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Major city · India

Varanasiवाराणसी

Give Varanasi two nights for the Ganges ghats and a dawn boat ride, and book Sarnath as a half-day add-on; expect crowds, narrow lanes and strong sensory contrast, especially near the cremation ghats.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Varanasi is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in India and a major Hindu pilgrimage site on the Ganges. Life centres on the riverfront ghats, including cremation ghats. Nearby Sarnath is a key Buddhist site.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Best months
Oct–Mar (cooler, comfortable for early boat rides)
avoid Apr–Jun (very hot); Jul–Sep monsoon can flood the lower ghats
Airport
VNS
Nights
2
Rules in force · 6
  • South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
  • South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
  • India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
  • India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
  • India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
  • India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
What is in this basic guide5 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Varanasi, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 11 answers
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Ganges ghatsDawn boat rides past the ghatsEvening Ganga aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh GhatKashi Vishwanath TempleSarnath Buddhist siteBanarasi silk weaving in the old city lanes
Airports
VNS Lal Bahadur Shastri International (About 25 km (16 mi) from the ghats; taxi or app cab into the old city.)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

  2. Feb

    Best

  3. Mar

    Best

  4. Apr

    Avoid

  5. May

    Avoid

  6. Jun

    Avoid

  7. Jul

    Avoid

  8. Aug

    Avoid

  9. Sep

    Avoid

  10. Oct

    Best

  11. Nov

    Best

  12. Dec

    Best

Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Sep. Month by month →

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Varanasi: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

Walk the ghats and old lanes, since cars cannot enter most of them; use cycle-rickshaws or app cabs to reach other districts and Sarnath. Boats can be hired by the hour from any main ghat for the dawn and dusk rides.

Nearest full guides

Straight-line distance, not travel time

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Near Assi Ghat

Quieter southern ghats with cafes.

Old city near Dashashwamedh Ghat

Central, but lanes are narrow and noisy.

Bhadaini

Mid-range hotels on a quieter stretch of the riverfront.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Watch out

  • Photography is not welcome at the cremation ghats; follow local guidance and keep a respectful distance.
  • Hold-ups, touts and boat-price disputes are common: agree the price and duration before boarding.
  • River levels rise in the monsoon and change which ghats are usable.
  • Ghat steps are uneven and can be slippery near the water; take care after dark.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Varanasi. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Oct–Mar (cooler, comfortable for early boat rides) · avoid Apr–Jun (very hot); Jul–Sep monsoon can flood the lower ghats
  2. 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast
  4. 4 things to watch out for

Coming as the guide grows

  1. An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
  2. Walking clusters with bag rules
  3. Day plans checked against opening hours
  4. Field-verified times and fares

Meanwhile

Back to India

Sources