Varanasi Travel Forum

if the water in India isn't safe, then isn't chai and tea dangerous to drink too as they're both made with Indian water?

Which are the best places to try authentic Indian food in Varanasi? I've read that the restaurant at the Taj Ganges is very good???

Thanks

Does anyone know if it is possible to use hotel pools ie Taj Ganges if you are not staying at the hotel?

Many thanks for your help...

Hi ALL,

Does anyone know Kasi(Lord Siva) temple in Varanasi? Or at some other city?
I am not sure...

Can someone please tell me approximatley what is the flight time from London to Varanasi?

Hi all we'll be reaching varanasi at 6 am...would like to go directly to the ghates for a boat ride....for that where do i go and how far is it from the railway station....which places to visit during the day,what to eat and where to shop for sarees.....we'll be there till 11 pm same day......pls advice

Hi,
I'm currently in Goa, planning my trip to Varanasi. Does anybody know if TATA has a good coverage there? Thanks!

Hi,

It puzzles me finding out what is the best route to cover these destination. I plan to go to Nepal from India, visiting Varanasi and Bodh Gaya before enterning Nepal.

What is the better route? Can i go from Bodh Gaya to Lumbini or Kathmandu directly? Is it possible to travel from Varanasi to Lumbini first before arriving Kathmandu.

I don't mind travel on bus and train. I assume that scene along the way must be rewarding. But having very limited time, I would appreciate if you give me some tips of the route to avoid unnecessary duplicate trips, such as

Varanasi- Bodh Gaya - Varanasi (again)- Kathmandu- Lumbini- Kathmandu (again)- Everest base camp.

I'll be flying from Mumbai. Thanks a lot.

hi

me and a friend will be travelling india in dec and want to find a cheapish hotel in varanasi for 2 nights. any ideas?

Hi there,

I am travelling this summer to India Nepal Tibet.
I need some infos about guest house, hotel in Varanasi.
Also from there I d'like to go to Nepal, could you advise about train or buses to the border.
Thanks for coop

I am looking for the address, email, phone, fax of Varanasi Monalisa Guest house.
I am interested also to receive tips about good guest houses in Varanasi.

Thanks,

Amigo

Any suggestions on travel options from Varanasi to Dharamsala. I would like to save time as i will be running from one program to the other - though i dislike rushing in India.

Some suggested i backtrack to Delhi and take the overnight bus from Majnukatilla. Is there a bus or train from V to D?

we are travelling into Varansi on the Rajdhani Express in mid January 07 but when going on to Kolkata would like a train that leaves at a reasonable hour (not 1.45 am) so am searching the Indian Railways site. Doon Express and Howrah Mail come up. If we went 2AC are these trains OK? Any other suggestions? We are a couple of seniors who would like a degree of comfort and privacy. Thanks Diane.

I haven't seen any direct trains between Varanasi and Hampi, but which way is the easiest to do this? (by train and or bus)

Hi,
We are going to visit Varanasi on 11/12 - 14/15th October 2006 (coming from Rishikesh).
Pls your answers for 2 questions:
A)What train should we take in order to reach Agra on 15/16th October AFTERNOON - to watch Taj Mahal at sunset/ dusk? Can we buy last minute tickets for this train to Agra, let's say on 11/12 Oct, when arriving to Varanasi ???
B. I've read about the local type of Mango named Langda Aam. Can you tell me about it? can I find it fresh on October? not fresh (jams and alike)???

Thanx in advance,
Avraham

Hey all!

I heard trains out of Varanasi are usually full..

Do you think I'll have difficulties in finding a train to leave, on day after arriving??

I wanna head to Kathmandu!

Cheers

Luis

Hello to everybody!

1.
I will visit Varanasi around July and maybe some of you could recommend a nice hostel/guesthouse for my stay. I travel on the cheap side, but a nice location would be great (tough trade-off in varanasi?).
Maybe at the ghats?

2.
From here I want to go on to Kathmandu/Nepal. Im thinking about taking the plane (saving some 20hours) - where are good places to book the flight? Travel agencies or straight at the airport?
I heard you get 25% off if you havent turned 30 yet - is that right?

Thanks a lot for your help!

I know that it's no trouble finding a guide in Varanasi, but a Great Guide...?

We will be in Varanasi for three days in March (staying at Scindhia guest house) and would love to find someone special. A knowledgeable, fluent, sophisticated, good natured guide is priceless, someone who can go beyond the routine recitals and below the tourist mantle. We're looking for people, culture and faith more than famous buildings.

Suggestions?

Can anyone tell me about the health aid or drug stores in Varanasi. The only reference point I have are the drug stores in the US where they sell OTC common medications and other related items like latex gloves,masksk bandages, eye drops, etc. What are they like and are the prices in gemeral worst, better, or the same in US or UK? Are they easy to find?

Can anyone recommend somewhere AMAZING to stay in Varanasi - somewhere to stay after 'popping the question'??? Not one of these big hotel chains - something with a little more charm???

Many years since I was last in India. Last visited back in 1978. I am not really into the back-packing type of holiday now, don't think my wife would approve!!

I want to go somewhere special for our 25 anniversary next March 2006. Was thinking of flying to Delhi and then going on to Varanasi. What is it like at that time of the year.

Would appreciate some helpful advice on travel etc and 'middle range' hotels/guest houses.

In fact, I am open to any suggestions on an itineray. Many thanks, Peter

Please let us know which is the best hotel to stay close to the ghats- is it the palace on the ganges? Is it value for money- some sites were quoting rs. 3000/- per night- we want to live in a 3 to 4 star hotel - is it okay to visit during the first week of august- will the rains hamper our walks on the ghats- regards-

Off to India for a few weeks. We only have 2 weeks there (killing me I know) but I am arriving in Dehli and then planning on jumping a train in the AM to Agra and then continuing on to Varanasi. Then I think that I want to go down to Goya and see some friends in Bombay. Other option is to go up to Rishikesh and Dharamsala. Any advice?

Also has anyone taken nutribiotic, extract of grapefruit, or
acidophilus or kiodophilus before meals? New to India but have traveled around a bit...just want to stay un-sick for as long as possible.

hi i just returned from india last week, my friend stayed on and headed up north to varanasi i think, i cant get n contact with him, his name is adrian and he is in his early twenties-spanish, he should be with an older spanish guy called pepe, if anyone meets them, let me know

thanks
Fiona

I know that the monsoon season starts in July in India, if I was to head to the Varanasi area in late June, would I be able to avoid the worst of it?

What are the average temperatures likely to be?

Planning to travel to varanasi.Looking for a nice and inexpensive guesthouse,lodge or hotel. How about scindia guest house.Anyone stayed there? Any suggestion is welcome.

I would like some info on the Sahi River View Guesthouse from anyone who has stayed there. I plan to be in Varanasi in February with some friends (women around 50 years of age), so would like to smooth out any bumps I can for them.
Thanks, Lesley.

I've seen that several tour operators offer three to five day sailing trips from Allahabad to Varanasi on the Ganges, camping on the shore. Does anyone know if it is possible to do this independently and how much it might cost? I will be going in March.

Thanks!
Sibylla

how many hours of rain a day in August in varanasi.
Will the sun appear from time to time?
Strangely it's a difficult information to find
thanks..

I am going to Varanasi next month for several days. I would like to solicit those of you that have spent any time there to share some of your memories and advice with me.

Saluti da Firenze,

Rene