About Varanasi Ghats
Long terraces of stone-slab steps drop down the Ganga bank. Pilgrims gather at dawn and dusk for ritual ablutions.
Best Time to Visit
October to March
Mornings are crisp and evenings are perfect for the Ganga Aarti. The humidity is much lower during these months.
Entry fees in your currency
- Sunrise / sunset boat ride (shared)₹100 – ₹300 / person$…
- Private rowboat / motorboat₹500 – ₹1,500 / hour$…
- Ganga Aarti front-row boat seat₹500 – ₹1,000 / person$…
- Sarnath Museum (10 km away)₹5 / ₹200$…
Live INR rates, refreshed hourly. Confirm at the gate counter — entry fees may have changed since this page was updated.
Entry Fee · Tickets
How much does it cost to visit Varanasi Ghats?
The 88 ghats are public riverbank — anyone can walk, sit and watch the aarti without a ticket.
- Sunrise / sunset boat ride (shared)Negotiable — agree the price before stepping in₹100 – ₹300 / person
- Private rowboat / motorboatPer boat, fits 4 – 8 people₹500 – ₹1,500 / hour
- Ganga Aarti front-row boat seatBest view of the 7 p.m. aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat₹500 – ₹1,000 / person
- Sarnath Museum (10 km away)Indian / Foreigner — closed Friday₹5 / ₹200
- Free Ganga Aarti viewing nightly at Dashashwamedh Ghat (7 p.m. summer / 6 p.m. winter)
- Photography is welcome on the ghats but never at the cremation pyres of Manikarnika and Harishchandra ghats — it is considered deeply disrespectful
Plan your visit
Stay, fly, or ride to Varanasi Ghats, Uttar Pradesh
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Travel Tips
- Take a sunrise boat ride
- Attend the evening Ganga Aarti
- Watch out for narrow, busy alleys
How to Reach Varanasi Ghats
Varanasi Ghats is located in Uttar Pradesh, India at coordinates 25.3176°N, 82.9739°E. You can reach Varanasi Ghats by air (nearest airport in Uttar Pradesh), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.
How to reach Varanasi Ghats from major cities
Varanasi Ghats from Lucknow
~331 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹225 · 6h 31m
- Train (3AC) ₹610 · 6h 2m
- State Bus (Deluxe) ₹610 · 7h 1m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹4,595 · 6h 16m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹225) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (6h 2m).
Varanasi Ghats from Kolkata
~784 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹465 · 14h 26m
- Train (3AC) ₹1,195 · 13h 17m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹2,120 · 14h 39m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹10,490 · 14h 30m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹465) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (13h 17m).
Varanasi Ghats from Delhi
~848 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹500 · 15h 33m
- Train (3AC) ₹1,280 · 14h 19m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹2,285 · 15h 49m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹11,330 · 15h 40m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹500) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (14h 19m).
Varanasi Ghats from Jaipur
~924 km by road- Train (Sleeper Class) ₹540 · 16h 52m
- Train (3AC) ₹1,375 · 15h 32m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹2,480 · 17h 12m
- Outstation Cab (Sedan) ₹12,310 · 17h 3m
Cheapest: Train (Sleeper Class) (₹540) · Fastest: Train (3AC) (15h 32m).
Varanasi Ghats from Hyderabad
~1246 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹1,795 · 20h 41m
- Train (2AC) ₹2,600 · 20h 41m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹3,320 · 23h 3m
- Flight (Economy) ₹6,685 · 4h 19m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹1,795) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h 19m).
Varanasi Ghats from Ahmedabad
~1357 km by road- Train (3AC) ₹1,940 · 22h 27m
- Train (2AC) ₹2,810 · 22h 27m
- Volvo AC Bus ₹3,605 · 25h 4m
- Flight (Economy) ₹7,085 · 4h 28m
Cheapest: Train (3AC) (₹1,940) · Fastest: Flight (Economy) (4h 28m).
Fares are indicative estimates based on distance — verify with the operator before booking.
Planning Your Visit to Varanasi Ghats
Varanasi Ghats lies in Uttar Pradesh, India, and ranks among the state’s most-visited pilgrimage destinations. The nearest major city and transport gateway is Varanasi, roughly 0 km away — most travellers route through Varanasi by air or rail before continuing on to Varanasi Ghats. Time your trip for October to March for the most comfortable weather.
Visitors from United States are eligible for India’s e-Tourist Visa — apply online a few days before you fly. all on-site costs are in Indian Rupees (₹); use the currency converter above to see each ticket tier in your home currency.
Attractions closest to Varanasi Ghats
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best time to visit Varanasi Ghats?
- The best time to visit Varanasi Ghats is October to March. Mornings are crisp and evenings are perfect for the Ganga Aarti. The humidity is much lower during these months.
- What are the top travel tips for Varanasi Ghats?
- Take a sunrise boat ride. Attend the evening Ganga Aarti. Watch out for narrow, busy alleys.
- Where is Varanasi Ghats located?
- Varanasi Ghats is in Uttar Pradesh, India, at 25.3176° N, 82.9739° E. The nearest major city and transport hub is Varanasi, about 0 km away.
- What are the best places to visit near Varanasi Ghats?
- Top attractions near Varanasi Ghats include Sarnath (about 9 km away), Alopi Devi Temple (Madhaveshwari) (about 113 km away), Kushinagar (about 183 km away) — all easy to combine on a Uttar Pradesh trip.
- How to reach Varanasi Ghats from Lucknow?
- Varanasi Ghats is about 331 km from Lucknow. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹225, 6h 31m), Train (3AC) (~₹610, 6h 2m), State Bus (Deluxe) (~₹610, 7h 1m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹225) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (6h 2m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
- How to reach Varanasi Ghats from Kolkata?
- Varanasi Ghats is about 784 km from Kolkata. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹465, 14h 26m), Train (3AC) (~₹1,195, 13h 17m), Volvo AC Bus (~₹2,120, 14h 39m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹465) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (13h 17m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
- How to reach Varanasi Ghats from Delhi?
- Varanasi Ghats is about 848 km from Delhi. Options include Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹500, 15h 33m), Train (3AC) (~₹1,280, 14h 19m), Volvo AC Bus (~₹2,285, 15h 49m). The cheapest is usually Train (Sleeper Class) (~₹500) and the fastest is Train (3AC) (14h 19m). Fares are indicative — verify with the operator before booking.
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