Useful tips for Varanasi bus groups with ‘what to see’ and ‘what to do’ items and ‘bus- friendly’ or must see tourist sites in Varanasi. Check our list of attractions before planning your bus tour with a stop or departure in Varanasi. Let us know if your favourite attraction or ‘bus-stop’ is not there and you think we should add it to our list of Varanasi highlights.
Varanasi is a crazy city and having a coach is beneficial for two reasons. Firstly you"ve got transport to get you around, and secondly, you"ve got a local driver and guide who can show you the ropes. There are a number of coach and minibus hire companies in Varanasi and they work with both domestic and international visitors. When in Varanasi you"ll have a few different options for your itinerary.
Varanasi"s old town is not wide enough for two cows, never mind a coach. No motorized transport goes into the centre. Some people decide to stay in the old town where the accommodation is run down but authentic. Others stay further out in the newer hotels and your coach can drop you at the entrance to the old town. How close the driver gets usually depends on how much bakshish (bribe) they pay to the local police!
The Old Town is best explored on foot. Take in the spirituality of temples and then watch dead bodies burn at the burning ghat. You"ll see people bathing in the filthy river, monkeys stealing hats of people"s head, and an unexplainable enchantment. It"s intense, but it"s arguably the most memorable Indian experience. When in the old town all the alleyways look the same so its essential to write down where your coach is parked. If you get lost then local children will walk you to your coach for a few rupees.
All around the old town are further examples of why Varanasi is India"s holiest town. Visit the Monkey Temple, just don"t take any fruit in your backpack. Or take a drive along the Ganges and watch how life and death plays out along this immense holy river. Through a coach window Varanasi is manageable. It"s still completely crazy but you"re in the comfort of your vehicle.
13kms from Varanasi this is one of the most important places in the world"s religious history. Buddha preached his first ever sermon in Sarnath and millions of local and international pilgrims come here each year to relive history. This is a very old and spiritual place and a nice way to enjoy it is to follow the sermon spot with a local vegetarian feast in a nearby restaurant.
It"s nice to escape Varanasi for a day and take a trip out to Allahabad. This holy town is situated where three rivers converge and has some wonderful temples that offer both spirituality and architecture. Allahabad is 2 hour coach journey from Varanasi but it"s a much quieter and relaxed town that helps you escape Varanasi.
Varanasi can just be the start of a wonderfully enchanting trip through the province of Uttar Pradesh. From here most people head west, following the Ganges towards Agra and the Taj Mahal, with many off the beaten track stops on the way. Alternatively you can first veer south on your journey to Agra and stop at the Karma Sutra temples of Khujaraho. These temples are completely covered in vivid sculptures of sex scenes and this was the birthplace of the Karma Sutra. Perfectly restored they"re located in a peaceful jungle village where all the locals claim they can go “24 hour full power.”
Read more about trips, transport, tours, taxis and bus rental in Varanasi, or find information about sights, transport services and travel in the province of Uttar Pradesh. You can receive competing quotes for bus hire in Varanasi directly by completing this quote request form. Getting offers for chauffeured coach or minibus hire in Varanasi has never been easier!
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