The Agra to Varanasi train journey is a quintessential Indian travel experience. From Agra – home to the world-famous Taj Mahal – to Varanasi, the ancient spiritual heart of India, joins two of the most iconic India destinations. While you could fly, taking the train across the plains of Uttar Pradesh is by far the most immersive, memorable, and classic way to travel between these two famous cities.
Having travelled extensively across India by rail, here is everything you need to know about navigating the Agra to Varanasi train journey, from choosing your carriage class, booking your train tickets to our top local recommendations in both cities.
Best Train Options: Agra to Varanasi
The rail distance for the Agra to Varanasi train is roughly 600 kilometres, with train journeys taking anywhere between 9 to 13 hours depending on the service.
There are two main types of train for this journey:
- Vande Bharat Express / Superfast Day Trains: Modern, fast, and comfortable. These daytime express trains offer seated AC Chair Car (CC) or Executive Chair Car (EC), taking around 9 hours. Perfect if you want to watch the countryside roll by.
- Overnight Express Trains (e.g., Marudhar Express, Patna Express): Board late in the evening and wake up as the sun rises in Varanasi. The overnight train saves you a night’s accommodation cost and maximises your sightseeing time during the day!
Understanding Indian Train Classes
Deciding which train class to book can feel like cracking a secret code. Especially coming from New Zealand where train travel is not our regular thing!
Here is our practical breakdown for travellers:
- 1AC (First AC): The most comfortable option. Lockable, 2-berth or 4-berth coupes with bedding included. Quiet and private.
- 2AC (AC 2-Tier): Our sweet-spot recommendation! Air-conditioned open bays with 4 berths per compartment (two upper, two lower) plus two side berths across the aisle, complete with privacy curtains and basic bedding.
- 3AC (AC 3-Tier): Great for budget travellers. Similar layout to 2AC, but with 6 berths per compartment (three tiers on each side). A bit more crowded, but clean and air-conditioned.
- SL (Sleeper Class): Non-AC, open-window carriages with 6 berths per bay. Very cheap and very local, but can get hot, dusty, and crowded.
How to Book Tickets for Agra to Varanasi Train
Booking Indian train tickets directly through the official IRCTC government portal can be notoriously frustrating for international travellers with the payment gateway restrictions.
The easiest, most stress-free workaround is using 12Go Asia:
- Search Your Route: Enter Agra (Agra Fort or Agra Cantt station) to Varanasi (Varanasi Junction or Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction).
- Select Your Class: Pick your preferred train time and class (we recommend 2AC or 1AC).
- Enter Details & Pay: Fill in passenger details and pay using international credit cards with zero hassle.
- Receive E-Ticket: Download your confirmed electronic ticket to your phone – show this to the ticket conductor onboard alongside your passport!
12GoAsia: Book trains anywhere in India through 12Go.
Top Tips for Taking the Train in India
Remember that literally thousands of people travel these trains in India every day. But a little planning makes it all the smoother as a traveller…
- Pack a Travel Sheet: While bedding is provided in 1AC and 2AC, keeping a light sleep sheet or scarf in your daypack is always handy.
- Toilet Paper & Sanitiser: Always bring toilet paper and hand sanitiser!
- Track Your Train: Download the Where Is My Train app to check real-time updates on your train’s progress and platform numbers.
- Keep Snacks Handy: Vendors move through the corridors selling hot samosas, biscuits, and sweet masala chai, but it’s always smart to carry bottled water and familiar snacks.
What to Do & Where to Stay in Agra
Agra is far more than just a quick pitstop!
Things to Do in Agra
- The Taj Mahal at Sunrise: Experience the quiet majesty of the Taj early in the morning before the crowds and heat set in.
- Agra Fort: Explore the sprawling red sandstone fortress where Mughal emperors once lived.
- Mehtab Bagh: Cross the Yamuna River to view the Taj Mahal from across the water at sunset.
Where to Stay in Agra
We always stay at Aman Homestay in Agra.
- Aman Homestay: A cozy, welcoming, family-run guesthouse located close to the Taj Mahal. The hosts go out of their way to treat you like family.
Trusted Agra Contact: For seamless transfers around Agra, station pickups, and driver bookings, reach out directly to the team at Aman Homestay (+91 98972 09072).
What to Do & Where to Stay in Varanasi
Varanasi is an intense, beautiful, and spiritual sensory journey along the holy River Ganges.
Things to Do in Varanasi
- Evening Ganga Aarti: Watch the incredible spiritual fire ceremony performed by priests every evening at Dashashwamedh Ghat.
- Sunrise Boat Ride: Drift slowly along the Ganges at dawn as the ghats wake up to morning prayers, bathers, and ancient rituals.
- Explore the Old City Lanes: Get lost in the narrow, winding alleys (galis) brimming with street food stalls, silk shops, and hidden temples.
Where to Stay in Varanasi
- Guesthouse / Hotel along the Ghats: Stay at a property near Assi Ghat or Dashashwamedh Ghat for easy walking access to the water and evening ceremonies.
Trusted Varanasi Contact: To guide you sensitively through the ancient streets and organise sunrise boat rides, we highly recommend our friend and trusted local guide, Ravi Gaur (+91 99355 54029). Ravi is a wealth of knowledge and makes exploring Varanasi effortless!
You can reach Ravi on WhatsApp at +91 85769 16590 to coordinate your arrival.
Book the Agra to Varanasi Train
If you are wondering whether to fly or book the Agra to Varanasi train, we hope this has convinced you! It really is a straightforward train journey to take – and albeit, a popular one.
Our best suggestion is to book the fast train. The Vande Barat is a regular, modern train and makes the journey much shorter than the sleeper trains. The only challenge would be if it is sold out already. So definitely check in advance of your trip!
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Travel Planning for India & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia through 12Go.
- Skyscanner – Our favourite flight search engine. They can search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide – A huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for short or longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance before planning any more reasons to visit India!
Hi! I’m Sarah. I am the self-confessed dreamer, travel-schemer and the main editor behind this blog. I love to write, and it is a dream come true to share so many experiences together and inspire others in our stories.
