Is Varanasi expensive to visit?
Varanasi is known as both a well-liked and very budget-friendly destination. With a daily average travel cost of $30, it's generally not considered to be expensive at all. When compared to the rest of Asia, it is a very affordable destination. It ranks in the top 10% of cities in Asia for its affordability. Its prices are comparable with places such as Karachi and Udaipur.
Varanasi, India
How expensive is Varanasi?
Travelers spend an average of $30 per day when visiting Varanasi (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for Varanasi here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to Varanasi?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to Varanasi costs around $90 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $180.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to Varanasi?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to Varanasi will cost around $210 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $421.
Varanasi, India
Is it expensive to backpack in Varanasi?
With more than 20 hostels in the area, Varanasi is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $5 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in Varanasi here.) It's also common to see a wide range in prices, as the cheapest hostels here cost $3, but the most expensive can be more than $9 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in Varanasi.
- $4 for a dorm bed at Moustache Hostel Varanasi
- $4 for a dorm bed at Wander Station Varanasi
- $5 for a dorm bed at International Travellers’ Hostel
Are hotels expensive in Varanasi?
When we look at our analysis of hotel prices in Varanasi, we find them to be somewhat lower in price in comparison to the rest of the world. The average nightly cost for a hotel room here is approximately $32. The area boasts about 4 five-star hotels with an average rate of $175 per night. For those seeking a balance between comfort and affordability, three-star hotels offer an average rate of $38 per night, while two-star hotels provide an even more budget-friendly option at $19 per night.
Hotels by star rating in Varanasi
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 4 | $175 |
| 4 stars | 5 | $67 |
| 3 stars | 29 | $38 |
| 2 stars | 24 | $19 |
| 1 star | 11 | $20 |
How expensive are sightseeing activities in Varanasi?
In Varanasi, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $10 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $10.
- 3 Days Admirable Tour in Varanasi with private tour guided: $103
- City tour of varanasi with official tour guide: $35
- Private tour of Varanasi with official tour guide: $55
- Experience Varanasi Tour: 1 day Private Guided Tour: $123
- Two days admirable tour of Varanasi: $92
- Walking Tour By Aman: $27
- Varanasi Full day tour with Boat ride: $68
- Sunrise in Banaras with Ganga Aarti (2 Hours Guided Walking Tour): $15
Is food expensive in Varanasi?
In Varanasi, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $7 per day on food, which is less than the country's average of $10.
- Ultimate 2 Days in Varanasi - Fully Guided Tour - Rooftop Dinner on Ganges: $129
- Tests of Best Varanasi Local Food Tour With Tourist Guide: $18
- From Varanasi: Street food tour with Evening Ganga Aarti: $42
- Varanasi: 3-hour Shopping and Street Food Tour on a tuk-tuk ride: $46
- Afternoon tour of Varanasi with Boat ride over Ganges & Dinner on a tuk-tuk : $59
- Taste of Varanasi (2 Hour Guided Street Food Tour): $22
Is transportation expensive in Varanasi?
Exploring local transportation in Varanasi shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $5 per person per day, which is less than the country's average of $7. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.
More for Varanasi
If you're planning a trip to Varanasi, India, check out these other informative travel guides.
We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.
Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.