Varanasi to Lucknow Road Distance: 300 km · 5-6 hours · Cab from ₹3,300
Varanasi → Jaunpur → Sultanpur → Lucknow
Darshan timings, ghat-side drops and drivers who know the aarti schedule.
Cab fare, all inclusive
Distance
300km
Drive time
5hrs
Since 2015 · 4.9★
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Driving Varanasi to Lucknow: what this corridor is like
Timed for darshan
Ram Mandir, Kashi Vishwanath and Har Ki Pauri run on temple time; the driver plans the departure so you arrive for the slot you booked.
Ghat-side drops
Most ghats are foot-only for the last stretch. We drop at the nearest vehicle point and wait, rather than leaving you to find a cab back.
Festival-week fares fixed
Deepotsav, Kanwar season, Chhath — fares are locked when you book, and the driver stays with you across multi-day yatras.
What the Varanasi to Lucknow road is actually like
There are two roads from Lucknow to Varanasi and the choice is the whole story. The Purvanchal Expressway is the quick one: you join it on the east side of the city and it runs across the flat Gangetic plain with nothing on it but fields, overbridges and the occasional rest plaza, so fill the tank and eat before you get on. The older NH-56 through Sultanpur and Jaunpur is slower but has life on it, and Sultanpur at the halfway mark is the usual chai and breakfast halt for drivers who take that way. Jaunpur is worth a slow pass for the Shahi Bridge, and its bypass carries heavy truck traffic by the afternoon, which is why we prefer leaving Lucknow early. Winter is the season for this run, but in December and January the fog on the open expressway is dense at dawn and we ease off until the sun burns through. Around Dev Deepawali in November the approach into Varanasi crawls, so allow extra for the last few kilometres.
How far is Lucknow from Varanasi?
The distance from Varanasi to Lucknow is 300 km by road via Purvanchal Expressway, and the drive takes about 5-6 hours. A one-way AC cab starts from ₹3,300 (sedan), with SUV and Tempo Traveller options also available. Toll and state tax are charged extra at actual.
By Road
300 km
Drive Time
5-6 hours
Cab From
₹3,300
Fuel (self-drive)
₹2,143
Varanasi to Lucknow distance, time & cab fare
- Road distance
- 300 km (186 miles)
- Drive time by cab
- 5-6 hours
- Best route / highway
- Purvanchal Expressway
- AC Sedan cab fare Swift Dzire / Etios · 4 seater
- ₹3,300 (₹11/km)
- Ertiga SUV cab fare Maruti Ertiga · 6 seater
- ₹4,500 (₹15/km)
- Innova Crysta cab fare Toyota Innova Crysta · 7 seater
- ₹5,400 (₹18/km)
- Tempo Traveller cab fare 12-seater AC
- ₹6,900 (₹23/km)
- Approx. fuel cost (self-drive)
- ₹2,143 one-way
* Cab fares are one-way and include fuel & driver. Toll and state tax are extra at actual.
Varanasi to Lucknow: cab vs train vs bus vs flight
A quick comparison of travel time, cost and comfort for the 300 km journey to help you choose the right mode.
Cab / TaxiRecommended
- Travel Time
- 5-6 hours
- Cost
- From ₹3,300
- Comfort
- Door-to-door, private, flexible stops
- Best For
- Families, groups, comfort
Train
- Travel Time
- 6-7 hrs
- Cost
- Budget (subject to availability)
- Comfort
- Fixed timing, station-to-station
- Best For
- Solo budget travellers
Bus
- Travel Time
- 6-8 hrs
- Cost
- Most economical
- Comfort
- Shared, fixed stops
- Best For
- Backpackers, low budget
Flight
- Travel Time
- 1-1.5 hrs + transfers
- Cost
- Highest
- Comfort
- Fastest but airport transfers needed
- Best For
- Long distances, time-critical
For Varanasi to Lucknow, a private cab offers door-to-door pickup, no fixed timetable and the freedom to stop anywhere en route.
Toll plazas on this route
Total toll
₹185
01Jaunpur Toll Plaza
- At km
- 70 km
- Toll (car)
- ₹75
02Sultanpur Toll Plaza
- At km
- 160 km
- Toll (car)
- ₹110
Total one-way toll
₹185
* FASTag accepted at all plazas. Rates approximate, may vary. Tolls are billed at actual on your trip.
