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faq.title
faq.subtitle Varanasi
Yes, most nationalities need a visa. E-Visa available for 160+ countries via indianvisaonline.gov.in. Apply at least 4 days before travel.
Generally safe. Beware of illegal guides (lapkas), boat scams, and fake priests asking donations. Avoid dark alleys at night. Use apps for rickshaws.
November to February (15-25°C) is ideal. Avoid May-June (40°C+ heat) and July-September (monsoon floods). Winter mornings can be foggy.
Modest clothing covering shoulders and knees. Remove shoes at entrance. Some temples prohibit leather items. Kashi Vishwanath requires phone/bag deposit.
No, strictly forbidden at Manikarnika and Harishchandra Ghats. Respect grieving families. You can observe from a distance but keep cameras away.
No, drink only bottled water. Check seal is intact. Avoid ice in budget eateries. Brush teeth with bottled water too.
3-4 days ideal. Day 1: Ghats walk and evening Aarti. Day 2: Sunrise boat ride and temples. Day 3: Sarnath day trip. Day 4: Shopping and local food tour.
Travel Tips
Useful tips for visiting Varanasi
Use Ola or Uber app to check fair rickshaw prices before negotiating with street drivers. Show them the app price as reference.
Bring a backpack instead of rolling suitcase. Old city alleys are narrow, uneven, stepped, and blocked by cows and vendors.
Do not pay people asking donations for cremation wood for poor at Manikarnika Ghat. This is a common scam. Real charitable work is organized differently.
Close all windows and doors when leaving your room. Varanasi monkeys are notorious thieves and will enter rooms to steal belongings.
Carry only about ₹2000 cash. ATMs are easily available. Do not wear expensive jewelry. Leave valuables in hotel safe.
Negotiate boat price before boarding. Clarify if price is per boat or per person. Get clear verbal agreement. Avoid touts at main ghats.
Evening Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat starts at 7 PM. Arrive 30-45 min early for good spot. Best view from boat on river.
Sunrise boat ride is a must. Book for around 5:30 AM in winter, 5:00 AM in summer. Watch pilgrims bathing in the Ganges and morning prayers.
Get Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccinations before travel. Bring diarrhea medicine. Avoid uncooked food and ice from unknown sources.
Book early if traveling during Diwali, Holi, or Maha Shivaratri festivals. Prices increase 2-3x and city gets very crowded.
Weather
Average temperature by month
Now
14°
14°80%4 м/с
Today
24°11°
24°11°Tomorrow24°11°
24°11°Fri25°11°
25°11°Sat24°14°
24°14°Sun22°11°
22°11°Mon21°7°
21°7°Tue
23°7°
23°7°23°
9°Jan
27°
13°Feb
33°
17°Mar
39°
23°Apr
41°
26°May
38°
28°Jun
34°
27°Jul
33°
27°Aug
33°
26°Sep
32°
21°Oct
29°
15°Nov
24°
11°Dec
location.transport.title
location.transport.subtitle
location.transport.bike
80 ₹~0.88 $
Cycle-rickshaws for short distances in old city. ₹50-150. Good for narrow ghat lanes.
location.transport.taxi
150 ₹~1.6 $
Ola, Uber
Use apps only. From airport ₹700-1500. Cars cannot enter narrow ghat lanes - walk last 300m.
location.transport.bus
15 ₹~0.16 $
City buses available but crowded. ₹10-30. Not recommended for tourists, use auto-rickshaws.
location.transport.ferry
200 ₹~2.2 $
Boat rides on Ganges. Shared ₹100-300, private ₹700-1200. Sunrise and evening Aarti trips popular.
| location.transport.title | location.transport.price | location.transport.app | location.transport.note |
|---|---|---|---|
location.transport.bike | 80 ₹ ~0.88 $ | — | Cycle-rickshaws for short distances in old city. ₹50-150. Good for narrow ghat lanes. |
location.transport.taxi | 150 ₹ ~1.6 $ | Ola, Uber | Use apps only. From airport ₹700-1500. Cars cannot enter narrow ghat lanes - walk last 300m. |
location.transport.bus | 15 ₹ ~0.16 $ | — | City buses available but crowded. ₹10-30. Not recommended for tourists, use auto-rickshaws. |
location.transport.ferry | 200 ₹ ~2.2 $ | — | Boat rides on Ganges. Shared ₹100-300, private ₹700-1200. Sunrise and evening Aarti trips popular. |
Daily Budget
Prices
Cost of food, accommodation and services
Cafes & Restaurants
Lunch
200 - 350 ₹
~275 $
Restaurant dinner
600 - 1,000 ₹
~800 $
Breakfast
150 - 250 ₹
~200 $
Street Food
Local dish
50 - 100 ₹
~75.0 $
Drinks
Coffee
80 - 150 ₹
~115 $
Beer in bar
200 - 350 ₹
~275 $
Local beer
100 - 150 ₹
~125 $
Imported beer
250 - 400 ₹
~325 $
Wine bottle
800 - 1,500 ₹
~1,150 $
Fast Food
Big Mac
250 - 300 ₹
~275 $
Groceries
Water 1.5L
20 - 30 ₹
~25.0 $
Cigarettes
150 - 250 ₹
~200 $
Weekly groceries
2,000 - 3,000 ₹
~2,500 $
Prices are approximate and may vary by season and area.
Accommodation
Hotels and rental prices
Hostel dorm
400 - 600 ₹ / night
~500 $
Hostel private room
800 - 1,200 ₹ / night
~1,000 $
Guesthouse
1,000 - 2,500 ₹ / night
~1,750 $
Hotel 2★
1,200 - 1,800 ₹ / night
~1,500 $
Hotel 3★
2,500 - 3,500 ₹ / night
~3,000 $
Hotel 4★
4,500 - 6,000 ₹ / night
~5,250 $
Hotel 5★
8,000 - 15,000 ₹ / night
~11,500 $
Boutique hotel
5,000 - 8,000 ₹ / night
~6,500 $
Prices are approximate. Book in advance during high season.
location.payment.title
location.payment.subtitle
location.payment.accepted_cards
VisaMastercard
location.payment.contactless_available
location.payment.atms
common
location.payment.mobile_payments
UPIGoogle PayPhonePePaytm
location.payment.cash
Cash essential for rickshaws, street food, boats, and markets. Cards accepted only in hotels and larger restaurants. Carry ₹2000-5000 daily.
location.payment.currency_exchange
Indian Rupee (INR). Use HDFC/ICICI/SBI ATMs. Withdrawal limit ₹10000-20000 per transaction. Fee ₹200-300 for international cards.
location.payment.tipping
10%
10% appreciated in restaurants, not mandatory. Give ₹50-100 to boatmen and guides for good service. Round up for rickshaws.