Delhi to Varanasi: Complete 2026 Guide -- Vande Bharat Train, Flight and Bus
📅 Last updated: September 2026
✍️By PlanRouteAI Editorial Team — Researched, written and verified by our travel editors • About us
Delhi to Varanasi is one of India's most spiritually significant journeys, connecting the capital with the world's oldest living city on the banks of the Ganges. The Vande Bharat Express (train 22436) is the fastest surface option at exactly 8 hours from New Delhi station to Varanasi Junction, departing at 06:00 and arriving at 14:00 -- 6 days a week (not Thursdays). Chair Car fares start from around Rs 1,200-1,500 and Executive Chair Car from around Rs 1,855. Flights take just 1 hour 30 minutes but cost significantly more. This guide covers every option with verified 2026 prices, booking tips, and the essential guide to Varanasi once you arrive.
All Ways to Travel Delhi to Varanasi
Transport
Duration
Cost
Best for
Vande Bharat Express (22436)
8 hours
Rs 1,200-1,855 (Chair/Exec)
Fastest train, best comfort
Shramjivi Express / other trains
11-14 hours
Rs 415-900 (Sleeper/2AC/3AC)
Overnight travel, budget option
Flight (DEL to VNS)
1h 30m
Rs 3,500-12,000
Speed, but much more expensive
Bus / private car
12-14 hours
Rs 800-3,000
Budget / flexible stops
Vande Bharat 2026 update: The Vande Bharat Express now includes catering charges in the ticket price by default -- passengers receive breakfast on the morning departure. You can opt out during IRCTC booking if you prefer not to pay for the meal. Bookings open 60 days in advance on IRCTC at midnight (00:10 AM). This train books up very fast -- especially for the weekend departures (Friday, Saturday, Sunday). Set a reminder and book exactly at 60 days out.
The Vande Bharat Express: India's Fastest Delhi-Varanasi Service
Train number: 22436 (Delhi to Varanasi) / 22415/22416 (alternate numbering) Departure: New Delhi (NDLS) at 06:00 Arrival: Varanasi Junction (BSB) at 14:00 Days: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday (NOT Thursday) Distance: 771 km Average speed: 96 km/h
The Vande Bharat Express is a semi-high-speed train built in India under the Make in India programme. Key features on this service:
Chair Car (CC): Fully air-conditioned, airline-style reclining seats in a 2+2 layout, rotating seats, overhead luggage racks, individual charging sockets, fold-down tray table, reading lights. Fare approximately Rs 1,200-1,500 including catering.
Executive Chair Car (EC): Premium class with wider seats, leg rest, personal entertainment system (infotainment screen), more recline. Fare approximately Rs 1,855 including catering. Only 2 EC coaches per train -- book early.
On-board catering: Breakfast served on the 06:00 Delhi departure. Meals can be pre-ordered during IRCTC booking. Food is vendor-served at your seat -- quality is consistent and reasonably good by Indian railway standards.
WiFi: On-board WiFi available, though speed can be inconsistent through rural Uttar Pradesh.
Kavach: The train is equipped with Kavach automatic train collision avoidance system -- India's most advanced rail safety technology.
Route and Key Stops
The Vande Bharat from Delhi to Varanasi passes through Kanpur Central (approximately 4.5 hours from Delhi) and Prayagraj Junction (approximately 6 hours from Delhi) before reaching Varanasi. These are the main intermediate boarding points. If you are joining the train at Kanpur or Prayagraj, book well in advance as these stations are popular boarding points and quota fills fast.
How to Book Vande Bharat Tickets
IRCTC website (irctc.co.in) or app: The official booking platform. Create an IRCTC account (free, requires Indian mobile number or a passthrough for foreign nationals). Booking opens at 00:10 AM exactly 60 days before travel. Popular trains at popular times book out within minutes -- log in early and have passenger details ready.
Authorised agents: IRCTC authorised travel agents (MakeMyTrip, Ixigo, Redbus Rails, Cleartrip) show the same inventory with a small service charge (Rs 15-40 per ticket). Useful if you cannot access IRCTC directly.
Tatkal quota: A small number of Tatkal (last-minute) tickets are released 1 day before departure at a surcharge (approximately Rs 400-600 extra). Only use Tatkal if you have missed the 60-day booking window -- it is significantly more expensive.
Foreign tourist quota: A small quota of seats is reserved for foreign nationals on popular trains. Available through IRCTC or at the International Tourist Bureau counters at major stations.
Other Train Options (Overnight/Budget)
If the Vande Bharat is fully booked or you prefer an overnight journey to save on accommodation:
Lichchivi Express (14006): Departs Delhi NDLS at 18:52, arrives Varanasi BSB at 06:00. Journey time ~11 hours. Cheapest train on this route -- Sleeper class from Rs 415. Operates daily.
Other express trains: 13+ trains run daily between Delhi and Varanasi. Check IRCTC or Ixigo for real-time availability. The Kashi Vishwanath Express, Mahamana Express, and Vibhuti Express are popular options with good AC berth availability.
For overnight trains, 3AC (three-tier air-conditioned sleeper) is the sweet spot of price and comfort -- Rs 600-900 per person. Six berths per compartment (3 per side), full-length bunks, bedding provided, air-conditioned throughout. 2AC (four berths, curtained partitions) is more private at Rs 900-1,500. Sleeper class (non-AC) is the budget option from Rs 415 but uncomfortable on an 11+ hour journey.
