A complete, honest guide to Varanasi, India — where to go, what to eat, how to get around and the day trips worth your time. India's holiest city — Ganges ghats, ancient temples & raw spi....
Varanasi is a highlight of South Asia, and Varanasi is one of the world's oldest living cities and Hinduism's holiest — a place of ghats, rituals and the sacred Ganges. Whether you have a long weekend or a full week, this guide helps you plan a trip that balances the must-sees with the moments that make a place stick.
Top things to do in Varanasi
These are the sights most first-time visitors build their trip around. Tap each one to add it to your shortlist — it saves as you browse.
Perfect 2–3 days in Varanasi
A simple, unhurried plan you can shape around your own pace.
The essentials
Hit the headline sights first — The Ghats and Ganga Aarti. Break for lunch and try kachori sabzi, then spend the evening soaking up the atmosphere of Old City ghats.
Go deeper
Go beyond the highlights: see Dawn boat ride and Kashi Vishwanath Temple, then explore Assi Ghat at a slower pace. Leave time to sit in a café, browse a market and eat where the locals do.
Beyond the city
With a third day, head out of town — Sarnath (where the Buddha gave his first sermon) is the easy favourite, or swap in Ramnagar Fort (across the river).
Ready to book? Turn your Varanasi shortlist into reality
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and day trips for the sights you've saved — booked through Viator (a Tripadvisor company). We may earn a commission.
Book Varanasi experiences →Varanasi on a budget — costs & money tips
Varanasi is very affordable by global standards. Here’s roughly what to budget, per person per day, by travel style — these are indicative estimates to plan around, not fixed prices, and they exclude international flights. Use the currency selector near the top of the page to convert.
dorms/hostels, street food, public transport, mostly free sights
private room or 3★ hotel, a mix of cafes and restaurants, a few paid attractions
4★ hotel, restaurants, taxis when handy, tours and tickets
What things cost in Varanasi
- Accommodation£8–£45 / night
- Food£6–£20 / day
- Local transport£2–£8 / day
- Typical attraction£3–£12 / entry
See how Varanasi compares with 126 other cities →
Saving money in Varanasi
- Street food and local markets are both the cheapest and often the best meals — eat where locals queue.
- Trains and shared local transport cost a fraction of taxis; agree fares before you ride where meters aren’t used.
- Many of the best experiences here are low-cost — temples, markets, walking the old quarters.
Estimates assume mid-2020s prices and a typical exchange rate; high season, festivals and last-minute booking push costs toward the upper end.
Local intelligence — Varanasi at a glance
A quick orientation for Varanasi. Sunrise and sunset are live for today; connectivity and nomad-friendliness are Wander360 estimates to set expectations, not precise scores.
Staying safe in Varanasi
Most visits are trouble-free. Use the same street sense you would in any busy city: keep an eye on belongings in crowds and on transport, use licensed taxis or a rideshare app, agree fares in advance where meters aren’t used, and be wary of unsolicited “help” at ATMs or stations. For up-to-date, authoritative guidance always check your own government’s travel advisory (UK FCDO · US State Dept) before you travel.
For getting around Varanasi specifically, see the Getting around section on this page.
Where to stay & neighbourhoods in Varanasi
Varanasi is really a collection of distinct districts, and where you base yourself shapes the whole trip. Here’s each main neighbourhood — what it’s like and who it suits:
Old City ghats
The labyrinthine sacred core.
Assi Ghat
A calmer southern ghat.
Around the Cantonment
Quieter, greener.
Once you’ve picked an area, you can book tours & tickets in Varanasi further down the page.
Food & drink in Varanasi
Northern street food and sweets — kachori sabzi, chaat, lassi and the famous Banarasi paan.
Build your Varanasi food list — tap the dishes you want to try:
Getting around Varanasi
The old-city lanes are car-free — explore on foot, and see the ghats by boat.
🚇 Public transport
Usually the fastest and cheapest way around Varanasi. Grab a rechargeable travel card or use contactless where supported, and download the local transit app for live times.
🚶 On foot
The centre of Varanasi is best explored on foot — it’s how you stumble on the small things. Wear comfortable shoes and keep a map app handy.
🚕 Taxis & rideshare
For late nights, luggage runs or awkward cross-town hops, ride-hailing apps are usually cheaper and clearer than flagging a cab. Confirm the car and plate before getting in.
✈️ From the airport
Check the official airport transfer options before you land — there’s almost always a train or express bus into Varanasi that beats a taxi on price.
Best time to visit Varanasi
October–March is cooler and more comfortable. Prices and crowds tend to follow the weather, so the shoulder seasons often give the best value.
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for visiting Varanasi.
Day trips from Varanasi
When you’re ready to venture beyond the city, these make for rewarding day trips:
- Sarnath — where the Buddha gave his first sermon
- Ramnagar Fort — across the river
Practical tips for Varanasi
🧭 Where to base yourself
For a first visit, Old City ghats is a smart base — the labyrinthine sacred core. If that’s not your style, Assi Ghat works well too (a calmer southern ghat).
🍽️ Eat like a local
Don’t leave Varanasi without trying kachori sabzi, chaat, lassi or Banarasi paan. Skip the obvious tourist spots and eat where you see locals queueing.
✨ Don’t miss
Make time for The Ghats and Ganga Aarti. With a spare day, Sarnath (where the Buddha gave his first sermon) is well worth the trip.
💰 Money & payments
Cards and contactless are widely accepted in Varanasi, but carry some local cash for markets, small cafés and tips. Tell your bank you’re travelling and check foreign-transaction fees.
📶 Staying connected
A local eSIM or SIM is cheap and makes maps, transport and translation effortless across Varanasi — set it up before you arrive or at the airport.
🛡️ Stay aware
Keep an eye on your belongings in crowds and on transport in Varanasi, as you would in any busy city, and keep a digital copy of your passport.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Varanasi?
Three to four days is enough for Varanasi’s highlights — the main sights plus time to wander Old City ghats — with an extra day for a trip to Sarnath if you can spare it.
What is the best time of year to visit Varanasi?
October–March is cooler and more comfortable.
What food is Varanasi known for?
Northern street food and sweets — kachori sabzi, chaat, lassi and the famous Banarasi paan.
Where should I stay in Varanasi?
Old City ghats is a great first-time base (the labyrinthine sacred core). Assi Ghat is another good option for a calmer southern ghat.
What are the best day trips from Varanasi?
Two rewarding day trips are Sarnath (where the Buddha gave his first sermon) and Ramnagar Fort (across the river).
How do you get around Varanasi?
The old-city lanes are car-free — explore on foot, and see the ghats by boat.
