Varanasi to Tokyo 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 Tokyo

Tokyo, one of the top cities in the world and the capital of Japan, is a busy hub for economic, finance, business, technology, culture and more. The city is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful places in the world.

Best time to visit Tokyo

Tokyo's charm turns a notch more exquisite during the spring and autumn months. Come spring and the streets of Tokyo form blissful foliage of cherry blossoms. As for autumn, a new shade of beauty envelopes the city. September to November months in Tokyo are definitely the best time to visit Tokyo. As the summer heat and humidity declines, the city wraps itself with a new temperature that only gets better. While there is precipitation in the air with the possibility of light showers, the temperatures are quite friendly and ideal for tourism. Make sure to carry an umbrella with you when you peruse through the attractions of the city. Simultaneously, it is essential that you carry a light but comfortable jacket along with you during your trip. The light showers are often accompanied by brisk winter breeze. The city celebrates a different kind of air during the autumn season as it hosts Tokyo International Film Festival, Culture Day and Shichi-Go-San festival.

Spring actually starts seeing crowds, maybe not as much as summer, but tourists still flock over. Thanks to the appearance of the gorgeous cherry blossoms in the city parks, locals from and around Tokyo also head to the city. There are various special events that are held in the city parks to welcome the lovely spring and summer that follows. Not to mention how watching the cherry blossoms bloom is one of the biggest highlights that cannot be missed. The city doesn't just witness beautiful weather but also sees some events. These include AnimeJapan, Art fair Tokyo and Golden Week. You should know that AnimeJapan is a big deal in Tokyo and the city bustles with anime enthusiasts in Japan and international tourists too. Although it is known that spring is the best time to visit, it certainly comes with a humongous crowd, which means you will have to deal with the excess tourist crowd as well as high prices of hotels and travel scenes. No matter what the season might be, the hotel rooms and prices do not see a drop. So even if you do pick an offseason for your travel plans, you will still have to pay a hefty sum on hotels.

Places to visit in Tokyo

Tokyo has far too many tourist attractions that you cannot complete even if you stay there for a month. The neighbourhood is literally loaded with more than 13 million entertaining places to keep you engaged. You can start your day by checking out the Tokyo National Museum, to learn more about the country's history. To honour the culture and religious beliefs of the Japanese, it would be amazing to visit the Meiji Shrine and Sensoji Temple. From here, you can further head to the Imperial Palace, which is a major tourist attraction. The National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation is also an interesting site to witness the fiery entrepreneurial spirit of young scientists. Edo-Tokyo Museum is another place which explores the past of the city and its architecture. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a vast expanse of over 144 acres with its traditional Japanese landscape that only add to the serenity of the place. Ghibli Museum is a totally cool place that you should check out if you are a fan of the studio that has created some award-winning anime movies. Also, do not miss Tokyo Tower, the remake of the famous Eiffel Tower.

Things to do in Tokyo

Tokyo's Ginza is what New York's Fifth Avenue is, or London's Oxford Street is, and Paris' Champs-Élysées is a haven for shopaholics. The town bustles with tourists and exquisite shops and restaurants. You can also opt for an authentic Geisha performance which can be followed by the traditional kaiseki course dinner. The city's karaoke parlours are a big hit too and something you should definitely try out. Tokyo also has robot show and kawaii monster cafes, tickets of which you can avail. Much like Ginza, Akihabara is a paradise for people inclined with technology. If you live and breathe gadgets, Tokyo's electronics district is the right place for you to go to. Aside from visiting the Imperial Palace, it would be amazing to pack a picnic and relish the tranquillity of the space. It is important that you get permission to visit the estate.

Food and Restaurants in Tokyo

Tokyo is known to have the highest number of Michelin-starrer food establishments in the world. That alone explains why it is revered to be the food capital of the world. Tokyo is a big hit among culinary critics and celebrated chefs from around the world. The city also boasts a whopping number of restaurants, 160,000, to be exact, to further strengthen its case as a stalwart in the culinary world. Tokyo reserves a very high position in the culinary world in terms of their choice of ingredients, their handpicked fresh products, quality of their ingredients and the careful precision with which they make their food. The remarkable consistency in their food validates the same and hence, helps its stand at a distinguished position. Many chefs actually spend their entire lives to perfect just one dish. In fact, Jiro Ono is one such chef who has mastered the art of making perfect sushi and is also the proud holder of the three-star Michelin restaurant, Sukiyabashi Jiro. Some of their top-rated dishes include ramen, udon noodles, tempura, miso and soba noodles, to name a few. These meals are traditional and a staple of the Japanese.

Much of these buckwheat noodles are dated to the Edo period, which is pretty ancient in the Japanese period. The city also prepares dishes such as yakitori, takoyaki, sekitori, to name a few. These meals can be found in fine dining restaurants as well as small joints around the corner of the street. For a more formal dinner setting, you should opt for kaiseki, which is basically a multi-course dinner served on seasonal small plates. You can make these indulgences possible by checking out food establishments such as Butagumi, Toritama, Shorisaka, Yakiniku Jumbo Shirokane, Ishikawa, Kotaro, to name a few. Not just Japanese, though, Tokyo also celebrates international cuisine and brings forth flavours from around the world in one city. In fact, they are so authentic that even the natives of the cuisine would be surprised by the immaculate precision in the food created. From Italian to French, Tokyo serves cuisine from around the world, and they do it even better than the native lands. You might want to save some extra money to visit some of these amazing establishments.

How to reach Tokyo

Flight connectivity to Tokyo is excellent with regular direct flights flying from India. The demand for travel to Tokyo is quite high and hence, has enough options for travellers. There are provisions for direct and nonstop flights to Tokyo from India. It is essential that you know where you are staying as accordingly, you will have to choose between the two airports in Tokyo, Narita Airport and Haneda Airport. Luckily, there are nonstop flights to Tokyo's Narita Airport as well as Haneda Airport from Mumbai and Delhi. Airlines such as All Nippon Airways, Singapore Airlines, Air China, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines, Vistara, Cathay Pacific, Japan Airlines, to name a few, have regular flights flying to Japan. In fact, Vistara, All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines have direct nonstop flights to Tokyo from Delhi. The most popular route to Tokyo is from Delhi as the flight connectivity and options for direct flights is more. Not to mention how the city is well-connected as the capital of India. Many airlines take the international routes of Hong Kong, Singapore and Kuala Lumpur, to reach Tokyo.

Not just the flight connectivity but even the duration of flights to Tokyo is less and available from India. The flight duration to Tokyo is approximately 7 hours 50 minutes from Delhi. The flight tickets to Tokyo are also cheap to expensive. Depending on which airlines and the flight duration you pick, the flight tickets would dwindle. However, there are provisions of cheap flight tickets to Tokyo. It is advised that you make prior flight bookings to Tokyo if you wish to avail some online flight deals. You can receive discounted rates for your flights to Tokyo as well as even accommodation. Since Tokyo is an expensive city, you will have to be extremely careful with your expenses. You cannot simply splurge if you're on a budget. Hence, try to make as many deductions in the travel and accommodation cost by making prior bookings. Hostels and homestays are not a big concept in Tokyo, so you must ensure that you are sorted with your accommodations before visiting the city. You might even find some combo deals for flights and hotels online. Tokyo doesn't require any transit visa as it is part of the same continent.

  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.