There is great news for travelers from Uttar Pradesh, specifically for those living in the Kushinagar and Purvanchal areas. Air India Express has started international flight operations that connect Kushinagar and Varanasi directly to Bangkok. This service is a major step to boost tourism on the Buddhist Circuit and makes foreign travel much easier for the common man. The flights on the Varanasi-Bangkok route have commenced from February 1, 2026, and the connection for Kushinagar is also reported to start in February itself.
What is the Flight Schedule?
This new international service operates on a weekly basis, flying every Sunday. The flight is scheduled to depart from Varanasi at 12:35 PM and arrives in Bangkok at 06:05 PM in the evening. For the return journey, the flight takes off from Bangkok at 07:05 PM and lands back in Varanasi at 09:35 PM at night. This schedule is designed to help pilgrims and tourists travelling between the Buddhist sites of Kushinagar, Sarnath, and Thailand without long layovers.
Ticket Prices and Facilities
The airline has kept the fares competitive for passengers. A one-way ticket from Varanasi to Bangkok starts from approximately ₹6,426 to ₹9,000. If you are planning a round trip, the total cost comes to around ₹22,000 to ₹23,000, which includes taxes. Passengers will fly on the new Boeing 737-8 aircraft, which offers features like USB charging at every seat and hot meals. Also, the Instrument Landing System (ILS) at Kushinagar Airport is now fully active, which solves the problem of landing during fog or night hours.
