Best Hotels in Varanasi for Every Budget — 49 Real Picks From £8 (2026)

Varanasi's hotels run from about £8 a night for a real, bookable budget room to roughly £249 at the BrijRama Palace on the Ganges — one of the widest price ranges of any city in India, because Varanasi draws everyone from backpackers living in £8 lane-side guesthouses to travellers taking a restored riverside palace with the river below the window. This guide covers 49 verified Varanasi hotels: 4 luxury, 3 mid-range and 42 budget properties, each with its live from-price and a direct link to today's rate. Varanasi — also known as Kashi and Banaras — is one of Hinduism's holiest cities and a working cremation city on the banks of the Ganges, and we cover it plainly and respectfully throughout, because knowing what this place is matters more here than at any beach resort.

Jump to your budget: Best-rated hotels · Budget stays from £8 · FAQs

Scout's 3 picks: 🏛️ BrijRama Palace, Varanasi - By the Ganges — from ~£249, the top of this guide and the most atmospheric riverside palace in the city, right on the ghats. ⭐ Gypsy Diaries Varanasi — from ~£18, the most reviewed budget stay here with 988 reviews behind it. 💷 Lotus Paying Guest house — from ~£8, the cheapest real room in the guide. From-prices are live rates pulled while writing — tap any hotel for today's price on your dates.

Prices here are quoted in pounds as a rough conversion only; hotels charge in Indian Rupees (INR), so the exact sterling figure moves with the exchange rate. UK passport holders need an Indian e-Visa applied for online in advance — it is not issued on arrival, so start it well before you fly. Before booking, read the current UK Foreign Office travel advice for India for entry rules and safety guidance, and the official Incredible India tourism site for festival dates and opening times. India drives on the left, like the UK — though you will not want to drive yourself here: the old city's lanes are closed to cars, and app cabs, autorickshaws and boats cover everything.

Plan the journey honestly: there are no direct flights from the UK to Varanasi. You connect either through Delhi or Mumbai and take a domestic hop to Varanasi (VNS), or through a Gulf hub such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Doha before an onward Indian domestic flight — allow a full travel day either way. On weather, October to March is the comfortable season, with November bringing the spectacular Dev Deepawali festival; April to June is fiercely hot; and July to September is the monsoon, when the Ganges rises and floods the lower ghats.

Compare live Varanasi hotel prices or search UK flights to Varanasi (VNS).

The Best-Rated Hotels in Varanasi

Seven hotels between roughly £52 and £249 — the four five-stars at the top, from the palace on the ghats to the reliable international brands in the Cantonment, then three well-reviewed four-stars covering a riverside haveli, a Sarnath retreat and a comfortable city hotel. Varanasi's smarter tier is smaller than you might expect for a city of this fame, and it splits neatly between atmospheric riverside heritage and practical modern comfort inland. From-prices are live rates pulled while writing.

1. Doubletree By Hilton Varanasi — Varanasi · 5★ · 773 reviews · from ~£123/night. The most reviewed hotel in this guide with 773 reviews, and the reliable international-brand choice — a full-service five-star in the Cantonment, a short drive from the ghats and handy for the airport and railway station. Expect a pool, proper air conditioning, a gym and the consistent standards the Hilton name implies, which counts for a lot in a city as intense as Varanasi. Choose it if you want a calm, comfortable base to retreat to after the crowds, and are happy to travel in to the river.

2. Hotel Madin — Varanasi · 5★ · 409 reviews · from ~£74/night. A five-star at around £74 with 409 reviews — remarkable value for the rating, and one of the cheaper five-star rooms in the whole guide. It is a modern city hotel rather than a heritage riverside property, so expect contemporary rooms and facilities over old-Banaras character. A strong pick if you want five-star comfort and air conditioning without the palace price tag.

3. Hotel Clarks Varanasi Limited — Varanasi · 5★ · 293 reviews · from ~£93/night. One of Varanasi's long-established five-stars, on The Mall in the Cantonment with 293 reviews at around £93. Clarks is a heritage Indian hotel group and this is a grand, old-school property with gardens, a pool and a formal feel rather than a boutique one. Comfortable and dependable, and well placed for the station and airport if less so for walking to the river.

4. BrijRama Palace, Varanasi - By the Ganges — Varanasi · 5★ · 84 reviews · from ~£249/night. The most expensive and most spectacular hotel in this guide by a distance, a beautifully restored 18th-century palace set directly on Darbhanga Ghat, right on the river. You arrive by boat, wake to the Ganges below your window and step out onto the ghats themselves — there is no more atmospheric address in Varanasi. With only 84 reviews it is an exclusive, expensive experience; book it for the location and the history rather than resort facilities.

