Varanasi’s airport is Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, IATA code VNS, at Babatpur in Uttar Pradesh. The Airports Authority of India operates it. It was formerly called Varanasi Airport and was renamed in October 2005 after India’s second Prime Minister. Many travellers still say Varanasi airport or Banaras airport, and all of these mean the same airport.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
If you are booking a trip to Kashi, the name on your ticket may not match what you typed in the search box. Here is how to read it.
What is the official name of Varanasi airport?
The Airports Authority of India lists it as Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi, with a postal address at Babatpur, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh 221006. Its IATA code is VNS and its ICAO code is VEBN. The IATA code is the three-letter code you will see on your ticket, baggage tag and boarding pass.
The airport was earlier known as Varanasi Airport. Reference sources say it was officially renamed after Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second Prime Minister of India, in October 2005. So if an older guide, a driver or a relative says “Babatpur airport” or “Banaras airport”, they are talking about the same airport.
Banaras is an older name for the city of Varanasi, which is why the two names are used interchangeably in everyday speech. For booking purposes, search for Varanasi or the code VNS.
Where is Varanasi airport, and how far is it from the city?
The airport is at Babatpur, to the northwest of the city. A widely used reference source puts it at about 26 km northwest of Varanasi, so plan for a road journey rather than a short hop. The actual time depends heavily on traffic, the hour of the day, and whether you are going to the ghats or to a hotel on the other side of town.
I did not find an official distance to the railway station, so check with your hotel or a taxi counter for a realistic travel time. Festival weeks can slow the roads, so leave a buffer both when you land and when you head back for a flight.
Which airlines and cities connect to VNS?
A widely used airport directory lists these airlines and destinations. Treat it as a guide, since seasonal changes are common.
- IndiGo: Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Durgapur, Ghaziabad, Hyderabad, Khajuraho, Kolkata, Mumbai, Navi Mumbai, Pune and Vijayawada.
- Air India: Delhi and Mumbai.
- Air India Express: Bengaluru, Delhi and Mumbai, plus international flights to Bangkok and Sharjah.
- Akasa Air: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mumbai and Navi Mumbai.
- SpiceJet: Delhi and Mumbai.
- Buddha Air: Kathmandu.
Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru are each listed with more than one airline, which is useful when you want to compare timings and fares. Smaller routes, such as those to Khajuraho or Durgapur, may run only on certain days, so check the days before you plan around them.
How do you choose between nearby airports?
If you are visiting Kashi along with Prayagraj, Ayodhya or Bodh Gaya, it may be worth looking at more than one airport and travelling the rest by road or rail. A Delhi to Varanasi flight is often the simplest start for first-time visitors. For travellers from the south and west, direct flights from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mumbai and Pune can save a connection. Look at both the fare and the departure time, because an early arrival leaves more of your first day free.
When you book, check that the airport code on your ticket reads VNS. Reading the three letters once before you pay is an easy way to avoid a wrong booking.
One more tip for mixed itineraries: if you are flying in on one airline and out on another, treat them as separate journeys. Leave a comfortable gap between the two, and collect and re-check your bags yourself unless your ticket says they are checked through to the final stop.
What should you know on the day you fly?
Web check-in is a good way to pick a seat and skip a queue. Arrive early in festival weeks, when the road to the airport and the terminal itself get busier than usual.
Carry a copy of your hotel booking and keep your phone charged. Whatever transport you choose, agree the fare before you start the drive.
Common Questions
What is the IATA code of Varanasi airport?
The IATA code is VNS. The ICAO code is VEBN.
Is Varanasi airport the same as Banaras airport?
Yes. Banaras is an older name for the city, and people use it casually. The airport is officially Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi.
Who operates the airport?
The Airports Authority of India lists the airport on its website, and reference sources describe it as owned by the Government of India and run by AAI.
Is it an international airport?
The official name includes International. Airport directories list international flights to Bangkok, Sharjah and Kathmandu, though routes change by season.
How far is the airport from the city centre?
A reference source gives about 26 km northwest of Varanasi. Travel time depends on traffic, so allow extra on festival days.
Which airlines fly to Varanasi?
IndiGo, Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, SpiceJet and Buddha Air are listed. Confirm the current schedule when you book.
Planning a Kashi trip? Search and compare flights to Varanasi on HappyFares, with zero convenience fee on domestic bookings, price alerts, and Meera, our AI assistant, to help you find a good fare.
Airline routes and schedules change. Verify current specifics with the airline, the Airports Authority of India or the airport before you travel.
