Varanasi to Newcastle 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 Newcastle

As the name suggests, Newcastle upon Tyne is a city nestled on the banks of the Tyne River. It is a university city located in the northeast region of England. It was once a known shipbuilding hub which also played a pivotal role in the expansion of businesses during the Industrial Revolution.

Best time to visit Newcastle

Much like the rest of the United Kingdom, Newcastle also sees a rather cold climate with the monsoon. You will always have to carry an umbrella and be prepared for the rains. They come and go as they please, which could be quite difficult to keep up with. However, that doesn't mean you can't have fun in the city. Summers in Newcastle is fabulous as the warm and dry temperatures do have a soothing effect on an otherwise dreary and wet habitat. From June to September is considered to be ideal for a vacation in Newcastle. The summer temperatures are between 15 degree Celsius to 20 degree Celsius. However, depending on the erratic nature of the weather in Newcastle with the added uncertainty of heat waves, it could exceed to 30 degree Celsius too. With climate change and other environmental concerns, the city has been seeing a lot of heat waves. Irrespective of the erratic weather though, it is still the best time you can pick to visit Newcastle. The only flipside to the trip would be the expensive flight tickets and hotel prices.

As summers are peak season for Newcastle, you will witness a surge in flights and hotel prices. This simply means you will have to ensure that you make prior bookings of flights and hotels in Newcastle. You might be able to evade the exorbitant rates. Another season that you can pick to visit Newcastle is autumn which starts from October through November. The days in the city are warm and quaint while the nights get cold during autumn in Newcastle. However, since it is a season close to winters, many tourists are already on their way back. With the tourist season gone, the prices of accommodation and even flights to Newcastle are very affordable. You wouldn't have a lot to worry about the expensive price surge as the tourist activities are also reduced during autumn. Spring is also an interesting time to visit, but they do come with the erratic rains and a bizarre climate. It is neither dry nor wet, which makes it confusing. However, if the weather is not really what you are bothered about and can stand the erratic showers, then this is a good time to check out Newcastle.

Places to visit in Newcastle

Newcastle is blessed with some amazing tourist attractions. Beamish, the Living Museum of the North, is a good place to start as the interactive complex will keep you engaged. One of Newcastle's biggest highlights is the Gateshead Millennium Bridge. The bridge has been constructed above the Tyne River. The bridge's artistic construction definitely paints an exquisite picture. Not to mention how the place is open to bicycle rides and walks too. You can easily walk the stretch, get some amazing social media-worthy pictures and marvel at the architecture. You should not miss out the Angel of the North steel sculpture. It was designed by Antony Gormly and is recognised to be quite the crowd-puller for its golden hue and towering stance. The Newcastle Castle is also a notable structure which also serves as a fortress. It is known to be a good place for strolls and to soak in all the English architecture. Close to the Millenium Bridge is the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, an accessible location which is known to hold several art exhibitions.

Things to do in Newcastle

As part of your activities in Newcastle, you can start with a walk on the Hadrian's Wall Path. It is actually a long-distance footpath that was built as a defensive wall by the Roman Empire to avoid conflict and attacks from the northern borders. Close to the Tyne River in Newcastle is the Quayside. The area is perfect for exploring as it is nestled in the banks of the river. You should also visit the Discovery Museum. It is acknowledged to be a famous science and local history museum as it hosts some interesting tales from Newcastle's past. You will be amazed to learn some truths about the city and its past. It is especially perfect for taking your kids along. To further indulge in more scientific scenes, you can further visit the Life Science Centre. The place has been constructed to promote the relevance and progress in the fields of science, education and business. The place also has good food and interesting exhibits that would leave you engaged.

Food and restaurants in Newcastle

Newcastle's food expedition is one of a kind as it celebrates the best of British's gastronomical flavours. Do not be surprised by some of the names and flavours that they match in their kitchen as it is unlike what you would find anywhere else. Cal's Own is the perfect place where you can get hold of wood-fired pizzas and fennel sausages. Their sourdough bases are a big hit and something you will definitely enjoy. Another exquisite place called Cook House is ideal for you if you wish to opt for a cheap dining experience. The cafe is actually built in a shipping container and has some of the best garden produce. It is the perfect spot for breakfasts where you can get hold of sourdough toast with marmalade and a bowl of keffir, seasonal fruit and yogurt. Do not miss their roast chicken salad too! You will have to carry your own alcohol though. There is room for some international cuisine in the city as well. Chilli Padi has cheap but lovely food. The comfort food comes from Malay influences. From fried fish head soup to the flavourful Szechuan beef, you would have a good time.

Fat Hippo Underground is another kid-friendly place where you can hold the best burgers and craft beers in Newcastle. Plus, it is also cheap so you wouldn't have to worry about spending too much. The Patricia is a French bistro that brings forth Nick Grieves' vision of exquisite neighbourhood food establishment. The food is a little expensive, but it is perfect for a fine dine experience. Of course, your trip is incomplete without indulging in seafood which you can find at The Bridge Tavern. It is actually owned by Wylam Brewery and serves impeccable beer as well as fish and chips. Plus, it is also very pocket-friendly. Do not miss their beef curry and flat iron steak as well. Peace and Loaf is another Jesmond bistro that brings aesthetics to the dining experience. You would be surprised by the most outlandish meals with sharp and stylish flavours. Newcastle's very own Michelin star-holder, The Broad Chare, is undoubtedly one of the best in the city. The gastropub, with its exquisite upscaled experience, brings life to chef Terry Laybourne's vision of lush food. Do check out their black pudding and grilled liver.

How to reach Newcastle

Newcastle is way up in the north of London and enjoys good connectivity with other countries. Flight connectivity to Newcastle from Indian cities. However, Newcastle is better connected from London or other European cities. The most popular and favoured route to Newcastle that is opted by airlines is from London and Amsterdam. Airlines such as Virgin Atlantic, British Airways, KLM Royal Dutch, Air France, Emirates, Lufthansa, have impeccable flight connectivity to Newcastle. There are no direct nonstop flights to Newcastle. However, airlines such as KLM Royal Dutch, British Airways and Air France have layovers in European cities that make the travelling convenient. Since much of the flights use the international routes of European cities to reach Newcastle, you would require a Schengen transit visa. A Schengen transit visa is required if you have layovers or even connecting flights from cities such as Paris, Amsterdam and Munich. The flight duration to Newcastle from India is 12 hours and 30 minutes.

There are cheap flights to Newcastle available online. In fact, you can find some options for cheap flights to Newcastle online if you surf through the web for a little more time. The ticket prices to Newcastle are not very expensive. In fact, flights to Newcastle start from around INR 27,000 to INR 30,000. If you make prior flight bookings to Newcastle, then you will be eligible for some inexpensive and great online deals. In case you have been collecting miles, this would be the perfect way to earn a little more. You can also book your hotels in Newcastle beforehand and avail some more miles. You can combine booking flights and hotels in Newcastle to get some more deals. The city does have a good range of budget to luxury hotels that you can pick from. If you are opting for a relaxed and inexpensive trip to Newcastle, then you should book hotels accordingly. Many tourists often think the best way to reach Newcastle is by driving up to the city from London. As many opt to combine their trip to the UK, it makes sense to drive to Newcastle and enjoy the views between the two English cities.

  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.