Take a direct train from Howrah to Varanasi Junction (BSB) or Banaras (BSBS); the journey is roughly 8–12 hours on some services, but check the exact train, running day and arrival station on IRCTC before booking. For six adults and three children, reserve together as early as possible and keep snacks and water handy. On arrival, use a pre-booked cab or app cab to reach your hotel; traffic in the Old City is tight, so a drop near Godowlia may mean finishing the last stretch on foot or by cycle-rickshaw. Build in time to check in and freshen up before sightseeing.
If everyone has the energy, head to Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Vishwanath Gali first, as planned. Allow extra time for security and queues, which can be substantial; leave phones, large bags and valuables at your hotel or use the temple’s designated facilities, and check the current entry and darshan arrangements before setting out. From the temple area, make your way towards Dashashwamedh Ghat for an easy, roughly 45-minute first walk beside the Ganga. The lanes are busy and uneven, so stick together and take it slowly with the children.
Finish at Kashi Chaat Bhandar near Godowlia for local chaat—budget around ₹150–₹350 per person, depending on what you order. It can be crowded, and opening hours may vary, so confirm it is serving when you arrive. If the train has left the group tired, keep dinner simple near your hotel rather than turning the first evening into a long outing.
Start with an easy riverside walk at Assi Ghat—an hour is enough to soak up the morning atmosphere without rushing. Then take an auto or e-rickshaw to Banaras Hindu University in Lanka; allow around 20–30 minutes, depending on traffic. Wander the leafy campus and visit the New Vishwanath Temple, keeping shoulders and knees covered and following any temple rules about bags or photography.
Stay on campus for Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum, a compact, rewarding stop for Indian art and antiquities. It is generally open Tuesday to Sunday during daytime hours and closed on Mondays; check the current hours before setting out. Allow about an hour, and expect a modest entry fee. Afterward, head back to Pizzeria Vaatika Cafe near Assi Ghat for a relaxed lunch; budget roughly ₹300–₹600 per person. With nine people, ask for a table as you arrive, and leave a little time for the return trip to the riverfront.
Make your way to Manikarnika Ghat in the Old City by auto or e-rickshaw, then walk the final narrow lanes with a local guide or follow local directions. This is an active cremation ground: observe quietly from a respectful distance, do not photograph ceremonies or mourners, and accept guidance from local staff. Later, continue to Dashashwamedh Ghat for the Ganga Aarti. Arrive 45–60 minutes before the ceremony to find a place; the steps get crowded, so keep the children close and agree on a meeting point. The ceremony is usually held around sunset, with timing shifting through the year; confirm locally that day. Allow about 1.5 hours, including the wait and ceremony, and use an auto for the approach before walking the final stretch through the busy lanes.
Take a morning train from Varanasi Junction or Banaras and allow roughly 3–5 hours, depending on the service. With six adults and three children, book seats together through IRCTC where possible and arrange a pre-booked transfer from Ayodhya Dham Junction or Ayodhya Cantt to your lodging. After checking in and freshening up, head to Ram Ki Paidi for a gentle first walk along the Saryu; about an hour is plenty, especially after the train.
Continue to Kanak Bhawan in Ramkot, allowing around 45 minutes to admire its decorated interiors and pause for a breather. Then visit Shree Ram Janmabhoomi, also in Ramkot. Set aside 1.5–2 hours for security and queues, and check the current darshan arrangements before setting out. Keep bags and valuables to a minimum: entry rules are strict, and you may need to leave prohibited items in a locker outside the complex. The walk between these central sites is manageable, but use an e-rickshaw if the children are tired or the heat is strong.
Have an early dinner at a vegetarian or Awadhi-style restaurant along Ram Path; budget roughly ₹250–₹500 per person, and confirm the kitchen is still serving before you settle in, as hours can vary. Keep the evening relaxed after the journey and temple visits—your group will appreciate an early night before another day of exploring.
Set out early for Hanuman Garhi in Ramkot, ideally around 7–8 a.m. before the steps and temple queue get busy. Allow about an hour, including the climb; wear shoes that are easy to remove, and keep valuables tucked away. From there, walk or take a short e-rickshaw ride to Dashrath Mahal. Its brightly painted palace-temple rooms are a compact visit—about 45 minutes is plenty. Carry water for the group, especially for the children, and expect extra security checks around the main temple area.
Continue by e-rickshaw to Nageshwarnath Temple, near Ram Ki Paidi, and allow 30–45 minutes. Then ask locally whether boats are operating at Ram Ki Paidi: conditions and access can change, so follow the boat operator’s and local authorities’ guidance rather than assuming a ride is available. If operating, agree the route, duration and total fare for your group before boarding; a short ride takes about an hour. Finish with sweets and a light snack at a busy mithai counter near Ram Path—budget roughly ₹100–₹250 per person, and ask your driver or hotel to point you to a well-used shop. Hire an e-rickshaw between stops to spare the children extra walking, and keep some flexibility for queues and local security arrangements.
