Budget Trip to Varanasi

Budget Trip to Varanasi

Varanasi is one of the most popular destinations for budget-friendly travelers. With its rich history, religious sites, and culture, it's a great place to visit on a budget. In this post we'll explain what Varanasi is and why it's such a popular destination for budget travelers. We'll also discuss how to get there on an affordable budget so that you can enjoy your trip without breaking the bank!

Brief explanation of what Varanasi is and why it is a popular destination for budget travelers

Varanasi is a city in Uttar Pradesh, India. It is the holiest city of Hindus and the oldest continuously inhabited urban settlement in Asia. Varanasi is famous for its religious importance to Hindus, but it has also become an important cultural center for Muslims and Buddhists as well.

Varanasi was once known as Benaras or Kashi (the Sanskrit word means "pure"), which means "city of Shiva". The original name cannot be traced back further than this point because no written records exist before 500 A.D., when Mahabharata took place; however, locals might have been using this name even earlier than that.[1] This suggests that there was no confusion about what was being referred to when people spoke about Benaras or Kashi—it wasn't just an alternate way to refer specifically toward Varanasi but rather meant all places associated with Shivaism.[2]

Varanasi has been declared as one of India's five holy cities by UNESCO.[3] This designation applies only after extensive study regarding its historic significance; however, there are still millions who claim that it holds more spiritual value than any other destination within India (including Ayodhya).[4]

Best time to visit Varanasi on a budget

Varanasi is a place that has great weather all year-round. However, if you want to experience the best of it, then your best bet is between October and March. The monsoon season lasts from June through September, followed by winter (October to March). This gives you a chance to visit Varanasi in its most beautiful form: when everything is green and lush with lots of greenery around.

How to reach Varanasi on a budget

How to reach Varanasi from Delhi:

Take the train to Varanasi and get off at the station named “Varanasi Junction” (VNS).

From VNS, take a rickshaw or taxi to your hotel/restaurant destination around 3 km away from the city center (such as Hotel Surya, Hotel Kalyaneshwar Temple Resorts or Hotel Abhishek). You can also walk there if you prefer!

From this point onwards it's all about exploring this beautiful city on foot - see our guide for more information about where to go and what activities you should try out during your stay here!

Budget-friendly accommodations options in Varanasi

If you're looking for a budget-friendly accommodation option in Varanasi, there are plenty of options. Some of the best hotels in Varanasi include the following:

Hotel Shanti Palace - A five-star hotel with rooms starting at $220 per night. The hotel is located near Girnar Hill and has an outdoor swimming pool.

Hotel Shiv Plaza - This five-star property has spacious rooms starting at $105 per night. It's close to many attractions including Raj Ghat, Vishwanath Temple and Kashi Vishwanath Temple (see below).

You can also find budget guesthouses and bed and breakfasts in Varanasi that offer cleanliness, comfort and convenience for travelers on a budget who want to experience local culture without spending too much money each day!

Affordable local transportation options in Varanasi

How to get around in Varanasi:

The best way to navigate the city is by foot. There are plenty of signs directing you where to go, and it’s easy to follow them if you keep your eyes open and pay attention. You can also take a tuk-tuk (an auto rickshaw that runs on electricity) or motorcycle taxi if you have time; both will cost around 100rmb per person, but they're much cheaper than cabs because they don't charge by distance.

The airport is located just north of town near Deoghar Lake; from there, take bus number 2 on National Highway 2 until it reaches Mirzapur Road (which is about 10 kilometers away). Then follow this road for another 7 kilometers until reaching Old Delhi Road—you'll see signs pointing toward "Varanasi" along this stretch! From here onward I suggest walking since taxis aren't allowed into downtown areas like Paudi Ghat or Chandni Chowk due to massive crowds during holidays such as Holi festival or Diwali celebration which lasts for two weeks starting January 1st each year."

Top budget-friendly tourist attractions in Varanasi

Varanasi is a great place to visit on a budget. You can visit the city's many tourist attractions on a budget, including:

The ghats (the steps leading down to the river)

Akshardham Temple, which has an impressive architecture and religious significance

Sandeshkhali Ghat, where you can see people performing rituals in front of Bauls (Brahmani music singers). If you want something more exotic or spiritual than this, then head over to Ghumukh Ghat where there are many Temples and pilgrimage sites in Varanasi dedicated to Lord Shiva.

