Travelling from Lucknow (LKO) to Varanasi (VNS): what you need to know
Take a direct flight from Lucknow to Varanasi and you'll be in the air for an average of 1 hour 5 minutes.
Lucknow and Varanasi are in the same timezone, UTC+5:30.
Arriving two hours before an international flight and one hour ahead of a domestic departure are golden rules for hassle-free flying. Make sure you're at the airport on time to board your LKO to VNS flight.
Be prepared for longer lines in popular months like June. Arriving up to four hours ahead of an international flight and two hours for domestic departures will give you ample time for security and boarding.
IndiGo offers direct flights from Lucknow to Varanasi. Book with this popular carrier, then get ready to tick off the sights in Varanasi — and maybe even more of India if time allows.
IndiGo tops the list for bookings on this route.
The carrier with the top on-time arrival rate for LKO to VNS flights is IndiGo.
If you want to break up your flight, simply uncheck 'Direct flights only' when searching for your ticket from Lucknow to Varanasi. These are the most popular stopovers between LKO and VNS:
Delhi Indira Gandhi International
Mumbai
Ahmedabad
How to find the cheapest flights from Lucknow (LKO) to Varanasi (VNS)
Right now, ₹ 4,942 is the cheapest price we've found for a one-way Lucknow to Varanasi flight. The best price for a return plane ticket is ₹ 11,944. Bear in mind that fares can change due to demand at the time of booking.
It's usually best to book ahead of time if you want to get cheap tickets from LKO to VNS. That's because airlines adjust prices based on demand, which tends to rise closer to the date of departure.
The cheapest month for flights from Lucknow to Varanasi is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to see the lowest prices if you have a flexible schedule.
You won't have to check every day to find out if fares have gone down when you create a Price Alert. We'll notify you the moment there's a better deal on cheap flights from LKO to VNS.
Discover the ideal flight for you with the help of the filters. To see the 'Fastest,' 'Cheapest' or 'Best' flights from Lucknow to Varanasi, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by airline, arrival and departure times, and number of stops.
Handy information about Lucknow (LKO)
When it comes to the on-time performance of Lucknow, 68% of flights stick to their scheduled arrival time.
To reach Lucknow from central Lucknow, it takes about 30 minutes if you're travelling by car. This depends on traffic, however. It's approximately 14 kilometres from the airport to the city centre.
Planning to take public transport? Expect a trip time of around 55 minutes.
Need a convenient hotel near LKO? If you've booked an early flight from Lucknow to Varanasi, these accommodation options will have you sleeping moments from your departure gate:
What is the baggage allowance on flights from Lucknow Airport (LKO) to Varanasi Airport (VNS)?
Most airlines offering flights from LKO to VNS include a carry-on bag with standard fares, though baggage allowances vary by airline and ticket type. Here is what you can expect with some of the main airlines operating this route:
IndiGo
Carry-on allowance: 7kg cabin bag plus personal item
Checked baggage: 15kg included with some economy fares
Departure terminal: Lucknow Airport (LKO), Terminal 1
Arrival terminal: Varanasi Airport (VNS), Terminal 1
Check-in counters: Open 2 hours before departure
Air India
Carry-on allowance: 7kg cabin bag plus personal item
Checked baggage: 23kg included with some economy fares
Departure terminal: Lucknow Airport (LKO), Terminal 1
Arrival terminal: Varanasi Airport (VNS), Main Terminal
Check-in counters: Opens 2 hours before departure, closes 45 minutes before departure
Akasa Air
Carry-on allowance: 7kg cabin bag plus personal item
Checked baggage: 15kg included with some economy fares
Departure terminal: Lucknow Airport (LKO), Terminal 1
Arrival terminal: Varanasi Airport (VNS), Terminal 1
Check-in counters: Opens 2 hours before departure, closes 45 minutes before departure
At Lucknow Airport (LKO), you can access essential facilities including free Wi-Fi throughout the terminal, comfortable lounges for relaxation, and a variety of shops and restaurants. The airport also provides baby care rooms, prayer facilities, and medical services to ensure your comfort during your journey. Additionally, Lucknow Airport (LKO) offers convenient parking facilities and reliable transport connections to help you reach your departure gate with ease.
