Varanasi to Seattle 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 Seattle

Seattle is one of the most-visited cities in the United States of America. It has the best coffee in the country paired up with a lot of history, rich culture, outdoor activity options, a thriving art scene and a lot more for tourists. The Emerald City is one of the major tourist attractions in Seattle. The Seattle Art Museum, Mount Rainier and Woodland Park Zoo are some other popular tourist spots in the city. Seattle has an eclectic dining scene and a vibrant nightlife. You can go on food tours or go partying till the wee hours. The city has quite a lot of craft breweries and food markets that attract a lot of tourists to the city. Seattle hosts a lot of festivals to keep the tourists entertained and has also given the world a lot of popular brands like Starbucks, Amazon, Costco, Microsoft, Expedia and so on. It also gave the world music legends like Jimi Hendrix, Nirvana, Kenny G, Pearl Jam and so on. You will love attending music festivals in the city. It has also been an inspiration for a lot of filmmakers and films like Twilight, Sleepless in Seattle, An Officer and a Gentleman.

Best Time to Visit Seattle

Summer is a high tourist season for Seattle and a busy time for the city. Make sure you book your hotel in Seattle well in advance before the hotel rates see a surge. You must also book your flight tickets to Seattle in advance. June to August is the peak tourist season in Seattle. The summer is not too hot, and you will enjoy it. The temperature ranges from 11 to 23 degree Celsius. If you are a movie buff, you can attend the Seattle International Film Festival in May and June. You can also attend events like Seattle Pride, Seattle International BeerFest, Capitol Hill Block Party, Seafair Weekend and Seattle Art Fair during summer. Since it is high tourist season, you will get to attend a lot of parties, if that's what you are looking for in your vacation. The city also has quite a few hostels that many youngsters prefer. With an increase in the number of tourists, you will make a lot of new friends, if you love socialising.

March to May is the spring season in Seattle. Though hotel prices don't increase as such, you might be able to get a good deal. The temperature ranges from 4 to 18 degree Celsius. The weather is quite windy, and there are chances it might rain, too. Make sure you also pack a layer of warm clothes if you are heading to Seattle in spring. You can attend a lot of events during the spring season in Seattle like Moisture Festival, Seattle Cherry Blossom and Japanese Cultural Festival, Seattle Restaurant Week and Seattle International Film Festival. You might even get a good flight deal to Seattle online during spring.

September to October is one of the best times to visit Seattle if you don't like crowded tourist places. The number of tourists after summer is over and the city has fewer tourists. The weather is also quite pleasant. It's neither too hot nor too cold. This is the best time to visit if you are great at bargaining. You will find a lot of discounts on hotel rooms, but there are chances of rain towards the end of the fall season. The temperature ranges from 8 to 19 degree Celsius, and the weather does not affect any of your sightseeing plans or your plans to pursue any outdoor activities for the day. You can attend events like Bumbershoot, Earshot Jazz Festival and Seattle Restaurant Week. Signing up for a food tour would be the best during the fall season. You will also get great discounts and offers at restaurants.

November to February is the winter season in Seattle, and the temperature ranges from 2 to 10 degree Celsius. It is not the best time to go sightseeing in Seattle as it rains a lot during December and January. It also snows in Seattle sometimes which allows you to try activities like snowboarding and skiing. This is the best time to head to the Cascade Range or Mount Rainier. While sightseeing can become a problem during winter, you can attend events like the Earshot Jazz Festival, Seattle Marathon and Half Marathon, Seattle International Comedy Competition, Christmas Ship Festival and Seattle Festival of Improv Theater.

Places to Visit in Seattle

Seattle Center was built in 1962 for the World Fair and was later turned into a centre for the city's tourism, education and entertainment. You can visit the Museum of Pop Culture here or Space Needle. If you are a lot in science, you will love the Pacific Science Center. Pike Place Market is one of the oldest places in Seattle, and the farmers' market here is quite popular. The Museum of Flight has over 175 aircraft and spacecraft, and you can visit the museum with your kids. If you are an art lover, you can head to the Seattle Art Museum. Lake Union Park is another popular tourist spot that offers you the views of the Museum of History and Industry and the Center for Wooden Boats. If you are fascinated by aircraft, you can visit the Future of Flight Aviation Center and Boeing Tour. You can also visit the Washington Park Arboretum which is spread across 230 acres of land of exceptional flora. It is managed by the University of Washington Botanic Gardens and the City of Seattle. You must visit the Japanese Garden in the arboretum.

For all you book lovers out there, the Seattle Central Public Library is the place for you. There are about a million books to choose from, and you will also find yourself admiring the unique architecture. Discovery Park is one of the largest city parks in Seattle and also has a sanctuary for animals. Mount Rainier is yet another popular tourist spot you can head to if you are visiting the city in winter.

Things to do in Seattle

Seattle is one city that does not know boredom at all. You can sign up for a sightseeing tour of the city or head out on your own to explore it. You will constantly discover something new about it or be amazed at all the things that the city has to offer. If you are a movie buff, you can also take pictures at locations of iconic scenes of your favourite movies. Sign up for a tour of Mount Rainier if you want to add some adventure to your holiday. You can also go for a food tour and eat at some of the best restaurants in the city. You can't come to Seattle and not go partying. The city has several nightclubs, and the people here know just how to party. You can visit the art museums, parks, zoos, aquarium and a lot of other attractions that will leave you amazed. You might even find like-minded people that you will bond with on your trip to Seattle.

Food and Restaurants in Seattle

Seattle is one of the best destinations in the country for diverse and delicious cuisines. You can try the seafood here like salmon, shellfish and clams or opt for Asian cuisines. Seattle has a lot of cafes to its credit, and a lot of them have a wide variety of vegetarian food. Cafe Flora and Bakery Nouveau are two of the best places for a cup of refreshing beverage with delicious snacks. The Italian cuisine and selection of wine at Altura, in Capitol Hill, is also quite impressive. Stoup Brewing, Reuben's Brews, Populuxe Brewing Company and Maritime Pacific Brewing Co. are some of the most popular breweries in the city. Ellenos at Pike Place and Pike Street is popular for a variety of Greek and healthy food. You can also head to Le Panier for authentic French cuisine. The Pink Door is a very elegant-looking restaurant that serves delicious Italian food. You will also find Tuscan and Sicilian cuisines in the menu here. Fremont Brewing is a very popular brewery and pub in Seattle that attracts a lot of tourists.

How to reach Seattle (Transportation)

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport is about 23 km away from Downtown Seattle. The flight connectivity to Seattle from India is excellent. Singapore Airlines, Vistara, Japan Airlines, British Airways, and American Airlines have frequent flights to Seattle from India with layovers at Singapore, Delhi, Tokyo, London and Chicago. Brace yourself for a long journey since it takes a 20-hour flight to reach Seattle. You might want to spend your first day in the city just relaxing and not indulging in a lot of activities, so you can be fresh and energetic to explore the city the next day. If you book at the right time, you might get exciting deals on flights to Seattle online. You might even get a good deal on hotels if you are visiting during the offseason. Getting a taxi or car rental from the airport is not difficult at all. You will also get help from the airport staff for the same.

  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.