One map, pinned from each airport’s published coordinates.
Category scores
Overall is the published weighted sum. A highlighted score is ahead; a tie stays plain.
Ease of use
25% · Wayfinding, security wait, and layout.
VNS7.2+1.4
IXD5.8
Comfort & amenities
20% · Seating, Wi-Fi, cleanliness, and quiet.
VNS6.0+0.8
IXD5.2
Food & retail
Best for
VNS
Pilgrimage and leisure trips into Varanasi / Sarnath that want the local AAI airport instead of a Lucknow connectionDomestic DigiYatra users who can clear the compact integrated hallPriority Pass or LoungeKey holders who can use Take Off as a daytime buffet stop (05:00–21:00)
Watch out for
VNS
Confusing VNS with LKO / AYJ / GOP / DBRAssuming the new 75,000 m² terminal is already open for boardingAggregator lounge directories inventing Plaza Premium soft pins — live PP / LoungeKey = Take Off restaurant only
Amenities and tips
VNS
DigiYatra (domestic)Take Off Bar and Lounge (PP / LoungeKey Eat)Integrated domestic + international terminalElectric bus Route 101 to Cantt
VNS · AAI’s Babatpur gateway for Kashi — one integrated hall 18 km from Varanasi Railway Station, DigiYatra since the 1 Dec 2022 first wave, and a Priority Pass / LoungeKey restaurant pin (Take Off near Gate 2, 05:00–21:00) instead of a classic soft lounge. Prepaid-taxi hop, Route 101 e-bus to Cantt until 21:00, single 09/27 strip, winter fog and pilgrimage banks still need real buffers; the 75,000 m² expansion hall is still a worksite.
IXD · Domestic Bamrauli and Prayagraj gateway with carrier service and inconsistent lounge information, so no definitive lounge is recorded.
15% · Food and retail quality and variety.
VNS5.6+0.6
IXD5.0
Ground access
15% · Transit, taxi, and parking to the city.
VNS6.6+1.4
IXD5.2
Reliability
15% · Delays, cancellations, and weather resilience.
VNS6.0
IXD6.2+0.2
Lounges
10% · Worth-it density and access quality.
VNS4.6+0.6
IXD4.0
Connections that stay mostly domestic rather than depending on thin international banks
IXD
Domestic travelers to PrayagrajIndiGo and Alliance Air travelersTravelers checking carrier status
Inventing a Varanasi Metro stop inside the terminal, or treating Route 101 as a red-eye
Red-eyes / late departures outside Take Off’s published 05:00–21:00 window
Winter fog and festival / Dev Deepavali road barricades on the single 09/27 strip
IXD
Lounge reports are inconsistentNo published MCT, security wait or water station map
Prepaid taxi (U.P. Traffic Police)
Landside F&B / sealed water
DigiYatra helps domestically — still budget one strip and pilgrimage banks
DigiYatra and a compact hall help; one runway plus festival banks still need real buffers.
One integrated hall today — the 75,000 m² shell is still a worksite
Single passenger hall today; CGIs are not boarding gates.
Take Off buffet if entitled — otherwise landside sealed water before CISF
One live PP / LoungeKey restaurant pin; landside bottles still beat airside pricing.
