Disclaimer: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. See our Privacy Policy for details.
Varanasi Travel Tips: 10 Expert Insights for Your Visit
If you are planning your first trip to Varanasi, you may have heard mixed reactions. Some describe it as vibrant and lively, while others may warn of its chaotic nature- So should you visit Varanasi? Trust me, you should!
It is one of the oldest living cities in the world, is so charming that it’s my favourite place in India. Its charm blends with a bit of chaos, exciting experiences, stunning Ganges River scenery, delicious food, and bustling streets.
A lot happens at once here in Banaras (Varanasi’s other name, along with Kashi).
Having visited Varanasi thrice, we’re here with essential travel tips in our Varanasi travel blog to plan your Varanasi trip
It includes insights on how to get there and around, the best time to visit, what to pack and wear, dos and don’ts – basically we show you how to travel to Varanasi and get the best experience of it.
Why Visit Varanasi
You visit Varanasi to eat, pray, and love?I’m not talking about the movie.The food, spiritual atmosphere with holy temples along the River Ganges, and the spirited local life with a “happy-go-lucky” attitude make it more than worthwhile.
According to Hindu mythology, those cremated in Varanasi achieve Moksha, leading many travellers to believe people come here to die. I argue the opposite. You should visit Varanasi to learn the art of living. On the first day, you may be overwhelmed by the town’s bustling energy. By the second day, you’ll embrace it, becoming part of the lively atmosphere. The maze of old city alleys, lined with centuries-old Havelis and their colourful doors, adds vibrancy to the shaded walkways.
Three locals on a scooter, laughing and sharing conversations, zooming beside you in that alley, add life to it. The giant, pretty cows and bulls ambling remind you that the fastest way to get there is to take it slowly.
The Malai and Makhan sellers from that tiny shop invite you with “Har Har Mahadev,” and those milk products soothe your hungry stomach. Varanasi street food is perhaps the best in India! Banaras is truly the most special place in all of India.
What makes Banaras so special?
Three things make Banaras the most unique place in India: Firstly, celebrating death is more profound than mourning. Secondly, spirituality blends with Varanasi’s graffiti culture?travellers and locals paint the walls of this ancient town in ways you can’t imagine. Lastly, the bustling narrow lanes of Varanasi quiet down as they meet the serene Ganga ghats.
Boys wearing Shiva costumes, real Sadhus and fake Babas, tea sellers make the place liveliest once the sun is up. Then you see people taking puffs in those temple niches, and you smell Ganja?ghats are the place of life, holiness and intoxication.
The burning Ghat Manikarnika takes you to another world?a world full of wooden pyres beside a beautiful tilting temple and elegantly flowing river. The workers there handle the pyre as easily as I flip my dosa while cooking. This part of the world is raw, where you see workers collecting ashes and washing them in a steel wok to find remains of gold/silver from the burning dead body.
As evening descends, the Ganga Aarti illuminates why Kashi is called the city of lights. The mesmerizing rituals blend flowers, incense, smoke, and fire in a dance of devotion that captivates the soul. Ganga Aarti is so enchanting that we attended it three times. We would have attended it on all seven days of our trip if we had stayed near the ghat where it happens.
What is Varanasi famous for
Varanasi is known as a spiritual centre and the holiest place for Hindus in India. Besides that, Varanasi is also famous for its unique sarees, the “Banaras saree”, crafts like metal and wooden toys, thick glass bangles, carpet making which happens in a nearby village Bhadohi, street food like Malaiyo and various chaats, Banarasi paan, music, and yoga schools.
Personally, I love Banarasi sarees so much that I got a customised saree made and bought one for my wedding from a Banarasi weaver in Madanpura.
Varanasi is a famous filming locations too – Brad Pitt starrer “Curious case of Benjamin Button”, beautiful Hindi movie “Masaan” and many other movies have been filmed in Varanasi.
Best time to visit Varanasi
Weather-wise, October to the first week of March is the best time to visit Varanasi, with cooler temperatures. Beyond March, the town starts heating up and reaches its peak in June-July.
I’ve visited Varanasi in October, May, and December. Based on my experiences, December to February is the ideal time to visit. October can be crowded due to the Dasara holidays, leading to higher prices. November, during Diwali, is beautiful but expensive. December got cooler weather, fewer crowds, and better prices.
