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kashitravel.live Kashi Vishwanath · काशी

Getting here

Reaching Varanasi by train

Varanasi is one of India’s great railway hubs. Overnight and long-distance trains are comfortable, affordable and a classic way to arrive in Kashi.

Main station
Varanasi Jn (BSB)
Also
Banaras (BSBS)
Nearby hub
Pt. DDU Jn (DDU)
Fastest from Delhi
Vande Bharat ~8 h
Wooden boats moored on the Ganga in soft morning light
ఫోటో · Abhishek Dixit

Which station?

Station Code To the temple Notes
Varanasi Junction (“Cantt”) BSB ~5 km Main station; most long-distance trains
Banaras (formerly Manduadih) BSBS ~6 km Modern station; several trains from the south and west
Varanasi City BCY ~4 km Smaller; some eastbound trains
Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn (formerly Mughalsarai) DDU ~17 km Major junction across the river; Rajdhani and many through trains stop here

స్థానిక సూచన. Always check the exact arrival station on your ticket before booking a pickup — “Varanasi” trains may stop at BSB, BSBS or only at DDU.

Good trains to know

From Train (examples) Approx. time
New Delhi Vande Bharat Express ~8 h (day train)
New Delhi Shiv Ganga Express and other overnight trains ~12–13 h
Mumbai Mahanagari Express, LTT trains ~24–28 h
Ahmedabad Sabarmati Express and others ~28–32 h
Chennai Ganga Kaveri Express and others ~35–40 h
Bengaluru / Hyderabad Weekly and bi-weekly long-distance trains ~28–45 h

Train names, numbers and days change; confirm on IRCTC or the NTES app.

Booking tips

  • Reservations open 60 days ahead on IRCTC. Book early for October–March and festivals.
  • Foreign tourists can book via IRCTC with a passport using the foreign tourist quota on many trains.
  • For elders, choose lower berths and 2AC or 3AC.
  • Use prepaid auto/taxi counters at the station exit, or app cabs, to reach Godowlia.

Classes of travel

Class What you get Good for
1AC Lockable 2- or 4-berth cabins, bedding Elders, couples, privacy
2AC Open bays of 4 + 2 berths with curtains, bedding Most comfortable value
3AC Open bays of 6 + 2 berths, bedding Families on a budget
Chair Car / Executive Reclining seats on day trains like Vande Bharat Daytime journeys up to 8 h
Sleeper Non-AC berths, no bedding, crowded Not recommended for visitors

Arriving at the station

  1. 01

    Get ready early

    Large stations come up quickly; keep bags packed 30 minutes before arrival.

  2. 02

    Ignore touts on the platform

    People who offer hotels or taxis on the platform often take commission.

  3. 03

    Use the prepaid counter or an app cab

    The prepaid auto/taxi booth at Varanasi Junction gives fixed fares.

  4. 04

    Or be met

    All our packages include pickup from the station and drop-off at the end.