Why visit
Varanasi is one of the world's oldest continuously inhabited cities. Ganges-side ghats, dawn boat rides, evening aarti ceremonies, and Buddhist Sarnath nearby.
How to use this result
Use it as a travel-city prompt
Varanasi is included because it has traveler appeal beyond being a dot on the map. Use the themes, neighborhoods, notes, and season guidance to decide whether it fits a weekend, longer route, or writing prompt.
Build a realistic route
For a real trip, check how Varanasi connects with nearby cities, airports, rail or bus routes, local costs, weather, and entry rules for India.
Varanasi at a glance
City population
1.2 million
Elevation
86 m
282 ft
Time zone
UTC+5:30
Asia/Kolkata
Airport
VNS
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport
India at a glance
Country center
20.0°, 77.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
3,287,590 km²
1,269,345 mi²
Country population
1.44 billion
437/km²
Subregion
Southern Asia
Currency
Indian rupee (₹)
INR
Dial
+91
Languages
English, Hindi, Tamil
Demonym
Indian
Internet
.in
UN
Member state
ISO code
IN / IND
Where in the world
20.0° - 77.0°
India
Open in Google Maps
Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world - CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- Varanasi is one of Hinduism's most sacred cities and is centered on the ghats along the Ganges.
- The city is also known for silk weaving, especially Banarasi saris.
- More than 80 ghats line the Ganges here, and the Manikarnika cremation ground is said to have burned continuously for centuries.
- India has 22 official languages, and over 1,600 languages are spoken.
- The world's largest postal network is in India: over 155,000 post offices.
Bordering India
Traveler notes
- Sunrise boat ride from Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Evening Ganga Aarti at Manikarnika and Dashashwamedh
- Sarnath (where Buddha first taught)
Plan checks
- Build a three-day plan before extending. Most travel cities are easy to undersell to yourself.
- Check seasonal timing: high season can triple costs on some coastal destinations.
- Check opening days. Major sites close on Mondays or Tuesdays in many countries.
Explore more
Facts last reviewed June 2026 against GeoNames and national statistics sources. See the editorial policy for how destination data is maintained.
Frequently asked about Varanasi
What currency is used in Varanasi?
Varanasi uses the Indian rupee (₹), ISO code INR.
What languages are spoken in India?
The primary languages are English, Hindi and Tamil.
What is the international calling code for India?
The calling code is +91.
What airport serves Varanasi?
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (IATA: VNS).
Other Asia destinations
Saudi Arabia
Saudi Arabia opened to tourism in 2019. AlUla's Nabataean tombs at Hegra, the carved rocks of the Edge of the World near Riyadh, Jeddah's coral-house old town, and Red Sea reefs that diving has barely touched.
Singapore
Singapore is the most efficient city-state in the world. Hawker centers with Michelin stars, Gardens by the Bay, Chinatown heritage, and a spotless public transport system.
South Korea
South Korea layers palaces and hanok villages over high-tech Seoul, adds Busan's beach-city energy, and tops it with temple stays in Gyeongju. K-food and convenience culture make travel unusually frictionless.
Sri Lanka
Sri Lanka packs safari, tea country, ancient cities, surf coasts, and curry traditions into an island you can circumnavigate in two weeks.
Syria
Syria's Damascus and Aleppo are among the oldest continuously inhabited cities on earth, with Palmyra and Krak des Chevaliers in their orbit. War has devastated and isolated them; conventional tourism is currently very limited.
Taiwan
Taiwan packs night markets, Taroko's marble gorge, hot-spring towns, and the world's best beef noodle debate into an island circled by a single rail loop. Taipei 101 anchors a capital that does food obsessively well.