Varanasi travel guide

Spiritual city on Ganges, known for temples and rituals

Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Benares, is one of the oldest living cities in the world and a sacred hub for Hindus. Located on the banks of the Ganges River, it is famed for its spiritual atmosphere, ancient temples, vibrant ghats, and mesmerizing Ganga Aarti. Pilgrims visit for rituals, peace, and cultural immersion.

Best time to visit Varanasi

Go Nov–Mar for cool, dry weather, with Dec–Jan fog the one drawback. Apr–Jun is very hot; Jul–Aug is wet and the Ganga rises.

Month	Verdict	Temperature	Rain	Crowds	What to expect
January	good	9–22 °C	15 mm	medium	Cold mornings; dense fog can delay trains and flights
February	best	12–27 °C	20 mm	medium	Cool and dry; clear mornings for boat rides
March	best	17–33 °C	10 mm	medium	Warm and dry; heat builds late in the month
April	mixed	22–39 °C	5 mm	low	Hot afternoons; do the ghats at dawn and dusk
May	avoid	26–40 °C	15 mm	low	Severe heat; do the ghats only at dawn and after dusk
June	avoid	28–38 °C	100 mm	low	Hot and humid; monsoon arrives late in the month
July	avoid	27–34 °C	270 mm	low	Heavy rain; the Ganga rises and lower ghats flood
August	avoid	26–33 °C	280 mm	low	Wet and humid; the river stays high
September	mixed	25–33 °C	220 mm	low	Humid with showers; river falling
October	good	21–32 °C	35 mm	high	Pleasant days; Ramnagar Ramlila and Dussehra crowds
November	best	14–29 °C	5 mm	high	Cool and clear; Dev Deepawali draws very large crowds
December	good	10–24 °C	5 mm	medium	Cold nights; dense fog can hide the river at dawn

How many days to spend in Varanasi

Two days cover Kashi Vishwanath, Dashashwamedh and Assi Ghat, a boat ride and Sarnath; a third adds Ramnagar Fort and Bharat Kala Bhavan.

How to reach Varanasi

• By air: Varanasi (VNS) — 25 km, about 25–40 min by road
• By train: Varanasi Junction (BSB) — 2 km, about 5–15 min by road. Banaras (BSBS) and Varanasi City are also used

Getting around

Many lanes near the ghats are too narrow for rickshaws or cars, so expect to walk. Use autos or cabs for Sarnath and Ramnagar, and boats to see the ghats from the river.

Food to try in Varanasi

• Benares dum aloo — Potatoes stuffed and cooked in a gravy with jaggery, fennel and chilli
• Banarasi paan — Famous across India; sweet and tobacco versions
• Malaiyo — Frothy milk dessert sold in the cooler months

Frequently asked questions

What is the best time to visit Varanasi?

Go Nov–Mar for cool, dry weather, with Dec–Jan fog the one drawback. Apr–Jun is very hot; Jul–Aug is wet and the Ganga rises.

How many days are enough for Varanasi?

2–3 days. Two days cover Kashi Vishwanath, Dashashwamedh and Assi Ghat, a boat ride and Sarnath; a third adds Ramnagar Fort and Bharat Kala Bhavan.

How do I reach Varanasi?

By air: Varanasi (VNS) — 25 km, about 25–40 min by road. By train: Varanasi Junction (BSB) — 2 km, about 5–15 min by road. Banaras (BSBS) and Varanasi City are also used.

Plan your Varanasi trip

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Guide checked on 2026-10-06.