The train from Ayodhya to Agra Cantt can take about 8–11 hours, so today’s sightseeing depends on your actual arrival time. Have your hotel arrange a larger vehicle or two autos for your group and luggage; agree the fare before setting off. If you reach with at least a couple of hours of daylight and everyone still has energy, head to Agra Fort in Rakabganj for a 1.5–2-hour visit. It generally opens from sunrise to around 6 p.m.; check the day’s entry arrangements before you go. Tickets are usually around ₹50 for Indian adults, with separate rates for children and the sound-and-light show.
If the fort doesn’t fit comfortably, skip it rather than rush—the planned visit is optional. Otherwise, take an auto or cab to Sadar Bazaar, near Agra Cantt, for an easy hour of browsing shops and snack stalls. Keep the group together in the busy lanes, and carry some cash for small purchases.
Finish at Deviram Sweets in the Sadar Bazaar area for Agra petha and a casual meal; budget roughly ₹200–₹450 per person. With a long train day and nine people to coordinate, keep the evening flexible and take a cab back to the hotel if the children are tired.
Aim to reach the Taj Mahal at opening, around sunrise; it’s cooler then, and the marble is lovely in the soft light. Allow 2.5–3 hours for security, entry and a relaxed visit. The monument is generally open from sunrise to sunset and closed on Fridays. Indian adult entry is roughly ₹50, with an additional fee to enter the mausoleum; children under 15 are generally free. Buy tickets through the official ticketing channel and check the latest rules before you go. Leave large bags at your hotel—security checks are strict.
From the eastern side of the Taj, continue to Taj Nature Walk for a quieter 1–1.5-hour stroll among gardens and viewpoints. Then take an auto, cab or pre-booked vehicle to Pinch of Spice on Fatehabad Road—about 15–25 minutes depending on traffic. It’s a comfortable sit-down choice for a group of nine; budget roughly ₹600–₹1,000 per person, and call ahead to arrange a table.
After lunch, head to Itmad-ud-Daulah’s Tomb, by the Yamuna, for its delicate inlay work and peaceful garden setting; allow 1–1.5 hours. Continue by cab to Mehtab Bagh on the opposite riverbank, arriving about an hour before sunset for the view back toward the Taj. Entry fees are modest but can change, so check the current tariff; bring water and keep the children close around the riverfront paths. A cab is the easiest way to link these stops, while autos are handy for shorter hops.
Take a morning Gatimaan Express from Agra Cantt to Hazrat Nizamuddin; the run is about 1 hour 40 minutes, though allow 2–3 hours overall for station time and onward transfer. It arrives in Nizamuddin, not New Delhi station. With six adults, three children and bags, arrange a hotel luggage drop or a pre-booked large vehicle rather than trying to manage several autos. Head to Humayun’s Tomb nearby; allow 1.5–2 hours for the tomb and its gardens. It’s generally open from sunrise to sunset, and Indian entry is around ₹40 per adult (check current rates and children’s rules before visiting).
Walk or take a short auto ride to Sunder Nursery for an unhurried garden stroll and a proper rest after the train—about 1.5 hours is comfortable. There are shaded paths and places to pause, handy with children; check the garden’s current opening hours and entry fee before setting out. In the evening, take a cab to Indian Accent at The Lodhi on Lodhi Road. Reserve well ahead for your group of nine, mention the children when booking, and expect roughly ₹2,000–₹3,500 per person; confirm the menu and final bill when reserving.
If your train is in the evening, start at the National Gallery of Modern Art near India Gate. One important catch: it is normally closed on Mondays, and October 5, 2026 is a Monday—check its official notice before setting out. If it is closed, you can only make this a brief exterior stop rather than a gallery visit; when open, allow 1.5–2 hours and check current admission details.
From the gallery, take a cab or auto to Lodhi Garden (roughly 15–25 minutes, depending on traffic) for an easy hour among the lawns and historic tombs. It’s a good place to let the children stretch their legs before the long train ride; entry is free, and daylight hours are best. Then head to Khan Market, about 10–15 minutes away by cab, for an early meal and a last browse. Cafés and restaurants here range from casual to polished; budget around ₹500–₹1,000 per person, and allow extra time for a group of nine.
Leave Khan Market with plenty of margin for your station—Delhi–Howrah trains may depart from different stations, so check the boarding point on your ticket rather than assuming it is New Delhi Railway Station. For six adults, three children and luggage, pre-book a larger cab or two vehicles; aim to reach the correct station at least 60–90 minutes before departure. The journey is typically around 17–20 hours depending on the service, so carry water, snacks and any children’s essentials, and confirm the train’s running status and schedule before leaving.
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