City in Uttar Pradesh, India
Internet in Varanasi: speed, SIM cards and coworking
Is the internet good in Varanasi?
Median fixed broadband in India is 64 Mbps and mobile is 128 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Rooftop cafés near Assi have usable wifi for email; video calls are better on 4G/5G.
Getting online in Varanasi
| Details | |
|---|---|
| Home fibre | Fibre from Airtel and Jio in newer buildings; old-city guesthouses rely on slower broadband or mobile data. |
| Cafés and coworking | Rooftop cafés near Assi have usable wifi for email; video calls are better on 4G/5G. |
| Outages | Power cuts happen, especially in summer. |
| Tourist SIM | Airtel kiosks in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru arrivals halls; passport, visa and photo needed. About ₹350–450 for 28 days with 1.5–2 GB a day. |
| eSIM | Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors. |
| Carriers | Jio, Airtel, Vi |
| Monthly data plan | ₹300–500 ($3.1–5.2) |
| Blocked services | TikTok, WeChat and many other Chinese apps are banned since 2020; VPNs are legal. Regional mobile-internet shutdowns happen during unrest. |
Coworking in Varanasi
There's no dedicated coworking scene here; people work from cafés and accommodation.
Internet speeds in South Asia
National medians, Speedtest Global Index.
| Country | Fixed | Mobile |
|---|---|---|
| Nepal | 89 Mbps | — |
| Bangladesh | 71 Mbps | 39 Mbps |
| India | 64 Mbps | 128 Mbps |
| Sri Lanka | 37 Mbps | 59 Mbps |
| Pakistan | 18 Mbps | 32 Mbps |
| Afghanistan | 6 Mbps | 19 Mbps |
Quick answers
Is the internet fast in Varanasi?
Median fixed broadband in India is 64 Mbps and mobile is 128 Mbps (Speedtest Global Index, 2026-08). Rooftop cafés near Assi have usable wifi for email; video calls are better on 4G/5G.
Which SIM card should I get in Varanasi?
Airtel kiosks in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru arrivals halls; passport, visa and photo needed. About ₹350–450 for 28 days with 1.5–2 GB a day.
Can I use an eSIM in India?
Yes. Local carriers sell eSIMs to visitors, and travel eSIMs work too.
More about Varanasi
Going to Varanasi solo?
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Sources
- Speedtest Global Index: India
- Jio
- Airtel
- Vi
- Uttar Pradesh Tourism
- Indian Railways (IRCTC)
- Varanasi Airport (Airports Authority of India)
Speeds are medians from Ookla's Speedtest Global Index, cited for reference. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.