Are you planning a comfortable road trip from Varanasi with your loved ones? Varanasi is not only one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, but it is also one of the most strategically positioned road-travel hubs in North and Central India. From Varanasi, travellers can access major Hindu pilgrimage centres, including Ayodhya, Vindhyachal, Chitrakoot, and Prayagraj, as well as globally significant Buddhist heritage sites like Sarnath and Bodh Gaya. There are also plenty of historically rich cultural destinations like Agra and Delhi, all with smooth road connectivity from Varanasi without any hassle.
Explore Top Places from Varanasi – Innova Crysta Cab
This is why these cities and attractions are popular among families, senior citizens, spiritual travellers, and long-distance tourists. Those who prioritise comfort, flexibility, and reliable route planning for such road trips prefer a comfortable SUV like the Innova Crysta for a smooth ride experience, especially for overnight trips. Hence, this guide uses real route information and provides a guide to a more comfortable travelling option with a reliable taxi service like Chiku Cab, rather than being a generic destination list.
Everything You Need to Know About Night Safety in Varanasi
Learn more about Chiku Cab’s Night Safety Policy with one of my previous blogs that provides a deeper insight into our taxi safety measures and their alignment with the government regulations.
Why is a Road Trip from Varanasi more preferable for Tourists and Pilgrims?
Unlike trains or buses, road travel from Varanasi allows travellers to:
- Flexible Itineraries and Journey
- Comfortable temple darshan timings
- Plan rest breaks for elderly family members
- Avoid peak crowd hours
- Combine multiple destinations in a single journey
For religious and multi-day itineraries, this flexibility significantly improves comfort, safety, and overall travel experience.
Based on recurring outstation operations, Innova Crysta is widely preferred for long-distance travel. It is the most frequently chosen vehicle for Varanasi religious tours by cab, Buddhist circuit journeys, and multi-city road trips due to its ride comfort, space, and highway stability.
Why Innova Crysta Is Ideal for Road Trips from Varanasi
Long-distance travel across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Jharkhand involves a mix of national highways, state highways, and rural stretches. Vehicle choice directly impacts fatigue levels and journey safety.
Innova Crysta performs consistently well on:
- National and State Highways, especially NH 19
- Mixed rural–urban highway conditions
- Extended daily driving hours
Why travellers love Luxury SUVs like Innova Crysta for road trips:
- Comfortable seating for short and long journeys
- Comfortable suspension, perfect for uneven roads
- Powerful air-conditioning in summer
- Adequate luggage space for multi-day trips
This makes it particularly suitable for:
- Family pilgrimage tours
- Senior-citizen-friendly journeys
- Buddhist circuit travel
- Multi-day religious and cultural itineraries
So what are you waiting for? Dial 844-844-5504 and book your Varanasi
Distance, Time & Route Details: Places to Visit from Varanasi by Road
Below is a detailed breakdown for the most visited destinations from Varanasi, including distance, driving time, route and the perfect duration for your road trip from Varanasi.
| Destination | Distance | Drive Time | Major Route | Ideal Duration |
| Prayagraj | ~120 km | 3–4 hrs | NH19 | 1 day / Overnight |
| Ayodhya | ~220 km | 6–7 hrs | NH19 + NH27 | 2 days |
| Vindhyachal | ~90 km | 2.5–3 hrs | NH35 | Same day |
| Chitrakoot | ~250 km | 7–8 hrs | NH35 | 2–3 days |
| Bodh Gaya | ~250 km | 6–7 hrs | NH19 | 2–3 days |
| Gaya | ~260 km | 6.5–7.5 hrs | NH19 | 2–3 days |
| Kushinagar | ~280 km | 7–8 hrs | NH27 | 2–3 days |
| Khajuraho | ~400 km | 9–10 hrs | NH39 + SH | 3 days |
| Deoghar | ~340 km | 8–9 hrs | NH114A | 2–3 days |
| Jaunpur | ~60 km | 1.5–2 hrs | NH31 | Half / Full day |
Detailed Destination Breakdown (Route-Wise Road Trips from Varanasi)
Here are the best road trip plans that you can consider for your next destination, right from Varanasi. We have provided the distance, route, time, tourist attractions, as well as the possible combinations to help you plan your tour more efficiently. For detailed information regarding our cab services and to learn the exact cab fares for your unique and customised trip, dial 844-844-5504 today!
01. Varanasi to Prayagraj Tour
- Distance: around 120 km
- Quickest Route: Varanasi → Gopiganj → Prayagraj (via NH 19)
- Drive Time: 3 to 4 hours
- Top Tourist Attractions in Prayagraj:
- Bade Hanuman Ji Mandir
- Mankameshwar Temple
- Akshayavat
- Alopi Devi
- Prayagraj Sangam Ghats
- 12 Madhav Temples (dedicated to Lord Vishnu)
- Often combined with Ayodhya, Vindhyachal, Chitrakoot, Gorakhpur and Mathura
Prayagraj is one of the closest and most important pilgrimage cities near Banaras. The Triveni Sangam makes it central to religious circuits. The smooth highway allows same-day return trips, though overnight stays are preferred during festivals and peak bathing periods. We have completed over 10,000+ trips from Prayagraj and Varanasi during the Mahakumbh 2025 festival, and ensure a comfortable journey for everyone.
