Prayagraj to Varanasi Flights

Varanasi Airport (IATA Code: VNS), popularly known as the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport or Babatpur Airport, is an international airport located about 25 km northwest of the Varanasi city centre. It was named after the second Prime Minister and the famous freedom fighter Lal Bahadur Shastri in 2005 and was declared an international airport by the Union Cabinet in 2012. There are three terminals present at the airport. The domestic terminal is spread across 2000 sq m and has 7 check-in counters and one security counter. It connects to major Indian cities such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Kolkata, Chennai, etc., via various prime domestic carriers such as SpiceJet, IndiGo, Go First, Air India, Vistara, etc. It has a capacity of handling 250 passengers each at arrivals and departures. The international terminal connects to destinations such as Sharjah and Kathmandu via Buddha Air and Air India Express. The terminal is spread across 1000 sq m which includes check-in and immigration and security counters, and can accommodate around 150 passengers each at departures and arrivals. The airport offers a host of facilities such as separate lounges for arrivals and departures, food stalls, a travellers' convenience shop, a bookstore with a newsstand, and boutiques offering local products. There are several eating joints such as restaurants, cafes, fast food outlets and snack bars also available at the airport.

Varanasi is a city located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. It is situated on the banks of the Ganges River in the southeastern section of the state. The city is still publicly recognised as Banaras or Benares and has also been known as Kashi since ancient times. It is one of the oldest cities inhabited by people. The famous English author Mark Twain very aptly summarised, ìBenaras is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.î Varanasi is one of the most revered pilgrimage spots across the globe. The origins of the city date back to the second millennium when it was the seat of the Vedic religion. It became the capital of the kingdom of Kashi in the 6th century BC. It saw a decline under Muslim rule since the 12th century when many temples were destroyed and intellectuals left the city. It subsequently underwent revivals and setbacks under Emperor Akbar, Aurangzeb, the Maratha rule before the British converted it into a new Indian state in 1910. Varanasi experiences hot summers and the temperature reaches close to 40∞C. The best time to visit the city is in the winter season when the cool winds from the Himalayas make it pleasant. The temperature falls to around 9∞C and the climate is extremely enjoyable for sightseeing. Apart from religion being at the epicentre of most activities in the city, Varanasi is also home to skilled craftsmen like handicrafts, metal work, clay work, woodwork, leaf and fibre crafts. It has many unique styles of paintings, sculptures, folk art, sarees, ornaments, etc. Some great Indian writers such as Kabir Das, Ravi Das, Tulsidas Kulluka Bhat, Sudama Pandey belong to the city. The city is also the birthplace of prominent musicians such as Ravi Shankar, Bismilla Khan, Girija Devi and Kishan Maharaj. Along with Indian classical music, drama is also a big part of the cityís culture evidenced by the famous annual performance of Ramlila.

Allahabad Airport (IATA Code: IXD), now known as Prayagraj Airport, is a military airbase and civilian domestic airport located around 15 km from the city centre. It was established in 1919 and is jointly managed by the Airports Authority of India and the Indian Air Force. The airport connects to major Indian cities such as Mumbai, New Delhi, Lucknow, Raipur, Bhopal, Dehradun, Indore, Gorakhpur, Bilaspur, etc. The major airline carriers at the airport are IndiGo and Alliance Air. There are two terminals at the airport which can accommodate 300 passengers during rush hours. Some important facilities at the airport include medical services, wheelchair assistance for physically challenged and senior citizens, VIP lounges, free trolleys, etc. There are eateries and snack bars available at the airport for passengers who want to grab a bite. The Allahabad Railway Station is located around 12 km away from the airport which further connects to many cities in India. The bus stand is situated around 15 km away, and taxis and auto rickshaws are also available at the airport for taking passengers to desired destinations.

Allahabad, now known as Prayagraj, is a city located in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, about 200 km away from the stateís capital city of Lucknow. Allahabad was established by Mughal Emperor Akbar around the 16th century, making it the Mughalsí provincial capital. The Marathas took over the city from the Mughals before the British captured it from them in 1801, carrying out several military operations from the area. The great sage Bharadwaj lived in the city around 5000 B.C. and taught 10,000 disciples. Allahabad was also the epicentre of many events of the Indian Freedom struggle such as the National Uprising of 1857 and the Non-Violence Movement. Allahabad is home to the grand religious gathering called the Kumbh Mela, which takes place every 12 years. One of the highest judicial bodies in India, the Allahabad Court, is present in the city. Seven out of fifteen Indian Prime Ministers were either born or had connections to the city. Some of the notable ones include Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri, Indira Gandhi, Rajiv Gandhi, V.P. Singh, etc. Noted Bollywood actor Amitabh Bachchan is from the city. Allahabad experiences an extreme climate with summers being very hot and winters being very cold. It received an annual rainfall of 745 mm, with July and August being the wettest months. The climate is most pleasant between the months of October and February when the temperature dips a minimum of 9∞C. The city is also renowned for being the birthplace of several notable poets, writers and jurists of the 19th century who helped modernise Hindi literature. The most widely spoken languages in the city are Hindi, Urdu and English. Undoubtedly, the Kumbh Mela is the most famous festival celebrated in the city which becomes a hub for millions of visitors. Other festivals celebrated in the city include the Magh Mela, Water Sports Festival, Holi, Dadhikando, Diwali, etc. Food forms an important part of the cityís culture and has British, Parsi, Bengali, Muslim and Khatri influences. The street food of the city is extremely popular among locals and tourists. Some lip-smacking street delicacies in Allahabad include the chaat, aloo ki tikki, dahi vadas, kachori, dalmoth, samosas, jalebis, etc.