If you’re an experienced traveller who can handle crowds and wants to experience the real spectacle, visiting Varanasi during Mahashivratri (usually in the last week of March) is a great idea. Prices may be higher, but there’s no party quite like Shivratri in Varanasi.
How many days do you need in Varanasi?
You need a minimum of four full days in Varanasi to scratch the surface. A week is excellent for exploring beyond the famous things to do in Varanasi?irrespective of your religious views and nationality.
I spent 2 days on my first Banaras trip, then 3 days the next time. Ultimately, after spending 7 days in Varanasi , I felt I truly experienced it. So, a pro travel tip for Varanasi is to stay for a week here.
Check our post “Local Expert Guide to Planning Your First Trip to India” to know practical tips while planning a trip to INdia
How to reach Varanasi
You can reach Varanasi in three ways – By flights, trains and buses.
By Air: Varanasi’s international airport (VNS) is frequented by foreign tourists and revered by domestic Hindu pilgrims. It got direct flight connections to international destinations like Riyadh, Dubai, and Kathmandu, and excellent connections to domestic cities.
Flights from Bangkok, Tokyo, and London often connect through Delhi before reaching Varanasi.
The Varanasi Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport is about 30km from the city. Once you land, you can hop in an Uber to get to the centre of Varanasi like we did. It usually costs around ?700 to ?900.
By Train: India’s railways are perfect for those who want to save money and have the luxury of time while coming to Varanasi from other Indian places. The Benaras railway station is located outside the city. Use an auto-rickshaw or Uber to get to the city.
Before securing your train tickets, check out our detailed guide on Train Travel in India to select the appropriate class on Indian trains and ticket type.
By Bus: This should be your last choice unless you are within a 400km radius of Varanasi.
How do you get around in Varanasi?
The best way to explore Varanasi is on foot. Most attractions are within walking distance – about 2 to 3 km. If walking isn’t your thing, cycle rickshaws and auto-rickshaws are great options.
Renting a car in Varanasi is pointless because police often restrict vehicle access in many areas. If you’re in Old Varanasi, you’ll have to park your car away from the ghats and either walk or take a cycle rickshaw.
Renting a car in Banaras is pointless because police often restrict vehicle access in many areas. If you’re in Old Banaras, you’ll have to park your car away from the ghats and either walk or take a cycle rickshaw.
You can even boats to get from a ghat to Ghat – it works out faster and cheaper than cycle rickshaws. We took boat from Chousatti Ghat to Meer Ghat while shifting from one hotel to the other. Boat rides aren’t just for recreation – Many locals also use it for daily commute.
As a tourist, renting a bike isn’t the wisest choice here. There’s a saying, “If you can navigate a motorbike through the narrow alleys near the ghats of Kashi and live to tell the tale, the RTO (Regional Transport Office) will personally hand you your driving licence.” We both totally agree with this!
Cruising through the gullies of Varanasi is best left to the locals. Even though we are Indians and used to this kind of crazy traffic, we can’t imagine navigating a bike amidst Banarasi riders.
Varanasi trip budget
The cost of your trip depends on the type of accommodation you choose. Apart from that, most expenses are similar for all types of travellers. For a mid-range budget flashpacker, expect to spend around ?4500 for two people.
This includes staying at a budget guesthouse by the ghats, enjoying good food from local restaurants and street food, plenty of kullad chai, and cycle rickshaw charges to get around.
Varanasi Travel Costs Breakdown
- Hostel with bunk beds: ?800 to ?1000/night/person
- Double occupancy room in budget guest house: ?3000/night/couple
- Luxury palace hotel double occupancy rooms: ?25,000 to ?30,000/night/couple
- One meal at local restaurants or street food: ?60 to ?80
- One meal at cafes: ?250 to ?300
- Tea at Chai Tapri: ?20
- Cycle rickshaw charges for 1km: ?35 to ?50
- 1-day car rental with driver for day trips: ?2000 to ?3500, depending on the car
- Morning boat ride: Private boat tour costs ?800 to ?1500
Want to know where and how to find the best accommodations in Varanasi? Read our post “Best Places to Stay in Varanasi: Travel Blogger’s Top Picks“
What to Wear in Varanasi?
