Kolkata is one of the easiest big cities to travel to Varanasi from. It’s about 763 km by rail and roughly 670 km by road, so you can arrive rested and still have most of a day to explore. Overnight trains are the classic choice. A short direct flight is the quick one.
This guide explains how to reach Varanasi from Kolkata by train, flight and road, including which stations to use, how long each option takes, and what to expect when you arrive. If you’d rather have it all arranged, take a look at our Varanasi tour packages from Kolkata, which cover travel, stay and sightseeing together.
Want help planning your dates?
Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll sort it out together.
Kolkata to Varanasi at a Glance
Here are the main options side by side. Timings and fares change by date, so treat these as ranges.
| Option | Journey time | Cost (one way) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Train | About 10 to 15 hours | Lowest cost, from sleeper class | Budget, saving a hotel night |
| Flight | About 1 hr 20 min to 1 hr 25 min | From about ₹4,300 to ₹4,800 | Short trips, limited time |
| Road | About 670 km, around 9.5 hours on route planners | Fuel and tolls, or a cab quote | Groups with luggage |
Kolkata to Varanasi by Train
For most travellers, the train is the natural pick. Roughly eight trains run between the two cities, and about four of them run daily. Journey times range from around 10 to 15 hours, depending on the service and stops.
Trains you’ll come across
- Poorva Express: listed as the fastest option, taking roughly 12 to 13 hours. It doesn’t run every day, so check the schedule.
- Vibhuti Express and Doon Express: daily services, taking around 13.5 and 14.75 hours on the route.
- Kumbha Express: one of the earlier departures, taking about 12 hours 45 minutes.
Schedules, running days and exact timings do change, so confirm on IRCTC before you book.
Which Kolkata station should you use?
Most trains leave from Howrah Junction, which sits across the river from central Kolkata. Some services use Sealdah or Kolkata (Chitpur) station instead, so check your ticket before booking a cab. Howrah is a huge, busy station, so arrive early.
Which Varanasi station will you reach?
Varanasi Junction, often called Varanasi Cantt, is the main and most convenient stop. Some trains arrive at Banaras station, and many fast trains stop at Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (Mughal Sarai) instead, which is about 14 km away. If your train ends at Mughal Sarai, plan for a taxi to finish the trip.
Daytime or overnight: which departure to pick?
Timing matters as much as the train itself. Kumbha Express is listed as the first train of the day out of Kolkata, while Doon Express is listed as the last. That gives you a real choice. An early departure puts you in Varanasi at a sensible hour, and a late one lets you work a full day in Kolkata first, then sleep through most of the journey. Either way, check the arrival time before paying, because it decides whether you can check in straight away.
Train booking tips
- Tickets open 60 days before travel, and popular services sell out quickly.
- Check the arrival time. A daytime or early morning arrival is much easier than a 3 am one.
- Book early for festival weeks. Dev Deepawali falls on 24 November 2026, and trains fill up fast.
Kolkata to Varanasi by Flight
If time is tight, flying makes sense. The journey is a short 1 hour 20 minutes to 1 hour 25 minutes in the air.
Airlines and schedule
IndiGo operates most of the direct flights, with Air India Express adding a few more each week. Overall, expect roughly 12 to 15 flights a week, which works out to about two a day. That’s fewer than on the bigger metro routes, so you have less choice. The earliest listed IndiGo departure is around 7:55 am.
Fares
The cheapest fares found have been around ₹4,300 to ₹4,800 one way, and round trips have been seen from about ₹9,000. With limited flights, low-fare seats can sell out, so book early and avoid last-minute changes.
The airport transfer
Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Airport is some distance from Howrah and the city centre, so leave time for traffic. In Varanasi, the airport is about 24 km from the city. Our guide to Varanasi airport taxi fares and transfers explains pickups and costs.
Kolkata to Varanasi by Road
Driving is possible, though not for everyone. The route mostly follows the NH19 corridor and covers roughly 670 km. Route planners estimate about 9 hours 36 minutes, but allow extra for traffic, tolls and breaks.
It works well for families or groups who want flexibility, ideally with a hired car and driver rather than self-driving. Direct buses are uncommon, and bus options often involve a change at Patna and a longer journey.
Which Is the Best Way to Reach Varanasi from Kolkata?
It depends on your priorities.
- Lowest cost: an overnight train in sleeper class.
- Most comfortable: a train in AC class or a flight.
- Shortest time: a direct flight.
- Families and seniors: a daytime train, or a flight, so nobody’s exhausted on arrival.
- Groups: a private car, or train tickets booked early.
Many travellers mix the two, taking the train in and flying back, which saves a few hours on the return.
One thing people overlook is door-to-door time. A flight is only 1 hour 20 minutes in the air, but once you add airport check-in and the transfers at both ends, it saves less time than it looks. An overnight train, on the other hand, turns the journey into your sleeping hours, so you wake up in Varanasi without losing a day.
When to Go
Because the journey is short, a long weekend works. Winter is the most comfortable season, with pleasant days for walking the ghats. Our guide to the best time to visit Varanasi covers each month in detail.
What to Expect When You Arrive
The lanes around the ghats and Kashi Vishwanath Temple are too narrow for most cars. Your driver will drop you at the nearest point, and you’ll walk the last stretch. Confirm the drop point with your hotel and travel light.
If you arrive in the afternoon, don’t miss the evening Aarti. For more routes into the city from other parts of India, see our general guide on how to reach Varanasi.
Conclusion
Now you know how to reach Varanasi from Kolkata. Take the train for value, fly for speed, and consider a car for groups. Whichever you choose, book early and check arrival times.
If you’d like us to arrange tickets, transfers and stay so you can simply show up, contact us here and we’ll build a plan around your dates.
