Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) — complete Varanasi airport guide
Quick answer: Varanasi's Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) at Babatpur is the gateway to the spiritual capital and the Buddhist circuit (Sarnath), with domestic flights plus seasonal international links (notably Bangkok and the Gulf). It is about 25 km from the Dashashwamedh ghat area.
Last reviewed June 2026 by the FlightGPT flights desk · airport facts cross-checked against the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and the airport operator · live Varanasi fares are found in the FlightGPT search above.
Varanasi airport (VNS) — quick facts
- IATA / ICAO code: VNS / VIBN
- City served: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
- Distance to city: ≈ 25 km to the ghats
- Operator: Airports Authority of India (AAI)
- Traffic: ~3 million passengers a year, pilgrimage-driven.
Terminals at Varanasi airport
A single terminal handling domestic and seasonal international flights, busy with pilgrims and tourists year-round and peaking around festivals.
How to get from Varanasi airport to the city
- App cabs and the pre-paid taxi counter to the ghats and city.
- Buses and pre-arranged hotel transfers.
Airlines flying from Varanasi (VNS)
IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air and SpiceJet domestically, with seasonal international (Bangkok, Gulf) services.
Lounges at VNS
A partner lounge in the terminal; access via Priority Pass, eligible credit cards or pay-per-use.
Popular flights from Varanasi
Compare live fares on the busiest Varanasi routes:
Frequently asked questions
How far is Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) from Varanasi city?
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport is about 25 km to the ghats from Varanasi.
How many terminals does Varanasi airport (VNS) have, and which should I use?
A single terminal handling domestic and seasonal international flights, busy with pilgrims and tourists year-round and peaking around festivals.
How do I get from Varanasi airport to the city?
App cabs and the pre-paid taxi counter to the ghats and city. Buses and pre-arranged hotel transfers.
Which airlines fly from Varanasi (VNS)?
IndiGo, Air India, Akasa Air and SpiceJet domestically, with seasonal international (Bangkok, Gulf) services.
Does VNS airport have lounges?
A partner lounge in the terminal; access via Priority Pass, eligible credit cards or pay-per-use.
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