Comfort and respect are key when dressing for Varanasi. Varanasi is a spiritual hub with many temples and sacred sites. Modest clothing shows respect for local customs and traditions. When exploring Varanasi, you never know which religious place might attract you. Wear something that is below your knees. Choose tops that cover your shoulders, aren’t transparent, and don’t have a deep neck- Similar to what you would wear in other small towns of India.
Dress According to Weather:
- October to November: Temperatures range from 20 to 30°C. Dress lightly but modestly.
- December to February: Temperatures range from 9 to 20°C. A simple sweater or shrug will suffice.
- April to September: Brace yourself for heat and wear light cotton clothes.
You’ll be doing a lot of walking and sitting on the ground, so wear what suits you best.
What to wear in Varanasi for ladies?
Women travellers can wear leggings paired with tunics or kurtis, below knee-length skirts, capris with T-shirts, or harem pants with sleeved tops. You can make it as stylish as you want while keeping it modest. My favourite tip is to carry a scarf or shawl to layer anything that feels boring. Embrace artificial bead jewellery without hesitation.
Many foreigners love to buy and wear sarees and salwar kameez for the experience of it. It’s cool, and locals admire and appreciate when they see visitors in sarees. However, sarees aren’t mandatory for visitors in Varanasi. So, don’t feel pressured to wear Indian dresses exclusively while traveling in Varanasi.
What not to wear in Varanasi?
Although floor-length gowns with frills may look tempting for photographs at Varanasi ghats, I don’t recommend wearing them. You might have seen me flaunting such skirts in places like Chettinad mansion town, but I avoided them in Varanasi for a few reasons. The city involves a lot of walking and climbing steps. The stray cows and their dung are common on the streets. So, flowing gowns aren’t really suitable for Varanasi.
It’s important to avoid anything revealing not only out of respect but also to avoid unwanted attention from creeps. Short dresses are uncommon in many places in India, especially smaller towns where they can draw disapproval.
You can express your style freely, but try not to look unkempt. Free-spirited clothing is popular among foreign travellers in places like Hampi and Varanasi, but it doesn’t have to be sloppy.
Travel Tips for Carrying Luggage in Varanasi
Varanasi is all about walking?flights of steps and narrow alleys are your paths. So, rethink if you want to take a trolley suitcase! You have to drag it everywhere and carry it when you climb up! We made this mistake once and regretted it. So, it’s best to carry rucksacks and backpacks when you travel in Varanasi.
Travel tips to stay safe in Varanasi
Varanasi teems with people, so it’s crucial to be cautious when navigating the streets. Always keep an eye on your belongings, especially outdoors, to guard against pickpockets and chain snatchers. While you can carry your photography gadgets and phones, never leave them unattended.
Stay alert for common scams such as overpriced rickshaws, fake silk sales, phony fortune tellers ( You find plenty in Varanasi)And watch out for monkeys snatching your belongings, including sunglasses!
Common sams in Varanasi to avoid
Stay alert for common scams such as overpriced rickshaws, fake silk sales, phony fortune tellers, and deceptive rickshaw drivers who claim your booked hotel doesn’t exist. They might offer to take you to a supposedly better alternative.
Another notorious scam involves cycle rickshaw drivers. When you mention the name or address of your booked hotel, they might falsely claim, “The hotel room you have booked doesn’t exist anymore; I will show you a better one,” even though your hotel does exist. They often receive commissions from hotels for bringing in customers.
Another common rickshaw scam is promising to take you directly to your hotel’s doorstep. We fell victim to this ourselves. Hotels along the ghats often have narrow alleys accessible only by foot. Despite assurances, rickshaw drivers charging 100 Rs for 1 km may stop short, claiming the next alley is inaccessible after just 200 meters.
Is Varanasi safe for tourists at night
Varanasi streets can be safe for tourists at night if you take precautions. Petty thefts and occasional harassment have been reported in Varanasi.
The ghats are particularly surreal at night. One of my favorite memories from our week in Varanasi is sitting at the empty Munshi ghat. However, it’s essential to stay in well-lit, open areas near your accommodation. Avoid walking alone in alleys that aren’t popular among tourists after dark. Except for Old Banaras, I don’t recommend going out at night.
