What Is The Prayagraj To Varanasi Distance By Road? Know How To Travel By Bus, Train, Or Car
Varanasi, or the Eternal City of Lord Shiva, has been at the epicenter of spiritual tourism in India since time immemorial. From the Rig Veda to the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Skanda Purana, Kashi has meen mentioned for its great spiritual significance.
It is also the city of liberation. In the Sapta Mokshapuri Sloka, it is said,
“अयोध्या मथुरा माया काशी काञ्ची अवन्तिका । पुरी द्वारावती चैव सप्तैते मोक्षदायकाः ॥”
It means that Ayodhya, Mathura, Maya, Kashi, Kanchi, Avantika, and Dvaravati are the seven cities that offer Moksha or spiritual liberation. So, if you are traveling from Prayagraj to Ayodhya, you must also consider a holy journey from Prayagraj to Varanasi.
Furthermore, Varanasi is now gearing up for the live performance of the maestro, A R Rahman. In an interview with Shruti Hasan on the Soundscape Podcast of NDTV Good Times, he shared his plans about performing on the Ghats of the Ganges in Varanasi. He is calling it the “Peace Concert” that people have been waiting for so many years.
He also mentioned that he is eager to soak in the “energy” of Varanasi, and there are “a million stories there.” Are you also eager to listen to these stories?
In this Dream and Travel Guide, I will talk about the Prayagraj to Varanasi distance, the modes of travel, the best time for travel, and more!
What Is The Prayagraj To Varanasi Distance In Km?
The Prayagraj to Varanasi distance by road is around 122 km. The travel time depends on the mode of transport you choose.
| Prayagraj to Varanasi by Train | 1 Hour 50 Minutes to 5 Hours (based on the train) |
| Prayagraj to Varanasi by Bus | 3 Hours |
| Prayagraj to Varanasi by Car | 2.5-3 Hours |
How Can I Go To Varanasi From Prayagraj?
As mentioned, you can travel from Prayagraj to Varanasi by train, car, or bus. Traveling by train, of course, is the fastest.
1. How To Travel The Prayagraj To Varanasi Distance By Train?
Many trains ply between Prayagraj Junction and Varanasi Junction. Vande Bharat Express is the fastest among them. Here are the train details of the Vande Bharat trains from Prayagraj to Varanasi (Source: IRCTC). However, there are around 50 train options on the route.
| Trains | Departure | Arrival | Available | Ticket Price (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VANDE BHARAT EXP (20176) | 11:15 AM | 1 PM (Banaras) | Monday Tuesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday | CC: 695 EC: 1160 |
| VANDE BHARAT EXP (22436) | 12:10 PM | 2 PM | Monday Tuesday Wednesday Friday Saturday Sunday | CC: 715 EC: 1200 |
| VANDE BHARAT EXP (22416) | 9:15 PM | 11:05 PM | Monday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday | CC: 485 EC: 930 |
Varanasi Junction is the closest to the Kashi Viswanath temple, and the distance is just around 4 km. Banaras Railway Station is 6 km away from the temple.
From the railway stations, you will get a cycle rickshaw, auto, or e-rickshaw taking you to the Godowlia Chowk. From there, it’s a short walk to the temple, and the charge will be around INR 100.
2. How To Travel The Prayagraj To Varanasi Distance By Bus?
The Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) operates many buses from Prayagraj to Varanasi. The ticket prices are around INR 200 to 300. Overnight bus services are also available, with UPSRTC operating buses from Prayagraj at 12:31 AM.
You can book the UPSRC buses from Prayagraj to Ayodhya on platforms such as Abhibus, and you can even contact UPSRC at +91-522 2622363 and 1800-180-2877 for bus enquiries.
3. How To Travel The Prayagraj To Varanasi Distance By Car?
The Prayagraj to Varanasi distance by road timings will depend on the route you choose. For example, the route via Handia through NH19 is the fastest. Here are more details.
| Prayagraj to Varanasi Route Options | Duration | Road Condition |
|---|---|---|
| The NH19 Route via Handia | 2.5-3 Hours | Well-Maintained |
| Via Jaunpur and SH38 | 3.5 Hours | Scenic and Passes through Rural Areas |
| NH35 Via Mirzapur | 3.5 Hours | Ideal Option for Sightseeing |
The Prayagraj to Varanasi distance taxi fare or car fare will depend on the route you choose and, of course, the type of vehicle you are traveling in. The charges will be around INR 2500 to 10000.
What Is The Best Time To Travel Varanasi From Prayagraj?
If you want to celebrate Diwali and Dev Deepawali in Varanasi and want the most comfortable weather conditions, October and November are the best months for visiting Varanasi from Prayagraj.
However, with the Kashi Viswanath Temple as the epicenter, Varanasi celebrates many festivals throughout the year. So, the best time for your Prayagraj to Varanasi journey will depend on the festival you want to attend.
