Showing 1 Japan Flights from Varanasi - Starting at Just ₹68,693

  About Varanasi

India's spiritual capital, Varanasi, is one of the holiest cities in the country. It is also called Kashi or Banaras and is located on the western banks of the Ganges. The Kashi Vishwanath temple, which is a shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva, is one of the most important and oldest temples in the city. It is also considered as one of the most auspicious places to die and is believed that you will get salvation or liberation from the cycle of life and death if you die here. The Ganga aarti that happens here in the evening is a sight to behold. The chants reverberate across the city, and it's a wonderful experience. The city has a lot of devotees and international tourists visiting considering the fact that it is a holy and popular city. Not just Hindus but Varanasi is an important city for Buddhists, too.

Best Time to Visit Varanasi

Winter is considered to be the best time to head to Varanasi. The temperature is low, and it is breezy all day, making it the right time to venture out. Winter here starts from November and lasts till February. The temperature ranges from 5 to 15 degree Celsius. This is best for you to take a stroll outside or explore the city. Chilling by the ghats with a cup of tea is simply ideal during this season. Since it is peak season, you might come across interesting flight deals to Varanasi online. Book a hotel in Varanasi that is closer to the main tourist spots so you won't have to spend additional time travelling. If you are in the city during this season, don't miss out on being a part of the Mahashivratri celebrations here.

July to October witnesses the monsoon season in Banaras, and the city receives torrential rainfall. Despite the heavy rains, the city sees a lot of pilgrims coming to offer their prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath temple. The temperature ranges from 25 degree Celsius to 30 degree Celsius. Even though the monsoon can put a damper on your plans to go sightseeing or venture out altogether, it does add a lot of charm to the beauty of the city. You can get drenched in the rains and enjoy the view from the ghats. In fact, river Ganga looks the best during monsoon, and it will surely please the water baby in you.

The city experiences summer from March to June. April and May are the hottest months, and the temperature rises to 45 degree Celsius. Planning any outdoor activity during the summer can turn into a bad decision. Though the areas near the ghats are somewhat pleasant, you won't be able to do any of the activities that you would otherwise take up in winter.

Places to Visit in Varanasi

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is among the top places to visit in Banaras. Since Banaras is considered as a holy city, you will find a lot of temples and spiritual places in the city. Apart from the temples, the city also has a lot of ghats you must go to. The Dashashwamedha ghat is of utmost importance and is also where the Ganga aarti takes place. The Hindu myth states that Lord Brahma sacrificed 10 horses in a yagna at this very spot, which is how the ghat got its name. The Assi Ghat is where you can soak in the view of the holy city and embrace your spirituality. A lot of pilgrims worship Lord Shiva here by praying to a huge lingam that is under a peepal tree. The Manikarnika Ghat is considered to be an auspicious place to be cremated. The Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple is also a popularly visited place of worship.

You will also find Buddhist temples in the city like the Tibetan temple. Folklore suggests that this is the spot where Lord Buddha guided his disciples to follow the path of spirituality. The Panchganga ghat is yet another ghat worth visiting. This is believed to be the meeting place of holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna, Saraswati, Kirana and Dhutpapa. A lot of travellers come here to experience all the positivity and peaceful vibes of the ghat. Kedar Ghat is considered to be the cleanest ghats in the city to bathe before offering your prayers in a temple. You will find a palace and an observatory built by Maharaja Man Singh and Savai Jaisingh 2 respectively, in the 17th century, at the Manmandir Ghat. The view of River Ganga from the palace and the observatory is simply spectacular.

Things to do in Varanasi

The Kashi Vishwanath temple is known to be one of the oldest temples in the city and is also one of the 12 jyotirlingas in the world. Take a tour of all the temples in the city during your trip to Banaras. Apart from temples, you can also take a tour of the ghats to soak in the beautiful view of the Ganges. Most ghats in the city are of mythological and historical importance. Some even have religious and spiritual significance. The Dashashwamedha ghat, Assi Ghat, Kedar Ghat, Manikarnika Ghat and the list goes on. Taking a bath in the holy Ganges is something that every pilgrim does in Banaras. It is believed that taking a dip in the Ganges relieves you of all your sins. It will certainly be an experience of a lifetime for you. Go boating at river Ganga and catch the most mesmerizing sunset. You will feel rejuvenated instantly.