Consuming Bhang and Marijuana in Varanasi
The bhang culture is prevalent in Varanasi, with a lassi shop found every few kilometres. In the early mornings, we often smelled marijuana as we roamed around Varanasi. Many local priests and people smoke marijuana openly on the ghats, while Sadhus with ash-covered bodies smoke chillum pipes soulfully. The legality of intoxicating drugs in Varanasi exists in a grey area, neither fully legal nor illegal.
We’re against marijuana smoking regardless of the place. If you really want to try it, do so with caution and get it from a reliable source (though I have zero experience in finding such a source). Adulterated marijuana can even be deadly.
When it comes to drinking bhang, it’s a part of the local culture in Varanasi. Bhang is legal there and is typically consumed with lassi or thandai. If it’s your first time, take it slow after one drink before deciding to have another, as it can make you dizzy. Some famous places in Banaras to try bhang are Blue Lassi Shop and Pathak Ji’s Thandai Shop next to Narayan Mistan Bhandar in Thateri Bazar ( We tried here)
Essential Travel tips for first time visitors to Varanasi India
- You go to Varanasi to meet the crowd, not to avoid it. Be prepared to embrace the charming crowd.
- For foreign visitors, we suggest not making Varanasi your first stop in India. Start with a quieter city to acclimatize to the Indian buzz, then come to Varanasi.
- We strongly recommend you take a 3-week trip to India. There is plenty to see here, so Varanasi can be part of your itinerary spanning Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh.
- Varanasi’s street food is fantastic. Explore beyond cafes tailored for foreigners; ask locals for recommendations or join a guided food tour to savor authentic local delicacies.
- Varanasi’s cleaner than before, but it’s still on the road to being spotless.
- Taking a dip in the holy Ganges river is a must-do ritual for Hindu pilgrims, but it’s a personal choice. The water is cleaner now since no dead bodies are let into the river. However, it’s not completely clean yet. The Ganga originates from the Himalayas, and during floods, domestic animals like buffaloes and cows can get trapped and washed away, resulting in dead animals floating in the Ganga.
- Download offline maps before you wander; the alleys and ghats can be a maze with dodgy signals.
- Politely turn down persistent vendors; a firm no does the trick.
- The main Kashi Vishwanath temple and Hanuman temple do not permit mobile phones inside. Instead, you can use lockers available at shops near the temple gates for storing your phone and footwear.
- Don’t opt for any Varanasi tour packages. They rush you and take you around some lame places with no real value to experience.
- You can explore Varanasi by yourself-you really need not be accompanied with a guide 24/7
- To explore by yourself, start with a 2-hour food tour on the first day, followed by a boat ride and a heritage walk on the next day. These walking tours will give you a good understanding of Varanasi. Then, you can easily wander, sit, watch people, and spend as much time as you want in the places you like.
- If you hear bells jingling and people chanting “Ram Naam Satya Hai,” make way – it’s a funeral procession heading to Manikarnika or Harishchandra Ghat. Please refrain from taking pictures.
- Visit Manikarnika Ghat, but refrain from taking pictures of cremating bodies directly?it’s considered inhumane. Instead, capture the scenes of the burning ghat from a respectful distance during boat rides.
FAQ
As a foreign tourist what should I never do in Varanasi India
As a foreign traveller in Varanasi, don’t interrupt religious rituals at Assi ghats and Manikarnika ghats, never disrespect by touching religious symbols like Shiva Lingas and idols with your feet, and avoid treating every person as a photo opportunity.
Is it okay to visit Varanasi in July?
Unless it’s your only option, don’t visit Varanasi in July, even though the city is less crowded. The weather is hot and humid, with temperatures reaching 40°C and 50% humidity due to the monsoon season in India. This can affect outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Is alcohol allowed in Varanasi?
In hotels on the ghats and around temples, alcohol and meat are banned. However, you can find them in the cantonment area and other parts of Varanasi, except in the old Varanasi.
Is 2 days enough for Varanasi?
Spending two days in Varanasi should be your last option, as there are plenty of things to do. Consider a minimum of 4 days; a week in Varanasi is a good amount of time to explore the city more deeply.
Found our Varanasi travel tips useful? Let us know in the comment section below.