02. Varanasi to Ayodhya Trip
- Distance: ~220 km
- Fastest Route: Varanasi → Jaunpur (via NH 31) → Sultanpur (via NH 731) → Ayodhya (via NH 330)
- Drive Time: 6 to 7 hours
- Best places to visit in Ayodhya:
- Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Temple
- Hanuman Garhi
- Kanak Bhawan
- Treta ke Thakur
- Sita ki Rasoi
- Often combined with Prayagraj, Gorakhpur and Vindhyachal circuits
Ayodhya is among the most popular religious destinations near Banaras. Especially after the development of Shree Ram Janmabhoomi Mandir, Ayodhya has even surpassed Banaras in terms of the number of pilgrims and tourists.
Given the short distance and smooth drive, it is best planned as a one- or two-day trip. Road travel offers flexibility for temple visits and avoids dependency on limited train timings. Chiku Cab has provided over 5,000+ one-way and round-trip cabs from Banaras to Ayodhya since the inauguration of the Ram Mandir.
03. Varanasi to Vindhyachal Quick Tour
- Distance: around 90 km
- Best Route: Varanasi → Aurai (via NH 19) → Mirzapur (via NH 135 A) → Vindhyachal (via NH 35)
- Drive Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Top Religious Sites in Vindhyachal:
- Vindhyavasini Devi Mandir
- Kali Khoh Cave Temple
- Ashtabhuja Devi Mandir
- Lal Bhairav Temple
- Sita Kund
- Rameshwar Mahadev Mandir
- Often combined with Prayagraj, Ayodhya and Chitrakoot
Vindhyachal, named after Ma Vindhyawasini, is one of the most popular short spiritual journeys from Banaras. Ideal for same-day travel and highly suitable for senior citizens due to short driving hours.
04. Varanasi to Chitrakoot Road Trip
- Distance: ~250 km
- Easiest Route: Varanasi → Prayagraj → Chitrakoot (via NH 19 and NH35)
- Drive Time: 5 to 7 hours
- Top Religious Sites in Chitrakoot:
- Ram Ghat
- Kamadgiri Temple
- Hanuman Dhara
- Gupt Godavari Caves
- Sphatik Shila
- Commonly paired with Ayodhya, Vindhyachal and Prayagraj
Often associated with Lord Rama’s exile, Chitrakoot requires a minimum of two days from Banaras. The smooth highway stretches make a comfortable vehicle trip.
05. Varanasi/Sarnath to Bodh Gaya Tour (Best for the Buddhist Pilgrimages)
- Distance: ~250 km
- Route: Varanasi → Mohania → Bodh Gaya (NH19)
- Drive Time: 6–7 hours
- Top Places to Visit in Bodh Gaya:
- Mahabodhi Temple
- International Monasteries of the Thai, Bhutanese and Burmese cultures
- Often combined with Rajgir, Vaishali, Nalanda (in Bihar), Sravasti, Sarnath, Kushinagar (Uttar Pradesh), Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh), and Lumbini in Nepal.
The heart of Buddhist pilgrimage. Road travel allows flexible exploration of monasteries and meditation centres, which is difficult via public transport.
06. Varanasi to Gaya by Road
- Distance: around 260 km
- Route: Varanasi → Mohania → Gaya (NH19)
- Drive Time: 6.5–7.5 hours
- Top Places to Explore in Gaya:
- Maa Sarva Mangla Gauri Shakti Peeth
- Sita Kund
- Shri Vishnupad Temple, Gaya Ji
- Bodh Gaya
- Often chosen with Patna, Rajgir, Bodh Gaya and Sarnath
An essential destination for ancestral rituals. Families prefer road travel for privacy and multi-day planning, usually combined with Bodh Gaya.
07. Varanasi to Kushinagar by Road
- Distance: ~280 km
- Route: Varanasi → Gorakhpur → Kushinagar (NH27)
- Drive Time: 7 to 8 hours
- Top Places to Visit in Kushinagara:
- Parinirvana Stupa
- Ramabhar Buddhist Stupa
- Kushinagar Buddhist Museum
- Wat Thai Temple
- Sun Temple (from the Gupta Era)
- Often planned with Rajgir, Vaishali, Nalanda, Bodh Gaya (in Bihar), Sravasti, Sarnath (Uttar Pradesh), Tawang (Arunachal Pradesh), and Lumbini in Nepal.
The Mahaparinirvana site of Lord Buddha. Best planned as a two to three-day journey, especially for Buddhist pilgrims.
08. Varanasi to Khajuraho Road Trip
- Distance: ~400 km
- Route: Varanasi → Satna → Khajuraho (NH39 + SH)
- Drive Time: 9–10 hours
- Best Places to Explore in Khajuraho:
- Panna National Park
- Archaeological Museum Khajuraho
- Raneh Waterfall (Raneh Falls)
- Top Temples in Khajuraho, such as Chausath Yogini Temple, Kandariya Mahadev Mandir, Parshwanath Digambar Jain Mandir, etc.
