Bangalore is one of the farthest big cities from Varanasi. That changes the advice. From Delhi or Lucknow you can pick almost any mode, but from here the real question is simple: how many days can you spare?
A nonstop flight takes about two and a half hours. The train takes close to two days. Between those two, everything else is a trade-off. This guide shows how to reach Varanasi from Bangalore by looking at your trip length first, then matching it to the right route. If you’d rather have the whole thing arranged, see our Varanasi tour packages from Bangalore, which cover travel, stay and sightseeing.
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The Quick Facts
Before the scenarios, here’s the data in one place. Distances vary by source, so treat these as ranges.
| Option | Time | Typical cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nonstop flight | About 2 hr 20 min to 2 hr 35 min | About ₹3,500 to ₹6,500+ one way | Roughly five departures a day |
| Train | About 41 to 50 hours | From about ₹875 (sleeper) | Around five trains, leaving mid-morning or afternoon |
| Road | About 25 hours of driving | Fuel, tolls, driver | Distance is roughly 1,780 km |
| Connecting flight | About 4 to 7 hours | Varies | Usually not worth it |
The flight distance is about 1,465 km in a straight line. By road it’s closer to 1,780 km, and by rail about 1,480 km.
If You Have 3 to 4 Days: Fly Both Ways
For a short trip, there’s only one sensible answer. Fly.
Nonstop flights run between Bengaluru and Varanasi on IndiGo, Air India Express and Akasa Air, with around five departures a day between them. The flight takes roughly 2 hours 20 minutes to 2 hours 35 minutes. Some listings show departures as early as 5:10 am, which gets you to Varanasi by mid-morning.
A short plan looks like this. Day one is arrival and the evening Aarti. Day two covers the temples and a sunrise boat ride. Day three adds Sarnath before your flight home. Our 2N/3D Varanasi tour package from Bangalore follows exactly this pattern.
What do flights cost?
Route planners have shown one-way fares from about ₹3,500, with typical fares closer to ₹6,000 or more. Round trips have been seen from about ₹9,000. Prices shoot up around festivals and weekends, so book early, ideally a month or more ahead.
Skip the connecting flights
You’ll see options via Hyderabad, Kolkata or Delhi. Schedules put those at roughly 4 to 7 hours, nearly double the nonstop time. Unless the saving is large, don’t bother.
The airport reality check
Bengaluru’s airport is in Devanahalli, a fair distance from most of the city, so leave early and allow for traffic. On the other end, Varanasi’s airport is about 24 km from the city. Our guide to Varanasi airport taxi fares and transfers covers pickups.
If You Have 5 to 7 Days: Fly In, Add a Second City
With a few more days, you can widen the trip without changing how you travel. Fly in, then add Ayodhya or Prayagraj, and fly back from Varanasi.
Our 3N/4D Varanasi Ayodhya tour package from Bangalore is built for this, and our 5 days Varanasi tour package from Bangalore gives you more breathing room.
This is also the sweet spot for families. You get time to rest after the flight, and nobody feels rushed.
If You Have 10 Days or More: The Train Starts to Make Sense
The train is cheap, and for a long trip it’s a real experience. But it’s slow, so plan for it.
Trains you’ll find
Around five trains connect Bangalore and Varanasi. Two commonly listed ones:
- Bagmati Express (12578): leaves Bangalore in the early afternoon and reaches Mughalsarai Junction, about 14 km from Varanasi, early on the third morning. The journey is around 41 hours.
- Mysuru to Varanasi Express (22687): leaves Bangalore in the morning and reaches Varanasi Junction around 8:25 am on the third day, about 46 to 47 hours later.
Cleartrip lists the Bangalore City to Varanasi rail journey at roughly 50 hours. Timings, running days and routes change, so confirm everything on IRCTC.
Fares start from about ₹875 in the lowest class, and AC costs more. A sleeper berth is by far the cheapest way to cover the distance.
Pick the right Bangalore station
Trains leave from different stations. KSR Bengaluru City, Yesvantpur and Bangalore Cantt all appear in listings, so check which one your train uses before booking a cab.
What the train does to your calendar
Leave Monday and you arrive Wednesday morning. Return the same way and another two days disappear. A one week trip becomes three days in the city. For that reason, we only recommend the train if you can stay at least a week, and ideally longer.
A smart mix
Take the train one way and fly the other. You keep costs down, enjoy the journey once, and save two days on the way home.
Can You Drive from Bangalore to Varanasi?
Technically yes, but it isn’t a good idea. The road distance is around 1,780 km, which route planners put at about 25 hours of pure driving. In reality, that’s two long days with a night halt.
Bus options exist, though they usually involve changes and take longer than the train. For most travellers, flights and trains are the only realistic choices.
Which Way to Reach Varanasi from Bangalore Makes Sense for You?
Here’s the short decision guide.
- Under 5 days: Fly both ways.
- 5 to 7 days: Fly in, add Ayodhya or Prayagraj, fly out.
- A week or more, tight budget: Take the train one way, fly the other.
- Senior citizens: Fly. A two day train journey is hard on older travellers.
- Groups and families: Compare total flight cost against train fares plus extra hotel nights. It’s often closer than you’d think.
Booking Tips That Save Money and Stress
- Book flights early, and avoid peak festival dates if you can.
- Dev Deepawali falls on 24 November 2026. Trains open 60 days ahead, so tickets for that week are already on sale, and flights get pricier closer to the date.
- Check train arrival times before paying. Arriving at 6 am is fine. Arriving at 3 am isn’t.
- Carry a valid photo ID for flights, trains and hotels.
- Keep a day free after a long journey. You’ll enjoy Varanasi far more.
For a wider overview, see our general guide on how to reach Varanasi.
What to Expect on Arrival
The narrow lanes around the ghats can’t take most cars. Your driver will drop you at the nearest point, so confirm the drop spot with your hotel and travel light. If you land early, ask about early check-in or bag storage. And if you reach by afternoon, don’t miss the evening Aarti.
Conclusion
Now you know how to reach Varanasi from Bangalore: fly if you have a few days, mix a train and a flight if you have a week, and avoid driving. The best route is whichever one leaves you the most time in Kashi.
Book early and check arrival times carefully. If you’d like us to arrange the tickets, transfers and stay so you can simply show up, contact us here and we’ll build a plan around your dates.
