Delhi to Varanasi Flights: Guide & Cheap Fares

Varanasi is one of those cities that pulls people in for a dozen different reasons — pilgrimage, history, the Ganga aarti, Dev Deepawali, or simply the timeless experience of sitting on the ghats. And thanks to a growing number of direct flights, getting there from Delhi has never been easier. The city’s Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport has expanded meaningfully over the past few years, handling increasing domestic traffic as Varanasi’s profile as both a religious and tourism destination has grown.

What hasn’t changed is the festival-driven fare volatility. Diwali, Mahashivratri, and Dev Deepawali create demand surges that push ticket prices to levels that would surprise even regular flyers. Knowing when those windows fall — and how far ahead to book — is worth far more than any discount code.

[IMAGE: Varanasi Ganga aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat with oil lamps on the river — search “Varanasi Ganga aarti ghats India”]

Route Overview: Delhi (DEL) to Varanasi (VNS)

Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) in New Delhi connects directly to Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The distance is approximately 820 kilometres, covered in a block time of 1 hour 10–20 minutes. Varanasi Airport handled approximately 3.2 million passengers in FY2023–24 (Airports Authority of India, 2024), reflecting steady growth driven by pilgrimage tourism and improved connectivity.

The airport sits about 26 km from the main ghats and old city — a 40–60 minute cab ride depending on traffic. This is longer than the flight itself, so planning your ground transport in advance saves time on arrival.

Which Airlines Fly Delhi to Varanasi?

Three airlines operate regular non-stop service on this route. IndiGo dominates with the most departures. Air India is the only carrier offering a full-service product, including meals and 15 kg checked baggage on select fares. SpiceJet provides a budget option, though its schedules have been more variable in recent periods.

Airline	Daily Flights (Approx.)	Baggage Included	Fare Range (One-Way)
IndiGo	4–5	7 kg cabin; checked baggage add-on	₹2,500 – ₹12,000
Air India	1–2	15 kg checked included (select fares)	₹3,200 – ₹14,000
SpiceJet	1–2	7 kg cabin; checked baggage add-on	₹2,700 – ₹11,000

Always compare all three airlines together on HappyFares before booking — fares can differ by ₹1,000–₹2,500 between carriers on the same date.

[CHART: Bar chart — Monthly average one-way fares DEL to VNS (Jan–Dec 2026) — Source: HappyFares fare data]

When Are Delhi to Varanasi Fares Cheapest? Month-by-Month Breakdown

Varanasi’s religious significance means its fare calendar is more festival-dependent than most Indian cities. The combination of Diwali, Dev Deepawali (15 days after Diwali — uniquely Varanasi’s own festival), and Mahashivratri creates multiple demand peaks across the year that each drive significant fare spikes. Between those festivals, fares can be quite reasonable.

[UNIQUE INSIGHT: Dev Deepawali — celebrated only in Varanasi when thousands of diyas are lit along the entire stretch of the ghats — is far less known nationally than Diwali but drives comparable demand on the DEL–VNS route for the 3–5 days around it. Many Delhi travellers book it as a separate trip specifically for this event, creating a second November spike that catches late bookers off guard.]

Month	Demand	One-Way Fare Range	Key Driver
January	Moderate	₹3,000 – ₹6,000	Makar Sankranti, winter pilgrims
February	High	₹5,000 – ₹13,000	Mahashivratri (date varies)
March	Moderate	₹2,800 – ₹5,500	Holi pilgrims; post-Mahashivratri cooldown
April–May	Moderate	₹3,000 – ₹6,500	Summer tourism, school holidays
June–August	Low	₹2,500 – ₹4,500	Monsoon — lowest fares of the year
September	Moderate	₹3,000 – ₹5,500	Navratri approaches
October	Very High	₹7,000 – ₹14,000	Navratri, Dussehra, Diwali
November	Peak	₹8,000 – ₹16,000	Diwali + Dev Deepawali — highest fares
December	Moderate–High	₹4,000 – ₹8,500	Year-end tourism, winter pilgrimage

Mahashivratri — The February Spike

Mahashivratri falls in February or early March depending on the lunar calendar. Varanasi, as the abode of Lord Shiva, sees a massive influx of pilgrims from across the country during this period. The DEL–VNS route gets booked out weeks ahead. If you’re planning a Mahashivratri trip to Varanasi, treat it like festival booking — search 60–75 days ahead and be prepared for fares above ₹8,000 one-way as the date approaches.

