Route Briefing: London to Varanasi
Few destinations on earth carry the weight of Varanasi. One of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, it sits on the banks of the Ganges and has been drawing pilgrims, philosophers, and curious travellers for over three thousand years. Flying from London to Varanasi is a journey that rewards the effort — and at around 14 hours 30 minutes with one stop, it's genuinely manageable for such a transformative destination.
From London's airports, Air India, IndiGo, and Emirates all serve this route, typically connecting through Delhi or Mumbai before the short onward hop to Varanasi's Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport. Routing through Delhi tends to offer the most frequent connections and often the most competitive fares. A roundtrip under $650 represents a genuinely good deal on this route — standard fares push past $900, so it's worth being patient and watching prices carefully. Book two to four months ahead for the best results, and give yourself extra lead time if you're travelling around Diwali or the Kumbh Mela, when demand surges and prices follow.
The city itself is unlike anywhere else. The ghats — those ancient stone steps descending to the Ganges — are the beating heart of daily life here. Rising before dawn to watch the morning aarti ceremony on the river is one of those rare travel experiences that genuinely lives up to its reputation. The evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat, with its choreographed fire rituals and chanting, draws both devoted pilgrims and wide-eyed visitors in equal measure. The old city's narrow lanes are a sensory maze of marigold garlands, chai stalls, silk weavers, and temple bells — Varanasi has been famous for its Banarasi silk for centuries, and the craft is very much alive.
October through February is the sweet spot for visiting. The heat has broken, the air is cooler and clearer, and the city is at its most vibrant with pilgrimage activity and festivals. Summers are intensely hot and humid, so unless you have a specific reason to visit then, the cooler months are far more comfortable for exploring on foot — which is really the only way to properly experience the old city.
From the airport, pre-paid taxis are your most straightforward option into the city centre. The old city itself is largely inaccessible to vehicles, so expect to walk or take a cycle rickshaw once you're in the thick of it — embrace it rather than fight it. One genuinely useful tip: book your accommodation close to the ghats. The atmosphere at dawn and dusk is extraordinary, and being within walking distance means you can slip out early without the hassle of arranging transport across the city at odd hours.