5. The Fern Residency Sarnath — Varanasi · 4★ · 435 reviews · from ~£52/night. A well-reviewed four-star out at Sarnath, the Buddhist pilgrimage site about 10 km from the ghats, with 435 reviews at around £52 — the most reviewed hotel in the mid tier. The Fern is an established eco-conscious Indian chain, so expect reliable modern rooms and service. Choose it if Sarnath's calm and Buddhist heritage appeal more than being on the riverfront, and you do not mind a short drive into the old city.

6. Amritara Suryauday Haveli — Varanasi · 4★ · 254 reviews · from ~£113/night. A heritage haveli hotel right on Shivala Ghat at the quieter southern end of the riverfront, with 254 reviews at around £113. This is the boutique riverside experience just below palace prices — restored rooms, a ghat-side terrace and the river on your doorstep, near Assi rather than in the crush at Dashashwamedh. The pick for atmosphere and a Ganges position without BrijRama's rate.

7. Hotel Meraden Grand — Varanasi · 4★ · 111 reviews · from ~£55/night. A comfortable four-star in the city at around £55 with 111 reviews — a modern, full-service hotel rather than a heritage one, with the practicality of being away from the vehicle-free lanes. It sits in the more accessible part of town, so cars can reach the door, which matters if you are arriving with luggage. A sensible mid-range base for travellers who value convenience over a riverside view.

From-prices were pulled on live searches while writing and will move with your dates and the exchange rate. See all Varanasi stays or search flights to VNS.

Cheap Hotels in Varanasi — 49 Real, Bookable Options From £8

This is where most people actually stay. Forty-two budget properties starting at £8 a night, concentrated in the old-city lanes near the ghats and around Assi Ghat at the calmer southern end, with a scattering of modern budget hotels in Sigra and the more accessible districts. Varanasi has a deep supply of cheap guesthouses, homestays and paying-guest houses, and several of the properties below have hundreds of reviews. Standards vary a lot, so read the most recent reviews on the live page. From-prices are live rates pulled while writing.

8. Lotus Paying Guest house — Varanasi · 48 reviews · from ~£8/night. The cheapest room in the entire guide at around £8, with 48 reviews behind it — a simple paying-guest house of the kind that fills the old-city lanes near the ghats. Expect a plain, clean private room with the basics and a local host, not a hotel with a front desk. Remarkable value if all you need is a bed within walking distance of the river.

9. Radha Krishna Home — Varanasi · 282 reviews · from ~£9/night. Nine pounds with 282 reviews makes this one of the best-tested cheap stays in Varanasi — a genuine known quantity rather than a gamble at the price. A small, family-run guesthouse in the old-city lanes, plain but welcoming, with hosts who will help you arrange boats and directions. One of the strongest budget bookings in the guide.

10. Stay Inn Heritage — Varanasi · 101 reviews · from ~£9/night. A heritage-style guesthouse at around £9 with 101 reviews, in the warren of lanes near the river. Rooms are simple and the heritage is in the old building rather than the fittings, but the price and the position close to the ghats are the point. Read the recent reviews for the current state of the rooms and the Wi-Fi.

11. Smriti Homestay — Varanasi · 9 reviews · from ~£10/night. A family homestay at around £10 with a small handful of reviews so far, which means a room in a local home rather than a hotel — company, home cooking and help finding your feet in a confusing city. The nine-review sample is thin, so read what recent guests say, but the format is ideal for a first stay in Varanasi.

12. Shri Guest House — Varanasi · 21 reviews · from ~£12/night. A plain guesthouse at around £12 with 21 reviews, the sort of simple, cheap room the old city is full of. No frills and a modest review count, but the rate is fair and the downside limited at this price. Check its position on the map for how far it sits from the ghat you want to be near.

13. Ganga Guest House — Varanasi · 201 reviews · from ~£12/night. Two hundred and one reviews at £12 makes this one of the best-tested budget guesthouses in the guide, and the name points at a position near the river. Expect a basic private room in the lanes, with the ghats a short walk away. A dependable, sociable cheap choice for travellers who want to be in the thick of old Banaras.

14. Khushi Paying Guest House — Varanasi · 55 reviews · from ~£12/night. A paying-guest house at around £12 with 55 reviews — a simple room with a local family, close to the river lanes. Guesthouses at this price are plain and vary from room to room, so read the recent reviews, but the price and the position are hard to beat. Good for solo travellers and couples on a tight budget.

15. Feel Aesthetic Kashi Home Stay — Varanasi · 20 reviews · from ~£13/night. A homestay in Kashi — the old sacred core of the city — at around £13 with 20 reviews. The aesthetic in the name suggests owners who have put some thought into the rooms, which is not always the case at this price. The review sample is small, so check the live page, but it is a cheap, characterful base near the ghats.

16. Kashi Annapurna Guest House — Varanasi · 139 reviews · from ~£14/night. A well-reviewed old-city guesthouse at around £14 with 139 reviews, named for the goddess Annapurna whose famous temple sits nearby. That review base makes it a safe cheap booking, and the location puts you among the lanes and temples of the old city. Plain rooms, fair price, dependable track record.

