Varanasi
Editorial destination overview. Seasons and visit lengths are planning suggestions; check current weather, closures, permits, transport and prices before booking. Photos illustrate the destination and may not show current conditions.
Visit Time
2-3 days
Best Time
October - March
State / Union Territory
Uttar Pradesh
About
Varanasi (also called Benares or Kashi) is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, dating back over 3,000 years. For Hindus, dying here means liberation from the cycle of rebirth. The city is famous for its 84 ghats (stepped embankments) along the River Ganga, where life and death rituals occur side by side. The evening Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is a mesmerizing ceremony of fire, chanting, and devotion.
Highlights
Sunrise boat ride along the ghats
Ganga Aarti ceremony at Dashashwamedh Ghat (6:45 PM)
Walk through the narrow lanes of the old city
Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Golden Temple)
Sarnath - where Buddha gave his first sermon (10 km)
Weather & Climate
Summer
April-June: 30-45°C, very hot and humid
Monsoon
July-September: 27-35°C, river levels rise, some ghats submerged
Winter
October-March: 5-25°C, misty mornings, pleasant days
How to Reach
Connections and journey times below are starting points for research, not live schedules. Confirm actual services for your dates with the operator.
By Air
Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (Babatpur) - 25 km from city center. Flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore.
By Rail
Varanasi Junction and Varanasi City stations. Well-connected to Delhi (12 hours), Kolkata (8 hours), and Mumbai.
By Road
NH2 connects to Lucknow (300 km) and Patna (252 km).
Traveler Tips
- 1Book a sunrise boat ride the evening before through your hotel
- 2Wear modest clothing - this is a sacred city
- 3Respectfully decline offers to see cremation ceremonies up close
- 4Ganga Aarti gets crowded - arrive by 5:30 PM for good spots
- 5Explore lanes on foot - vehicles can't enter the old city
- 6Try Banarasi paan and lassi near the ghats
Safety Notes
Important Safety Information
- •Don't accept unsolicited boat rides - negotiate before boarding
- •Be respectful at cremation ghats - no photos
- •Watch out for fake guides and self-proclaimed priests
- •Avoid silk shop touts - research shops beforehand
Book Tours & Activities
Skip the line, book in advance
Guided tours, skip-the-line tickets, and local experiences in Varanasi. Check the selected operator’s cancellation deadline, inclusions and refund terms before paying.
External booking services set their own prices and terms. JustArrived does not take bookings.
Check before booking
Confirm current entry fees, opening days, access permissions and booking conditions with the official attraction or tourism office. Foreign visitor fees can differ; do not rely on old price lists.
Official India tourism directory ↗Archaeological Survey of India: protected monuments ↗Add this destination to your planning shortlist →Nearby Places
- Sarnath (10 km)
- Ramnagar Fort (14 km)
- Chunar Fort (40 km)
Book Your Stay
External booking service; compare final prices and terms.