India GOHow to get around Varanasi
A boat along the ghats
This is transport here, not a sightseeing extra: the river is the one continuous street along the old city. A private rowing boat runs ~₹800–1,500 an hour, a shared seat at the evening aarti ~₹150–300.
~₹100–200 per person in a shared boat
E-rickshaws to the edge of the old city
They are everywhere and they go as far as anything on wheels can go. From the last barrier onwards it is your feet.
~₹10–30 in a shared one
Uber, Ola and Rapido
The Rapido motorbike is the trick in Varanasi traffic: cheapest and fastest. None of them reach the ghats; you get out on the outer streets.
from ~₹100 across town
On foot through the galis
The lanes from Assi to Manikarnika are not open to any vehicle at all, so walking is not a preference here but the only option.
free
Cycle rickshaws
Good on the dense stretches near Godauliya where a motor gains nothing. Agree the fare first, as always here.
~₹20–50 for a short leg
Auto-rickshaws
No meters at all, so bargaining is part of the deal. For a full day of sights a car with a driver from ~₹1,800 works out simpler.
~₹100–200 a ride
The old city is walk-only: cars are stopped 1–1.5 km from the ghats and your luggage goes the rest of the way with you.
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