Wed Sep 24 04:40:00 UTC 2025: **Varanasi-Bound Airfares Soar as Diwali Approaches**
**Varanasi, India** – Airfares to Varanasi have skyrocketed ahead of Diwali, leaving travelers scrambling to pay exorbitant prices to reach the holy city. Passengers flying from major cities like Mumbai, Bangalore, and Ahmedabad are facing significantly increased costs as airlines capitalize on the high demand.
With train tickets fully booked, many are turning to air travel to celebrate Diwali and Chhath Puja with family, attend weddings, or visit Kashi (Varanasi) during the holiday season. However, airlines have seized the opportunity to hike fares dramatically.
For example, a Mumbai-Varanasi flight that typically costs between ₹4,500-₹5,000 is now priced as high as ₹29,604 on Air India, ₹24,941 on SpiceJet, ₹18,299 on Akasa Air, and over ₹17,838 on IndiGo for flights on October 18. Similarly, fares from Bangalore, a popular tourist origin point, are also inflated. A Bangalore-Varanasi flight typically priced between ₹5,500-₹6,500 is now costing as much as ₹21,192 on Akasa Air, ₹16,544 on Air India Express, and ₹14,889 on IndiGo for flights on October 17. Ahmedabad-Varanasi flights are also experiencing similar surges, with fares exceeding ₹15,000.
Travel industry insiders predict fares will continue to rise, but many passengers feel they have no choice due to the importance of being with loved ones during the festive season.
The surge in airfares has also cast a shadow over the government’s UDAN (Ude Desh Ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, which aimed to make air travel accessible to ordinary citizens. With these price hikes, the scheme’s goal of enabling even those who wear “hawai chappals” (flip-flops) to fly appears to be faltering.
This situation is affecting travelers on the routes from Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune and Ahmedabad to Varanasi.
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