- Often combined with Prayagraj, Vindhyachal, Chitrakoot, as well as the Delhi, Agra and Jaipur circuits for foreign tourists
A UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its temple architecture. Best planned as a dedicated three-day cultural trip due to long driving hours.
09. Varanasi to Deoghar by Road
- Distance: ~340 km
- Route: Varanasi → Aurangabad (Bihar) → Barhi (near Chauparan) (via NH 19) → Koderma (NH20) → Deoghar (NH114A)
- Drive Time: 10 to 12 hours
- Best Places in Deoghar:
- Baba Baidyanath Dham, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas
- Trikut Parvat
- Tapovan Caves and Hills
- Basukinath Temple, nearby
- Often combined with Baba Basukinath, Giridih, Nalanda, Patna and Gaya
Home to one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. Especially busy during the Shravan month, you must carefully plan your journey. Enjoy a comfortable ride to Baba Baidyanath Dham with your loved ones for Kawad Yatra during Shravan, or for a divine darshan during Maha Shivaratri.
10. Varanasi to Jaunpur – A Quick Trip
- Distance: ~60 km
- Route: Varanasi → Jaunpur (NH31)
- Drive Time: 1.5 to 2 hours
- Top Historic Sites in Jaunpur:
- Shahi Quila
- Atala Masjid
- Shahi Bridge
- Sheetala Chaukiya Dham Temple
- Gomti Riverfront
- Often combined with Lucknow, Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Sultanpur and Azamgarh
Ideal for short cultural outings and relaxed half-day or full-day trips.
State-Wise Grouping (For Your Comfortable Watch List)
- Uttar Pradesh: Prayagraj, Ayodhya, Vindhyachal, Chitrakoot, Kushinagar, Jaunpur
- Bihar & Jharkhand: Bodh Gaya, Gaya, and Deoghar
- Madhya Pradesh: Khajuraho, Chitrakoot
Suggested Road Trip Itineraries from Varanasi
- 1–2 days: Vindhyachal, Prayagraj, Jaunpur
- 3–5 days: Prayagraj + Ayodhya + Chitrakoot
- 5–7 days: Bodh Gaya + Gaya + Kushinagar or Deoghar
Why Choose Chiku Cab for Innova Booking from Varanasi?
Varanasi is unpredictable due to its notorious traffic all year long. Roads close, diversions change, and parking becomes impractical. For outstation pilgrims, families and elderly devotees, Chiku Cab functions as a travel enabler rather than a luxury, ever since its establishment in 2018. We have provided over 10,000+ rides in and out of Banaras during the Mahakumbh 2025 festival, especially during Maha Shivaratri, and most of these bookings were from Prayagraj and Banaras during the busiest of the days. With our local drivers familiar with Shivratri-specific diversions, drop points, and night-time movement in Banaras, devotees can focus on worship rather than losing time to planning and travelling.
- Registered Operator: Chiku Cab (Chiku Mobility Pvt. Ltd.), with 8+ years of intercity operations.
- Rated 4.2★ on Google Play Store with over 10,000+ Downloads.
- Experienced Local Drivers: Familiar with local roads, routes, customs, and timings.
- 24×7 helpline and bookings over the phone.
- Transparent Billing: No Hidden Charges
- Affordable taxi service for short and long-distance routes
- Perfect for family travel, senior citizens, and business users
So what are you waiting for? Dial 844-844-5504 and book your ride instantly.
Best Time for Road Trips from Varanasi
October to March offers the most comfortable driving conditions. Summer journeys require early departures, while monsoon travel needs careful route planning due to occasional waterlogging on state highways.
Best Tips for Safety and Comfort for Road Trips from Varanasi
- Ensure your advance bookings for transport and hotels
- Book a cab instead of public transport for its comfort and flexibility
- Use Google Maps or ask locals if confused
- Call emergency help in an unreliable/risky situation, especially for solo and female travellers
- Carry healthy snacks, avoid oily/roadside food from unreliable stalls
- Stay hydrated as the summers and winters are dry and dehydrating
This practical knowledge significantly improves safety and comfort during multi-day journeys.
FAQs
Is same-day travel possible from Varanasi to Prayagraj?
Yes, same-day return is feasible, though overnight stays are preferred during peak periods.
How many days are required for a Buddhist circuit from Banaras by road?
It will take around 5 to 7 days to cover Bodh Gaya, Gaya, and Kushinagar from Varanasi/Sarnath by road.
Which destinations are senior-citizen-friendly from Varanasi?
Cities like Vindhyachal, Prayagraj, Lucknow, Ayodhya, and Gaya are most suitable as they are near Varanasi.
Is Innova Crysta suitable for long road trips from Varanasi?
Yes. It offers comfort, stability, and reliability for extended journeys.
With 7+ years of experience as a professional content writer, I specialise in blog and academic content writing. For me, writing is simply more than my profession—it’s a journey of self-discovery through spiritual exploration and soulful expression, often inspired by music and mindfulness.
