Noida to Varanasi: Trains, Flights & Road — Practical Journey Guide
From the NCR east side to Kashi — smarter train choices make the difference
Noida and Greater Noida are part of the National Capital Region (NCR) but sit east of Delhi — which matters when choosing your Varanasi departure point. Travellers from Noida are closer to Anand Vihar Terminal and Ghaziabad Junction than to New Delhi or Hazrat Nizamuddin stations, making train planning slightly different from a central Delhi traveller. Varanasi is approximately 850 km by rail from Noida, and the best trains on this route leave from stations that Noida residents can reach more easily than central Delhi's stations. This guide covers the practical options specific to the Noida–Varanasi journey.
By Train: The Right Station for Noida
Noida travellers have several station options:
Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT): Located in east Delhi, directly accessible from Noida via auto-rickshaw, metro (Blue Line to Anand Vihar), or a short drive. ANVT is a major terminus for trains to eastern Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal — including trains to Varanasi. This is typically the most practical departure point for Noida residents heading to Varanasi.
Ghaziabad Junction (GZB): In Ghaziabad, approximately 20 km from central Noida. Well-connected by road and local trains. Several Varanasi-bound trains stop at Ghaziabad en route from Delhi.
New Delhi (NDLS) / Hazrat Nizamuddin (NZM): Further from Noida (30–45 minutes) but offer the widest selection of Varanasi trains including the Vande Bharat Express. Worth the extra travel time if you want the fastest or most comfortable train.
From ANVT or GZB, overnight trains to Varanasi take approximately 10–12 hours. Verify the departure station and journey time on IRCTC for your specific train — some trains that start at ANVT also pick up passengers at Ghaziabad.
By Flight: From Indira Gandhi International Airport
Indira Gandhi International Airport (IATA: DEL) serves the entire NCR including Noida. From Noida, the airport is 40–60 km depending on traffic — typically 60–90 minutes by road (via Expressway and NH19 or via Delhi). Allow substantial time for the airport journey from Noida.
Direct flights from DEL to VNS take approximately 1 hour, with multiple carriers and multiple daily departures. In terms of total door-to-door time from Noida to the Varanasi ghats, flying typically takes 4–5 hours (including the IGI drive, check-in, flight, and the airport-to-ghat transfer in Varanasi).
For Noida travellers with limited time — a weekend trip to Varanasi, for instance — the flight from IGI to VNS is a very efficient option. Book 3–4 weeks ahead for reasonable economy fares.
By Road: Noida to Varanasi
From Noida, the road to Varanasi goes via the Yamuna Expressway south to Agra, then east on the Agra–Lucknow Expressway and NH19 toward Varanasi. Total distance approximately 850–900 km; journey time 13–16 hours.
An alternative route: Noida–Ghaziabad–Lucknow (via NH9/Lucknow Expressway) and then Lucknow–Varanasi (NH27). This is a better-quality road for some sections.
The road option makes sense for groups, families with specific departure timing flexibility, or those who want to make planned stops (Agra, Lucknow). Point-to-point Noida–Varanasi by road alone is a long drive.
Booking Tips for NCR Travellers
The key difference between Delhi and Noida for Varanasi travel: station choice. With Delhi, you typically pick the best train and go to that station. From Noida, you should first identify your accessible stations (ANVT, GZB, or NDLS/NZM) and then search for trains from those stations.
On IRCTC, you can search 'from: ANVT, to: BSB' or 'from: GZB, to: BSB' to find the most relevant options. The Vande Bharat runs from New Delhi — if you specifically want Vande Bharat, the travel to NDLS from Noida is worth it.
Festival season bookings (October–March): book 4–6 weeks ahead for AC class. Noida has a large number of Varanasi-pilgrim travellers — trains from ANVT and GZB fill up faster than you might expect.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which railway station is best for Noida to Varanasi?▼
Anand Vihar Terminal (ANVT) is the most convenient for most Noida travellers — it is an eastern Delhi terminus with many trains to Varanasi and Bihar, accessible by Blue Line metro to Anand Vihar station. Ghaziabad Junction (GZB) is another practical option. New Delhi Railway Station (NDLS) has the widest train selection (including Vande Bharat) but requires a longer commute from Noida.
How is travel from Noida different from travel from Delhi?▼
The main difference is station access. Delhi residents in central or south Delhi typically use NDLS, NZM, or Hazrat Nizamuddin. Noida residents are closer to ANVT and GZB — stations that have strong eastern corridor train coverage but fewer of the Vande Bharat services. For flights, both Delhi and Noida use IGI Airport, but Noida's greater distance from the airport adds 15–30 minutes to the airport commute.