Away With The Steiners

Everything about taking the train from Agra to Varanasi.

Sarah Steiner

The incredible holy city of Varanasi feels like a world away from the love story of the Taj Mahal and historic Agra. But in fact it is less than seven hours by fast train Agra to Varanasi.  And the best news?  It is direct and easy to travel by train between the two. 

Here is everything you need to know about catching the train from Agra to Varanasi.  Plus, some (very) honest thoughts on our experience of traveling by train in India…

Is there a direct train from Agra to Varanasi? 

Yes. There are daily trains from Agra to Varanasi that travel directly without need to change trains or book more than one train for the route. 

What are the options to travel by train from Agra to Varanasi? 

There are in fact more than 20 trains that cover the route daily between Agra and Varanasi!  It is a convenient way to travel between the two cities.  But there is a huge range of the services that make this trip.  Some are super-fast daytime trains, some are mid-speed overnight trains and others are very slow local trains. 

However, to keep options simple (it is actually easy), there are two main types of fast train that connect Agra and Varanasi. 

The other trains to Varanasi are standard and local trains which operate with varying classes of travel.  However, many of the local trains only have non-air-conditioned and non-reserved seating classes and take upwards of 12+ hours.  These are usually the trains that depart during the night and arrive in the wee hours of the morning. 

Not all trains run every day.  And some of the express trains run only certain days of the week. 

Travel on the Vande Bharat; India's most modern and fastest train Agra to Varanasi.
Travel on the Vande Bharat; India’s most modern and fastest train.

How long does the train from Agra to Varanasi take? 

The fastest train Agra to Varanasi is the Vande Bharat Express which takes seven hours.  The longer, local trains take between 10 – 16 hours. 

What are the main trains operating from Agra to Varanasi? 

There are multiple daily trains and overnight trains operating between Agra and Varanasi.  However, for most travellers it isn’t convenient to depart or arrive to a new destination in the wee hours of the morning.  And so, with that in mind, these are the main options to consider for comfort and convenience between Agra and Varanasi. 

Note the Vande Bharat Express operates on all days of the week except for Friday, departing from Agra Cantt (AGC) station in Agra.

There are a few other overnights trains Agra to Varanasi that only operate once a week.  

However you arrive in Varanasi it is going to be an adventure.

Which train is best to book? 

There are pros and cons to each of these suggested main trains Agra to Varanasi.  The biggest difference between the trains being the speed and whether you want to travel overnight or if its more convenient to take the fast train during the day. 

*Note the Vande Bharat Agra to Varanasi doesn’t operate on Friday.  

The other options of local, Mail and Express trains depart Agra during the night (eg. from 01:00am) or arrive to Varanasi during the night (eg. Arriving at 03:25am).  These options make booking accommodation more expensive with an extra night or late check-out needed.  And if it can be avoided, transfers to and from the railway stations unnecessarily during the nighttime is not recommended. 

Travelling on the Vande Bharat in India is a fast, modern and convenient option.

What is it really like taking a train in India? Is it as bad as you hear? 

Train travel in India is a fantastic way to get around the country and a great opportunity to glimpse local life as you journey. 

It is nothing like you imagine conjuring up images of riding on the roof with crowds of locals.  

Albeit India Railway does move 23 million passengers daily around the country.  (That’s not a typo by the way!).  But especially the fast trains make the journey from Agra to Varanasi smooth and comfortable.  

Give or take a few chapati and the crowds and potentially any cows congesting the station itself.  And you could – almost – be anywhere in the world!

About the daytime train Agra to Varanasi – Vande Bharat Express 

Traveling on the Vande Bharat in India is a modern and smooth way to travel.  I admit it sounds far from the visions of riding on the rooves of trains in India.  But it truly is a comfortable seated style of train travel. 

The Vande Bharat train Agra to Varanasi departs early in the morning and arrives just after lunchtime.  This is a good time of day to travel and means you will be in time to check in to your accommodation and watch the evening Ganga Aarti ceremony.  

The seated style of class is comfortable and there is the option for meals, snacks and tea included in the ticket. 

About the MARUDHAR EXP or LICHCHIVI EXP overnight train Agra to Varanasi

Both the LICHCHIVI EXP and MARUDHAR EXP depart in the evening and arrive in the morning.  This is a good time of day to depart and makes it easy to get settled in on board the train and sorted with bedding for the night. 