17. Hotel Yash Residency Assi Ghat & Bhu — Varanasi · 2★ · 70 reviews · from ~£15/night. A two-star at around £15 with 70 reviews, positioned for Assi Ghat and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) at the calmer southern end of the riverfront. Assi is the traveller-friendly ghat — quieter mornings, cafés and an easier introduction to the city than the central crush. A solid budget hotel with a proper reception rather than a homestay feel.

18. goSTOPS Lite Varanasi — Varanasi · 2★ · 245 reviews · from ~£15/night. goSTOPS is one of India's better hostel chains, and this "Lite" branch brings its clean, sociable dorm-and-private format to Varanasi at around £15 with 245 reviews. This is where solo travellers find others to split a boat or a Sarnath trip with, which is worth real money. One of the safest cheap bookings in the guide for backpackers.

19. Happy Homes — Varanasi · 11 reviews · from ~£15/night. A small homestay at around £15 with 11 reviews so far, so a relatively untested but promising cheap option. The homestay format means a room in a family home with local help on tap, which softens the intensity of a first Varanasi visit. Read the recent feedback and check the map before booking.

20. Sri Yoga Mandir — Varanasi · 77 reviews · from ~£15/night. A guesthouse with a yoga leaning at around £15 with 77 reviews — Varanasi has a quiet yoga-and-meditation scene alongside the pilgrimage, and places like this cater to longer-staying travellers. Simple rooms at a fair price, near the river. Check whether classes are actually running on your dates if that is why you are booking it.

21. Vatika Homestay — Varanasi · 48 reviews · from ~£17/night. A homestay at around £17 with 48 reviews, a rung up from the very cheapest rooms for a bit more comfort. Vatika means garden, and homestays like this trade on a calmer, greener feel than a lane-side guesthouse. A pleasant, personal base for travellers who would rather have hosts than a front desk.

22. Gypsy Diaries Varanasi — Varanasi · 988 reviews · from ~£18/night. The most reviewed budget property in the guide by a wide margin, with 988 reviews at around £18 — a backpacker fixture and a very safe cheap booking. Expect a sociable hostel-style stay with a travellers' crowd, dorms and private rooms, and staff used to helping first-timers navigate the city. If you want the most-tested cheap bed in Varanasi, this is it.

23. Hotel Prabhat — Varanasi · 64 reviews · from ~£19/night. A simple budget hotel at around £19 with 64 reviews — a private room with a reception and a door of your own, rather than a homestay or a dorm. Plain and functional, well enough tested for the price, and a sensible pick for couples who want a bit of privacy on a tight budget. Check the map for the walk to your nearest ghat.

24. Hotel Central Residency — Varanasi · 2★ · 84 reviews · from ~£22/night. A two-star at around £22 with 84 reviews, offering proper hotel rooms with air conditioning and service at a budget price. The name points at a practical, central location for getting around the city. A dependable step up from the guesthouses if you want a bit more comfort without leaving the budget tier.

25. Hotel Alka — Varanasi · 3★ · 529 reviews · from ~£23/night. One of Varanasi's best-known riverside budget hotels, on the ghats with 529 reviews at around £23 — an exceptional review base for the price. Its terrace over the river and its position among the central ghats make it a long-standing traveller favourite. Rooms are simple and vary, so read recent reviews and ask for a river-facing one; the location is the draw.

26. THE TRIUMPH Hotel — Varanasi · 3★ · 28 reviews · from ~£24/night. A three-star at around £24 with 28 reviews — a modern budget hotel with the basics done properly rather than a heritage property. The review count is modest, so check the recent ones, but the price is right for a comfortable air-conditioned room. A reasonable fallback when the better-reviewed options at this money are full.

27. Hotel Mrk — Varanasi · 3★ · 23 reviews · from ~£25/night. A three-star at around £25 with 23 reviews, a plain, functional city hotel at a fair budget rate. The sample is small, so read the live page carefully, but the downside is limited at this price. Fine for a night or two if the more established names are sold out on your dates.

28. Hotel Abhinav International — Varanasi · 3★ · 49 reviews · from ~£27/night. A three-star at around £27 with 49 reviews — a conventional budget hotel with reception, room service and air conditioning, handy for travellers who want a private room away from the lanes. Nothing distinguishing on paper, but a solid, comfortable mid-budget choice. Check its location against how close you want to be to the river.

29. Hotel Buddha Castle — Varanasi · 3★ · 161 reviews · from ~£28/night. A three-star at around £28 with 161 reviews, a well-tested budget hotel with a decent track record. The Buddhist name nods to nearby Sarnath, and the property makes an easy base for combining the ghats with a Sarnath trip. Comfortable and reliable for the price.

