Overnight trains from Delhi to Varanasi: three options
Three overnight trains from New Delhi to Varanasi Junction, with departure and arrival times, running days and how to plan the morning after.
TrainLiveStatus Desk · Updated · 4 min read
Three trains that save a hotel night
If you want to reach Varanasi without paying for a hotel night in Delhi, three trains from New Delhi reach Varanasi Junction (BSB) overnight in our timetable. Each leaves Delhi in the evening and arrives the next morning, so you spend the night on the train. The table gives the times and running days from our database.
| Train | Leaves New Delhi | Reaches Varanasi (BSB) | Runs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12382 Poorva Express | 17:40 | 04:35 | Mon, Tue, Fri |
| 12562 Swtantrta S Express | 21:15 | 08:05 | Daily |
| 22418 Mahamana Express | 18:40 | 08:25 | Mon, Wed, Fri |
Our timetable has other trains from Delhi to Varanasi, including some that run only on a couple of days a week, so this is a short list of three, not every overnight option. The 12562 runs daily, so it is the safest choice if your dates do not fall on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday.
Which one to pick
- Mahamana Express 22418: a good arrival time for many travellers. You reach Varanasi at 08:25, after a full night's sleep on the train, but only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
- Swtantrta S Express 12562: the one to choose when your dates are flexible, since it runs every day. It reaches at 08:05, close to the Mahamana.
- Poorva Express 12382: the earliest departure from Delhi of the three at 17:40, but it reaches at 04:35. That is before dawn, so plan for a wait or an early check-in at the station or hotel.
Arriving at 04:35 gets you there earliest, but you may have no hotel room to use until later in the day. If your hotel will not let you in early, plan a few hours at the station or ask about early check-in when you book.
How the overnight saving works
A normal daytime train from Delhi to Varanasi leaves you with a full afternoon and evening to fill, and most travellers then book a hotel for the night. An overnight train does the opposite. You board in the evening, sleep on the train and get off in the morning, so you have a full day in Varanasi without a night's room.
The saving is real only if you plan the morning. Arriving at 08:05 or 08:25 gives you time to leave the station, drop bags at the hotel and be on the ghats by mid-morning. Arriving at 04:35 means the first hour or two are spent waiting.
What to know before you book
The advance reservation period is 60 days, excluding the journey day. Book as soon as your dates are firm, since a berth you want on a given evening may not stay open for long.
The first reservation chart is prepared at least 10 hours before departure. For an evening train, check the chart status on the travel day before you leave home, instead of assuming your waitlisted or RAC ticket is confirmed.
Use the train pages to check the day you travel, not only the timetable. Our Mahamana Express page shows the live running status and delay history, which helps when a late-running train would otherwise cost you the morning.
Which station to use in Varanasi
All three trains reach Varanasi Junction, which handles the bulk of long-distance traffic. The Varanasi City station is a separate station, so check your ticket before you plan the last leg to the hotel. Our Varanasi Junction guide covers the station and how to get onward.
What to do after you arrive
If you arrive at 08:05 or 08:25, a morning visit to the ghats is possible. Plan your day around the time you have free, and check boat and ceremony timings locally before you go.
Most visitors head for the ghats first, which are in the city, a drive from the station. Our places near Varanasi railway station guide lists the nearby sights with the distance from the station. If you have a second day, the Ramayana circuit by train from Ayodhya to Varanasi is a useful next step, and the weekend trip from Lucknow shows another way to reach the city by train.
Who should take an overnight train
| Your situation | Best pick |
|---|---|
| Travelling on a Monday, Wednesday or Friday, want the latest sleep | Mahamana Express 22418 |
| Dates not fixed, or travelling on a Tuesday or Thursday | Swtantrta S Express 12562 |
| Want the earliest start and can handle an early arrival | Poorva Express 12382 |
If you travel with children or elderly family, the Mahamana or the Swtantrta has the easier daytime arrival. The Poorva is best for people who want to start early and have a plan for the pre-dawn arrival.
All three trains share the same basic plan: an evening departure from New Delhi and a morning arrival at Varanasi Junction. The difference is the running days and the arrival time, so compare those two columns first, then check the train page for the day you travel. A train that runs on your date and arrives at a time you can use is the right choice, even if another train looks better on paper.
A quick checklist
- Confirm the running day for your train on its page before booking.
- Book 60 days ahead when the dates are firm.
- Check the chart status on the travel day.
- Note the arrival station is Varanasi Junction (BSB) for all three.
- Plan the first morning around the arrival time, not the departure.
Where is your train right now?
Live position, expected arrival at every stop and the delay history of the last few weeks.
Use it on your trip
Frequently asked questions
Which trains go overnight from Delhi to Varanasi?
Our timetable lists three overnight trains from New Delhi to Varanasi Junction: the Poorva Express 12382 (17:40 to 04:35, Mon, Tue, Fri), the Swtantrta S Express 12562 (21:15 to 08:05, daily) and the Mahamana Express 22418 (18:40 to 08:25, Mon, Wed, Fri).
Which overnight train reaches Varanasi earliest?
The Poorva Express 12382 reaches Varanasi Junction at 04:35, which is before dawn. The Mahamana Express 22418 reaches at 08:25, and the Swtantrta S Express 12562 reaches at 08:05.
Is there a daily overnight train from Delhi to Varanasi?
Yes. The Swtantrta S Express 12562 runs daily, leaving New Delhi at 21:15 and reaching Varanasi Junction at 08:05. The other two run on set days of the week.
Can I avoid a hotel night if I take an overnight train?
Yes, if you arrive in the morning and can leave for the city then. Arriving at 04:35 may still need a short wait or an early check-in, so plan the first morning around your arrival time.
Sources
Rules and fares change. Check the official source before you travel. Last reviewed 31 October 2026.
