknow's food and Awadhi heritage, as in our Enchanted Heritage: Lucknow and Varanasi. Others add Varanasi to the Golden Triangle, flying or taking an overnight train from Agra, as in Golden Triangle and Sacred Varanasi. For a wider spiritual journey, Sacred Sands and Spiritual Cities links several pilgrimage centres.

Season and festivals

October to March is the most comfortable time, with Dev Deepawali in November lighting the ghats with lamps. Crowds and prices rise sharply during major festivals and melas, including the Magh Mela at Prayagraj. Fog in December and January delays trains and flights. April to June is very hot, and the monsoon raises the river, sometimes stopping boat rides. Read our month-by-month guide before booking.

Your first day in Varanasi

Most flights and morning trains arrive in time for an afternoon walk along the ghats from Assi towards Dashashwamedh, followed by the evening Ganga aarti, watched from the steps or from a boat. Save the sunrise boat ride, Kashi Vishwanath and the old city lanes for the next morning, when the river is calm and the light is soft. If you arrive on an overnight train, check whether your hotel allows early check-in.

Budget options

Trains are the best value for reaching Varanasi and Lucknow from Delhi, Kolkata and Mumbai, and overnight sleeper journeys save a hotel night. Book as soon as reservations open, especially for festival dates. Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport buses run between the main cities. In Varanasi, shared boats for the aarti cost less than private ones, and walking the ghats costs nothing.

For couples

Couples often choose a heritage hotel on the river for sunrise views, then spend two nights in Lucknow for its food and architecture. A private boat at dawn, a quiet evening at Assi Ghat and a day in Sarnath make a balanced short trip.

The Buddhist circuit

Sarnath, where the Buddha gave his first sermon, is about 30 minutes from Varanasi. Kushinagar, where he passed away, has its own airport, and Bodh Gaya in Bihar is about six hours by road from Varanasi. Travellers on the Buddhist circuit often fly into one airport and out of another to save time.

Travelling with parents

Choose a hotel with vehicle access rather than one deep in the lanes, or ask for porter and boat transfers. Book lower berths on overnight trains early. Sunrise boats are gentle, but the steps at the ghats can be steep and slippery, so go slowly.

Practical tips

Book trains early, especially around festivals. Keep ID handy for temple security, where phones and bags may not be allowed. Leave a buffer before flights in fog season. Read our 7-day Uttar Pradesh itinerary and planning guide to build the rest of the trip.

A BagPackerMe planner can arrange the whole journey privately, with one named planner, WhatsApp support throughout and vegetarian and Jain food planned in.

Your questions, answered

What is the best way to reach Varanasi?

Flying into Varanasi's Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is the quickest option from most cities. From Delhi, the Vande Bharat train takes about eight hours, and overnight trains save a hotel night.

Which railway station is best for Varanasi?

Varanasi Junction (Varanasi Cantt) and Banaras station are closest to the city. Many long-distance trains stop at Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, about 30 to 45 minutes away. Check your train's stop before booking a transfer.

Can cars reach the ghats in Varanasi?

Not all the way. The old city lanes near the ghats are narrow and often closed to cars, so drivers stop at points such as Godowlia. You walk or take a cycle rickshaw for the last stretch, or arrive by boat.

How do I combine Varanasi with Agra or Lucknow?

Lucknow is about five to six hours from Varanasi by road, and Agra links to Lucknow by expressway. Flights and overnight trains connect Varanasi with Agra and Delhi for the Golden Triangle.