How to Get to Varanasi
There are three ways to get from Delhi to Varanasi: flight, train, or bus. Your budget, preferred travel style, and available time will determine your choice. Flights are relatively cheap and very fast, but the advantage of taking a bus or train is the scenery and experience of a long-haul trip in India. Below is detailed information on each mode of transport:
By plane: The fastest way is to fly into Varanasi’s Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport from Delhi. There are daily direct flights with airlines like IndiGo, Vistara, Air India, and SpiceJet. The flight takes approximately 1 hour and 25 minutes.
By train: The train is another easy and preferred way to get to Varanasi from Delhi. The fastest train will take you there in 11 or 12 hours, but some journeys can take up to 18 hours. The duration depends on the train’s speed and the number of stops along the way. The long journey time is why many travelers choose the overnight train option. You can leave Delhi in the afternoon and reach Varanasi by sunrise. The fastest trains (approximately 12 to 13 hours) are the Swatantrta S Express, the Shiv Ganga Express, the New Delhi Guwahati Superfast Special, the Poorva Express, and the Rajdhani Express.
By bus: As with trains, there are day and night bus options. The typical journey time is approximately 13 to 14 hours. Uttar Pradesh State Road Transport Corporation, Safar Express Tour and Travel, R.S. Yadav Travels, Amar Travels, and Kn Nehra Travels are the most popular companies.
Varanasi is also easily accessible by air from Mumbai, Goa, Bangalore, Kathmandu and Khajuraho, making it a perfect stop on a Rajasthan tour with Khajuraho and Varanasi.
Best Time to Visit Varanasi
The winter months, from November to February, are the best time to visit Varanasi. Temperatures can be quite cool as Varanasi is located in northern India, but the weather during this period is more pleasant for sightseeing, exploring, and walking. Average daily temperatures range between 15 and 21°C (60 and 70°F). In the evening, temperatures often drop to between 7 and 13°C (40 and 50°F).
5 Things to Do in Varanasi
Varanasi is, above all, an emotional journey: discovering the famous ghats, sailing down the Ganges, or appreciating the simple beauty of the ancient riverside temples under the glare of the rising sun. While there are many ancient temples, forts, and special sites to see, a good portion of your time should be set aside to observe all the special rituals that take place daily in Varanasi. While it’s difficult to narrow down the number of things to do in Varanasi, the five points listed below are the must-see sites, events, and activities:
- Manikarnika Ghat
Ghats are large, flat steps built on the ground that descend directly into the Ganges. They are used by pilgrims to enter the water to wash away their sins, pray, and worship. Manikarnika Ghat is a little different. It is the main “burning ghat,” the most prosperous cremation site for Hindus. On these steps, the body is immersed in the Ganges before being burned with wood on the steps. Tourists are allowed to witness the ceremony, but respect is essential. Photography is strictly prohibited. You can watch the ceremonies from the tops of nearby buildings. You will likely be invited to these locations by “guides” who will ask for donations for the ceremony in exchange for taking you there.
Good to know: Varanasi is the holiest place to die for Hindus, as it is believed that dying and being cremated here frees one from the cycle of reincarnation. Some travel to Varanasi just to die in the holy city.
- Boat Ride on the Ganges
Get a different perspective on the famous ghats and book a boat ride on the Ganges, at sunrise or sunset. Watching people bathe and pray in the water as the sunlight illuminates the ghats and the city’s buildings is a magical experience and certainly one of the best things to do in Varanasi. It also offers a different perspective for photographers looking for the perfect shot.
Good to know: Traditional rowboats are available all along the river, and prices can be negotiated.
- Kashi Vishwanath Temple
As the holiest city in India, it’s safe to assume there are many temples here. They can be found on literally every corner, but the most spectacular is Kashi Vishwanath. Built in 1776 and dedicated to Lord Shiva, this temple pulls no punches. Aesthetically, the temple is breathtaking: the dome and tower are covered with 800 kilograms of gold. It is also one of the holiest (if not the holiest) Hindu temples in the world. Many saints have visited here, and pilgrims credit visiting this temple and bathing in the Ganges with the path to liberation.
Good to know: This temple is one of the twelve traditional Jyotirlinga temples in India, the most powerful and sacred place to worship Lord Shiva.
- Ganga Aarti Ceremony
This is a nighttime event organized by a group of young priests dressed in traditional attire on the banks of the Ganges River at Dashashwamedh Ghat. This ceremony demonstrates commitment and devotion to Lord Shiva. A huge crowd gathers around the ghat, lit by copper lamps, while mantras and chants fill the air at the beginning of the ceremony. Incense is burned, conch shells are blown, and loud music is played as the priests perform their rituals. It’s a truly unique way to experience this holy city, making Dashashwamedh Ghat one of the best places to visit in Varanasi.