Albeit the LICHCHIVI EXP arrives early to Varanasi, but the morning time is busy on the River Ganges and hotels are used to travellers arriving at different hours of the morning and night. 

We most recently travelled by overnight train Agra to Varanasi in AC Second Class (2A).  Second Class (2A) is a comfortable way to journey overnight and is the class we normally pick for mid-range overnight travel. 

Somewhere en route to Varanasi traveling in AC Second Class (2A).

Buying tickets for the train Agra to Varanasi 

Tickets are the next step once you have decided on which train Agra to Varanasi fits your India itinerary.

Because trains in India get booked in advance I recommend buying tickets online before you travel.  (Preferably before you arrive in the country). Or alternatively if you have a travel agent or booking contact in India it might be easier to book through them ahead of time.  

Otherwise there are three options for you to book and buy tickets for the train to Varanasi: 

Because there are limited options for fast train services or First Class travel from Agra to Varanasi I recommend booking online through ticketing agency 12go.asia.  You can type in the different options for dates, days and classes of travel and pay by credit card. 

To use the IRCTC website you will need a VPN to book train tickets from outside of India.  There is also the added challenge of needing a local Indian contact phone number (which most often defeats the purpose of even using a VPN while out of the country).  

But the IRCTC website is useful to see exactly when and which days there are tickets available for the trains from Agra to Varanasi.  

A rainy view from the train window somewhere in Uttar Pradesh.

Classes of train travel in India. Which is the best class to travel in? 

There are eight different classes of train travel in India.  And I agree it can be more than a little overwhelming trying to decipher the class codes for a first time. 

These are the classes of train travel in India listed below in descending order according of price per fare. 

However, the decision of which class of travel on the train between Agra and Varanasi is more straight forward as not all these classes are available on every train. 

Seated AC Chair Class (CC) is great for short and mid-range daytime travel and 1A or 2A is a good choice for overnight train journeys. 

We usually travel overnight in 2A though if it is your first time traveling overnight by train in India and you aren’t on too strict a budget you might appreciate the more relaxing 1A. 

It’s easy to know this Sleeper Class (SL) is non-air-conditioned because there are no windows on the carriage. Choose a train class with AC!

About the classes of travel by train from Agra to Varanasi 

The Vande Bharat Express train only has seated classes for daytime travel while the other trains have bunks and bedding provided for overnight travel. 

On the Vande Bharat we always opt for Chair Class (CC) (simply because it is cheaper than Executive Class).  The seats in Chair Class (CC) are set out like on an aeroplane with three seats on one side of the aisle and two on the other.

For the overnight trains we recommend AC Two Tier (2A) for a comfortable journey.  The bunks in AC-Second Class (2A) are in a curtained cabin with four bunks and bedding is provided. 

It is more expensive to travel in AC-First Class (1A) and there are less 1A tickets available on each train.  However, this is a safe and comfortable option with a lockable door for each 1A cabin.  

AC-Third Class (3A) is much like 2A but with an extra level of bunk in each cabin area making a total of six berths instead of four.  In 3A there is sometimes no curtain dividing the cabin areas within the carriage. 

Settled in for the night in AC Second Class (2A) with four bunks in our cabin separated from the main carriage with a curtain.
In 1A, 2A and 3A you will be given bedding for the overnight train Agra to Varanasi.

How much does it cost to travel by train from Agra to Varanasi? 

Prices for a train ticket to Varanasi vary depending on the class of train travel.  

*Note ‘Sleeper Class’ (SL) is a non-air-conditioned and very basic class of train travel in India.  It is not a class of travel I recommend for overnight trains in India.  We only use Sleeper Class (SL) for short distance during the day.  It is one of the cheapest classes of train in India and does not have air conditioning. 

About the journey.  Are meals included? 

Meals are included with the ticket on most of the Vande Bharat Express trains in India.  On the Express and Mail trains meals are not included in the ticket price, though food and drinks are available to be purchased on board. 

A morning snack plate and chai plus a vegetarian lunch on board the Vande Bharat.

Boarding and de-boarding stations for the train from Agra to Varanasi

There are three main railway stations in Agra and each of the trains Agra to Varanasi departs from a different station. 

It is IMPORTANT to check the departure station at the station code of your train ticket so you know which Agra railway station you are leaving from. 