Don't forget to visit Sarnath, which is approximately 13 km away from the city. The Dhamek Stupa is of spiritual importance, and a must-visit if you want to learn more about Buddhism. You can also visit the Tibetan temple, another sacred place of worship for Buddhists. You cannot miss the Ganga aarti that happens in the evening before dusk. It is the most magnificent thing to experience, and no videos on the internet do justice to how spectacular it is when you watch it live. Varanasi is also known for its street food and the delicious aloo puris. Banaras is also popular for its Lassi, and you can't leave without treating yourself to a glass of lassi. Banarasi silk sarees, chikankari work and items that can be used for your pujas; you will find everything you need at the markets in Banaras. The local bazaars are the best places to go on a shopping spree.

Food and Restaurants in Varanasi

Varanasi is famous for its desi delicacies that will be a delight to your taste buds. The Kachori sabzis, chena dahi vada, choora matar, thandai, lassi, baati chokha, tamatar chaat, etc. are some of the popular street foods in Banaras. The city also has a lot of cafes and restaurants that serve great food with a relaxing ambience, and some even have a view of the Ganges. You must definitely try the lassis and thandais in the city. Since this is considered to be a sacred city of religious importance, it will be difficult to find any alcohol here, especially anywhere near the temples.

The Brown Bread Bakery, near the Dashashwamedh Ghat, is the city's first organic bakery and is also a rooftop restaurant. It is popular for its European Breakfast Buffet, and the view from the rooftop restaurant only adds to the ambience. The Lotus Lounge is yet another popular terrace lounge in the city that's right next to the Mansarovar ghat. The whole decor of the place will lift your mood instantly. Make sure you also order the hot chocolate here. Rooftop Restaurant at Assi Ghat is another restaurant that you must go to in Banaras. The restaurant has Chinese, Continental and Indian cuisine on its menu. Kashi Chaat Bhandar at Godowlia Chowk is the place to go to if you are in the mood for some chaat. The tomato chaat here, which is served in mud pots, is worth a try and you will definitely love it. Though it is a small place, it is always crowded early in the morning and in the evenings. In fact, some travellers even agree to wait in the queue for hours to try the chaat here.

How to reach Varanasi (Transportation)

By Air

Banaras has its own airport called Varanasi Airport. The flight connectivity from Varanasi is quite limited, though, and it is only connected to major cities like Mumbai and Delhi. The Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is the closest international airport nearby. You will easily get taxis or buses from Delhi. In fact, a connecting flight from Delhi is one of the most popular routes to Varanasi by air. Make sure you book your flight tickets to Varanasi well in advance.

By Rail

The Kashi Junction and the Varanasi Junction connect to the various other major cities in the country. The Rajdhani Express also passes through Varanasi. It's also a very convenient and budget-friendly way to travel to Varanasi.

By Road

The city is also well-connected by roads. Buses and taxis from other cities of Uttar Pradesh and nearby cities run frequently to Varanasi.

  Japan Airlines

Japan Airlines Co. Ltd. (JAL), more popularly known as Japan Airlines, is an international airline which is the flag carrier of Japan. Its headquarters are located in Shinagawa, Tokyo. The airline has its main hubs in Tokyo's Narita International Airport and Tokyo International Airport, and Osaka's Kansai International Airport as well as Osaka International Airport. The JAL group of companies comprise not just Japan Airlines, but also J-Air which is a regional commuter airline, Japan Air Commuter which is a feeder service for Japan Airlines, Japan Transocean Air which is the domestic counterpart for Japan Airlines, and Ryukyu Air Commuter which is a domestic airline offering passenger services from Okinawa. JAL was established on 1st August 1951 after the Government of Japan recognized the need for a reliable air transportation service in the aftermath of the Second World War. The initial capital was ¥100 million. The company went on to become Japan's national airlines in 1953. In February 1954, Japan Airlines began its international flights. By 1965, half of JAL's revenue was from transpacific routes to the USA, and the company was meanwhile lobbying the USA for fifth freedom rights to fly transatlantic routes from the East Coast.

In 1987, JAL was fully privatized after which it started competing with All Nippon Airways and Japan Air System. This increase in competition resulted in changes in the corporate structure of Japan Airlines. It reorganized itself into three divisions, namely international passenger service, domestic passenger service, and cargo. The Japan Air Charter was established in 1990, which was a low-cost subsidiary of Japan Airlines for operating flights from Japan to resort destinations in the Asia-Pacific region. However, this subsidiary ceased operations in 2010. An agreement with the Walt Disney Company made Japan Airlines the official airlines of Tokyo Disneyland in 1996.