If you're interested in history as well as religion, then Varanasi should be high up on your list! There are various sites throughout the city that offer visitors insight into its past—including Khana Ka Bangla Mandir Temple with its famous stone carvings depicting scenes from mythology; Jantar Mantar Observatory built by Maharaja Jai Singh II; Kashi Vishwanath Temple where pilgrims worship Krishna every year during Janmashtami festival; Asthanam Shri Shankara Swami Narayan Mandir located near Balaji Mandir where devotees come daily seeking blessings from their favorite deity (Shiva); Digambara Jain temple which houses one of only two remaining copies of Aditya Purana written centuries ago by Aditya himself so he could pass down his teachings through generations without losing them over time...

Budget-friendly shopping options in Varanasi

If you're looking to spend some quality time with your loved ones and want to do so in a way that won't break the bank, Varanasi is the place for you. There are plenty of shopping options available here, so if you can't find something that strikes your fancy, there's no need to worry about getting frustrated or running out of money.

The local markets are always good places for finding unique items and souvenirs at affordable prices; even if they don't have what it is that inspires your interest in life (like an amazing pair of shoes), they'll have something else fun like pottery or clothing made from recycled materials.

You can also browse through stores selling jewelry or other accessories near ghat steps along Ganges Riverbank; these shops provide excellent value-for-money products while still maintaining high standards on quality control!

Affordable food options in Varanasi

If you're looking for cheap food in Varanasi, there are plenty of options. While it's not the best place to eat if money is tight, there are still some great places that offer good food at affordable prices.

There are plenty of street vendors selling samosas and other snacks on the streets around Varanasi's main square (also called Benaras or Kashi). These vendors often sell their wares for less than per samosa—a steal compared with other Indian cities like Jaipur and Agra where they can cost as much as each!

Curry restaurants are also popular among tourists visiting Kashi during festivals such as Diwali or Holi (the festival which celebrates spring). They're especially popular during these times because they provide fresh ingredients that can be used in different preparations depending on what mood you're feeling at any given moment during your trip: spicy? Sweet? Savory? Hot/cold combinations galore!

Tips for saving money while traveling in Varanasi

You may think that your trip to Varanasi must be expensive, but there are ways to save money on everything from food and transportation to sightseeing and shopping. Here's how:

Avoid tourist traps. There are many temples, gated communities and hotels in Varanasi that charge exorbitant rates for their services—and even more for buying souvenirs or taking pictures with tourists who aren't aware of these ripoffs. To avoid being ripped off by these establishments, ask around before deciding where to stay or eat; if someone recommends a place they know is good value, go with them!

Don't pay too much for food at Varanasi Fast Food Restaurants (or eat like a tourist). While there are plenty of excellent places serving authentic Indian cuisine in this ancient city (including vegetarian options), most locals don't have the money or time needed just yet spend hours eating at fancy restaurants while they're still working hard all day long doing manual labor."

Budget-friendly nightlife options in Varanasi

If you're looking to save money on your trip, here are some tips on how to do so.

Stay safe: Varanasi is a big city that can be dangerous at night. Keep an eye out for pickpockets and avoid walking alone in deserted areas at night. If you're going out late, try not to take too many taxis or buses; instead take one or two public transportation options until it's time to head home.

Safety tips for budget travelers in Varanasi

Be aware of your surroundings.

Don’t take unnecessary risks.

Don’t carry large amounts of cash, and don't carry expensive items that you wouldn't use in the city (e.g., jewelry). If you do have valuables on hand, keep them hidden or locked away in a safe place until you reach your destination hotel or Airbnb accommodation.

Final thoughts on budget travel to Varanasi

In conclusion, Varanasi is a great place to visit and explore. It is also a great place for travel and living. The city has so much to offer in terms of culture, heritage, food, architecture and nature.

If you are looking for an affordable vacation destination that offers an experience closer to home than an exotic destination like Bali or Bangkok then Varanasi should be your choice!

Closure

In conclusion, Varanasi is a great place to visit on a budget. It is one of the oldest cities in India and has plenty of history to explore while still being affordable enough for travelers to enjoy their trip. You can stay in cheap hotels, eat at local restaurants in Varanasi or even try out some street food if you’re feeling adventurous! There are many ways that you can save money while traveling without sacrificing comfort or safety either which should help anyone who wants just want an enjoyable vacation without breaking the bank.