Varanasi
A river considered so sacred that pilgrims travel their whole lives to bathe in it once, funeral pyres burning on the ghats around the clock as they have for centuries, and a sunrise boat ride that shows the whole ritual of the city waking up at once.
The best time to visit Varanasi is Oct–Mar, when typical daytime highs reach about 24°C (74°F). Local time there is 22:43 (UTC+5:30).
Good for
In season
The year at a glance
January · high 21°C · rain 30mm · 10.7h of daylight · in the recommended window
shaded columns are the recommended window
Averages for 2019–2023 from Open-Meteo’s archive, not a forecast
| Month | High °CHigh °F | Rain mmRain in | Light | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°C70°F | 30mm1.2in | 10.7h10.7h | in the recommended window |
| February | 26°C79°F | 8mm0.3in | 11.3h11.3h | in the recommended window |
| March | 32°C90°F | 25mm1.0in | 11.9h11.9h | in the recommended window |
| April | 38°C101°F | 10mm0.4in | 12.7h12.7h | |
| May | 39°C101°F | 51mm2.0in | 13.4h13.4h | |
| June | 37°C98°F | 201mm7.9in | 13.7h13.7h | |
| July | 33°C92°F | 331mm13.0in | 13.6h13.6h | |
| August | 32°C90°F | 300mm11.8in | 13.0h13.0h | |
| September | 32°C89°F | 331mm13.0in | 12.3h12.3h | |
| October | 31°C87°F | 78mm3.1in | 11.5h11.5h | in the recommended window |
| November | 28°C83°F | 8mm0.3in | 10.9h10.9h | in the recommended window |
| December | 23°C74°F | 9mm0.4in | 10.6h10.6h | in the recommended window |
Good to know
- Currency
- INRIndian rupee
- Language
- Hindi, English
- Driving
- on the left
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When is the best time to visit Varanasi?
The best time to visit Varanasi is Oct–Mar, when typical daytime highs reach about 24°C (74°F).
How warm does Varanasi get?
Typical daytime highs in Varanasi are Mar–May 36°C (97°F), Jun–Aug 34°C (93°F), Sep–Nov 30°C (86°F), Dec–Feb 24°C (74°F).
Is Varanasi expensive?
On the ground, Varanasi is cheap.
What sort of trip is Varanasi good for?
Varanasi is good for history and culture, bucket-list trips, beach and sun holidays, food and drink.
How rainy is Varanasi?
The wettest month in Varanasi is July at 331mm (13.0in), the driest February at 8mm (0.3in), with a monthly average of 115mm (4.5in).
What plug do I need for Varanasi?
Varanasi uses type C, D, G sockets at 230 V.