Flying Delhi to Varanasi
IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet operate daily flights from Indira Gandhi International Airport (DEL) to Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport, Varanasi (VNS). Flight time is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes. Fares from Rs 3,500-6,000 advance, rising to Rs 8,000-12,000+ last minute. The airport is 25 km from central Varanasi -- taxi/auto-rickshaw to the Ghats takes 45-60 minutes. Flying makes sense if time is critical and cost is not the primary factor.
Getting Around Varanasi
Auto-rickshaw: The most practical mode in Varanasi's narrow Old City lanes. Negotiate fare before boarding -- typically Rs 100-200 for most inner-city journeys. Prepaid auto stands at Varanasi Junction.
E-rickshaw: Battery-powered rickshaws are increasingly common and cheaper than auto-rickshaws. Rs 20-50 for short distances.
Boat on the Ganges: Essential for exploring the Ghats. Private wooden rowing boats can be hired from most Ghats for Rs 100-300 per hour. Sunrise boat rides on the Ganges are among India's most transcendent experiences.
Walking: The Old City lanes (galis) near the Ghats are too narrow for vehicles. Most of the essential Varanasi experience -- the Ghats, temples, chai stalls, silk shops -- is best explored on foot.
Top Things to Do in Varanasi
Dashashwamedh Ghat Aarti: The Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat takes place every evening at sunset -- a spectacular multi-priest ritual with fire, flowers, incense, and chanting. Watch from the steps of the Ghat or from a boat on the river. Free to attend. Arrive 30-45 minutes early for a good viewing position.
Sunrise Boat Ride on the Ganges: Hire a wooden rowing boat from Dashashwamedh or Assi Ghat before dawn and drift past the ghats as the city wakes up. Pilgrims bathing, priests performing rituals, smoke from cremation pyres -- one of the most powerful visual experiences in India. Rs 150-300 per boat for 1-1.5 hours.
Manikarnika Ghat (Cremation Ghat): The oldest and most sacred of the burning ghats, where cremations take place 24 hours a day. Hindus believe dying in Varanasi brings moksha (liberation). Visitors may observe respectfully from the upper steps -- no photography. An extraordinary and moving experience.
Kashi Vishwanath Temple: One of the most sacred Hindu temples in India, dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple corridor was extensively rebuilt and expanded in 2021 with a grand new complex connecting it to the Ganges Ghats. Non-Hindus may not enter the innermost shrine but can visit the outer corridors. Rs 0 entry to the complex.
Sarnath: Located 10 km north of Varanasi, Sarnath is where the Buddha gave his first sermon after attaining enlightenment. The Dhamek Stupa (3rd century BCE), Mulagandhakuti Vihara, and Sarnath Archaeological Museum (free, excellent collection) make it a half-day trip essential for Buddhist pilgrims and history enthusiasts. Auto-rickshaw from Varanasi Rs 300-400 return.
Varanasi Silk: The city has produced Banarasi silk for over 400 years -- the gold and silver zari-woven silk sarees are among India's finest textiles. Vishwanath Gali and Thatheri Bazar in the Old City have dozens of workshops and showrooms. Ask to see the weaving process -- many shops will show you the traditional hand looms.
Frequently Asked Questions
Exactly 8 hours. The Vande Bharat Express (22436) departs New Delhi at 06:00 and arrives Varanasi Junction at 14:00, giving you a full afternoon to explore on arrival day. The train runs 6 days a week -- not on Thursdays. It is significantly faster than conventional express trains (11-14 hours) on the same route.
Book through IRCTC (irctc.co.in) -- the official Indian Railways booking platform. The booking window opens at 00:10 AM exactly 60 days before travel. For popular departure days (weekends, festival periods), seats fill within minutes of booking opening -- log in with passenger details ready before midnight. Authorised agents (MakeMyTrip, Ixigo) show the same inventory with a small service fee.
Chair Car (CC) is perfectly comfortable for an 8-hour journey -- airline-style AC seats, charging points, and catering included at around Rs 1,200-1,500. Executive Chair Car (EC) at Rs 1,855 adds a personal infotainment screen, leg rest, more recline, and a wider seat in a quieter carriage. For an 8-hour daytime journey, EC is a genuine upgrade worth considering if budget allows -- especially for business travellers or those who want to work or rest comfortably.
October to March is the best period -- cool and dry weather (15-25 degrees C days), clear mornings for boat rides, and the major festivals of Dev Deepawali (full moon in November -- thousands of lamps on the Ghats, extraordinary) and Makar Sankranti (January). Avoid May-June when temperatures exceed 45 degrees C. The monsoon (July-September) floods some lower Ghats but the city remains fully functioning and is less crowded.
Yes, Varanasi is generally safe for solo travellers including solo women. The Old City ghats area has significant tourist police presence. Standard precautions apply: use registered auto-rickshaws or pre-paid taxis, be firm with touts around the ghats (they are persistent but rarely aggressive), and avoid accepting unsolicited guides who approach on the street. The city is very spiritually charged and the vast majority of interactions are genuine and friendly.
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