Varanasi Junction (BSB) Station — Guide for Pilgrims and Travelers

Varanasi Junction — station code BSB, also commonly called Varanasi Cantt — is the main station serving one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth. Every year, millions of pilgrims, tourists, and travelers pass through BSB on their way to the ghats of the Ganges, the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, and the many other sacred sites that make Varanasi what it is.

The station sits on the Cantonment side of the city, about 5 km from the main ghat area. It's on the Howrah-Delhi trunk route and sees heavy traffic from both directions.

Station Layout

Varanasi Junction has 9 platforms.

Platforms	Services
1–3	Rajdhani, Mahamana Express, premium trains
4–6	Long-distance express (Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata)
7–9	Regional trains (Lucknow, Patna, Allahabad)

The main entrance faces the Cantonment area. The station has been renovated in recent years with improved concourse, better lighting, and themed décor reflecting Varanasi's cultural heritage — you'll notice paintings and motifs as you walk through.

Getting To and From BSB

By Auto

Prepaid auto stand outside the main entrance. This is essential — unlicensed touts prey on first-time visitors to Varanasi heavily. Always use the prepaid stand or book an app cab.

Rates:

• BSB to Dashashwamedh Ghat: ₹80–120


• BSB to Kashi Vishwanath Temple: ₹80–100


• BSB to Sarnath: ₹120–150


• BSB to Varanasi Airport: ₹200–300


• BSB to Assi Ghat: ₹100–130

By Bus

City buses and UPSRTC services stop near the station. The main bus stand (Cantt Bus Stand) is 1 km from the station.

By Cab

Ola and Uber work in Varanasi. Pickup from the station frontage. Also, shared e-rickshaws run from the station to various parts of the city — ₹10–20 per person.

Varanasi Junction vs Other Varanasi Stations

• Varanasi Junction (BSB): Main station. Most long-distance trains. Cantonment area.
• Varanasi City (BCY): Smaller station, closer to the old city and ghats. A few trains stop here.
• Manduadih (MUV): 3 km from BSB. Some trains originate here.
• Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction (DDU, formerly Mughal Sarai): 17 km away. A major junction — many trains pass through DDU without stopping at BSB. Always check which station your ticket says.

The DDU-BSB confusion catches many travelers. If your ticket says DDU, you need to go to Pt Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction, which is a separate station in a different town.

Facilities

Waiting Rooms

AC waiting room on the first floor. Recently renovated and in good condition. Valid confirmed ticket required. Upper-class waiting room for 2AC/1AC passengers.

General waiting hall on the ground floor — functional but crowded during pilgrimage seasons (Kartik Purnima, Maha Shivaratri, Dev Deepawali).

Food

• Food court (main concourse): North Indian thali ₹80–100, chaat and snacks
• Platform stalls: Famous Varanasi chai (cardamom-heavy), samosa, kachori
• Local specialty: Banarasi paan. The paan stalls on the platform are worth trying — sweet paan (meetha paan) costs ₹20–30

Outside the station, the Cantonment area has restaurants. For authentic Banarasi food, head to Lanka Gate or Godowlia area (4 km) — try the tamatar chaat and malaiyo (a winter milk froth dessert).

WiFi

RailWire WiFi available. OTP-based. Coverage is decent.

ATMs

SBI and PNB ATMs inside. More options on GT Road outside.

Medical

First aid center on platform 1. BHU Hospital (Sir Sunderlal Hospital) is 5 km away.

Navigation Tips

Tip 1: Varanasi is a city of narrow lanes (galis). Autos and cabs can only take you to the edge of the old city. The last 1–2 km to most ghats has to be walked. Carry light luggage. Tip 2: If you're a first-time visitor heading to the ghats, tell your auto driver "Dashashwamedh Ghat" — it's the central ghat from which you can walk to others. The Vishwanath Gali (lane to the temple) is also accessible from here. Tip 3: The station gets chaotic during Maha Shivaratri (February-March) and Kartik Purnima (November). Extra trains are added, but the station capacity stays the same. Book early and arrive early. Tip 4: Sarnath is 10 km from BSB and absolutely worth a visit. This is where Buddha gave his first sermon. A shared auto costs ₹30, or a private auto ₹120–150. Tip 5: Many trains from Delhi and Mumbai arrive at Varanasi early morning (4–6 AM). The auto and cab services are available round the clock outside BSB, but rates may be slightly higher before dawn.

Track your train on IndianRail.app — particularly important since Varanasi-bound trains can face delays during fog season (December-January).

Cloak Room

Near platform 1. Open 5 AM–11 PM. ₹30 per bag. Valid ticket and X-ray scan required. Very useful — you can drop bags and explore the ghats for the day before your evening train.

Retiring Rooms

First floor. AC rooms ₹700–900 for 12 hours. Book via IRCTC. During peak pilgrimage season, they book out fast.

Nearby Landmarks

• Dashashwamedh Ghat: 5 km — the main ghat, evening Ganga Aarti
• Kashi Vishwanath Temple: 5 km — one of 12 Jyotirlingas
• Assi Ghat: 6 km — popular with long-stay travelers
• Sarnath: 10 km — Buddhist pilgrimage site
• Manikarnika Ghat: 5 km — the main cremation ghat
• BHU (Banaras Hindu University): 5 km — beautiful campus, Bharat Kala Bhavan museum

Quick Reference

Info	Details
Station Code	BSB
Platforms	9
Zone	Northern Railway
WiFi	RailWire (free)
Cloak Room	Platform 1, 5 AM–11 PM
Distance to Ghats	~5 km

Varanasi Junction is your entry point to one of the most profound cities you'll ever visit. The station itself is functional and improving — the real experience begins once you step into those ancient lanes heading toward the river. Drop your bags, catch an auto, and let the Ganges do the rest.