City in Uttar Pradesh, India
Varanasi for solo travelers
Is Varanasi good for solo travel?
One of the world's oldest living cities, intense and unforgettable for dawn boat rides on the Ganges and the ghats. Crowds, touts, dirt and cremation sights can overwhelm; best for two or three days.
Solo travel at a glance
| Solo travel | 4/5 · Very good for solo travel |
|---|---|
| Locals | Friendly |
| English | Common in tourist areas |
| Safety | 3/5 · Take real precautions |
| Solo women | Staring and unwanted comments are common in alleys. Dress modestly, avoid empty ghats and lanes at night and book guesthouses with female-friendly reviews. |
How to meet people in Varanasi
Hostels around Assi Ghat, rooftop cafés, yoga and music classes, ghat walks and shared boat rides at sunrise.
Good things to do alone
- Take a sunrise boat ride from Assi to Manikarnika
- Watch the Ganga Aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat
- Walk the old city lanes before 8 am
- Try kachori-sabzi and lassi for breakfast
- Visit Sarnath's Dhamek Stupa
Where to stay in Varanasi
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Assi Ghat and Bhadaini | Travelers: cafés, yoga, guesthouses, calmer than the center |
| Dashashwamedh and Godowlia | Heart of the old city; close to ghats, noisy and crowded |
| Varanasi Cantonment | Hotels near the station; quieter, easy taxis |
| Sarnath | Buddhist site 10 km out; calm base for a day or two |
Solo travel across India
| Place | Solo | English |
|---|---|---|
| Rishikesh | 5/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Dharamshala | 5/5 | Widely spoken |
| Goa | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Mumbai | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Jaipur | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Varanasi | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Bangalore | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Udaipur | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Kochi | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Kolkata | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Hyderabad | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Manali | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Leh | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Pondicherry | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Varkala | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Hampi | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Amritsar | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Jodhpur | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Pushkar | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Palolem | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Anjuna | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Darjeeling | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Munnar | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Alleppey | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Andaman Islands | 4/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Shimla | 4/5 | Widely spoken |
| Delhi | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Agra | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Chennai | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
| Jaisalmer | 3/5 | Common in tourist areas |
Quick answers
Is Varanasi good for solo travelers?
Very good for solo travel (4/5). One of the world's oldest living cities, intense and unforgettable for dawn boat rides on the Ganges and the ghats.
How do you meet people in Varanasi?
Hostels around Assi Ghat, rooftop cafés, yoga and music classes, ghat walks and shared boat rides at sunrise. On SoloSquare you can also join small plans with other travelers who are there now.
Do people speak English in Varanasi?
Common in tourist areas.
Is Varanasi safe for solo female travelers?
Staring and unwanted comments are common in alleys. Dress modestly, avoid empty ghats and lanes at night and book guesthouses with female-friendly reviews.
More about Varanasi
Going to Varanasi solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Varanasi meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
Ratings are SoloSquare's editorial judgment. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.