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Reaching Varanasi

Road to Salvation — your complete guide to arriving in Kashi by air, rail and road.

By Banarasi Bhaukal2 min read

Children leaping and swimming in the Ganga beside a ghat wall, boats moored behind them
Children leap into the Ganga near the ghats, a reminder of the city’s timeless relationship with the river.

Introduction

Varanasi, known as Kashi, showcases India's spiritual essence, nestled by the sacred Ganges. It stands as one of the world's oldest cities, resonating with centuries of spiritual, cultural, and historical significance — its ancient temples and lively ghats drawing pilgrims and travellers every year.

Known also as Avimukta and Anandavana, and held to be the home of Lord Shiva, Varanasi is equally a hub of everyday cultural life — narrow lanes full of sights, sounds, and scents, bustling markets of silk sarees and handicrafts, and the aroma of street food carried through the air.

Flying In: Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport

Located in Babatpur, about 26 kilometres northwest of the city, Varanasi's airport handles both domestic and international flights, connecting to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, as well as international destinations such as Kathmandu, Sharjah, and Bangkok. A single integrated terminal serves domestic and international travellers alike, with restaurants, shops, lounges, and car rental services on site.

The journey to Varanasi is as enriching as the destination itself.

By Train: Four Stations Serve the City

  1. Varanasi Junction (BSB) — also called Varanasi Cantt, this is the city's main railway hub, offering connections to major Indian cities along with waiting areas, overnight accommodation, food stalls, banking services, parking, and medical assistance.
  2. Banaras Railway Station (BSBS) — also known as Manduadih, located 4 km from the city centre. A historical station with 5 platforms, waiting rooms, and refreshment stalls, offering express and passenger trains — often at lower fares than Varanasi Junction.
  3. Kashi Railway Station (KEI) — 5 km from the city centre, a smaller station with fewer amenities, mainly serving passenger trains to nearby towns.
  4. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (DDU) — also known as Mughalsarai Junction, 18 km from the city centre. An important hub connecting northern and eastern India, with multiple platforms, waiting rooms, cloakrooms, refreshment stalls, and a prepaid taxi booth — best suited to travellers willing to go further out for more train options or cheaper fares.
A pilgrim reading scripture while standing in the Ganga
Morning reading in the river — for many, the first sight of Kashi is from the water.

The Road to Reverence: By Road

Varanasi is well-connected by road to major cities in Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states, with highways NH 19 and NH 31 passing through or near the city, and the Eastern Peripheral and Purvanchal Expressways offering faster travel from Delhi. Travel time ranges from 4–6 hours from nearby cities to 10–12 hours from Delhi or Kolkata, with road conditions varying from well-maintained highways to narrow, bumpy stretches, and roadside eateries and fuel stations along the way.

In Transit: By Bus

Buses offer a convenient, budget-friendly route into the city. The Chaudhary Charan Singh Bus Stand, roughly 1 km from Varanasi Railway Station, connects to major cities in Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring states via state-run and private operators. Journeys from nearby cities like Allahabad or Lucknow take about 4–6 hours, while trips from Delhi or Kolkata can take 10–12 hours — booking ahead is recommended during peak travel times.

Whether you arrive by air, train, or road, the journey to Varanasi is as enriching as the destination itself.

A figure with raised arms before a ghat-side shrine in thick winter fog
Winter fog over a ghat-side shrine.

Narrow lanes full of sights, sounds, and scents, and the aroma of street food carried through the air.