How to Get from Prayagraj to Varanasi

Prayagraj sits at the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna, and Varanasi lies further down the Ganges. Moving between the two means leaving one of the great pilgrimage sites of the Hindu world for another. Train and road both work well on this short hop across Uttar Pradesh.

Prayagraj to Varanasi by Train

The train is the easiest way to go. The Vande Bharat Express 22416 runs from New Delhi to Banaras, halts at Prayagraj and reaches Banaras at 23:05. Its counterpart 22415 leaves Banaras at 06:00 and also halts at Prayagraj. The train runs 6 days a week except Tuesday and has 14 chair cars and 2 executive cars.^[1]

Other express trains also serve the two cities. Depending on the train, you can choose Sleeper, AC Chair Car, AC 3 Tier, AC 2 Tier or Executive Chair Car.^[2] The AC classes keep out the heat and dust. Sleeper has no air conditioning.

Prayagraj to Varanasi by Road

National Highway 19 links the two cities. Its 73 km stretch between Handia near Prayagraj and Rajatalab near Varanasi has 6 lanes and cuts about 1 hour off the trip.^[3] Take a taxi or a bus if your hotel is far from the stations or you carry heavy luggage.

Tips for Traveling from Prayagraj to Varanasi

• Station names: Indian Railways timetables still list Prayagraj Junction as Allahabad Jn.^[4] Look for both names when you search for trains.
• Varanasi stations: Long-distance trains arrive at Varanasi Junction^[4] or at Banaras.^[1] Check which one is closer to your hotel before you book.
• Tatkal quota: Last-minute Tatkal tickets open 1 day before departure, at 10:00 for AC classes and at 11:00 for non-AC classes. First AC and Executive class are not sold under Tatkal, and confirmed Tatkal tickets are not refunded.^[2]
• Late arrival: The Vande Bharat from New Delhi reaches Banaras late in the evening, so arrange your transfer to the ghats in advance.