30. Hotel Tridev Grand — Varanasi · 3★ · 87 reviews · from ~£28/night. A three-star at around £28 with 87 reviews — a straightforward, full-service budget hotel with air conditioning and a restaurant. Dependable rather than characterful, and a fair price for a comfortable room. A good all-rounder in the middle of the budget tier.

31. Hotel Heritage Inn at Assi Ghat — Varanasi · 3★ · 176 reviews · from ~£28/night. A three-star at Assi Ghat with 176 reviews at around £28, well placed at the calmer southern end of the riverfront where the traveller cafés and the gentler morning aarti are. A well-tested budget hotel with a proper reception, close to the water. One of the better value picks if you want to be at Assi.

32. Hotel Ozas Grand — Varanasi · 3★ · 23 reviews · from ~£29/night. A three-star at around £29 with 23 reviews — a modern budget hotel with the usual comforts, in the more accessible part of the city. The review count is modest, so read the recent feedback, but the rate is fair for an air-conditioned room with service. Reasonable fallback at this price.

33. Hotel Varuna — Varanasi · 3★ · 20 reviews · from ~£30/night. A three-star at around £30 with 20 reviews, named for the Varuna river that gives Varanasi half its name. A plain, functional city hotel at a fair rate; the small review count means checking the live page before booking. Fine for a comfortable budget room when the better-known options are full.

34. Hotel Ananda Kashi — Varanasi · 3★ · 85 reviews · from ~£31/night. A three-star at around £31 with 85 reviews, a comfortable budget hotel in the old sacred quarter of Kashi. Air-conditioned rooms and service at a good price, near the temples and lanes of the old city. A dependable middle-of-the-tier choice.

35. Hotel Banaras Haveli — Varanasi · 3★ · 245 reviews · from ~£31/night. A haveli-style three-star at around £31 with a strong 245 reviews — one of the better-tested budget hotels in the guide. The heritage styling gives it more character than the standard city hotels at this price. Good value for a comfortable room with a bit of old-Banaras atmosphere.

36. Hotel Sri Balaji — Varanasi · 3★ · 194 reviews · from ~£32/night. A three-star at around £32 with 194 reviews, a well-reviewed, full-service budget hotel with reliable air conditioning and staff used to foreign guests. The deep review base makes it a safe booking at the price. A solid, comfortable choice in the middle of the budget tier.

37. Hotel Sita — Varanasi · 3★ · 81 reviews · from ~£33/night. A three-star at around £33 with 81 reviews, a straightforward budget hotel with the basics done well. Comfortable air-conditioned rooms at a fair rate, and a decent track record. Fine for a couple of nights while you explore the ghats.

38. Stay Banaras - A Boutique Hotel in Sigra — Varanasi · 3★ · 324 reviews · from ~£34/night. A boutique three-star in Sigra with 324 reviews at around £34 — Sigra is a modern, central district that is easier for cars and quieter at night than the old city. The strong review base and the boutique styling make this good value. A smart pick if you want a stylish room and vehicle access over a riverside position.

39. Alokah Kashi — Varanasi · 3★ · 86 reviews · from ~£34/night. A three-star at around £34 with 86 reviews, in the old Kashi quarter near the temples and lanes. A comfortable, modern budget hotel with air conditioning and service, well placed for exploring the old city on foot. A reasonable mid-tier option.

40. Hotel Temple On Ganges — Varanasi · 3★ · 481 reviews · from ~£34/night. A riverside three-star with 481 reviews at around £34 — one of the most reviewed budget hotels in the guide, and the name tells you it is close to both a temple and the river. Being on the Ganges is worth paying for in Varanasi, and at this price with this track record it is strong value. Ask for a river-facing room on the live page.

41. Coco Cabana — Varanasi · 3★ · 526 reviews · from ~£37/night. A three-star with 526 reviews at around £37 — a very deep review base for the price, pointing to a well-run, popular budget hotel. Comfortable modern rooms and reliable service, a step up from the guesthouses without a big jump in price. One of the safest bookings towards the top of the budget tier.

42. PRIME LAND — Varanasi · 3★ · 99 reviews · from ~£43/night. A three-star at around £43 with 99 reviews, a comfortable modern hotel with full facilities in the more accessible part of the city. At this price you are getting proper air conditioning, service and space rather than a basic room. A dependable choice for travellers who want comfort and car access.

43. Hotel Ganges Grand — Varanasi · 3★ · 21 reviews · from ~£44/night. A three-star at around £44 with 21 reviews, a full-service city hotel towards the top of the budget tier. The review count is modest, so read the recent ones, but at this price you should expect a comfortable air-conditioned room with proper service. Compare it against the better-reviewed options at similar money before booking.

44. Pearl Courtyard — Varanasi · 3★ · 89 reviews · from ~£44/night. A three-star at around £44 with 89 reviews, a comfortable modern hotel with a courtyard and full facilities. A quieter, more polished stay than the lane-side guesthouses, suited to travellers who want a bit of calm at the end of a busy day. Good value near the top of the budget range.