Arriving at Varanasi (VNS)
Book a hotel close to VNS if you're catching a late Lucknow to Varanasi flight. Settle into one of these accommodation options and skip the long transfer after landing:
Getting from Varanasi (VNS) to central Varanasi
Varanasi to the centre of Varanasi has a drive time of about 35 minutes. It's approximately 26 kilometres away.
It takes roughly 1 hour 10 minutes if you're travelling on public transport.
When to fly to Varanasi (VNS)
February is the busiest month for flights from Lucknow to Varanasi. To steer clear of the crowds, visit Varanasi in January.
Before locking in your flight from Lucknow to Varanasi, consider the kind of weather you enjoy. May is the warmest month in Varanasi, with the temperature ranging from 26ºC to 44ºC.
January sees average temperatures of between 10ºC and 25ºC. Look for cheap tickets from LKO to VNS sometime around then if you want to travel when it's cooler.
Weather snapshot
The weather in Varanasi brings distinct seasons with warm summers, monsoon rains, and pleasant winters. Here's what to expect throughout the year:
December – February: Winter brings cool, dry days and crisp evenings to Varanasi, making these the best times to explore Varanasi's ancient ghats and temples without the heat.
March – May: This summer season brings hot, dry weather perfect for early morning temple visits and exploring the ghats before temperatures climb throughout the day.
June – September: Varanasi's monsoon season delivers warm, humid weather with regular rainfall that cools the air and refreshes the ancient city. Light, quick-dry clothing works best for exploring temples and riverside areas during this lush, green period.
October – November: Post-monsoon season brings settled weather perfect for exploring outdoor attractions and wandering the ancient ghats. You'll find ideal conditions for sightseeing and walking tours as humidity drops and skies clear.
Sightseeing and travel inspiration
Varanasi sits along the sacred River Ganges and draws pilgrims from across the subcontinent for its ancient temples and riverside ghats. The narrow winding streets buzz with religious ceremonies, traditional crafts, and street food vendors. Whether you're booking flights to Varanasi for spiritual exploration or cultural immersion, this holy city offers an intense glimpse into centuries-old traditions.
Things to do in Varanasi: Take an early morning boat ride along the Ganges to watch the sunrise over the ghats, starting from Dashashwamedh Ghat about 2 kilometres east of the centre. Explore the narrow lanes of the old city on foot, weaving through spice markets and silk shops roughly 1 kilometre north of the main area. Head to Sarnath, approximately 10 kilometres northeast, to walk through ancient ruins and peaceful gardens where you can spot deer and enjoy quiet pathways.
Cultural experiences: Watch evening aarti ceremonies at Dashashwamedh Ghat, about 2 kilometres southeast of the railway station area, or learn classical tabla and sitar at music schools in the old city lanes. The Bharat Kala Bhavan museum, roughly 6 kilometres south at Banaras Hindu University, houses miniature paintings and sculptures that trace centuries of artistic tradition.
Seasonal highlights: Experience the spiritual festivities of Diwali in October or November when the ghats glow with thousands of oil lamps and fireworks light up the Ganges. Dev Deepavali in November offers another magical spectacle as locals illuminate the entire waterfront with earthen lamps. The winter months from December to February provide the best time to visit Varanasi with pleasant weather perfect for exploring the ancient temples and taking peaceful boat rides along the sacred river.
Explore more of India
Varanasi has loads to offer, but there are so many other corners of India waiting to be explored. Around 290 kilometres north-west of Varanasi, a trip to Kanpur will keep you on the move. Start with leading attractions like ISKCON Kanpur, Sri Sri Radha Madhav Temple, SHREE JAGANNATH TEMPLE and Jaggannath Ji Temple.
Lucknow is another favourite destination in India and is around 257 kilometres north-west of Varanasi. No trip is complete without seeing ImamBada, Victoria Memorial and Jama Masjid.
