By Quick answer: Fly into Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (Babatpur), about 25 km from the city centre, or take a train to Varanasi Junction, Banaras station or Pt. DDU Junction (Mughalsarai), about 17 km away. Other airports serving Purvanchal are Gorakhpur, Kushinagar, Prayagraj and Ayodhya. For local and outstation trips, pre-book a taxi or tempo traveller with the fare, tolls and parking agreed upfront. Get taxi and transfer quotes.
By air
| Airport | Serves | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Varanasi (LBS International, Babatpur) | Varanasi and most of Purvanchal | Domestic flights to major cities and some international flights |
| Gorakhpur | Gorakhpur, Deoria, Kushinagar, Maharajganj | Domestic flights |
| Kushinagar International | Kushinagar and the Buddhist circuit | Check current schedules |
| Prayagraj | Prayagraj, Bhadohi, Mirzapur | Domestic flights |
| Ayodhya (Maharishi Valmiki International) | Ayodhya and nearby districts | Domestic flights |
Airport to the ghats takes about 45 to 75 minutes depending on traffic. Book an airport taxi or transfer in advance, especially for early or late flights.
By train
- Varanasi Junction (Cantt): the main station, close to Cantt and Sigra hotels.
- Banaras station: a modern station in the south-west of the city.
- Pt. DDU Junction (Mughalsarai): one of India's busiest junctions, on the Delhi–Howrah main line, about 17 km from Varanasi. See DDU Junction taxi and transfers.
- Kashi station: near Rajghat, convenient for some trains.
Vande Bharat and other fast trains connect Varanasi with Delhi and other cities. Book on the official railway website or app, and use the travel desk for help with routes.
By road
National highways link Varanasi with Prayagraj, Lucknow, Ghazipur, Ballia, Gorakhpur, Patna and Kolkata, and the Purvanchal Expressway runs from Lucknow towards Ghazipur. UPSRTC buses run from the Cantt bus station to most district towns, and private AC sleepers run to cities across north India.
Distance table from Varanasi (approx. by road)
| Destination | Distance | Typical drive |
|---|---|---|
| Sarnath | 10 km | 30–45 min |
| Ramnagar / Chandauli | 15–40 km | 30–75 min |
| Chunar | 40 km | 1–1.5 hr |
| Jaunpur | 60 km | 1.5–2 hr |
| Vindhyachal / Mirzapur | 65–70 km | 2 hr |
| Ghazipur | 75 km | 2 hr |
| Bhadohi | 45 km | 1.5 hr |
| Azamgarh | 95 km | 2.5 hr |
| Prayagraj | 120–130 km | 3 hr |
| Ballia | 150 km | 3.5–4 hr |
| Sonbhadra (Robertsganj) | 85–90 km | 2.5 hr |
| Ayodhya | 200–220 km | 4–5 hr |
| Gorakhpur | 200–230 km | 5 hr |
| Bodh Gaya | 250 km | 5–6 hr |
| Kushinagar | 250–280 km | 6 hr |
Times vary with traffic, roadworks and festivals. Check live maps before leaving.
Booking a taxi or cab
- Choose sedan for up to four people, SUV or Innova for six or seven, and a tempo traveller for 9 to 26.
- Agree whether the fare is per km with a daily minimum or a fixed package.
- Confirm tolls, parking, state permit and driver allowance (night charges).
- Save the driver's name, phone and vehicle number; share your trip with family.
- Pay through a receipt or UPI to the operator.
Popular routes: Varanasi to Ayodhya taxi, Varanasi to Prayagraj taxi, Varanasi to Bodh Gaya taxi, and Gorakhpur to Kushinagar and Lumbini cabs. Every district has taxi and travel agent listings, for example taxis in Gorakhpur, in Mirzapur and travel agents in Varanasi.
Getting around Varanasi
E-rickshaws and autos are the easiest way into the old city, where cars cannot go. Walk the last stretch to the ghats. Boats connect the ghats along the river. Plan extra time around Godowlia and Dashashwamedh in the evening.
Travelling during festivals and melas
Traffic plans change during Dev Deepawali, Mahashivratri, Shravan Mondays, the Kumbh and Magh Mela in Prayagraj and major events in Ayodhya. Vehicles may be stopped far from the ghats or temples, and some roads become one-way or closed. Leave extra time for airport and station transfers, keep your hotel's address and phone handy, and confirm the drop point with your driver in advance.
Accessible travel
Travellers with limited mobility should choose hotels with lifts and car access, ask about wheelchairs at the airport and stations, and use battery carts where available near major temples. Boats can be difficult to board from steep ghats; ask boatmen to use the easiest steps.
Rail tips
Book early for festival seasons and long weekends, when trains to and from Varanasi fill up quickly. Check which station your train uses (Varanasi Junction, Banaras, Kashi or Pt. DDU Junction), since they are in different parts of the city. For early-morning arrivals, pre-book a cab or ask your hotel for a pickup.
Find it in your district
- Travel agents in Varanasi
- Travel agents in Chandauli
- Travel agents in Ghazipur
- Travel agents in Jaunpur
- Travel agents in Azamgarh
- Travel agents in Mau
- Travel agents in Ballia
- Travel agents in Mirzapur
- Travel agents in Sonbhadra
- Travel agents in Bhadohi
- Travel agents in Gorakhpur
- Travel agents in Deoria
- Travel agents in Kushinagar
Key takeaways
- Fly into Varanasi (Babatpur) or take a train to Varanasi Junction, Banaras or Pt. DDU Junction.
- Use the distance table to plan day trips; agree taxi fares, tolls and permits in advance.
- In the old city, switch to e-rickshaws, walking and boats.
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Frequently asked questions
Which is the nearest airport to Varanasi?
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport at Babatpur, about 25 km from the city centre.
Which railway station is best for the ghats?
Varanasi Junction and Banaras are both about 5 to 7 km from the main ghats; the last stretch is by e-rickshaw or on foot.
How far is Pt. DDU Junction from Varanasi?
About 17 km, usually 40 to 60 minutes by road.
How do I book a reliable outstation taxi?
Agree on the fare type, tolls, parking, permits and driver allowance in writing, save the vehicle details and pay the operator with a receipt.