Knowing how to reach Kashi from Pune before booking your tickets saves time, unnecessary layovers, and last-minute stress at the station or airport.
Whether you are travelling with elderly parents for darshan at the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple or planning a group pilgrimage, mapping out your flight, train, or highway route in advance makes the entire journey smooth.
We drive pilgrim families to Pune Airport, Pune Junction, and Mumbai terminals every week, and the same travel questions come up again and again. Should we fly direct from Pune or catch a flight from Mumbai? Which trains run straight to Varanasi? This guide answers all of those questions clearly based on real route experience.
Complete Pune to Kashi Travel Options: Flight, Train & Road
Kashi (officially Varanasi) is located roughly 1,260 km by air and around 1,520 km to 1,620 km by road from Pune. Depending on your budget, schedule, and group size, you can choose between a quick direct flight, an economical overnight train, or a multi-stop pilgrimage road trip.
| Travel Mode | Approx. Distance | Average Travel Time | What to Know | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| By Flight | ~1,265 km | 2h 10m (Direct) / 5h+ (Layover) | Fastest route from Pune Airport (PNQ) to Varanasi (VNS) | Senior citizens, families & short trips |
| By Train | ~1,515 km | 26h 30m to 31h 00m | Direct trains from Pune Jn (PUNE) & Hadapsar | Budget travellers & relaxed rail journeys |
| By Road | ~1,525 to 1,620 km | 26 to 30 hours (with halts) | Flexible route via Shirdi, Indore or Nagpur | Joint families & multi-temple road trips |
1. How to Reach Kashi from Pune by Flight (Fastest Option)
Flying is the easiest and most comfortable option, especially if you are travelling with senior citizens or small children.
- Departure & Arrival: Flights depart from Pune International Airport in Lohegaon (PNQ) and land at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Babatpur, Varanasi (VNS).
- Flight Duration: Direct non-stop flights (operated by IndiGo and Air India Express) take roughly 2 hours 10 minutes. Connecting flights via Delhi, Hyderabad, or Bengaluru take 5 to 8 hours.
- Airport to Temple Transfer: Varanasi Airport (VNS) is located about 26 km from the Kashi Vishwanath corridor. Pre-booked airport cabs take 45 to 60 minutes to drop you near Godowlia Chowk.
Tip from our drivers: Morning flights out of Lohegaon often see heavy traffic bottlenecks along Airport Road and Nagar Road. Booking a punctual Pune airport pickup and drop taxi service ensures you reach the terminal well ahead of boarding.
2. How to Reach Kashi from Pune by Train (Most Economical Option)
Central Railway operates direct express trains from Pune Junction (PUNE) to Varanasi Junction (BSB), Banaras (BSBS), and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (DDU).
Popular Direct Trains from Pune to Varanasi / Kashi:
- Gyan Ganga Express (22131): Departs Pune Junction on Mondays at 16:15; reaches Banaras (BSBS) in ~26 hours 45 minutes.
- Pune – Danapur Superfast Express (12149): Daily train departing Pune Jn at 21:05; halts at Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Jn (DDU)—just 18 km from Kashi—in ~25 hours 15 minutes.
- Pune – Gorakhpur Express (11037 / 15030): Connects Pune Junction directly to Varanasi Junction (BSB) in roughly 28 to 30 hours.
Tip from our drivers: If direct trains from Pune are waitlisted during peak festival weeks, you have dozens of daily train and flight options from Mumbai (CSMT, LTT, and BOM Airport). Many pilgrims book an outstation cab from Pune to Mumbai (around 148 km via the Expressway) to catch convenient departures.
3. How to Reach Kashi from Pune by Road (Multi-Temple Pilgrimage Route)
If your family wants to combine Kashi with holy stops like Shirdi, Nashik, Ujjain, or Prayagraj, a road trip gives you complete freedom over halts and timings.
- Route 1 (via Shirdi & Indore – NH 60 & NH 52): Pune → Sangamner → Shirdi → Dhule → Indore → Sagar → Rewa → Prayagraj → Varanasi (~1,525 km).
- Route 2 (via Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar & Nagpur): Pune → Ahilyanagar → Sambhajinagar → Nagpur → Jabalpur → Rewa → Varanasi (~1,620 km).
- Recommended Night Halt: Because driving takes 26 to 30 hours, plan a comfortable overnight stay in Indore or Nagpur.
- Vehicle Choice: For long-distance highway comfort, choose an Innova Crysta or Ertiga. If you are travelling as a big family or senior citizen group, booking a Tempo Traveller hire in Pune keeps everyone together with plenty of luggage space.
Essential Kashi Travel & Darshan Tips
- Best Time to Visit: October to March offers pleasant daytime weather (15°C–25°C) for walking through Kashi’s lanes and attending the evening Ganga Aarti.
- Temple Rules & Passes: Check Sugam Darshan pass availability and locker guidelines on the official Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust portal before you travel, as mobile phones and bags are not permitted inside the sanctum corridor.
- En-Route Blessings: If you are driving north via Nashik and Dhule, you can easily start your spiritual journey with a Pune to Shirdi cab stopover on Day 1.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the fastest way to reach Kashi from Pune?
A direct flight from Pune Airport (PNQ) to Varanasi Airport (VNS) is the fastest way, taking approximately 2 hours and 10 minutes.
Are there daily direct trains from Pune to Varanasi?
The Pune–Danapur Express (12149) runs daily to Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (DDU, 18 km from Varanasi), while direct trains to Varanasi Jn (BSB) and Banaras (BSBS) run on specific days of the week.
How far is Kashi Vishwanath Temple from Varanasi Airport?
The temple corridor is roughly 26 km from Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) and takes 45 to 60 minutes by cab.
We are a cab and tour transport operator, not a railway or temple authority. We share this guide from our drivers’ route experience and public schedules—always verify live train and flight timings before departure.
Starting Your Kashi Yatra from Pune?
Whether you need a punctual early-morning drop to Pune Airport, a transfer to Mumbai Airport/CSMT, or a spacious Tempo Traveller for a multi-city pilgrimage, OM Sai Ram Cab offers 24×7 sanitized vehicles with experienced chauffeurs. Call or WhatsApp us today to book your ride!