In 1992, however, the airline started incurring losses due to recessions in the USA and UK, as well as due to domestic economic trouble. However, the airline was able to cut costs by effectively utilizing their low-cost domestic subsidiary JAL Express and JALways, which was the successor to Japan Air Charter. The airline resumed profitability in 1999. In 2002, the company merged with Japan Air System and went on to become the sixth-largest airline in the world by the number of passengers carried. In 2004, Japan Air System changed its name to Japan Airlines Domestic, and its flight codes were changed to those of JAL's. While Japan Airlines Domestic handled JAL's domestic flights and Japan Airlines International operated both international and trunk domestic route flights, both airlines merged under a single brand -- Japan Airlines International -- on 1st October 2006. In 2008, Japan Airlines merged the operations of its subsidiary Japan Asia Airways which had up till then been operating separately for flights between Japan and Taiwan. In 2007, Japan Airlines joined the airline alliance Oneworld for which it had applied in 2005. The company claimed that this membership would serve the best interest of the airline and its customers.

After suffering grave financial losses in 2009, Japan Airlines sought protection under the Corporate Rehabilitation Law. The company received a ¥300 billion cash injection and had debts worth ¥730 billion waived, but in return had to cut its capital to zero, cut unprofitable routes, and reduce its workforce by a sizable one-third. In February 2010, JAL's shares were delisted from the Tokyo Stock Exchange which was until then considered the 'bluest of blue chips'. The leader of the task force for aiding a corporate turnaround for JAL, formed by Japan's Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism, believed that a new CEO would help fix JAL's problems. The President of Japan Air Commuter, Masaru Onishi, was then promoted to President of JAL. In March 2011, JAL emerged from bankruptcy, and in 2012 it announced its intent to relist its shares in the Tokyo Stock Exchange in an IPO of up to ¥1 trillion. Post bankruptcy, JAL has established several new partnerships with the Oneworld alliance and other joint ventures, including the formation of Jetstar Japan with Qantas Airways.

Fleet size of Japan Airlines

As of July 2020, Japan Airlines operates a fleet of 176 aircraft. The fleet currently consists of Airbus A350-900, Boeing 737-800, Boeing 767-300, Boeing 767-300ER, Boeing 777-200, Boeing 777-200ER, Boeing 777-300, Boeing 777-300ER, Boeing 787-8, and Boeing 787-9. It intends to add to its fleet more wide-body aircraft. The fleet of Japan Airlines has a mixture of both narrow-body and wide-body aircraft. The airline provides economy class service on all routes. Business-class service with larger seats are offered on most major domestic routes and also on most international routes. Premium economy is offered only on some international routes. The JAL Cargo, once a dedicated freighter aircraft, operated both propeller and jet aircraft, most recently the Boeing 747-400s and the Boeing 767-300Fs. Currently, cargo services operate from the lower deck holds of JAL's passenger aircraft.

Baggage Allowance

The free baggage allowed for those in the Economy and Premium Economy Class is a maximum of two pieces of 23 kgs (50 lbs) each. For those in Business and First Class, this allowance is increased to three pieces of 32 kgs (70 lbs) each. For passengers who have a JAL Global Club Membership, this allowance is further increased to three pieces of 32 kgs (70 lbs) each for Economy and Premium Economy Class, and four pieces of 32 kgs (70 lbs) each for Business and First Class. The maximum external dimensions of the checked baggage should not exceed 203 cms, including the wheels and handles. Additional charges will be applied if the number of pieces, weight, or dimensions exceeds that which is allowed. The additional charges would depend upon the route being travelled. The airline also offers the option of paying these charges via JMB miles, their mileage program.

In-flight services

Japan Airlines offers excellent in-flight services to its passengers. Its in-flight entertainment system called MAGIC provides Audio/Video on Demand (AVOD) and is installed on all seats on Boeing 767-300ER, 777-200ER, and 777-300ER aircraft. The airline has its in-flight magazine, Skyward, provided by JALUX. Western and Japanese cuisine meals are offered on intercontinental routes, depending upon the cabin class, destination, and flight duration. The airline has worked with several high profile chefs, including Fumiko Kono. The seats are also quite posh, depending on the aircraft that you travel from, as is the hospitality by the flight staff. Passengers can request for pillows, blankets, noise-cancelling earplugs, toiletries and more. They are all available as part of the in-flight services. Further, the authentic Japanese delicacies can also be found on Japan Airlines as in-flight meals. However, depending on the duration or distance of the journey, only a select few can get hold of it for free.

Popular routes and top cities for Japan Airlines

As the flag carrier of Japan and also one of the most important airlines in the world, the connectivity of Japan Airlines is just as immaculate as its goodwill. The airline nearly serves over 60 destinations in the domestic routes while 39 cities in the international routes. These include destinations spread across Asia, Europe, the Americas and Oceania. The international route connectivity of the airline comes naturally and without the help of any codeshare agreement. This alone makes it quite impressive. Over the years, the airline has introduced or at least serviced about ten international routes which also include the route between Tokyo and Xi'an or Osaka and Qingdao.

