Of all the cities in India, Kolkata has one of the strongest cultural and spiritual connections to Varanasi. Bengali Hindus have been making the Kashi yatra for centuries — the journey to receive the blessings of Kashi Vishwanath and bathe in the Ganga is considered a sacred duty in many Bengali households, especially in one’s later years.
The good news for Kolkata travellers is that Varanasi is one of the most accessible pilgrimages from West Bengal — a train journey of 7–8 hours, or a 1.5-hour flight. This guide covers both travel options, itinerary choices from 2 nights to 5 nights, realistic pricing, and the specific temples and rituals that Bengali pilgrims traditionally prioritise in Kashi.
How to Travel from Kolkata to Varanasi
By Train (Popular Choice for Bengali Travellers)
The Kolkata–Varanasi train route is well-served and remains the preferred mode for many Bengali families — comfortable overnight journeys on sleeper or AC classes that deposit you at Varanasi Junction or Manduadih station.
Key trains:
- Vibhuti Express (11107/11108): Howrah to Varanasi in approximately 8 hours — a popular daytime option. Departs morning, arrives by evening.
- Poorva Express (12303/12304): Howrah to Varanasi in about 8.5–9 hours. A well-known train on this corridor.
- Toofan Express and other overnight options: Departure in the evening, arrival early morning — lets you begin your first day fresh.
Train fare (approx., Howrah–Varanasi):
- Sleeper (SL): Rs 350–450 per person one-way
- 3AC: Rs 900–1,200 per person one-way
- 2AC: Rs 1,300–1,700 per person one-way
Train is particularly practical for elderly pilgrims and large family groups, and the affordability makes it attractive for multi-generational Kashi yatra trips.
By Flight (Fastest Option)
Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (CCU) has direct flights to Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS). Flight time is approximately 1 hour 30 minutes — the fastest connection available.
- Airlines: IndiGo, Air India, SpiceJet operate on this route
- Return airfare: Rs 5,000–10,000 off-season; Rs 9,000–15,000 during peak season and festive dates
For a 3-day pilgrimage trip, the time saved by flying — roughly 14 hours total compared to train — can be worth the extra cost, allowing you to squeeze in an additional full day at the ghats.
2-Night/3-Day Varanasi Package (Kolkata Short Trip)
The most economical structure for a Kolkata pilgrim — take an overnight train on Day 1 evening, complete your pilgrimage on Days 2 and 3, return by train on Day 3 night or Day 4 morning.
Day 1 (Evening): Board train from Howrah
- Evening departure, sleep on board. Arrive at Varanasi Junction early morning.
Day 2: Full Varanasi Pilgrimage Day
- 5:00 AM: Arrive at Varanasi station. Freshen up at hotel (early check-in or luggage storage). Direct to Kashi Vishwanath for Mangala Aarti darshan if timing permits.
- 7:00 AM: Morning boat ride on the Ganga — sunrise over the ghats is unmissable. See Manikarnika Ghat, the eternally burning cremation ghat that is sacred to Varanasi’s identity.
- 9:00 AM: Breakfast
- 10:30 AM: Visit Annpurna temple, Kaal Bhairav temple, Sankat Mochan Hanuman temple
- 2:00 PM: Rest during the afternoon heat
- 5:00 PM: Walk from Assi Ghat to Dashashwamedh Ghat along the riverfront
- 6:30 PM: Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh — the evening fire ritual is the emotional and visual centrepiece of any Varanasi visit
Day 3: Sarnath and Departure
- Morning: Excursion to Sarnath (12 km). Dhamek Stupa and museum.
- Afternoon: Shopping, final ghat visit, or visit to Durga Kund temple and Tulsi Manas temple
- Evening: Board return train to Kolkata
The 2N/3D Varanasi package works best as a train-based trip. See our Varanasi 2N/3D tour package for the structured version.
3-Night/4-Day Varanasi Package (Kolkata by Flight)
Flying from Kolkata gives you an extra full day in Varanasi compared to the train version for the same total trip length:
- Day 1: Fly to Varanasi morning, check in, evening Ganga Aarti
- Day 2: Kashi Vishwanath Mangala Aarti, sunrise boat ride, temple visits
- Day 3: Sarnath excursion, afternoon cultural exploration
- Day 4: Morning ghat walk, fly back to Kolkata
5-Night/6-Day Package: Varanasi + Prayagraj
For Bengali devotees who want a complete Kashi yatra with the added spiritual merit of the Triveni Sangam at Prayagraj (Allahabad), a 5-night package covering both cities is deeply rewarding. Many Bengali families perform Pind Daan and Tarpan at the Triveni Sangam as part of their ancestral obligations.