45. HOTEL RIO BENARAS — Varanasi · 3★ · 29 reviews · from ~£46/night. A three-star at around £46 with 29 reviews, using the old name Benares for the city. A modern, comfortable budget-plus hotel with air conditioning and service; the review sample is small, so check the live page. Reasonable for a comfortable room if the better-tested options are full on your dates.

46. Diamond Hotel — Varanasi · 3★ · 105 reviews · from ~£49/night. A three-star at around £49 with 105 reviews, a well-tested, full-service hotel at the top of the budget tier where rooms start to feel properly comfortable — reliable air conditioning, a restaurant and a travel desk. Good for travellers who want a dependable base without paying mid-range prices. A solid all-rounder.

47. Palace on Ganges — Varanasi · 3★ · 37 reviews · from ~£74/night. A heritage-styled riverside three-star at around £74 with 37 reviews, each room themed around a different Indian region. Being directly on the Ganges is the draw, and the palace styling gives it character the standard hotels lack. At this price weigh it against the mid-tier havelis, but for a riverfront room with atmosphere it is worth a look.

48. Vijaigarh Kothi - Heritage boutique — Varanasi · 3★ · 90 reviews · from ~£84/night. A heritage boutique kothi (mansion) at around £84 with 90 reviews — a restored old residence rather than a conventional hotel, trading on character, courtyards and a personal scale. At this rate you are into mid-range money, so book it for the heritage atmosphere rather than facilities. A distinctive choice for travellers who value old-Banaras charm.

49. The India Benares — Varanasi · 3★ · 20 reviews · from ~£109/night. The most expensive property in the budget section at around £109 with 20 reviews — a boutique three-star that sits at the very top of this tier, in mid-range territory on price. The small review count means checking the live page carefully, but it positions itself as a stylish, characterful stay. At this rate, compare it directly against the mid-tier havelis and the Fern at Sarnath before committing.

From-prices were pulled on live searches while writing and will move with your dates and the exchange rate. Budget standards vary widely in Varanasi — always read the most recent reviews on the live page. See all Varanasi stays or search flights to VNS.## Varanasi is a holy city and a working cremation city — read this before you book

Varanasi — also called Kashi and Banaras — is one of the oldest continuously lived-in cities on earth and one of the holiest places in Hinduism. It is also a working cremation city: many Hindus travel here to die, believing that being cremated on these ghats and having their ashes given to the Ganges brings moksha, release from the cycle of rebirth. That means the riverfront you have come to see is, at Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats, a place where funerals take place around the clock. Approach it with that in mind and the city makes sense; approach it as a spectacle and you will cause offence.

The single most important rule: do not photograph or film the cremations, the pyres or the mourning families, and keep a respectful distance. Anyone who offers to take you to a "viewing point" or a "photo spot" for a fee should be politely declined, as should requests for donations "for the wood" — genuine charity is better given through a recognised organisation. Watch quietly from a distance if you wish, or from a boat on the river, and let the families grieve in peace. These are the most sacred moments in many people's lives, not content for a phone.

Beyond the cremation ghats, the same spirit of respect applies everywhere. This is an active place of worship for millions. Dress modestly, remove your shoes at temples, do not touch offerings or shrines, and ask before photographing individuals at prayer. Alcohol is available in Varanasi — unlike the dry cities of Rishikesh and Haridwar — but it has no place at the ghats or near the temples, and Varanasi is emphatically not a party destination. Food near the temples and along the ghats is largely vegetarian, often cooked without onion or garlic in the strictest kitchens, though meat is available in other parts of the city.

What to See and Do in Varanasi

The ghats are the reason to come — around 80 stone stairways running for several kilometres along the west bank of the Ganges. Start early: a sunrise boat ride is the quintessential Varanasi experience, the low light turning the steps gold as the city bathes, prays and washes at the water's edge. Agree the price and route with the boatman first, pay per boat rather than per head, and choose a quiet rowing boat over a motorboat. Then walk the ghats on foot, from calm Assi Ghat at the southern end past the bathing and prayer ghats to the busy heart at Dashashwamedh.

At dusk, Dashashwamedh Ghat hosts the Ganga Aarti, the great nightly ceremony of fire, lamps, incense and chanting offered to the river by robed priests. It is mesmerising and very crowded; many people watch from a boat for a calmer view, and there is a smaller, gentler aarti at Assi Ghat too. Both are free to watch from the steps.

Set back from the river in the old city is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, dedicated to Shiva and one of Hinduism's holiest shrines, now approached through the wide Kashi Vishwanath Corridor opened in 2021, which links the temple's grand new precinct down to the Ganges. Security is airport-style and phones and cameras are left at the cloakroom; queues can be enormous on festival days. Around it winds the old city itself — a labyrinth of narrow galis (lanes) too tight for cars, full of temples, silk shops, sweet stalls, cows and the constant flow of pilgrims. Getting a little lost in them is part of the experience.