In Varanasi, there are two main railway stations connecting with trains from Agra. 

Varanasi Junction, also known as Varanasi Cantt or BSB, is the largest and main railway station in Varanasi.  Banaras Railway Station (BSBS) was formerly known as Manduadih Station and is just 4km from BSB.  

Arriving at the railway station in Agra to catch the train from Agra to Varanasi

First, check which railway station in Agra you are departing from.

Next, check you eTicket and find these details:

Arriving at the station in Agra, look for the large electronic board with the scheduled departure times, expected arrival/departure times and the platform numbers. 

You can confirm the platform number by using your train name or number. 

Finding the right waiting spot along Platform No. 4.

Departing from Agra 

Each of the train stations in Agra have waiting rooms for passengers traveling in air-conditioned classes.  These are small, air-conditioned lounges where for 100 – 200 INR ($1 – 2 USD) you can wait with WIFI (supposedly) and away from the crowds.

Arriving to Varanasi 

Varanasi Junction (BSB) is the main railway station in Varanasi for the overnight trains.  However the Vande Bharat arrives to BSBS.  Both railway stations are less than 6km from the city and main Ghats. 

Welcome to the sacred city of Varanasi by the way.

Boarding the train (any train in India) and finding your platform, carriage and seat 

Confirm the departure station in Agra for your train first and then check to see which platform your train departs from. 

The platform number will be on your eTicket as well as on the departure boards at the station. 

Once you’ve found your platform, you then need to find where to stand on your platform. THIS IS REALLY IMPORTANT. 

Indian trains can be ridiculously long.  But along the platform there are small, electronic boards above the boarding areas.   These will display your carriage number and the next arriving train number. 

For example: 

Each carriage also has the coach number displayed on the train near the middle of the carriage somewhere up the top.  It will state the carriage number (eg. A1, C1). And the carriage number printed on the train should correspond with the digital number on the changing sign in position above the platform. 

And, as a last resort take note of the carriage windows as the train arrives.  The classes with air conditioning have closed/fixed windows and the classes without AC have open windows with bars.  Hopefully you have booked one with air conditioning and you can confirm by window you are in the right place! 

These are the small, hanging digital boards that display the next arriving train number and carriage number for that spot on the platform.
The corresponding carriage number is displayed on the train carriage and digital sign above the platform. 

Is it safe to travel by train in India? 

We have always felt safe taking the trains in India.  After all, millions of passengers travel every day around the country.  

On the Vande Bharat Express train Agra to Varanasi the travel is straightforward.  And because the journey is less than 7 hours and there is only seated Chair Class there isn’t the added complication of sleep and berths and bunks to be concerned about. 

Toilets on board the train Agra to Varanasi 

Hopefully this has answered all your questions about taking the train Agra to Varanasi, with the only last question unanswered about the state of toilets.  And this is a fair question for any train travel in India… 

However, you can be assured the fast trains, and seated classes do have better toilets than the rest.  There is the option of a western toilet or squat toilet.  And even the squat has a bio-vacuum style flushing toilet.  Quite the luxury! 

Wondering about the things to see and do in Varanasi? 

Planning a trip to Varanasi?

Getting around Varanasi / Is it best to do a day tour of Varanasi?

We say, yes.  Most of the things to do in Varanasi can be explored independently. But it truly is a city with such depth of culture, religion and history that it just makes more sense with a guide.  

We’ve been to Varanasi many times now but still each time we spend the first day on a walking tour with Ravi.  He is a registered guide and a born and raised local in Varanasi with an incredible passion for his city and culture. 

Give Ravi a message on WhatsApp with your proposed dates for Varanasi and he can arrange a pick-up from the train station.

Gavin with tour guide Ravi on a sunset boat ride on the River Ganges. 

Where to stay in Agra and Varanasi 

These are the hotels in Agra near the Taj Mahal that we use and can recommend for your stay.

There are lots of options for accommodation in Varanasi but we recommend staying near Assi Ghat which is close to everything to do in Varanasi. 

A photo with host Mum – and fabulous cook – Ranjana at Aman Homestay in Agra.
Outside Hotel Temple on Ganges in Assi Ghat on our first visit to Varanasi. 

Read more about travel in North India

About travel planning for India and beyond…

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel. 

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