- Days 1–3: Full Varanasi darshan (as per 3N/4D itinerary above)
- Day 4: Drive to Prayagraj (130 km, 2.5 hours). Triveni Sangam snan, Allahabad Fort, Shankar Viman Mandapam
- Day 5: Hanuman Mandir Prayagraj, Anand Bhavan, Yamuna ghats
- Day 6: Return to Varanasi for departure flight or train to Kolkata
Our Varanasi–Prayagraj–Ayodhya tour includes both Prayagraj and Ayodhya in a single planned circuit.
Temples Bengali Pilgrims Traditionally Visit in Kashi
Beyond the universally visited Kashi Vishwanath and Ganga Aarti, certain temples hold particular significance for Bengali devotees:
- Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple: A deeply loved temple, particularly for devotees from West Bengal. The deity here is worshipped on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
- Kedar Ghat and Kedarnath Temple: This ghat is traditionally associated with Bengali pilgrims — many dharmshalas near this area cater specifically to Bengalis. The Kedar Ghat Aarti is smaller and more intimate than Dashashwamedh.
- Durga Kund Temple: The bright red temple dedicated to Maa Durga, very significant for Bengali devotees who are devotees of Shakti.
- Annapurna Temple: Goddess Annapurna is a particularly important deity in Bengali households — the annual Annapurna puja is a significant ritual in many families.
Varanasi Tour Package Pricing from Kolkata
| Package | Mode | Duration | Price per person |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget (train + guesthouse) | Train | 2N/3D | Rs 12,000 – 16,000 |
| Standard (train + 3-star hotel) | Train | 3N/4D | Rs 18,000 – 24,000 |
| Standard (flight + 3-star hotel) | Flight | 3N/4D | Rs 26,000 – 34,000 |
| Comfort (flight + 4-star hotel) | Flight | 3N/4D | Rs 38,000 – 50,000 |
| Varanasi + Prayagraj | Flight | 5N/6D | Rs 40,000 – 55,000 |
Prices per person are based on twin sharing. Train-based packages are priced without airfare and are therefore significantly more affordable — a strong option for budget-conscious Kolkata families.
The Varanasi temple tour 3N/2D package is built specifically around morning darshan timings and is well-suited for pilgrims who want a structured, ritual-focused visit rather than a broader sightseeing tour.
What to Pack from Kolkata
- Warm clothing (October–February): While Kolkata winters are cool, Varanasi’s evenings and early mornings are colder. A warm shawl or blanket for boat rides, and a jacket for night walks.
- White dhoti or kurta: For Kashi Vishwanath temple darshan. Many Bengali men prefer a traditional white dhoti for temple rituals — this is perfectly appropriate and welcomed.
- Sandalwood and offerings: If you have specific puja requirements for ancestral rites or special darshan, bring items from home. Varanasi’s market has everything, but sourcing specific regional items may require effort.
- Cash: Most dharmshalas, boat operators, and smaller temples operate cash-only. Carry sufficient rupees in small denominations.
Best Time to Visit from Kolkata
October to March is ideal. Bengali pilgrims often time their Kashi yatra around Kartik month (October–November) — specifically Kartik Purnima (Dev Deepawali), when the ghats are illuminated with lakhs of diyas. This festival in particular is visually and spiritually extraordinary.
Durga Puja in October means Kolkata empties somewhat, and many families use the Puja holiday to travel to Varanasi — a tradition that has been observed for generations in West Bengal.
Why Book with Prayag Samagam
We have extensive experience coordinating pilgrimages for Bengali families — both individual families and large group bookings. We understand the specific temple timings, the significance of the Kedar Ghat area for Bengali visitors, and the importance of Pind Daan and ancestral rituals that many Kolkata travellers combine with their Kashi visit.
- Hindi-speaking guides who understand Bengali cultural preferences
- Accommodation close to Kedar Ghat or Dashashwamedh — areas comfortable and convenient for Bengali visitors
- Pandit arrangement for Ganga Puja, ancestral Tarpan, and Kashi Vishwanath special rituals
- Transparent pricing for both train and flight-based packages
- Flexible group sizes — couples, nuclear families, and large extended family groups welcome
Book Your Varanasi Package from Kolkata
Call or WhatsApp to discuss your travel dates, group size, and whether you prefer train or flight. We’ll send you options within a few hours:
WhatsApp: +91 7754097777
Phone: +91 7754097777 / +91 9115234555
Hours: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM, all days
Most Kolkata bookings are made 3–4 weeks in advance for train packages, and 5–6 weeks ahead for flight-based tours during peak pilgrim season (October–February).
