Dashashwamedh Ghat / Godowlia
Dense old-city lanes by the main aarti ghat
City hotel guide
Varanasi
Varanasi, also known as Kashi or Benares, is one of the world's oldest continually inhabited cities, situated on the left bank of the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh. It holds a central place in Hindu traditions of pilgrimage, death, and mourning. The city is renowned for its numerous ghats—steps leading to the river where rituals are performed—and its syncretic Islamic artisanship. Located 692 km southeast of New Delhi, Varanasi is a spiritual epicenter where ancient history meets living tradition. Key historical figures like Kabir and Tulsidas emerged here, and the nearby Sarnath site marks where the Buddha gave his first sermon. For hotel travelers, the city offers a profound cultural immersion, though its narrow lanes and intense atmosphere require strategic planning for comfort and access.
1,230Hotels
6Brands
5Programs
🕐 Asia/Kolkata · 💱 INR
Best time to visit
☀️ Best months: Jan–Mar, Nov–Dec
Jan21° / 10°💧24mm
Feb26° / 13°💧1mm
Mar33° / 19°💧24mm
Apr39° / 24°💧2mm
May39° / 26°💧34mm
Jun40° / 29°💧122mm
Jul35° / 27°💧231mm
Aug33° / 26°💧239mm
Sep32° / 26°💧250mm
Oct31° / 21°💧95mm
Nov28° / 16°💧11mm
Dec24° / 12°💧18mm
High/low are monthly means, 💧 is mean monthly precipitation (2022–23, Open-Meteo); green = comfortable & drier.
Where to stay
Assi Ghat
Laid-back riverside, cafes and morning rituals
Cantonment / Varanasi Junction
Wider roads, station access and practical hotels
Nadesar / Mall Road
Leafier upscale pocket with heritage hotels
Sarnath
Quiet pilgrimage town away from the ghats
BHU / Lanka
Campus-side local bustle south of Assi
Area guides are reference info (AI-assisted, web-grounded); never ranked by price or commission.
Getting there & around
From the airport
Varanasi is mainly served by Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) at Babatpur, about 26 km northwest of the old-city ghats. For a first arrival, use an app cab or airport taxi/prepaid-style counter if available: roughly 35-60 min to Cantonment/Varanasi Junction and 50-90 min to Godowlia or Assi depending on traffic. There is no metro or rail link at the terminal. Babatpur railway station is about 5 km from the airport, but using it requires an auto/taxi first and is only worthwhile if a train schedule fits.
VNS airport guide (official info · terminals · lounges) →
Around the city
Varanasi has no operating metro as of 2026-06-20. The planned metro is not useful for visitors now, and the Kashi ropeway between Cantonment and Godowlia was still a project/trial item in recent reports, so verify locally before relying on it. Most visitors combine walking in the old-city lanes, e-rickshaws/auto-rickshaws for short hops, app cabs for airport and outer areas, boats along the ghats, and city e-buses on some corridors. There is no must-buy tourist transit card or pass; carry small cash and UPI if you can. Taxis and autos often cannot enter the tightest ghat lanes, so choose hotels with clear pickup points.
🚆 Varanasi Junction railway station🚆 Banaras railway station🚆 Varanasi City railway station🚆 Kashi Railway station🚆 Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction railway station
As of 2026-06-20 — confirm current schedules/fares with the operator.
Loyalty program coverage
Before choosing where to stay
Where to Base
Base yourself near the ghats, such as Dashashwamedh or Panchganga, for easy access to rituals and views. However, these areas can be noisy. For a quieter stay, consider boutique hotels slightly inland within the old city, balancing proximity to culture with rest.
Getting Around
Varanasi is 692 km from New Delhi. Within the city, narrow lanes in the old district are best explored on foot, by rickshaw, or motorcycle. Vehicles often cannot access the ghats directly. Plan your transfer from the airport or railway station carefully, as navigating the dense urban fabric can be challenging for first-time visitors.
Best Season
The winter months from October to March offer the most comfortable weather for exploring the ghats and temples. Summers are hot and humid, which can be taxing. During major pilgrimage festivals, the city becomes extremely crowded. Travelers should book accommodations well in advance and be prepared for a high-energy, dense atmosphere.
Nearby attractions
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Hindu temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Gyanvapi Mosque
Mosque in India
Alamgir Mosque
mosque in Varanasi, India
Bharat Mata Mandir
temple in Varanasi, India
Vishalakshi Temple
temple dedicated to Vishalakshi in India
Durga Mandir, Varanasi
temple in India
Ramnagar Fort
fortification near the Ganga River in Varanasi, India
Ratneshwar Mahadev temple
temple in India
Sankat Mochan Hanuman Temple
Hindu temple in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Tulsi Manas Mandir
temple in India
New Vishwanath Temple
temple in India
Nepali Mandir
Hindu temple in Varanasi, India
Dining
अंशुमान दुबे, अधिवक्ता
Bar
Pind Balluchi Varanasi
Indian
Domino's
Pizza
McDonald's
Fast food
Burger King
Fast food
Yelchiko Restaurant
Restaurant
Lemon Grass Restaurant
Indian
KFC
Restaurant
Attraction data from Wikidata (CC0) and open sources, ranked by notability and distance — for reference.
See all guide-listed restaurants in Varanasi (Michelin / Black Pearl) →
Airport lounges (VNS)
Lounge access is reference info — confirm current terms with the operator; commission never ranks.
Flights to Varanasi
Off-site flight search (affiliate link — no in-app checkout, no price shown).
Search flights to VaranasiMost-covered hotels in Varanasi
Ranked by verified records and coverage depth — never by price, never by commission.
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5★0 recordsSparse
ONEOFF X ASSI A BOUTIQUE HOMEOTEL
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THE Temple view- 100 meter to Vishwanath mandir
5★0 recordsSparse
De Costa Palace
5★0 recordsSparse