This tour has a lot in store for you! Whether you want to enjoy the boat ride while the rising sun makes for your backdrop, witness the grand spectacle of the event of Ganga Aarti that takes place here everyday in the evening at the Dashashwamedh Ghat, or simply visit the holy temples in this city, you have a lot to enjoy and experience here. Call us now to know more about this trip!

Why Book a Varanasi Travel Package from Chennai from Namaste India Trip?

We have been organising pilgrimage tours for over a decade and in doing so we have gathered a large satisfied customer base. When you travel with us, we take full responsibility to make your trip a resounding success. Here's what you get with us:

• Assistance throughout the Trip: Whether you're travelling by train or plane, we'll manage everything for you, so that you can enjoy your travel in utter comfort and ease.
• Custom Travel Solutions: Our Customizable Chennai to Kashi Packages guarantee that you will go on a trip of your dreams. From your travel vehicle to your trip duration to the sightseeing destinations, you get to decide everything!
• Guided Tours: For a special cultural trip like this one, we'll arrange you a knowledgeable tour guide, in order to make your trip enriched with backstories and meaningful insights.
• All-In-One Tour Plans: When you book with us, we'll take care of all your travel logistics - from your meals to hotel to local transfers. You won't have to lift a finger and all your travel arrangements will be made for you, that too in advance. This will actually be the smoothest trip you'll go on!

Best Time to Visit Varanasi from Chennai

The best time to visit Varanasi is hands down in the winter season (October to March). The weather in this window is delightfully pleasant, letting you enjoy sightseeing comfortably. The cool weather and with little to no chance of rain, further make it easier to cover your temple tours.

Also, we advise against going on Kashi trip from Chennai in the summer (April to June) and monsoon (July to September). In the former season, it's quite hot where the temperature crosses 40 degrees Celsius. And in the latter, your experience gets marred by frequent rains and road blockages.

How to Reach Varanasi from Chennai?

You can reach Varanasi by a variety of means. Here's a travel guide to Varanasi from Chennai:

By Air

There are direct flights from Chennai to Varanasi. Simply, take a plane from the Chennai International Airport (MAA) and land in Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) in Varanasi. The whole journey can be covered in under 2.5 hours. Airlines like IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet, ad others cover this route.

By Train

You can also opt for our Chennai to Varanasi train package. Take a train from the Chennai Central and get off at Varanasi Junction/Banaras Railway Station. Regular trains are available for this route, such as Ganga Kaveri Express, Saptagiri Express, and more. The whole ride takes around 36 hours and it's an economic way to reach Varanasi.

By Road

You can also visit Varanasi from Chennai by road. The two cities are located about 1,700 km apart and this is perfect for those who love long road trips. You can either hire a cab or go in your private vehicle.

Route Map from Chennai to Varanasi

The total distance between Chennai and Varanasi is 1,950 km. You can take your private vehicle to cover this journey. Here's the Chennai to Varanasi route map:

Chennai → Nellore → Ongole → Vijayawada → Nagpur → Jabalpur → Varanasi

Segment	Distance	Travel Time
Chennai → Nellore	180 km	3.5 hrs
Nellore → Vijayawada	280 km	5 hrs
Vijayawada → Nagpur	700 km	11 hrs
Nagpur → Jabalpur	270 km	5 hrs
Jabalpur → Varanasi	480 km	8 hrs

Cost of Chennai to Varanasi Tour

The Varanasi Tour Package cost from Chennai starts from INR 5,400 per person. In all Namaste India Trip's packages, your travel logistics will be completely handled by us - ranging from meals to hotels to transport. You can also book our Varanasi tour package with flight from Chennai where we'll also take care of your plane tickets and smooth transfer from the airport.

You can also go for our other advanced packages, such as Varanasi temple tour (INR 9,800) or the Allahabad Varanasi tour (INR 12,500). Have a look below at our packages and see what suits you best!

Top Places to Visit in Varanasi

Varanasi is home to a lot many interesting places - spiritual and historical both. Here are some places that must be a part of your Varanasi family holiday package from Chennai:

Attraction	Highlights
Kashi Vishwanath Temple	Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this Jyotirlinga must be added to any Varanasi tour from Chennai.
Dashashwamedh Ghat	This Ghat is the main place to witness the grand Ganga Aarti in Varanasi in the evening.
Assi Ghat	This place is very serene and calm. Come here in the morning and engage in boat rides, meditation, and yoga here.
Sarnath	The Sarnath Buddhist site is located just 10 km outside of Varanasi. It's the very place where Lord Buddha gave his very first sermon after achieving enlightenment.
Manikarnika Ghat	This holy cremation Ghat of Varanasi symbolises the cycle of life and death. You can come here at any time of the day.
Ramnagar Fort	Built in the 17th-century, this fort now serves as a museum where you can find things from the yesteryear era, such as old-age weapons and vintage cars!
Banaras Hindu University (BHU)	Welcome to Asia's largest residential university! This is also home to the New Vishwanath Temple.

