Varanasi Flights from Singapore

Varanasi, also called Kashi (often spelt Kasi) or Banaras, sits on the western bank of the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh and is counted among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. Pilgrims arrive to bathe at the river steps, while other visitors come for the evening fire ceremonies, the maze of old-city lanes, silk weaving and a spiritual atmosphere found nowhere else in India. Booking Varanasi flights gets you straight into the city without the long overland journey from Delhi or Kolkata.

About the airport serving Varanasi

Location

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) is at Babatpur, north-west of central Varanasi on the road towards Jaunpur. It is named after India's second prime minister, who was born in the region. The drive into town passes through busy roads and villages, so allow extra time at peak hours and during festivals.

Terminals

Varanasi's airport operates from one passenger terminal that handles both domestic and international flights. Facilities include check-in halls, food outlets, currency exchange and ATMs. Because everything is under one roof, connecting from an international arrival to a domestic departure is straightforward, though you will still need to clear immigration and customs first.

Getting to and from the airport

Prepaid taxis and app-based cabs are the most common way to reach the city, with drop-offs at the Cantonment, Godowlia or the ghats. Cars cannot drive deep into the old city lanes, so expect to walk or take a cycle rickshaw for the last stretch if you are staying near the river. Some local buses also run towards the city, and many guesthouses can arrange an airport pick-up on request.

Direct and connecting flights to Varanasi

Many travellers search for direct flights to Varanasi from Singapore. Nonstop options between the two cities are limited and change over time, so enter your dates and switch on the Direct filter to see what is currently on sale. When there is no nonstop choice, the results show one-stop itineraries via major Indian hubs such as Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru or Hyderabad, which all have regular domestic links to Varanasi.

When you compare connections, look at the layover length and whether you change terminals at the hub. Checking that your bags are tagged through to VNS saves time on arrival. For a combined trip, you can also fly into another Indian city first and add Varanasi as a separate leg later in the journey.

When to fly to Varanasi

The most comfortable season in Varanasi runs from October to March, when days are warm and evenings cool. December and January can be chilly at dawn, and thick morning fog across the Gangetic plain sometimes delays flights, so leave a buffer before onward connections. April to June is intensely hot, and the monsoon from roughly July to September brings heavy rain and a swollen river that can cover the lower ghats.

Festivals shape demand. Diwali and Dev Deepawali, when the riverfront is lit with thousands of oil lamps, draw huge crowds in autumn, and Holi and Maha Shivaratri do the same in spring. From Singapore, fares tend to rise during the June and December school holidays and around Deepavali. Book early for festival dates and use the monthly fare chart on this page to find quieter windows.

Popular places in Varanasi

Dashashwamedh Ghat and the Ganga Aarti

Every evening priests perform the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, swinging large brass lamps in unison to chanting and bells. Arrive early for a spot on the steps, or watch from a boat on the river for a different angle.

Kashi Vishwanath Temple

The golden-spired Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Shiva, is the spiritual heart of the city. A redeveloped corridor now links it to the riverfront. Security is tight, so leave phones and bags as instructed and dress modestly.

Assi Ghat and a sunrise boat ride

Assi Ghat, at the southern end of the riverfront, is quieter and popular for morning yoga and music. Hiring a rowing boat at dawn to drift past the ghats as the city wakes up is one of the most memorable things to do in Varanasi.

Sarnath

Just outside the city, Sarnath is where the Buddha is believed to have given his first sermon. The Dhamek Stupa, temple ruins, monasteries built by Buddhist communities from across Asia and an archaeological museum make it an easy half-day trip.

Ramnagar Fort and Banaras Hindu University

Across the river, the sandstone Ramnagar Fort houses a museum of vintage cars, weapons and costumes. On the southern side of town, the leafy Banaras Hindu University campus is home to a well-known temple and an art museum.

Where to stay in Varanasi

Staying near the ghats gives you the full riverside experience, with sunrise views and the aarti on your doorstep. The Assi area is calmer and has plenty of cafes, while Dashashwamedh and Godowlia are central but crowded and noisy. The Cantonment area, closer to the railway station and the airport road, has wider streets and larger properties with easy car access. For peace and greenery, some visitors choose Sarnath and head into the city by day.

Food to try in Varanasi

Kachori sabzi

The classic Banarasi breakfast is a crisp, puffed kachori with a spiced potato curry, often followed by sweet, syrupy jalebi. Look for busy stalls in the old city early in the morning.

Tamatar chaat

This local take on chaat mashes tomatoes, potatoes and spices into a tangy, warm dish topped with crunchy namkeen, served in small clay or leaf bowls.

Banarasi lassi

Thick yoghurt lassi is served in clay cups and topped with a layer of cream, sometimes with saffron, rose or dried fruit. It is the perfect cool-down after a morning walk along the ghats.

Malaiyyo

A winter-only treat, malaiyyo is a light, saffron-tinted milk foam flavoured with cardamom and pistachio, whisked overnight and sold on cold mornings.

Banarasi paan

No visit feels complete without a Banarasi paan, a betel leaf folded around sweet or spiced fillings and eaten after a meal as a digestive.

Lamps on the river at dusk and boats at dawn are reason enough to go. Compare flights to Varanasi on Traveloka, set a Price Alert for festival dates and travel knowing 24/7 customer service is on hand.