Here are the details.
| Festivals in Varanasi | Timing |
|---|---|
| Bharat Milap | October (The Day after Vijayadashami) |
| Annakut | October/November (The Day after Diwali) |
| Dev Deepawali | Kartik Purnima (Month of November) |
| Ganga Mahotsava | November |
| Makar Sankranti | January |
| Mahashivratri | February |
| Dhrupad Mela | February/March |
| Holi | March |
| Ganga Dussehra | May or June |
| Shravan Maah | July-August |
What Are The Places To Visit Between Prayagraj And Varanasi?
Based on the route taken, Handia, Jaunpur, and Mirzapur will be your prominent stops during the journey from Prayagraj to Varanasi.
1. Handia
Handia is the place where you can learn about the traditional dance form of Kathak. The government of Uttar Pradesh is planning to develop a Kathak Kendra here.
2. Jaunpur
You can stop by the Trilochan Mahadev Temple in Jaunpur and try the Imarti, the local sweet here.
3. Mirzapur
Vindhyachal in Mirzapur is a revered Shakti Peeth. Here, you can offer prayers at the Vindhyavasini Temple.
The Vindhya Range also has its scenic appeal, and you will also come across waterfalls such as the Vindham Fall.
What Are The Places To Visit In Varanasi?
Varanasi has many important landmarks for spiritual and cultural encounters. Here are some places to visit.
- Kashi Viswanath Temple
- Annapurna Temple
- Kaal Bhairav Temple
- Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Assi Ghat
- Manikarnika Ghat
- Benaras Hindu University
- Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
- Sarnath
- The Alleys or Galis of Varanasi
Where To Stay In Varanasi?
You can stay at the U.P. Govt. Tourist Office & Guest House (Near Varanasi Cantt Office, Parad Kothi, Cantt, In front of Varanasi Junction) or the U.P. Govt. Tourist Guest House in Sarnath.
For more assistance on government accommodations in Varanasi, you can contact Kashi Viswanath Temple Trust at +91 6393131608 or +91 7080292930.
Furthermore, you can stay at the Bharat Sevashram Sangha, located within 1 km of the Varanasi Cantonment Railway Station. The contact number is 0542-2221639.
Prayagraj To Varanasi: A 4-Day Itinerary
The distance between Prayagraj and Varanasi can be covered within 3-4 hours. However, if you want to soak in the cultural and spiritual fervors of these two cities, you will need at least 3 to 4 days.
So, here is an itinerary you can follow for your Prayagraj and Varanasi spiritual trip.
| Days | Activity |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | Reaching Prayagraj in the Morning Visiting and Taking a Bath in the Triveni Sangam Having Breakfast and Enjoying a Boat Ride Visiting the Bade Hanuman Temple and Allahabad Fort in the Afternoon Visiting Anand Bhavan (Ancestral Home of the Nehru Family) and Trying Local Street Food. |
| Day 2 | Drive to Varanasi. Visiting the Kaal Bhairav Temple. Watching the Ganga Arti Ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat in the Evening. |
| Day 3 | Sunrise Boat Ride Visiting Kashi Viswanath Temple Visiting Annapurna Temple and Vishalakshi Temple Sarnath Excursion in the Afternoon |
| Day 4 | Taking a Walk along the Ghats Visiting the Sankat Mochan Temple and the BHU Campus Shopping Banarasi Saree, Sweets and other Souvenirs Departure from Varanasi |
Prayagraj To Varanasi Distance By Road: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the frequently asked questions and answers about the Prayagraj to Varanasi distance.
Yes, the route via Via Jaunpur and SH38 is the most scenic. The journey takes around 3.5 hours. Jaunpur is famous for the Atala Mosque and many other Indo-Islamic architecture. It is home to the Sheetala Mata Dham Temple.
Also, you must not miss trying the Imarti or traditional sweet here.
Yes, it is safe to travel from Prayagraj to Varanasi by taxi. Along with local tour operators, Uber and One Way Cab also offer online booking services for cabs.
Kashi and Varanasi are the same city with Kashi being the ancient name. So, there is no distance between Kashi and Varanasi.
October to March is the best month to visit Kashi. From Diwali and Dev Deepawali to Mahashivratri, Holi and Dhrupad Mela, all the major festivals of Varanasi take place in these months.
Furthermore, the temperatures are moderate and the weather conditions are dry in these months.
October and November are the busiest months in Varanasi, with Diwali, Dev Deepawali and Ganga Mahotsav falling in these months.
November is the best time to visit Prayagraj for the Dev Deepawali celebrations. Furthermore, you can visit Prayagraj in the month of January to take a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam on the occasion of Makar Sankranti.
Triveni Sangam is the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati rivers, and taking a dip here is believed to wash away mortal sins.
Yes, you can bring holy water from Prayagraj. In fact, visiting the Triven Sangam physically and collecting the holy water from there is a popular practice.
Yes, you can visit Prayagraj in one day. In the morning, you can watch the sunrise and take a holy dip in the Triveni Sangam. Then, you can visit the Saryu River.
After having your breakfast, you can explore Khusrau Bagh and Allahabad Fort. Further, in the afternoon, you can visit Anand Bhavan, or the ancestral home of the Nehru Family.
Moreover, in the evening, you can try the local street food and unwind while walking through the local streets.