Where to Stay in Varanasi?

Varanasi offers you a range of accommodation options. Whether you want a luxury trip or are a pilgrim looking for a budget Varanasi package from Chennai, we've got you covered. Here are some staying opinions classified on the basis of budget:

Category	Recommended Hotels	Location
Luxury	Taj Ganges, BrijRama Palace	Near Dashashwamedh Ghat / Cantonment
Mid-range	Rivatas by Ideal, Hotel Hindustan International	Godowlia / Assi
Budget	Zostel Varanasi, Ganga Fuji Home	Assi Ghat / Meer Ghat

Also, we advise you to book your hotel near Ghats such as Assi Ghat or Dashashwamedh Ghat. This will help you attend the early morning Aarti at temples, in addition to, comfortably reaching the Ghats for boat rides and other activities.

Things to Do in Varanasi

Here are some must-do thing on your Varanasi trip from Chennai:

• Evening Ganga Aarti: This is the star attraction of any Banaras tour package from Chennai! Watch the grand spectacle as the surroundings are lit by lamps while the divine chants are echoed in the background.
• Subah-e-Banaras: The city offers cultural program in the morning. You can enjoy the classical music & yoga at Assi Ghat and feel the real essence of Varanasi up close.
• Boat Ride on the Ganges: The Ganga river boat ride must be added to your Chennai to Varanasi tour itinerary. Capture the serene and spiritual aura of the place, especially at sunrise.
• Temple Trips: Varanasi is called the "City of Temples" for a reason. You can visit here plenty of temples beyond just the usual Kashi Vishwanath Temple tour. Some popular temples here include Sankat Mochan Hanuman, Annapurna Devi, and Kaal Bhairav.
• Shopping: You got to visit the local markets like Godowlia and Vishwanath Gali. You'll find a lot of Varanasi specialities there. While you're there, do look for Banarasi Silk Sarees, brass idols, and wooden toys. You can also shop for religious souvenirs such as Rudraksha Malas and idols.
• Try Local Dishes: Varanasi is famous for so many things, and food is one of them. While on your trip, do relish Kachori-Sabzi, Banarasi Paan, Malaiyyo (a winter dessert), and everybody's favourite Lassi.

Travel Tips

Here are some travel tips that might come in handy on your Varanasi tours from Tamil Nadu:

• When visiting temples, make sure you wear modest clothes. Always keep your knees and arms covered. Traditional attire works best in this city.
• You'll have to do walking on the Ghats. Therefore, keep light but sturdy footwear handy.
• While you're at the cremation Ghats, avoid clicking pictures.
• If you're going to local markets, you'll be buying from local vendors who might not accept cards. Therefore, always carry cash with you on such trips.
• If you want to attend the Ganga Aarti, always reach the Ghats an hour earlier in order to secure a good spot.

Book the Best Varanasi Tour Packages from Chennai

Namaste India Trip gives you a once-in-a-lifetime chance to go on a unique South India to Varanasi pilgrimage that is loaded with luxe and comfortable amenities through and through. On this journey of faith and culture, you get to have the true-blue experience of the holy city. On this trip, you'll get to enjoy everything from sunrise boat rides to Ghat visit to the sacred Ganga Aarti in all its glory. Join this holy tour and make memories for the lifetime! Book now or give us a call to know more about this trip.

FAQs

Q1. How far is Varanasi from Chennai by flight?

Ans. The total distance of Varanasi from Chennai by flight is about 1,200 km. You can conveniently land in the holy city of Varanasi in just about 2.5 hours by the plane.

Q2. What is the cheapest way to travel from Chennai to Varanasi?

Ans. The cheapest way to travel from Chennai to Varanasi is by train. Not only is it economic, it's also a fast way to reach the holy city. You can reach from the southern city to Varanasi in just about INR 900 for the sleeper class.

Q3. How many days are enough for a Varanasi tour?

Ans. Typically, 3 to 4 days are more than sufficient to explore the holy city in this span. You can easily cover all the major attractions like temples and Ghats. You can even take a trip to the nearby destination Sarnath in this window.

Q4. Are Ganga boat rides available?

Ans. Yes, Ganga boat rides are available. However, we suggest that you go for the ride early in the mornings for the best experience. Also, luxury Ganga cruises are seasonally operational as well.

Q5. What souvenirs can I buy in Varanasi?

Ans. While you're in the holy city, look for Banarasi Silk Sarees, as Varanasi is famous for that all over the country. Also, you can easily get religious items here, such as Rudraksha beads, rosaries, idols, and holy books. Also buy the local sweets here.