The first hour of your Kashi journey—made simple

Arriving in Varanasi

Railway stations, bus stands, airport transfers and honest guidance for reaching the ghats without beginning your pilgrimage with confusion.

The name printed on your ticket matters. Varanasi Junction, Banaras, Kashi and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction are different railway stations. They are not different names for one building. Check the station code before arranging a hotel pickup, taxi or early-morning boat ride.

Main railway gatewayVaranasi Junction / Cantt
Airport codeVNS
Main city bus areaCantt / Parade Kothi
Old-city realityThe final stretch may be on foot
Varanasi transport orientationA schematic showing the airport northwest, Sarnath northeast, Cantt centrally, Banaras south, Kashi east and DDU Junction southeast.VNS AirportVaranasi Jn / CanttBanarasKashiSarnathDDU JunctionGANGAOrientation only · not to scale · always check your ticket and live map

Railway stations: read the code, not merely the city name

BSBBest general arrival

Varanasi Junction / Varanasi Cantt

The principal passenger gateway and the easiest station for first-time visitors. It is close to the Cantt bus stand, Parade Kothi hotels and the Regional Tourist Office. Godowlia is roughly 4–5 km by road, but traffic controls may lengthen the trip.

Open map
BSBSUseful for south Varanasi

Banaras Railway Station

The redeveloped station formerly known as Manduadih. It can be convenient for travellers staying around BHU, Lanka, Assi, Durgakund or the southern side of Varanasi. Do not ask a driver for “Varanasi station” when your ticket says BSBS.

Open map
BCY

Varanasi City Railway Station

A separate station serving selected routes, situated toward the northeastern/eastern urban side. It may suit accommodation around the City station, Prahlad Ghat, Rajghat or routes toward Sarnath, but it is not Varanasi Junction.

Open map
KEI

Kashi Railway Station

Near the Rajghat side of the city and useful for some trains approaching from the east. The name “Kashi” tempts visitors to assume it is the central tourist station; usually it is not the easiest arrival for Dashashwamedh or Assi.

Open map
SRNT

Sarnath Railway Station

A smaller station useful only when your particular train stops there and Sarnath is your destination. Most long-distance visitors should not assume it offers the same connectivity or onward-transport choice as Cantt.

Open map
DDUMajor junction outside central Varanasi

Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction

The former Mughalsarai Junction is a major rail hub across the Ganga, roughly 16–20 km from central Varanasi depending on destination and route. Many important trains stop here even when they do not enter BSB. Allow generous road-transfer time.

Open map
Other suburban stations: Shivpur, Lohta and smaller stations serve particular trains and neighbourhoods. Treat the code printed on the ticket as final. Train platforms, arrival station and running status should be checked through official railway enquiry channels before departure.

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport

Airport code: VNS. The airport is at Babatpur, northwest of the city. Official sources place it roughly 22–26 km from Varanasi and about 30 km from Sarnath. Road time varies sharply with traffic, construction, weather and the location of your hotel.

DestinationPractical guidance
Cantt / Cantonment hotelsNormally the most direct central transfer. Prepaid taxis and app-based services may be available; confirm the pickup point.
Godowlia / DashashwamedhYour car may stop before the pedestrian-controlled lanes. Ask the hotel for its exact meeting point, not just its postal address.
Assi / Lanka / BHUA cross-city transfer; allow more time during morning and evening congestion.
SarnathOften easier directly from the airport than travelling into the old city first. Arrange luggage storage or hotel check-in if combining arrival with sightseeing.

The Airports Authority of India publishes an electric bus Route 101 linking the airport with Harhua, Bhojubeer, Kachahari, the Cantonment area and Cantt Railway Station before continuing southward. Timings can change; verify the current schedule on the official airport page.

Airport mapOfficial airport transport
Departure advice: Varanasi traffic can be unpredictable. Add a substantial buffer, especially if leaving from the ghats, during festivals, Shravan, Dev Deepawali, major examinations, fog or wedding season.

Bus stands and road arrivals

Cantt / Chaudhary Charan Singh bus-station area

The principal practical arrival zone for many Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation and intercity services. It is near Varanasi Junction and the Parade Kothi–Englishia Line area, making onward autos, e-rickshaws and taxis easier to find.

