Varanasi, India
Varanasi Travel Guide: Planning details
Budget notes, transport, where to stay, ideal trip length, and local tips for your trip.
Varanasi, India
Plan smarter in Varanasi, India
Ghats, Ganga Aarti, ancient temples, and spiritual heritage on the banks of the Ganges.
Oct–Mar: 12–28°CApr–Jun: 28–42°C
Live weather
Varanasi
28°C
Partly cloudy
Humidity 89%Wind 7 km/h
Typical climate
North Indian plains climate. Winters are mild and ideal for heritage walks; summers are very hot. Monsoon brings humidity and rising river levels along the ghats.
Map
Varanasi
Quick budget notes
- Boat rides negotiable-agree price before boarding.
- Street food is excellent value; bottled water essential.
- Heritage walks in the old city are free to explore.
Getting around
- Varanasi Junction (BSB) and Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport.
- Auto-rickshaws in old city; many lanes are walk-only.
- Pre-dawn boat rides depart from main ghats.
Where to stay
- Assi Ghat area for cafés and younger traveller vibe.
- Near Dashashwamedh for classic ghat access.
- BHU side for quieter, greener stays.
Ideal trip length
- 2–3 days: ghats, Aarti, temples, and Sarnath.
- 4–5 days: add Ramnagar Fort and craft walks.
Must book ahead
- Dev Deepawali week hotels and boat slots.
- Kashi Vishwanath queue-free slots if available online.
- Trains to Varanasi during festival weekends.
Local tips
- Respect photography rules at cremation ghats-ask first.
- Remove shoes before temple inner sanctums.
- Bargain politely for boat and rickshaw fares.
Safety & common scams
- Avoid unofficial “priests” demanding large donations.
- Confirm boat route and duration before paying.
- Watch pockets in crowded Aarti crowds.
Connectivity & money
- 4G works in old city alleys; patchy in some lanes.
- UPI widely accepted; cash for boats and small vendors.
- ATMs near main ghats and Cantonment area.