The two cremation ghats, Manikarnika and Harishchandra, are covered above: visit only with respect, and never with a camera. For a complete change of pace, Sarnath, about 10 km northeast, is where the Buddha gave his first sermon — a peaceful half-day of the great Dhamek Stupa, monastery ruins, the Ashokan pillar remains and a fine archaeological museum. Closer in, Banaras Hindu University (BHU) has a leafy campus, the New Vishwanath Temple and a good art museum, and Ramnagar Fort sits across the river.

If you can time it, Dev Deepawali in November — the "Diwali of the Gods" on the Kartik full moon — sees every ghat lit with hundreds of thousands of oil lamps and is the most spectacular night of the Varanasi year. It is also the most crowded, so book far ahead.

Where to Stay in Varanasi

Near the ghats is where most first-time visitors want to be, and for good reason — you can walk out to a dawn boat or the evening aarti in minutes. Assi Ghat, at the southern end, is the calmer, greener, more traveller-friendly choice, with cafés and an easier pace; the lanes around Dashashwamedh put you in the heart of the action but mean carrying your bags on foot through crowded, vehicle-free galis. Riverfront rooms at any price, from the BrijRama palace to a £9 guesthouse, share that unbeatable location.

The old city (Kashi) — the warren of lanes behind the central ghats — is full of cheap guesthouses and homestays, atmospheric and central but noisy, tight and confusing to navigate with luggage. It suits budget travellers who want to be immersed and do not mind the walk in.

The Cantonment (Cantt), Sigra and Mahmoorganj are the modern districts inland, near the railway station and a manageable drive from the airport. This is where the big comfortable hotels sit — the DoubleTree, Clarks and the modern four- and five-stars — with car access to the door, quieter nights and pools. Choose this side if you value comfort and a calm retreat over stepping straight onto the ghats.

Sarnath, 10 km out, is the quietest base of all, green and calm around the Buddhist sites — a good choice for travellers who want serenity and heritage over the riverfront intensity, and do not mind driving in for the ghats.

Explore more of India

Building a longer Indian trip? Most people reach Varanasi through Delhi, and the classic northern circuit runs on from there. See our guides to the best hotels in Delhi, the best hotels near the Taj Mahal in Agra, and — for the other great Ganges pilgrimage town upstream — the best hotels in Rishikesh.

Varanasi Hotels FAQs

Do UK passport holders need a visa for Varanasi? Yes — UK passport holders need an Indian e-Visa, and it is NOT issued on arrival. Apply online in advance through the official Indian government e-Visa portal, well before you fly. Approval usually comes back within a few days, but leave a comfortable margin. Your passport must be valid for at least six months and have blank pages. Only use the official government portal — third-party 'visa services' charge a large mark-up for exactly the same document.

What currency is used in Varanasi? The Indian Rupee (INR). Every price in this guide is quoted in pounds as a rough conversion only, because that is what UK readers compare against — the hotel itself charges in rupees, and the exact sterling figure moves with the exchange rate. Cards work at the smarter hotels and larger restaurants, but carry cash for boatmen, autorickshaws, temple offerings, small guesthouses and the market stalls in the old city.

How do I get to Varanasi from the UK? There are no direct flights from the UK to Varanasi. You connect: either fly to Delhi or Mumbai and take a domestic hop to Varanasi (VNS), or route through a Gulf hub such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Doha and pick up an onward Indian domestic flight. Allow a full travel day either way, and leave a sensible connection margin if your bags have to be rechecked between international and domestic terminals.

What is the nearest airport to Varanasi? Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) at Babatpur, about 25 km northwest of the city — roughly 45 minutes to an hour by taxi depending on traffic. It handles domestic flights from Delhi, Mumbai and other Indian cities plus a handful of regional international routes, so most UK travellers arrive on a domestic connection. Prepaid taxis and app cabs serve the terminal; agree the fare or use the meter.

Can I reach Varanasi by train? Yes — Varanasi is a major railway junction with good connections across northern India, and the overnight trains from Delhi are a classic way to arrive. Varanasi Junction (also called Varanasi Cantt) is the main station; Banaras and Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction also serve the city. Book reserved-class tickets well ahead through the official Indian Railways system, as popular trains sell out.

When is the best time to visit Varanasi? October to March. Those cooler, drier months are far more comfortable for long days of walking the ghats and the old-city lanes, and they take in the biggest festivals. November is especially special because of Dev Deepawali. April to June is intensely hot, often over 40°C, and July to September is the monsoon, when the river rises and floods the lower ghats.

What is the monsoon like in Varanasi? July to September brings the monsoon, and the Ganges rises dramatically — the lower steps of the ghats flood, the riverside walkway between them can become impassable, and boat operations and the aarti are sometimes moved or curtailed. Rooms are cheaper and the city is quieter, but if walking the full sweep of the ghats or a dawn boat ride is central to your trip, avoid the flood months.

