Mumbai and Varanasi sit about 1,500 km apart, and that distance changes how you should plan. Here the real cost isn’t only money. It’s days. A train can swallow nearly two days of a short trip, while a flight gets you to the ghats before lunch.
So here’s how to reach Varanasi from Mumbai in a way that fits your budget and your calendar. We’ll go through flights, trains, the road option, and a few smart combinations. If you’d rather have it all arranged, take a look at our Varanasi tour packages from Mumbai, which cover travel, stay and sightseeing.
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The Short Answer
Fly if you have fewer than five days. Take the train if you have a week or more, or if the budget is tight. Skip driving, because it isn’t worth it from Mumbai.
That’s the quick version. The rest of this guide explains why, with the numbers behind it.
Count Days, Not Just Rupees
Most guides compare modes by price. For Mumbai, it’s more useful to compare by what each option does to your schedule.
| Option | Time on the move | What it does to your trip |
|---|---|---|
| Flight | About 2 hr 15 min in the air | Leave in the morning, be in Varanasi by early afternoon |
| Train | Roughly 25 to 35 hours | Leave in the evening, arrive the next evening or night |
| Road | 22 to 26 hours of driving | Needs a night halt, plus a very tired driver |
The takeaway is simple. A train leaving Mumbai on Friday evening usually lands in Varanasi late Saturday. Your first full day is Sunday, and you’re already planning the trip back. On a three or four day trip, that’s most of your holiday spent sitting down.
By Flight: The Practical Choice for Short Trips
Direct flights are easy to find. Skyscanner-type listings show roughly 70 to 80 or more direct flights a week, run by IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air and SpiceJet, depending on the season. The flight takes around 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 20 minutes.
What fares look like
Fares vary by date. One-way tickets have been listed from about ₹4,000, and a common starting point on route planners is around ₹6,500. Festival weeks and last-minute bookings cost more. One fare tracker suggests booking around 40 days ahead for better prices, so don’t leave it until the week before.
From the airport to the ghats
Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is about 24 km from the city. Plan for the drive on top of the flight, since traffic can slow you down near the old city. Our guide to Varanasi airport taxi fares and transfers covers what to expect.
An early morning flight is the sweet spot. You land mid-morning, drop your bags, and still have a full afternoon and the evening Aarti.
By Train: Cheaper, but Plan Around the Hours
Around ten trains connect Mumbai and Varanasi. Journey times run from about 25 hours on the fastest options to 35 hours on slower ones. Distance by rail is roughly 1,450 to 1,515 km.
Trains you’ll come across
- Mahanagari Express (CSMT to Varanasi Junction): runs daily and takes about 25 to 28 hours.
- Kamayani Express (LTT): a long-running option, closer to 29 or 30 hours.
- LTT Banaras Express, LTT Jaynagar Express and LTT Gorakhpur trains: all connect Lokmanya Tilak Terminus with Varanasi, with some days-of-week restrictions.
Timings and running days shift, and sources don’t always agree, so confirm everything on IRCTC before you book.
Pick the right Mumbai station
Mumbai has several departure points. Trains leave from CSMT, Lokmanya Tilak Terminus (LTT) in Kurla, Bandra Terminus, Mumbai Central, and also stop at Thane and Kalyan. Pick the one closest to home, since a 5 am cab to the wrong station is a bad way to start a long trip.
Watch the arrival time
Many of these trains reach Varanasi in the early hours or late at night. Before booking, check when you’ll arrive and whether your hotel allows early check-in. Otherwise you may be standing outside at 4 am with luggage.
The Mughal Sarai trick
Several LTT trains heading to Bihar and Eastern India, such as the Patna and Bhagalpur services, reach Mughal Sarai Junction (now Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction) after about 23 to 24 hours. That’s faster than some Varanasi-bound trains. Mughal Sarai is about 14 km from Varanasi, so a short cab ride covers the rest.
It’s worth checking if your dates are tight or Varanasi Junction tickets are sold out.
Should You Drive? Usually Not
The road distance is roughly 1,500 to 1,700 km depending on the route, and the drive takes 22 to 26 hours before stops. That means at least one night halt, plus fuel, tolls and a driver who’s exhausted at the end.
Buses are no better. There’s no practical direct service, and the options listed involve changes and very long journey times. For this route, flights and trains simply do the job better.
Mix and Match: Fly One Way, Train the Other
If you have a week, this can be a clever way to travel. Go by train on the way in, enjoy the countryside, and fly back to save a day at the end. Or fly in to start fast and take the train home when you’re in no rush.
It also helps with availability. If flights are expensive on your dates, a train one way keeps the cost down, and a flight on the other leg keeps the trip tidy.
Sample Plans by Days Off
Here’s how it plays out in practice.
- 3 to 4 days off: Fly both ways. Early flight in, afternoon at the ghats, a full day for the temples and Sarnath, and an evening flight home. Our Varanasi trip plan shows how to split the days.
- 5 to 6 days off: Fly in, add Ayodhya or Prayagraj, and return by flight. Our 4 days Varanasi and Ayodhya tour package from Mumbai is built around this.
- 7 days or more: Take the train in, stay longer, and fly out. It’s the cheapest way to see the city without rushing.
If You’re Travelling Around Dev Deepawali
Dev Deepawali falls on 24 November 2026, and Varanasi fills up fast around it. Trains open for booking 60 days ahead, so tickets for that week are already available. Flights tend to get expensive closer to the date. Book transport and stay together if you can.
Quick Tips Before You Book
- Check your train’s arrival time before paying, not after.
- Keep ID handy. You’ll need it for trains, flights and hotel check-in.
- Book your airport pickup in advance if you’re landing late.
- For a wider view of all routes into the city, see our general guide on how to reach Varanasi.
Conclusion
Now you know how to reach Varanasi from Mumbai, and the choice mostly comes down to time. Fly for short trips, take the train for longer ones, and don’t be afraid to mix both.
Whichever you choose, book early and check arrival times carefully. If you’d like us to arrange your tickets, transfers and stay so you can simply show up, contact us here and we’ll build a plan around your dates.
