Varanasi to Charlotte Flights

  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 Charlotte

Charlotte is known to be the most populated city in the state of North Carolina. The city is the most recognised economic, cultural and transportation hub of the state. It is also one of the fastest-growing metropolitan cities in the country. Charlotte witnesses a great crowd during peak seasons as it has a favourable climate and boasts impeccable tourist attractions.

Best time to visit Charlotte

Charlotte's weather from March through May and September through November is practically perfect for a visit. The biggest perk of these months is that Charlotte's hotel prices drop tremendously, making it easier on the pockets. Spring is ideal as it invites warm temperatures and sets a base to the summer that is about to take over eventually. Despite being cold during spring, the transition of the weather is beautiful and definitely worth experiencing. April is considered the best by other tourists too, making travelling and hotels a little expensive. Only slightly though. The city welcomes amazing festivals such as Tuck Fest, Wells Fargo Championship, Charlotte Craft Beer Week, St Patrick's Day Parade, Charlotte Wine and Foods Weekend and Kings Drive Art Walk. These are some attractions that do get many tourists to flock over to Charlotte. This is followed by the summer, which is the peak season. The city is hot and quite expensive during summers, which could reflect badly on your pockets. Not to mention how it is jam packed with far too many tourists who come over from different parts of the world.

September to November in Charlotte is another ideal season. The summer crowd start to depart as the autumn season takes over the city. The best part is the hotel prices in Charlotte also drop during autumn as the tourist crowd disappears. The fall foliage at Charlotte is a visual spectacle that shouldn't be missed. The city's events calendar continues to celebrate many more festivals as more events are hosted during autumn. Activities such as Festival in the Park, Great Grapes! Wine, Arts & Food Festival, The Great Pumpkin Fest and Yiasou Greek Festival are some of the highlights. Overall, there are far too many beautiful sights to soak in when visiting Charlotte. You can make your hotel bookings in Charlotte done prior to the visit. In fact, if you do it months in advance, even if it is offseason, you will be in for some lovely online deals. From flights to hotels in Charlotte, you will manage to find some compelling online deals that will reduce the cost and leave you with more money, which you can splurge on food and other fun activities in the city.

Places to visit in Charlotte

The Queen City is recognised to be a big deal among petrolheads who are passionate about racing. The city also has some prestigious museums and food establishments to keep people engaged. You can start your trip with Discovery Place. It is a science museum which is great for individuals who are interested in science and concepts like physics and more. Mint Museum Uptown is an abode to some varied European and American art. The exhibits are contemporary and look really interesting. Billy Graham Library is one such place where America's Pastor, Billy Graham, grew up. It has been converted into a Christian book store and also a mini library with exhibits of Graham's life. You also have Levine Museum of the New South, which focuses on post-Civil War history. Of course, it would be a shame to not visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame. The museum has exhibits of plaques dedicated to drivers who have made an impact on the race track. While you're at the NASCAR museum, you can also check out the Charlotte Moto Speedway, probably even catch a race show in action.

Things to do in Charlotte

You can head straight to US National Whitewater Centre to engage in some fun kayaking and whitewater rafting. The place has the Catawba river flowing through Charlotte where often adventure junkies head to for some activities. You can also take up paddleboarding as one of the activities. Carowinds is another compelling space which is an amusement park with fun and engaging rides. Aside from this, you can always make the most of the city by going on a food and wine tour. The city's food and wine culture are quite thriving and interesting. Plus, it is also an excellent way to meet up with new people and interact with them. You can also participate in brewery crawls to check out some of the fascinating breweries around Charlotte.

Food and Restaurants in Charlotte

Charlotte's food culture is a beautiful melange of modern with Southern as its main attractions. Farm-to-fork menus are popular as they resonate the most with the traditional background of the city. But Charlotte also has a plethora of food establishments that rave international cuisine. To experience the city's best Southern taste and fried chicken, you should visit Price's Chicken Coop. Although the ambience and services might not be the best at Price's, the fried chicken certainly make up for what they lack otherwise. You should make sure to carry cash instead of a card payment at Price's because they're still primitive when it comes to the exchange of money. Plus, you will also have to wait in a long line as the restaurant's fame comes with a price, that of excess customers. Another cheap and tasty restaurant to check out is Midnight Diner. You can expand your menu from fried chicken to some Carolina-styled barbequed meat. Check out Midwood Smokehouse, Mac's Speed Shop and Queen City Q to get a whiff of the smokey barbequed meat and even a bite of the same.

The city also raves fine dining and steakhouses, which is perfect for business travellers who wish to take their clients to a place with lip-smacking food. Upscale food establishments can be found in the Uptown area of Charlotte. As long as you're ready to splurge a good amount, you can visit Halcyon Flavours From The Earth. You can also get away from the city and head to places such as Good Food On Montford, Fig Tree and Stagioni, for an intimate yet delicious setting and food. Soul Gastrolounge is one such establishment that you simply cannot miss. The place offers an array of beautiful dishes and is perpetually busy, which only means it's as good as people say. Queen City Charlotte also has a thriving crafted beer scene that you should indulge in along with some lovely appetisers. There are many breweries such as NoDa Brewing Company, Birdsong Brewing Company and Olde Mecklenburg Brewery, to try some of their crafted beer and food. You will not be disappointed by the beautiful flavours and tastes that you will get to experience in the city.

How to reach Charlotte

Flight connectivity to Charlotte from India is decent. Located in North Carolina, the city does see a decent number of travellers flocking over from India. However, travelling to Charlotte comes with some challenges, mainly to do with flight layovers and connectivity. While the airport is perfectly with other cities in the US, for an international traveller, they will have to change flights from domestic cities in the US. Domestic routes to Charlotte from Boston and New York City are quite ideal. Airlines such as Qatar Airways, Virgin Atlantic, Delta Air Lines, Air Canada, United Airlines, American Airlines, Swiss, United Airlines, have regular flights flying to Charlotte from across the globe. There is one United Airlines flight from Delhi that has only one stop at Newark before heading to Charlotte. The best thing about this flight is how it will take only 20 hours 53 minutes to reach the city. Air Canada's flight to Charlotte from Delhi also has only one stop at Toronto, and the journey can be covered in 21 hours and 4 minutes. Rest all the airlines have two stops and layovers in various other international cities.

Depending on the international routes chosen by airlines to reach Charlotte, the layovers and flight connectivity take place. Some countries require a visa. Hence, make sure to first check all the stops where the flight will by halting for layovers. Depending on the travel policies of the cities or countries, you will accordingly have to issue for a transit visa. You can do this by submitting an online application or get in touch with the embassy to do the same. Flight tickets to Buffalo is actually quite expensive. Irrespective of the flight duration, the airlines or even the connectivity, the ticket prices of Buffalo are quite steep. You will have to mentally prepare yourself and your bank balance that there will be some spending done. You can opt to book flight tickets to Buffalo well in advance. You might even receive some great deals online for flights and hotels in Buffalo. Booking hotels in Buffalo shouldn't be a problem as there is a range of cheap to expensive accommodations available in the city. As long as everything is done before time, you will have nothing to worry about.

  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.