Although it would take an entire day to name all the top cities of Japan Airlines, here are some, Melbourne, Sydney, Vancouver, Beijing, Dalian, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Helsinki, Guam, Hong Kong, Frankfurt, Paris, Delhi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Manila, Moscow, Cape Town, Busan, Seoul, Taipei, Bangkok, London, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Honolulu, New York City, San Francisco, Seatle and Hanoi, to name a few. While the international route connectivity is fancy but so is the domestic route connectivity of Japan Airlines. Nagoya, Tokyo, Kushiro, Kochi, Osaka, Sapporo, Tokushima, Yamagatam Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Izumo and Nagasaki, are the top cities for Japan Airlines.

The airline shares codeshare agreements with airlines such as Aeroflot, British Airways, LATAM Brasil, SrilankanAirlines, LATAM Chile, Malaysia Airlines, Qantas, Garuda Indonesia, Cathay Dragon, Aeromexico, Air France, Cathay Pacific, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia, Vistara, WestJet, Korean Air, Qatar Airways, Shanghai Airlines, Jetstar Japan, Fiji Airways, Finnair, Bangkok Airways, American Airlines, Alaska Airlines, China Airlines, Emirates and more.

Why travel by Japan Airlines?

Japan Airlines is one of the most recognised airlines that is present in today's time. It is not just the prominence of the airline but the adage of excellent facilities and services that have earned the airline quite the reputation. With time, the airline has also progressed to make sure that it is ahead of its contemporaries. The airline introduced web check-in facilities that can be availed on their official mobile app too. Booking a Japan Airlines flight is also possible online or from their app. Further, all updates regarding the flight status and flight schedules can all be found on the app. Besides, you can sit in one of their airport lounges and experience the lux while you wait to board the flight.

  About Varanasi Airport

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport or popularly known as Varanasi Airport is located in Babatpur, located about 26 km away from Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. Initially, the airport was called Varanasi Airport. However, the airline was renamed as Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport to honour the second Prime Minister of India, Lal Bahadur Shastri. The change of name took place in 2005. It is known to be the 20th busiest airport in India, with respect to passenger traffic. The airport is also the second-busiest airport in Uttar Pradesh, following Lucknow, the state capital. Varanasi Airport is recognised for its passenger traffic that comes from domestic as well as international routes. As a holy city, the airport has been witnessing a growth in passengers and even cargo traffic. The airline features a single runway made of asphalt with two exits and one main apron. The airport connects to prominent domestic cities and international ones too that are in proximity to the country.

About Varanasi Airport Terminals

Currently, Varanasi Airport has three terminals, one reserved for domestic, one for international and one for cargo. The domestic terminal is perfectly equipped with modern technologies and the most modern facilities. These include escalators as well as baggage handling systems. Meanwhile, the international terminal has exemplary operations which connect to various cities abroad. Not to mention how the airport is also equipped with the necessary facilities to cater to the comfort of the passengers. The cargo terminal is half a kilometre away from the passenger airport terminal. The cargo does have facilities such as warehouse and transportation facilities for the cargo goods. The cargo terminal also has strong security that ensures to keep the goods safe. The floor area of the domestic and international terminals as measured, rounds up to 26,500 square metres. The terminals have been kept clean and spotless. Many travellers have advocated for the same by stating how Varanasi Airport is neat and has some of the finest facilities.

There are about 16 check-in counters and are also equipped with CUTE (common-user terminal equipment), four immigration booths as well as emigration counters, two baggage-claim conveyor belts and enough snack stalls. The terminal also has a seating area in the upper-level with aerobridge gates. Meanwhile, the ground-level terminal directly reaches the aircraft apron.

About airport authority

Due to the demand for Varanasi Airport has increased over the years, the Airports Authority of India has planned to expand the runway. The current runway is sprawled across 9,020 ft, but the AAI plans to expand it to 13,369 ft. An underpass to connect to the airport is also being constructed as part of the expansion plan. This underpass will be intersecting with National Highway 31. The new terminal that the airport authority has proposed is speculated to be completed by 2024. Overall, the area of the newly expanded airport would be 58,691 square metres. The passenger capacity would also be increased to 4.5 million annually.

Facilities at Varanasi Airport

Baggage - There are excellent baggage facilities available at the Varanasi Airport. Some of them include provisions of free baggage cost, trolleys, wrapping services and more. The airport does not have a storage facility as such for baggage. However, it does have dedicated security checks for bags as well as wrapping services. You can safeguard your bags from damage by wrapping them with plastic. Plus, you can use the trolleys, present at regular intervals, to keep all your bags together.

