Cities Near Varanasi
Cities near Varanasi, India: 10 notable destinations within day-trip and weekend range, including Sarnath, Chunar, Jaunpur. Compare distance, drive time and flight time, with day-trip and getaway ideas.
The closest notable city to Varanasi, India is Sarnath, about 5 mi (7 km) away — roughly 16 min by road. Below, 10 nearby cities are ranked by distance, with real drive and flight estimates and whether each works best as a day trip or an overnight getaway.
| City | Distance | Drive | Flight | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SarnathWhere the Buddha first taught | 5 mi / 7 km | 16 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| ChunarA clifftop fort above the Ganges | 15 mi / 25 km | 29 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| JaunpurSharqi mosques and bridges | 36 mi / 58 km | 1 hr 5 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| GhazīpurRose-water and quiet ghats | 40 mi / 65 km | 1 hr 12 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| AllahābādThe great river confluence | 73 mi / 118 km | 1 hr 42 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
| Bhadohi | 28 mi / 45 km | 54 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Mirzāpur | 30 mi / 49 km | 58 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Azamgarh | 53 mi / 85 km | 1 hr 35 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Mau | 55 mi / 89 km | 1 hr 39 min | Drive/rail | Day trip |
| Obra | 62 mi / 100 km | 1 hr 51 min | Drive/rail | Day trip / overnight |
Day trips from Varanasi
Within about 100 miles and easy to visit in a day: Sarnath, Chunar, Jaunpur, Ghazīpur, Allahābād. These are close enough to go and return without an overnight stay.
Getting around
Nearby cities are usually quickest by car or train; for the longer hops a regional flight can save time. Tap any city above for its full distance, driving-time and flight-time breakdown, or plan a specific route with the tools below.
Frequently asked questions
Notable cities near Varanasi include Sarnath, Chunar, Jaunpur, Ghazīpur, Allahābād. The closest is Sarnath, about 5 miles (7 km) away. The table above lists each with its distance, drive time and best use.