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India
Things to do in Varanasi
6 activity ideas, with how long they take, an indicative price and the best time of day. Best time to visit: in February, March, October and November.
Things to do
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The ghats by boat at dawn
The sun rising over the Ganges, ablutions, prayers, and the whole city at the water’s edge. On Wikipedia
Culture and historyViewpoint2 hr≈ €8best in the morning
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The aarti ceremony
At Dashashwamedh Ghat, priests swirling fire before the river. On Wikipedia
Culture and historyShow1 hr 30 minFreebest in the evening
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Sarnath
The deer park where the Buddha preached for the first time, and the Dhamek Stupa. On Wikipedia
Culture and historyMonument3 hr≈ €3best in the afternoon
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Manikarnika Ghat
The cremation ghat, where pyres have burned day and night for centuries — visit with respect. On Wikipedia
Off the beaten trackMonument1 hrFreebest in the afternoon
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The lanes and a lassi
A maze where cows wander, and a lassi served in a clay cup. On Wikipedia
FoodMarket2 hr≈ €5best in the morning
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Ramnagar Fort
The palace of the Maharaja of Benares on the far bank, and its vintage cars. On Wikipedia
Culture and historyMuseum2 hr≈ €3best in the afternoon
When to go
The most pleasant months in Varanasi: in February, March, October and November, taking weather and crowds into account.
More ideas for those months: where to go in February, where to go in March, where to go in October, where to go in November.
Averages measured over recent years: mean temperatures and number of rainy days, month by month.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21 °C / 70 °F | 10 °C / 50 °F | 2 |
| February ideal | 27 °C / 81 °F | 14 °C / 57 °F | 2 |
| March ideal | 32 °C / 90 °F | 18 °C / 64 °F | 3 |
| April | 38 °C / 100 °F | 23 °C / 73 °F | 1 |
| May | 39 °C / 102 °F | 27 °C / 81 °F | 5 |
| June | 39 °C / 102 °F | 29 °C / 84 °F | 12 |
| July | 34 °C / 93 °F | 27 °C / 81 °F | 24 |
| August | 32 °C / 90 °F | 26 °C / 79 °F | 24 |
| September | 32 °C / 90 °F | 26 °C / 79 °F | 22 |
| October ideal | 31 °C / 88 °F | 22 °C / 72 °F | 7 |
| November ideal | 28 °C / 82 °F | 17 °C / 63 °F | 1 |
| December | 23 °C / 73 °F | 12 °C / 54 °F | 1 |
What budget on the ground?
Per person and per day, including accommodation, meals, local transport and visits — excluding the round trip. An estimate calculated the same way as in the app, from the local cost of living.
- Budget
- €20
- Mid-range
- €35
- Comfort
- €65
Getting there from Paris: the carbon footprint
Per person, round trip, in kilograms of CO₂ equivalent — manufacturing, energy and, for flights, contrails included.
- Plane
- 2.6 t
Factors from ADEME (Impact CO₂); outside France, rail uses the European average published by the European Environment Agency.
Book on the ground
Tours and tickets
- Go City Multi-attraction passes for big cities
- KKday Activities and tours, especially in Asia
- Klook Tours, tickets and excursions
- Tiqets Museums and monuments, skip-the-line tickets
- WeGoTrip Self-paced audio tours
Internet on site (eSIM)
- Airalo Data eSIM, by country or region
- Drimsim SIM card that works in almost every country
- Saily Data eSIM
- Yesim Data eSIM
From the airport
- GetTransfer Drivers make an offer for your ride
- Intui Private transfers at a fixed price
- Kiwitaxi Booked transfers, from taxi to minibus
- Welcome Pickups Driver waiting on arrival, price fixed in advance
Rent a car
- Auto Europe Rental comparison
- EconomyBookings Rental comparison
- GetRentacar Cars from rental companies and private owners
- Localrent Local rental companies, often no credit card needed
Partner links: if you book through them, Tripora may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you and without changing the order of these lists, which is alphabetical.
Good to know: India
- Plugs
- Type C, D, M, 230 V
- Emergencies
- 112
- Driving
- On the left
Near Varanasi
- Pokhara and the Annapurnas Nepal, 340 km
- Kathmandu Nepal, 350 km
- Agra and the Taj Mahal India, 540 km
- Darjeeling India, 560 km
- Delhi India, 680 km
- Rishikesh India, 700 km