Open map

Golgadda bus stand

An important road-transport point on the northern/eastern side, useful for certain regional services and routes. Confirm the actual boarding point with the operator: “Varanasi” on an online ticket may refer to Cantt, Golgadda, a bypass pickup or a private roadside stop.

Open map
Private buses: many do not use a formal terminal. Pickup points may be at Lahartara, Mohansarai, Akhari bypass, Padav, Harahua or another highway location. Save the operator's phone number, pin the boarding point and arrive early. Never rely only on the words “Varanasi pickup.”

Why your vehicle may not reach your hotel door

Much of old Varanasi is a network of narrow lanes. Around Godowlia, Dashashwamedh, Kashi Vishwanath and adjoining markets, one-way systems, pedestrian zones and temporary police barriers are common. A hotel described as “near the ghat” may require a 5–20 minute walk from the nearest motorable point.

Before arrival: ask your hotel for a live Google Maps pin and the name of the nearest vehicle drop-off point.
At the terminal: send the driver the pin. Saying only “Kashi Vishwanath” or “ghat” is insufficient.
With heavy luggage: request hotel assistance in advance. Porters and e-rickshaws cannot enter every lane.
At night: use a prearranged pickup when possible and keep the hotel telephone number available offline.

Which arrival point is best for your stay?

Where you are stayingUsually convenientRemember
Godowlia, Dashashwamedh, Vishwanath areaBSB / CanttRoad transfer followed by a possible walk through lanes.
Assi, Lanka, BHU, DurgakundBSBS Banaras; BSB also workableBanaras station may reduce cross-city travel for some trains.
SarnathDirect airport transfer, BSB, or SRNT only if your train stopsDo not travel into the old city first unless your itinerary requires it.
Ramnagar / east bankDDU can sometimes be practicalCompare live road routes; bridge traffic changes the calculation.
Cantonment business hotelsBSB and Cantt bus stationThe easiest arrival area for luggage and conventional vehicles.

Transport map of Varanasi

Open the individual map buttons above for precise terminals. This overview is for city orientation, not live navigation.

Essential guidance for first-time visitors

  • Check the code: BSB, BSBS, BCY, KEI, SRNT and DDU lead to different places.
  • Agree on the fare: use a prepaid counter, app fare or clearly settled price before starting an unmetered journey.
  • Ignore unsolicited hotel changes: if a driver says your hotel is closed, call the hotel yourself.
  • Keep small change: useful for e-rickshaws, porters and short local journeys.
  • Protect documents: keep tickets, identity documents and valuables on your person, not loosely in exterior luggage pockets.
  • Use official help: emergency number 112; ambulance 108; child helpline 1098; women helpline 1090.
  • Allow for fog: winter trains and flights can be delayed. Avoid tightly connected, non-refundable onward plans.
  • Respect cremation ghats: do not photograph funeral rites. Transport convenience never overrides local dignity.
Official visitor contacts
Regional Tourist Office, Tourist Bungalow, Parade Kothi, opposite the railway-station area: 0542-2208413 / 2206638.
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport: 0542-2622155. Verify numbers and office hours before relying on them.

Frequently asked questions

Are Varanasi Junction and Banaras station the same?

No. Varanasi Junction/Cantt is BSB. Banaras station is BSBS, formerly Manduadih. Check your ticket carefully.

Is DDU Junction in Varanasi?

It is the major former Mughalsarai Junction outside central Varanasi, across the Ganga. It serves the region but requires a substantial road transfer to the ghats.

Can I walk from Varanasi Junction to the ghats?

It is possible for a fit traveller without luggage, but not usually pleasant or efficient. Traffic, heat and crowded roads make an auto, e-rickshaw or taxi more practical.

Does the airport have public transport?

The Airports Authority of India publishes an electric bus Route 101 connecting the airport with several city points including Cantt. Always confirm the current timetable.

How early should I leave the old city for the airport?

Work backward from the airline's reporting time, then add a generous road buffer. Ask your hotel about current traffic and the time needed to walk from the lanes to the pickup point.