Munich to Varanasi Flights

  About Munich

Bavaria's capital and an important city in Germany, Munich is home to some of the finest locations as well as landmarks from the German history. The city boasts a fancy and relaxed culture where food and beer are given equal amounts of love and attention. Even the automobiles are considered as equals aside from all the gastronomy.

Best time to visit Munich

Spring in Munich is considered to be the best time to visit the gorgeous city. These months bringing in summers to the Bavarian city do quite a good job. The winters thaw, and the summers begin to beckon more tourist activities. Late spring with its amiable temperatures, would be an ideal time to check out the best of the city. The winds are calm and relaxing, plus the cafes are quaint and pretty. Plus, the first Auer Dult also takes place in April (a traditional market setting which is set up thrice in a year). With fewer summer tourists in the city, you can book hotels in Munich for cheap. This is followed by the summers from June to August. As the city witnesses a spike in its tourism with higher temperatures, you might have a tough time finding cheap and comfortable accommodations. The best thing to do to be on the safe side would be to book a hotel in Munich a few months in advance. That way, you wouldn't have to deal with the sudden price surge. The summers see events such as Munich Film Festival, Christopher Street Day, Tollwood, Opera Festival and Munich Summer of Music. These key events certainly are fun to indulge in.

Winter months don't see a lot of tourists for obvious reasons. The city is too cold to venture out or engage in tourist activities. This is also the time when the hotel prices drop, and the flight tickets are easily available. If you are unfazed by the cold and snow during these months, you should visit Munich for the Christmas festivities. Of course, don't think we've forgotten the famous Oktoberfest. The celebrations of Oktoberfest starts from late September to early October, the city's beer festival means excess crowd and exuberant demand for hotels and hostels. To visit Munich during Oktober Fest, you will have to book your hotels and accommodations well in advance. The demand is too high and for the right reasons.

Places to visit in Munich

Munich, as a cosmopolitan city, has far too many beautiful structures and historical settings to offer for tourists. They have a pretty exciting list of tourist attractions that range from historic palaces to their automobile world. What manages to keep the tourists hooked to their culture and historical significance is how well they have all been preserved. Don't just be content by their BMW World, which is a stunning setting for petrolheads, something you should know. The English Garden (Englischer Garten) is a lovely expanse of a public park which is located within the city centre. As the name suggests, the park is very English-styled with famous Biergarten, eclectic monuments within the premises, sparkling lakes flowing and perfect paths to jog or bike on. Frauenkirche or Church of our Lady is another intriguing setting that you will find in Munich. The two dome-topped towers have historical significance as they were used during World War II by the Allied for bombing purposes. The observation platform of the structure is exquisite. For a religious tour, head to St. Peter's Church (Peterskirche) which is one of the most ancient and tiniest churches. Give a small payment fee, and you will get to go to the top of the church's tower to witness the view of the gorgeous Bavaria.

Deutsches Museum is undoubtedly one of the more interesting places to visit. Thanks to their collection of brilliance from the science and technology spheres, it has easily become a favourite among tourists. It has exhibitions of many scientific discoveries ranging from transportation to musical instruments and their genesis. Another interesting park within the English Garden is the Biergarten am Chinesischen Turm (Chinese Tower). It is basically a tower nestled within the English Garden that offers a splendid view of the park. For the automobile enthusiasts out there, who are on a trip to Munich, you should definitely not miss out their prized jewel, the BMW Welt. The vast space is dedicated to Germany's top exports, BMW automobiles and parts. Along with the cars, the architecture will surely take your breath away. From the history of BMW to their latest work, information about everything related to the automobile company can be found here in the gallery. To add more regal to your sightseeing list, there is the Residenz Royal Palace where you can go. The palace has been converted into a State-owned small museum and also has concert halls and theatres to entertain the people who visit the space. While we're on the subject, the Nymphenburg Palace (Schloss Nymphenburg) is also a place worth visiting thanks to the lovely lake view it has that connects with the palatial grounds.

Things to do in Munich

A tour down Alstadt (Old Town) and Marienplatz should be enough to give you a taste of the hip Munich. From a plethora of engaging street meat and sausages to performers taking over the crowded lanes to entertain you, these places in Munich certainly do bring the house down with their lively atmosphere. One interesting activity that you can take up is to visit the Viktualienmarkt, it is Munich's oldest market and dates back to 1807. There are around 140 booths and various sellers bringing their fresh goods to be sold at the market. In case the idea of surfing on a river never crossed your mind, you might be able to witness it or even take it up at the Eisbach River. Plenty of tourists and locals engage in river surfing or Eisbachwelle at the base of the Eisbach River. Indulging in Bavarian beer is undoubtedly one of the top things to do. You simply cannot finish your trip without downing some craft beer and sausages in Munich.

Food and Restaurants in Munich

Germans like their food as they like their beer, crafted to perfection and made in quantity. They like to have heavy, hearty meals with a creamy melange of flavourful sauces and buttery rolls. Of course, all this goes along with a pint or maybe even a jug of beer. Meat plays an essential addition in their cuisine, and so do sausages. When you're in Munich, you should definitely try their Sauerbraten, which is basically roast beef stew. The pot roast usually mixes tender beef with aromatic flavours and spices. It is always accompanied with potato dumplings (also called kartoffelklöße) and red cabbage. The meat is actually marinated for days before finally being cooked, which makes it perfect. Some other famous meat dishes include Schweinshaxe (typically resonated with a peasant's meal), Rinderroulade (beef slices rolled perfectly around bacon and onions), Hasenpfeffer (rabbit stew), to name a few. Special mention to the famous German sausages that have been part of their culinary world for a really long time. A Munich speciality, going by the name Münchner weißwurst, is definitely worth a try.

Of course, talking about German food, we simply cannot miss Schnitzel, which is basically bread cutlet and from the Austrian culinary heritage. IT is the perfect small meal one can ask for in Munich. Werneckhof by Geisel, Tantris, Weinhaus Neuner, Esszimmer, are some top restaurants in the city that will give you a fine dining experience. Plus, they also celebrate the German cuisine. However, if you are on a tight budget, head to Schmalznudel, Fraunhofer, Weisses Brauhaus, Wirtshaus in der Au, etc., for a tavern-like feel and German-sized meals. The city also houses some international cuisine such as Japanese, Mediterranean, Italian, Asian, that you can indulge in. They also have special steakhouses for meat lovers.

How to reach Munich (Transportation)

As an international business hub, Munich's flight connectivity is world-class. The Munich International Airport witnesses an exuberant number of flights and tourists from around the world. Many flights to other cities of Europe also connect at the airport, making it an important city in Europe as well as the world. The city connects with a majority of popular cities in Germany as well as other European countries. In fact, Munich is also a popular route considered to reach countries like Luxembourg, Belgian, the Netherlands and France, Switzerland, to name a few. Major metropolitan cities in India service flights to Munich on a regular basis. Certain flights heading to the European countries also have layovers in Munich, making travelling to the city easier. Cities such as Mumbai, Bangalore, Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, Kochi, to name a few, have regular flights flying in and out of Munich. The major airlines connecting Munich to cities in India include Lufthansa and Star Alliance. There are other partners too such as Air China, All Nippon Airways, South African Airways, Swiss, Egypt Air, United Airlines, Turkish Airlines, to name a few.

Ticket prices for flights to Munich range from cheap and affordable to expensive. Depending on the availability of direct flights to the peak season. The accommodations in Munich are also varied with options for hostels as well as swanky hotels. Even if you are unable to book your accommodation in advance, there will be options to choose from in Munich.

  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.

  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.