Is Varanasi Safe in January 2026?

A man dressed as a priest or sadhu approaches tourists at the ghats, places a blessing mark on their forehead, ties a thread on their wrist, and recites a prayer. He then reveals the "price" for the blessing — often thousands of rupees — and becomes aggressive if refused.

How to avoid: Never accept blessings, threads, or marks from strangers on the street. Real priests at temples do not solicit tourists for money on the ghats. If someone approaches you without being asked, firmly say no before they touch you and keep walking.

Auto-rickshaw drivers near Varanasi Junction railway station and outside the bus stand quote fares to the main ghats but deliberately drive to a commission-paying shop or hotel first, claiming the ghat is closed for a ceremony or that tourists need a permit available only from a specific office. The detour is designed to force an unplanned purchase or hotel booking before continuing the journey.

How to avoid: Use the Ola or Rapido app to book auto-rickshaws with fixed app pricing and a GPS trail. If taking a street auto, agree on a direct route and fare before getting in, and state clearly that you will not be stopping anywhere en route. If the driver insists on a detour, get out immediately and take another vehicle.

Boatmen at Dashashwamedh, Manikarnika, and Assi Ghat quote a price without specifying whether it is for the whole boat or per person, or add charges for rowing equipment and the sunset ceremony view once you are on the water. The final bill is often 3–5x the originally quoted amount.

How to avoid: Agree on the total all-inclusive price for the entire boat before stepping aboard. Ask specifically: "Is this the full price for the complete trip?" Get the boatman to confirm clearly. Prices of 300–500 INR for a 30-minute ghat row are typical for the whole boat — anything much higher is inflated.

Drivers arriving at Varanasi Junction or the airport tell tourists their hotel is "full," "flooded," or "closed for a festival." They then take them to a commission partner hotel. The false claim is convincing and many tourists cancel valid bookings unnecessarily.

How to avoid: Always call your hotel directly to confirm your booking before believing any driver's claim. Your hotel can also arrange a trusted pickup. Book through Ola or Uber for transparent pricing and use the GPS to verify the route.

Along the ghats in Varanasi, locals posing as friendly residents invite tourists for chai or a simple meal, often framing it as a genuine cultural exchange or a traditional blessing ritual. Once the tea or food is consumed, an enormous bill is produced — sometimes running into thousands of rupees for a few cups of chai. Refusal to pay can result in intimidation, with the 'host' blocking exit or summoning others.

How to avoid: Politely decline invitations from strangers to enter private homes or small unlisted eateries for food or tea. If you want to eat with locals, choose a busy restaurant with visible menus and posted prices.