Mumbai to Varanasi is a ~1,200 km route that takes around 2 hours 10 minutes nonstop. IndiGo and Air India both fly it nonstop, with multiple departures every day. Book roughly 3–6 weeks ahead and keep dates flexible to land the lowest indicative fares.
Updated June 2026 · HappyFares
▶ Watch: Mumbai to Varanasi Flights: Time, Airlines & Fares (2026) — HappyFares Short
✈️ Ready to book? See live Mumbai to Varanasi flight fares & schedules on HappyFares.
Mumbai to Varanasi is one of India’s busiest pilgrimage-and-business corridors. Devotees head to Kashi Vishwanath and the Ganga ghats, while families travel for weddings, ancestral rites, and student admissions. Plenty of Mumbai professionals also fly east for work in Uttar Pradesh.
The good news for flyers: this is a well-served nonstop sector. You don’t have to suffer a long connection to reach the spiritual capital. Below is everything that matters before you book your Mumbai (BOM) to Varanasi (VNS) ticket.
How long is the Mumbai to Varanasi flight?
The Mumbai to Varanasi flight covers roughly 1,200 km and takes about 2 hours 10 minutes nonstop. Actual gate-to-gate time shifts by 10–20 minutes depending on direction, winds, and air-traffic holds at Mumbai. Multiple airlines run nonstop services daily, so you rarely need a connection on this route.
A nonstop is almost always the smart pick here. Connecting itineraries via Delhi, Hyderabad, or another hub can stretch your travel day to five or six hours, often for little or no saving.
If timing is tight, an early-morning nonstop gets you to Varanasi with most of the day still ahead. That helps if you want to reach the ghats for evening Ganga Aarti or finish darshan before crowds peak.
Which airlines fly Mumbai to Varanasi?
IndiGo and Air India operate nonstop Mumbai to Varanasi flights, between them offering multiple daily departures across the day. Both fly narrowbody jets on this sector. Akasa Air and Air India Express also operate services to Varanasi, so it’s worth checking their live availability too when you compare fares.
Here’s a quick snapshot of the main nonstop operators:
| Airline | Nonstop BOM–VNS? | Typical aircraft |
|---|---|---|
| IndiGo | Yes | Airbus A320 family |
| Air India | Yes | Narrowbody |
| Akasa Air / Air India Express | Also serve Varanasi — check live | Narrowbody |
Frequencies and exact timings shift with season and demand, so treat the schedule you see today as a snapshot. The simplest way to compare every operator on one screen is to run a live search rather than rely on a fixed list.
Want a sense of how this compares with the capital’s route? Our Delhi to Varanasi flight guide breaks down that shorter sector in detail.
When are Mumbai–Varanasi fares cheapest?
Mumbai to Varanasi fares are typically lowest in lean travel months and climb sharply around festivals and peak pilgrimage windows. Expect higher prices near Diwali, Dev Deepawali, Mahashivratri, and the summer wedding season. Indicative one-way economy fares usually sit in a mid-range band, but they swing widely with timing and demand.
A few habits genuinely move the needle on price. Book around 3–6 weeks ahead rather than days before departure. Mid-week departures (Tuesday and Wednesday) often undercut weekend flights. And if your plans allow, a day or two of flexibility can unlock a cheaper slot.
Avoid quoting yourself a single “expected” number. Fares on this route can differ meaningfully between an early-morning departure and a peak evening one on the same day. Use the flexible-dates view on HappyFares to spot the cheapest day across a range.
For the broader playbook on timing, our guide on the best time to book flights in India covers advance-purchase windows and seasonal patterns.
Airport & arrival tips
You’ll depart from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (BOM) in Mumbai and land at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) in Varanasi. Varanasi’s airport sits about 26 km northwest of the city centre and the ghats, so budget for a 45–60 minute drive into town, longer during festival traffic.
Mumbai’s airport is large and split across terminals, so confirm whether your flight leaves from T1 or T2 before you set out. Give yourself extra buffer during Mumbai’s monsoon months, when weather can delay departures.
Varanasi (VNS) is a compact international airport that’s well connected for a pilgrimage city. Pre-paid taxis and app cabs are available outside arrivals. If you’re heading straight to Kashi Vishwanath or a ghat-side stay, share the exact lane or gali with your driver, as the old-city streets are narrow.
Planning your time in Varanasi itself? The wider Buddhist Circuit itinerary pairs neatly with a Varanasi visit, since Sarnath sits just outside the city.
If you’re booking last-minute, …
Last-minute Mumbai to Varanasi tickets tend to be pricier, but nonstop options usually still exist because several airlines fly the route daily. Be flexible on departure time, since an inconvenient early slot is often the cheapest seat left. Compare all carriers in one search and book the moment a fare looks reasonable, as prices can move within hours close to departure.
If you’re flexible on dates, …
Flexibility is your biggest lever on this route. Shift your travel by a day or two, lean toward mid-week departures, and steer clear of festival peaks if you can. Use the flexible-dates view on HappyFares to scan a whole week at once and pick the lowest indicative fare, rather than locking onto a single date and paying whatever it shows.
Common Questions
Is there a nonstop flight from Mumbai to Varanasi?
Yes. Mumbai to Varanasi is a well-served nonstop sector. IndiGo and Air India both operate nonstop flights, with multiple departures across the day, and the journey takes around 2 hours 10 minutes. Akasa Air and Air India Express also serve Varanasi, so check their live availability when comparing fares on HappyFares.
How long does the Mumbai to Varanasi flight take?
A nonstop Mumbai to Varanasi flight takes roughly 2 hours 10 minutes across about 1,200 km. Actual time can vary by 10–20 minutes with wind and direction. Connecting itineraries via a hub take far longer, often five to six hours, so a nonstop is usually the better choice unless a connection is notably cheaper.
Which is the cheapest airline from Mumbai to Varanasi?
No single airline is always cheapest on this route. The lowest fare shifts daily between IndiGo, Air India, and other carriers serving Varanasi, depending on demand, timing, and how far ahead you book. The reliable approach is to compare all operators on one search, which is exactly what a HappyFares flight search shows you.
Do I need to print my boarding pass for this flight?
No. For domestic Indian flights, a digital or mobile boarding pass on your phone is accepted at security and at the gate. After web check-in, save the PDF or use the airline app or Apple/Google Wallet. Web and airport check-in are both free on Indian airlines. Carry a valid government photo ID, and keep a screenshot as backup.
When does web check-in open for Mumbai to Varanasi flights?
Web check-in for domestic flights opens 48 hours before departure and usually closes about 45–60 minutes before. Open the airline’s website or app, enter your PNR and last name, pick a seat, and download the boarding pass. It’s free. Our IndiGo web check-in guide walks through the steps if you’re flying 6E.
Book Mumbai–Varanasi on HappyFares
All airlines, one search. Compare live fares and book in minutes.
Search Flights on HappyFares →Related guides
- Delhi to Varanasi flights guide 2026
- Varanasi Airport (VNS) guide 2026
- Mumbai to Kolkata flights guide 2026
- Best time to book flights in India 2026
For more on this destination’s airport facilities and transport, see the official Airports Authority of India site, and check live schedules and fares directly with IndiGo or Air India.
Disclaimer: Fares, schedules, and airline frequencies mentioned here are indicative and change with demand, season, and airline planning. Always check live prices and availability on HappyFares before booking.
