Manyavar - Lal bahadur shastri Varanasi airport

Uttam Tendulkar

Exquisite architectural design.. an inviting reception and hall perpetually prepared to greet.. courteous staff providing excellent assistance to travelers. Security checks and boarding pass issuance executed with utmost efficiency. Comfortable seating arrangements.. the flight waiting lounge is meticulously organized. Ample parking facilities. Numerous shops and canteen services meet high standards. Over the past decade, the quality of airports in major Indian cities has reached a world-class level.

Animesh Kumar Mandal

l Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) in Varanasi is generally described as a functional, mid-sized airport that is currently undergoing significant modernization to handle its booming tourism traffic. While it has been recognized for its performance, recent traveler reviews highlight both its charm and its growing pains. Key Highlights & Pros Cleanliness & Ambience: Many recent reviews (2024–2025) praise the airport for being clean and well-maintained. Travelers often note the "character" of the airport, specifically mentioning the Sanskrit announcements (the first in India) and cultural murals. Efficiency: The airport is often cited for quick check-in and security processes compared to larger metros. Award-Winning: It was previously awarded Best Airport in Asia-Pacific (2–5 million passenger category) by Airports Council International (ACI). Common Criticisms & Cons Limited Dining & Lounge Facilities: The "Take Off Bar and Lounge" is the primary option but receives mixed-to-poor reviews for its small size, limited food menu, and restrictive credit card acceptance. There are few substantial restaurant options outside of small cafes. Transportation Hassles: Located about 19–26 km from the city center, taxi services are a major pain point. Reviewers frequently complain about overcharging by local cab drivers and unreliability of app-based services like Ola/Uber for late-night pickups. Nighttime Operations: The airport has historically closed at night, meaning there are no sleeping facilities for those with early morning flights or long layovers. Practical Tips for Travelers Transportation: For a hassle-free experience, consider booking a Private Airport Transfer in advance, which many travelers find more reliable than negotiating at the counter. Budget Hack: If traveling with light luggage, you can take a bus toward the city from the highway (a short walk from the terminal) for a fraction of the taxi cost. Lounge Access: Check your card compatibility beforehand; users report that Dreamfolks and certain premium HDFC cards are most likely to work.

Bibhudatta Panda

Recently flew from Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport and had a fairly smooth experience overall. The airport is clean and well maintained and the staff were polite and helpful. Security didn’t take too long, which was a relief. It’s not a very big airport so don’t expect too many food or shopping options , very small lounges! Getting a taxi outside can be slightly expensive, so booking a cab in advance is a good idea else Rapido!

Kanti Singhi Jain, Advocate

Superb building structure.. open reception and Hall always ready to welcome.. humble staff, proper guidance given to passengers. System security check and boarding pass issuance promptly. Good seating arrangement.. flight waiting lobby well arranged. Good parking arrangement. Many shops and canteen services upto standard. In last 20 years the standards of Indian big cities Airport are now world class.

Sudhanshu Tuti

Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) is situated in Babatpur, around 26 km from Varanasi, one of the ancient and important cultural cities. It connects to 15 destinations, including two international ones i.e Sharjah (SHJ) and Kathmandu (KTM). It handled 4 Million passengers in FY 2024-25, showing an impressive 34% growth from 2.9 Million in FY 2023-24, making its way to top 20 busiest airports in India. The present terminal is however, now showing signs of aging due to this footfall. As a result, the work for new integrated terminal with a peak passenger handling capacity of 5000/hour along with extension of the runway from 2745 to 4075 metres, expansion of the apron to accommodate 20 aircraft parking bays is undertaken.