Good to know: The aarti takes place every evening at 6:45 pm and lasts approximately 45 minutes. Take an evening boat ride to Dashwamedh Ghat for the best view of the aarti ceremony.
- Shopping in the markets and exploring the alleys
Lose yourself in the city, soak up the true culture, and witness daily life in its purest form. Leave the Manikarnika Ghat behind and wander wherever you please. You’ll find street food, boutiques, guesthouses, and restaurants, all crammed into the ancient, narrow streets. Don’t miss the main shopping districts of Vishwanath Lane, Thateri Bazaar, and Godowilia Market, all within a 20-minute walk of the famous ghat. These markets offer bags, ornate jewelry, shoes, clothes, silk sarees, bangles, fabrics, religious objects, trinkets, wooden carvings, copperware, and much more.
Good to know: Varanasi is famous for its beautifully colored Banarasi silk sarees. They can be worn wrapped around the waist like a skirt or around the bodice like a shoulder shawl. It is an authentic souvenir that is definitely worth buying in bazaars.
Where to Stay in Varanasi
The most popular place to stay and the best starting point for tours and experiences is near the Ganges River, close to the ghats. Specifically, the closer you stay to Dashashwamedh Ghat, the closer you’ll be to the action. If you’d like to get away from it all, but still be close to the Ganges and the ghats, consider heading 3 kilometers south to the Assi Ghat area.
HOG Hostel Varanasi
Located about 1 kilometer from Dashashwamedh Ghat, HOG is also less than 3 kilometers from our top 5 favorite attractions. Each dorm bed is equipped with a mini wall fan, several electrical outlets, and a bedside lamp. The beds are comfortable and offer a bit of privacy thanks to a sheer curtain that can be drawn whenever you like. Additionally, the hostel offers free breakfast, a coffee maker in every room, and free Wi-Fi. The winning factor? Nearly perfect reviews.
Diamond Hotel
This 3-star hotel is located halfway between Assi Ghat and Dashwamedh Ghat, making it a good choice for those who prefer not to be in the heart of the action, but also don’t want to travel far to reach their main attractions. Free Wi-Fi, airport pickup, and air conditioning in all rooms ensure guest comfort. Recent renovations have created spacious rooms and a modern ambiance. The hotel features a restaurant and a terrace garden.
Brijrama Palace – A Heritage Hotel
This 5-star mansion is not only ideally located 200 meters from Dashashwamedh Ghat, but is also perched atop its own ghat, offering spectacular views of the Ganges in all its glory. Built in the 18th century, the hotel boasts exquisite interiors and old-world charm. The rooftop dining room, which offers breathtaking views of the Ganges, is undoubtedly one of the hotel’s highlights. The level of service is exceptional, and despite the hotel’s centuries-old appearance, each room is equipped with modern amenities.
Good to know
Street vendors are very insistent in Varanasi. Make it clear from the start if you don’t want to accept their offers or requests for donations. If you let them follow you, they may become angry if you decide not to pay.
It is common to see locals smoking cannabis on the street as part of their religious rituals.
Cows are sacred animals in India, and there are literally thousands of them roaming the streets of Varanasi—be careful not to step in their excrement, which is found on the streets.
Always carry a business card with the address of your hostel/hotel. If you get lost in the winding alleys, you can ask someone for directions home later.
You will see corpses wrapped in cloth being carried along Varanasi’s main street toward the Burning Ghat. This may seem shocking at first, but remember that this is a sacred ritual.
Don’t hesitate to negotiate the price of purchases in bazaars or boat tours on the Ganges.
Cover your shoulders and legs. This is a matter of respect for culture and religion, but also for cleanliness.
It is recommended (even by the Indian government) not to bathe or enter the Ganges waters in Varanasi. It is polluted and full of diseases.
Hire a guide for a walking tour of a few hours. They will be able to shed light on the ceremonies, traditions, and activities you observe.
Although Varanasi is the most important holy city in India and absolutely magnificent in many ways, you should expect abundant pollution, filth, and dense crowds.
Get up at sunrise and explore the city before it gets crowded. It’s a magical time to take photos.
Varanasi is a city of contradictions. Varanasi’s culture and traditions are unmistakable, and what you see here will likely stay etched in your memory for the rest of your life. The sacred rituals, ancient temples, shopping in the bazaars, and cremation ceremonies are experiences that cannot be had anywhere else in the world. When it comes to things to do in Varanasi, don’t plan or overthink anything; keep an open mind as you wander around and let yourself be captivated by this truly enchanting city.