What are the ghats in Varanasi? The ghats are the broad stone steps that run down to the Ganges along the city's riverfront — around 80 of them, stretching several kilometres. They are the heart of Varanasi: people bathe, pray, do laundry, practise yoga, sell flowers and cremate their dead here. Dashashwamedh Ghat is the busiest and the setting for the main evening aarti; Assi Ghat at the southern end is calmer and popular with travellers.

What is the Ganga Aarti in Varanasi? It is the grand evening ceremony of light and sound offered to the Ganges, performed daily at dusk at Dashashwamedh Ghat by robed priests with tiered brass lamps, incense, bells and chanting. It draws large crowds; many people watch from a hired boat on the water for a clearer, calmer view. A smaller, gentler aarti also takes place at Assi Ghat. It is free to attend from the steps.

Should I take a sunrise boat ride? Yes — it is the quintessential Varanasi experience. In the soft early light, rowing boats slip along the ghats while the city wakes, bathers enter the river and the steps glow gold. Agree the price and the route with the boatman before you set off, expect to pay per boat rather than per person, and choose a rowing boat over a noisy motorboat for atmosphere. Sunset rides that end at the aarti are the other popular option.

What are the Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats? They are the two main cremation ghats, where Hindu funeral pyres burn — Manikarnika is the larger and older, Harishchandra the smaller. To die and be cremated in Varanasi is considered by many Hindus to bring liberation, so families travel here from across India. These are places of grief and deep religious meaning, not tourist attractions; visit quietly and respectfully if at all, and keep your distance from the pyres and the mourners.

Is photography allowed at the cremation ghats? No. Photographing or filming the cremations, the pyres or the mourning families is not permitted and is deeply disrespectful — do not do it, and firmly decline anyone who offers to guide you to a 'photo spot'. You may be approached by people asking for donations 'for the wood' or for a hospice; polite refusal is fine, and any genuine giving is better done through a recognised charity than a stranger on the steps.

What is the Kashi Vishwanath Temple? It is Varanasi's most important temple, dedicated to Shiva as Vishwanath and one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines, making it among the holiest sites in Hinduism. It sits just back from the river in the old city. Security is tight, queues can be very long on festival days, and there are rules on what you may carry inside — phones and cameras are generally not allowed beyond the cloakrooms.

What is the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor? It is the wide new pilgrimage precinct, opened at the end of 2021, that cleared a congested tangle of lanes to connect the Kashi Vishwanath Temple directly to the Ganges at Lalita Ghat. It has made access far easier and the approach much grander, though some lament the old maze that was lost. Expect airport-style security, broad marble walkways and, on big days, enormous crowds.

Can non-Hindus enter the Kashi Vishwanath Temple? Non-Hindus are generally permitted to enter, but rules and security are strict and can change, particularly around festivals, so check locally on the day. You will pass through tight security, leave phones, cameras, bags and leather items in a cloakroom, and may face long queues. Dress modestly, remove your shoes, and follow the stewards' instructions — this is an active place of worship, not a monument.

What is Sarnath and is it worth visiting? Sarnath, about 10 km northeast of the centre, is where the Buddha gave his first sermon after his enlightenment, making it one of Buddhism's four great pilgrimage sites. It is a calm, green half-day trip: the towering Dhamek Stupa, the ruins of ancient monasteries, the Ashokan pillar remains and an excellent archaeological museum. It is a complete change of pace from the intensity of the ghats and well worth the short drive. What is Dev Deepawali? Dev Deepawali, the 'Diwali of the Gods', falls on the full moon of Kartik (November, fifteen days after Diwali) and is Varanasi's most spectacular festival. Every ghat along the river is lined with hundreds of thousands of oil lamps, there is a huge coordinated aarti, and boats fill the water. It is breathtaking and correspondingly crowded — book accommodation and a boat weeks or months in advance if you want to be there.

Is the Ganges clean, and can I bathe in it? The Ganges at Varanasi is heavily polluted despite long-running clean-up programmes, and it is not clean by Western bathing standards. Pilgrims bathe for religious reasons, and you will see them do so every morning; that is their faith and should be respected. As a visitor, most people admire the river from the steps or a boat rather than entering it. If you do touch the water, wash your hands well afterwards and keep it away from your face and mouth.

Can I drink the tap water in Varanasi? No — drink sealed bottled or properly filtered water only, and be cautious with ice, salads and anything raw until your stomach has adjusted. Carry a reusable bottle and refill from filtered stations where your hotel or a café offers one. Do not drink or brush your teeth with tap water, and never drink from the river, however holy it is.

Is Varanasi safe for solo and female travellers? Varanasi is visited by large numbers of solo and female travellers and is broadly safe, but it is intense, crowded and full of hustle, which can feel overwhelming at first. Ordinary precautions apply: dress modestly, keep valuables secure in the crush, avoid unlit ghats and empty lanes after dark, be firm with persistent touts, and use a trusted app cab or a hotel-arranged car at night. Read the UK Foreign Office travel advice for India before you go.