Varanasi to Lucknow cab fare
Fuel and driver included · Tolls and taxes extra
Sedan
Swift Dzire / Etios · 4 Seater
Ertiga SUV
Maruti Ertiga · 6 Seater
Innova Crysta
Toyota Innova Crysta · 7 Seater
Tempo Traveller
12-Seater AC · 12 Seater
* Toll & state tax extra at actual. Fares based on 300 km one-way.
Tips from drivers who run this route every week
Best time to travel
Year-round.
Local insider tip
Take Purvanchal Expressway for the fastest route. Lucknow is famous for street food.
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Varanasi to Lucknow FAQs
What is the distance from Varanasi to Lucknow by road?
The road distance from Varanasi to Lucknow is approximately 300 km via Purvanchal Expressway. By air the straight-line distance is shorter, but 300 km is the actual driving distance you cover by car, cab or bus.
How long does it take to drive from Varanasi to Lucknow?
The drive from Varanasi to Lucknow takes approximately 5-6 hours via Purvanchal Expressway in normal traffic. Starting early morning (5-6 AM) helps you avoid city congestion and reduces total travel time.
How much does a cab from Varanasi to Lucknow cost?
A cab from Varanasi to Lucknow starts at ₹3,300 for an AC sedan (Swift Dzire/Etios). An Ertiga SUV starts at ₹4,500, an Innova Crysta at ₹5,400, and a 12-seater Tempo Traveller from ₹6,900. Outstation trips are billed on a 300 km per day minimum. Toll and state tax are extra at actual.
What is the cab fare for an SUV or Innova from Varanasi to Lucknow?
An Ertiga SUV from Varanasi to Lucknow starts at ₹4,500 and an Innova Crysta at ₹5,400 for the 300 km trip. The published rates are ₹15/km for Ertiga and ₹18/km for Innova, with the outstation minimum applied. Ertiga seats 6 passengers and Innova seats 7; both are options for families and hill or rough-road sections.
What is the best route from Varanasi to Lucknow?
The recommended and fastest route from Varanasi to Lucknow is via Purvanchal Expressway. Popular stops en route include Jaunpur, Sultanpur. Our drivers know all alternative routes and pick the optimal path based on live traffic, road work and weather.
How much toll do you pay from Varanasi to Lucknow?
Toll charges from Varanasi to Lucknow depend on the highway plazas on Purvanchal Expressway and are paid at actual via FASTag. The driver handles all toll payments and they are added transparently to your final bill — there are no hidden charges.
What is the approximate fuel cost from Varanasi to Lucknow?
If you self-drive, expect roughly ₹2,143 in petrol/diesel one-way for Varanasi to Lucknow (based on about 14 km/l). Booking a Triveni cab includes fuel in the fare, so you only pay toll and state tax extra.
Can I reach Lucknow from Varanasi by train, bus or flight?
Yes — Varanasi to Lucknow is connected by road (5-6 hours by cab), and most major routes also have trains and state/private buses. A private cab is the most flexible option with door-to-door pickup, no fixed timing and freedom to stop en route.
What is the best time to travel from Varanasi to Lucknow?
Year-round. For the smoothest drive, start early in the day to avoid traffic and reach Lucknow with daylight to spare.
What are the best stops en route from Varanasi to Lucknow?
Popular stops en route include Jaunpur, Sultanpur. These make convenient halts for food, fuel, restrooms and photos, breaking up the 300 km journey comfortably.
Is a one-way or round-trip cab better from Varanasi to Lucknow?
If you only need a single drop, a one-way cab from Varanasi to Lucknow is cheaper because you do not pay for the return run. Choose a round trip when you want the same car and driver to wait and bring you back — it works out economical for same-day return.
What vehicles are available for Varanasi to Lucknow, and is night travel safe?
Triveni Cabs™ offers AC Sedan, SUV (Innova/Ertiga) and 12-seater Tempo Traveller for Varanasi to Lucknow, all GPS-tracked with verified drivers. Daytime travel is recommended, but our experienced drivers handle night drives on the Purvanchal Expressway safely too.
Is Banaras to Lucknow the same as Varanasi to Lucknow?
Yes. Varanasi is also called Banaras (Benares) and, in its temple sense, Kashi. The distance, the road and the fare on this page are the same journey under either name.
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