Varanasi weekend trip from Delhi
Dawn boats, burning ghats and the evening aarti
- By road
- 883 km
- By bus
- ≈ 14 h
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Trip length
- Fri–Sun
From
₹5,740 per person, all-in
Our estimate for 2 people on Comfortable, Fri 16 Oct – Sun 18 Oct, for the whole trip: travel both ways (the train or bus fare, which we book for you, plus its booking service charge), the stay, local transport and our fee. Everything is checked live before you pay.
Plan this weekendHow to get there
Overnight trains from Delhi
Shiv Ganga Express 12560Daily
8:05 pm
New Delhi
10 h 5 min
6:10 am+1
Banaras
Swtantrta S Express 12562Daily
9:15 pm
New Delhi
10 h 50 min
8:05 am+1
Varanasi Jn
Lichchivi Express 14006Daily
6:00 pm
Anand Vihar Terminal
12 h
6:00 am+1
Varanasi Jn
Timetable times; trains can run late. Station distances are in a straight line to Varanasi.
- Direct busAbout 14 h (fastest 11 h). Lowest fare we've seen: ₹499 a seat.
- By road883 km from central Delhi.
- Nearest railheadVaranasi Jn, in town.
- Nearest airportVaranasi, 19 km away in a straight line.
When to go
Best: Oct–Mar
Avoid: May–Jun, Aug
Jan
22°
10°
2d rain
Feb
27°
14°
1d rain
Mar
33°
19°
2d rain
Apr
39°
24°
1d rain
May
39°
27°
2d rain
Jun
38°
29°
10d rain
Jul
33°
27°
22d rain
Aug
32°
26°
22d rain
Sep
32°
26°
19d rain
Oct
31°
22°
5d rain
Nov
28°
16°
0d rain
Dec
23°
12°
1d rain
A sample 2-day plan
Saturday — ghats and the evening aarti
- 9:00 amKachori-sabzi and jalebi breakfast in the old city
- 10:30 amKashi Vishwanath temple via the corridor
- 2:00 pmBanaras Hindu University and Bharat Kala Bhavan museum
- 6:00 pmGanga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
Sunday — Sarnath and the lanes
- 6:00 amSubah-e-Banaras programme at Assi Ghat
- 9:00 amSarnath: Dhamek Stupa and the Archaeological Museum (lion capital)
- 1:00 pmLunch, then Blue Lassi and Kashi Chat Bhandar in Godowlia
- 4:00 pmBanarasi silk shopping in the weavers' area
Your own plan is timed around the train or bus you take and where you stay.
Nearby alternatives
Varanasi: questions people ask
How far is Varanasi from Delhi?
About 883 km by road from central Delhi. By public transport, direct buses take about 14 h and the Shiv Ganga Express takes 10 h 5 min to Banaras.
What is the best time to visit Varanasi?
Oct–Mar. Avoid May–Jun, Aug.
Is there a train from Delhi to Varanasi?
Yes. The best overnight option is the Shiv Ganga Express (12560): it leaves New Delhi at 8:05 pm and reaches Banaras at 6:10 am the next day (daily). Also: the Swtantrta S Express (12562) at 9:15 pm from New Delhi; the Lichchivi Express (14006) at 6:00 pm from Anand Vihar Terminal.
How much is the bus from Delhi to Varanasi?
The lowest fare we've seen on a direct bus is ₹499 a seat, and the journey takes about 14 h. Fares move with dates and demand.
What is the weather like in Varanasi?
Warmest in Apr (days around 39°C), coldest in Jan (nights around 10°C). The wettest month is Jul, with about 22 rainy days.
Can I do Varanasi in a weekend from Delhi?
Yes. Leave Delhi on Friday evening and be back by Sunday night or early Monday; the sample plan above covers 2 days there.
How much does a weekend trip to Varanasi cost?
From about ₹5,740 per person for 2 people on our Comfortable style for Fri 16 Oct – Sun 18 Oct, for the whole trip: travel both ways (the train or bus fare, which we book for you, plus its booking service charge), the stay, local transport and our fee. It's an estimate until we check it live; the price for your dates is on the trip page.
Go to Varanasi this weekend
The train, bus or cab, where you'd stay, every day planned and one all-in price per person for the whole trip. We book your train, bus or flight, stay and cabs, and confirm them before you pay.