How do I deal with touts and guides at the ghats? Expect a steady stream of offers — boat rides, silk shops, 'free' temple guiding, blessings that end in a demand for money. Most people are simply making a living, but the pressure is real, especially around Dashashwamedh and the main temple. A calm, firm 'no, thank you' while you keep walking works best; do not accept an unsolicited flower, tikka or guide unless you are willing to pay. Book boats and tours through your hotel or an established operator if you would rather avoid the haggling.

What should I wear in Varanasi? Dress modestly — cover shoulders and knees, and lean conservative near the temples and ghats, where you are among pilgrims and mourners. Loose cotton is coolest in the heat and easy to buy locally. You will remove your shoes at temples, so slip-on footwear is practical, and the ghats and lanes are uneven, so wear something you can walk in. Bring a light layer for cool winter mornings and evenings on the water.

How should I behave at the ghats and temples? Quietly and respectfully. Remove your shoes where required, ask before photographing individuals, and never photograph the cremations or mourners. Keep a respectful distance at the funeral ghats, do not use the river as a backdrop for anything flippant, and follow each temple's rules on phones, cameras and dress. This is a living sacred city for millions of people — approach it as a guest at someone's place of worship, not as a spectacle.

How many days do I need in Varanasi? Two to three days is enough for most visitors: a sunrise boat ride, an evening aarti, a slow walk along the ghats, the old-city lanes and the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor, plus a half-day at Sarnath. Add a day if you want to settle into the rhythm of the place, take a second boat trip, or make a longer excursion. Many people combine Varanasi with Agra and Delhi on a northern circuit.

Which area should I stay in in Varanasi? Near the ghats for atmosphere — Assi Ghat at the southern end is calmer, greener and popular with travellers, while the lanes around Dashashwamedh put you in the thick of it but mean carrying bags through crowded, vehicle-free galis. The Cantonment (Cantt) near the station and the modern Sigra and Mahmoorganj districts are easier for cars, business travel and a quieter night's sleep. Sarnath suits anyone wanting calm and Buddhist heritage over riverfront buzz.

How much does a budget hotel cost per night in Varanasi? Roughly £8 to £30 a night for most of the budget properties in this guide, pulled on live searches while writing. Lotus Paying Guest house starts at about £8, Radha Krishna Home and Stay Inn Heritage at about £9, and well-reviewed guesthouses such as Ganga Guest House and Kashi Annapurna land around £12 to £14. Those are lead-in rates for the cheapest available room on flexible dates.

What is the most expensive hotel in this guide? BrijRama Palace, Varanasi — By the Ganges, at around £249 a night on the searches we ran while writing. It is a restored riverside palace directly on the ghats and the true top of this guide's range. The DoubleTree by Hilton is next at about £123, then Amritara Suryauday Haveli at about £113 — after which prices fall away quickly into the mid-range and budget tiers.

Is Varanasi good for families? It can be, for families with older children who will find the boats, the ghats and the ceremonies fascinating — but it is intense, crowded and sensory, and the cremation ghats need an honest word with children beforehand. Very young children may find the crowds and uneven lanes hard work. The calmer base of Assi Ghat, or a comfortable hotel in the Cantonment with a pool, makes a family trip much easier.

How do I get around Varanasi? The old city along the ghats is a maze of narrow lanes closed to cars, so you walk — cars and larger autorickshaws drop you at the edge. For longer hops use app cabs (Uber and Ola operate here) or autorickshaws, agreeing the fare or using the meter; cycle-rickshaws are cheap and characterful for short distances but slow. Boats handle the river. Allow extra time everywhere, because traffic and crowds are heavy.

Is alcohol available in Varanasi? Yes, but discreetly — unlike the dry holy cities of Rishikesh and Haridwar, Varanasi is not legally dry, and some hotels and licensed restaurants serve alcohol. It is not a nightlife or party destination, though, and drinking is inappropriate at or near the ghats and temples. Be low-key, and do not carry or consume alcohol in the religious areas. Food near the temples is largely vegetarian, though meat is available in other parts of the city.

Do Varanasi hotels charge extra fees? There is no resort fee, but Indian hotel rates carry GST, which varies by room-rate band, and some properties price breakfast separately or add a service charge. Heritage riverside hotels may include a boat transfer or breakfast in the rate. Always check what is included on the hotel's live page before comparing two similar-looking rates.

How do I book these exact hotels at the prices shown? Every hotel name in this guide links to its live page on JetMeAway, where you can set your dates and see today's real rate with taxes shown. The from-prices here were pulled on live searches while writing, so your dates will give a different number. We take an affiliate commission from the provider — we never add a mark-up or a booking fee to your price.

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