Restaurants and cafes - Although designated entertainment zones are not available at the airport. However, it does have some restaurants and cafes within its premise. Passengers after check-in can find some food joints at the waiting lounge. The restaurants are mostly local cuisine-based and made in a hygienic environment. The meals are fresh and made right in front of the customers. The prices of the meals and refreshments are also quite reasonable and affordable. Unlike how some of the big airports have exorbitant rates for the meals, Varanasi Airport has considerably affordable prices for their meals. You can find them at the departures and arrivals sections of the airport.

Shopping outlets - Further, to enhance the entertainment quotient and to add to the tourism of the state, the airport has reserved some stalls for shops. You can find local handicrafts, jewellery, books, magazines, newspapers and more such products. These can be found after the security-check, at the departures lounge. You can make some last-minute purchases too if need be. The prices vary, depending on what you wish to purchase.

ATMs - Varanasi sees a lot of international travellers who need to return to Delhi for their flights abroad. Hence, the airport has ensured to provide ATMs and foreign exchange services. You can find these booths at the airport's arrivals section of the terminal. The ATMs are enabled to read all types of debit cards, and money can be withdrawn. As for money transfers, the currency exchange counters are available for the same.

Special assistance - At the airport, you can ask for special assistance if you have mobility issues or need help. The airport staff has been trained to cater to the needs of the passengers with respect to traversing within the vicinity. This includes getting the baggage checked or to pass through the security check. Provisions of wheelchairs have also been made as part of their services to the passengers. Senior citizens and individuals with mobility concerns can avail the same. Informing the airlines with special requirements would be ideal as that way, the airport would be prepared with all the necessary equipment.

Medical services - With a view to attending medical emergencies, Varanasi Airport has also reserved special provisions for the same. Although there are not many medical rooms or paramedics available at the airport, they have on-call doctors plus staff to help with the medical emergencies. The airport also has pharmacies, in case you have run out of any specific medication from your list. Information concerning the medical services can be found at the airport's information desk.

Smoking rooms - Smoking lounges are available at Varanasi Airport. Although smoking is prohibited in public, the airport has installed one smoking zone where passengers can smoke. There are provisions for cigarette boxes also present at the airport's premise.

Top airlines flying from Varanasi Airport

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport sees a tremendously good connection with major cities in India. The airport also accommodates a slew of airlines and has international flights too. The major domestic airlines that operate from Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport are Air India, Alliance Air, GoAir, IndiGo, SpiceJet and Vistara. As for international flights from Varanasi Airport, these include Air India Express, Buddha Air, Malindo Air, Thai AirAsia and Thai Smile. The airport connects to domestic cities such as Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Bangalore, Ahmedabad, Agra, Chennai, Gaya, Hyderabad, Guwahati, Jaipur, Goa, Khajuraho, to name a few. Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport also sees flights connecting to international cities such as Bangkok, Colombo and Kuala Lumpur.

How to reach Varanasi Airport

By Bus and taxi

The bus stand is centrally located in Varanasi and is away from the airport. There are no bus stands or direct buses that would reach the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport. The only way to reach the airport would be to hail a taxicab or get a car rental. You can find rentals at the airport's arrivals section. The perks of rentals are that once your trip concludes, you can directly take the transport service to the airport and drop it there. This way, you avoid the concerns of being stranded without any transport. The best way to reach Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is by hailing auto rickshaws. The city has an abundance of rickshaw services that travellers can avail.

By Rail

The distance between Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport and Varanasi Railway Station is approximately 18.9 km. Often travellers who are travelling from other parts of Uttar Pradesh use the railway as a means to reach the city. Hence, for you to reach Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport from the railway station, it is essential to take a taxi cab. Auto-rickshaws are also available outside the railway station that you can hail to reach Varanasi Airport. It will take more than 30 minutes to reach Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport from the railway station though. You will have to prepare yourself for the travel time as it heavily depends on the traffic situations too. Luckily, the railway station always has rickshaw and taxi services available to connect to Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport.

About Varanasi

Varanasi, popularly known as Benares or Kashi, is a holy city that is perched on the banks of the Ganges in the state of Uttar Pradesh. The city is about 320 kilometres away from the state capital, Lucknow. It is considered to be one of the seven holiest cities and sees tremendous significance in Hinduism and Jainism. The city is served by Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport and Varanasi Junction railway station. The city also has connections with Buddhism and is considered to be one of the most visited holy cities in the country.