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Delhi to Varanasi: Flight vs Train

The Vande Bharat Express is the premium train option on this route, covering Delhi to Varanasi in about 8 hours with modern coaches, onboard food, and seat comfort that rivals some short-haul flights. At ₹1,200–₹2,500 for an AC chair car seat, it’s a genuine alternative for travellers who don’t mind the time difference and enjoy a scenic journey through Uttar Pradesh. But trains fill up fast, especially around festivals — and there’s no guaranteed seat if you miss the booking window.

Mode	Journey Time	Typical Cost	Best For
Flight	~1h 15m + airport time	₹2,500 – ₹16,000	Speed, festival season backup, business travel
Vande Bharat Express	~8 hours	₹1,200 – ₹2,500	Budget travel with comfort, scenic route
Other Express Trains	9–12 hours	₹500 – ₹1,800	Maximum budget, flexibility on timing

The bottom line: if train berths are available and time isn’t your primary constraint, the Vande Bharat is an excellent option. When train bookings are full — which happens routinely during festival season — a flight on HappyFares is the most practical alternative.

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) — Traveller Guide

Varanasi’s airport has seen meaningful upgrades over recent years as part of UDAN and broader tourism infrastructure investment. The terminal is compact but functional, with domestic baggage claim taking 15–25 minutes on arrival. The departure area has a food court and basic retail. Security queues move reasonably fast outside peak periods — arrive 75–90 minutes before departure for domestic flights.

Getting from Varanasi Airport to the City

• Pre-paid taxi: ₹600–₹900 to the main ghats area (Dashashwamedh, Assi Ghat) — the most reliable option
• Ola/Uber: Usually available outside the terminal; fares ₹450–₹750 depending on destination
• Auto-rickshaw: Cheaper but only practical if your hotel is within a few km of the airport area
• Hotel pickup: Many heritage hotels near the ghats offer airport pickup for ₹700–₹1,200 — worth arranging in advance

Note that the old city lanes near the ghats are narrow and inaccessible to vehicles — most taxis drop you at the nearest accessible point and you walk the last 200–500 metres with your luggage.

[PERSONAL EXPERIENCE: The taxi journey from Varanasi airport to the main ghats takes longer than most people expect — especially during Diwali or Dev Deepawali evenings when the city swells with pilgrims and traffic slows to a crawl near the ghats. Build in a 90-minute buffer on festival days.]

Frequently Asked Questions: Delhi to Varanasi Flights

How long is the flight from Delhi to Varanasi?

A direct flight from Delhi (DEL) to Varanasi (VNS) takes approximately 1 hour 10–20 minutes. Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (IATA: VNS) is about 26 km from the old city, adding 40–60 minutes to your overall journey time on the ground.

Which airlines fly direct from Delhi to Varanasi?

IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet operate non-stop DEL–VNS flights. IndiGo has the highest frequency at 4–5 daily departures. Air India includes 15 kg checked baggage on select fares and is a good option for travellers carrying significant luggage. Compare all three on HappyFares.

When are Delhi to Varanasi fares most expensive?

November is the most expensive month — Diwali and Dev Deepawali together push one-way fares to ₹8,000–₹16,000. Mahashivratri (February or early March) creates the second major spike, with fares hitting ₹5,000–₹13,000. Book 60–90 days ahead for any festival period. Search on HappyFares for the earliest availability.

Is it better to fly or take the train from Delhi to Varanasi?

The Vande Bharat Express covers the route in ~8 hours at ₹1,200–₹2,500 — a comfortable and affordable option. Flying takes ~1 hour 15 minutes but costs ₹2,500–₹16,000 depending on season. For time-constrained travellers or anyone booking during festival season when trains are full, flying is the clear choice. Book on HappyFares.

How far is Varanasi airport from the city?

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is about 26 km from the Dashashwamedh Ghat area. A pre-paid taxi costs ₹600–₹900 and takes 40–60 minutes in normal traffic. On festival evenings, budget 90 minutes for the drive into the old city.

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