2-Day Family-Friendly Itinerary in Banaras

• Day 1: Visit the Vishwanath Temple in the morning, followed by a boat ride on the Ganges River. After lunch, head to the Bharat Mata Mandir followed by a visit to the Sarnath Museum to learn about Buddhism.
• Day 2: Start the day with a visit to the Assi Ghat for a yoga or meditation session by the Ganges. After breakfast, head to Ramnagar Fort, a beautiful 17th-century fortress. End the day with a visit to the Ganga Aarti ceremony at the Dashashwamedh Ghat.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Vishwanath Temple (1-2 hours, free)
• Boat ride (1-2 hours, INR 500-1000)
• Bharat Mata Mandir (1-2 hours, INR 50)
• Sarnath Museum (1-2 hours, INR 15-200)
• Assi Ghat (1-2 hours, free)
• Ramnagar Fort (2-3 hours, INR 15-150)
• Ganga Aarti ceremony (1-2 hours, free)
Total Estimated Costs: INR 580-1350

Transportation

To get around Banaras, you can hire a taxi or rickshaw, or use public transportation such as buses. Travelling by foot or bicycle is also an excellent option for exploring the city while also getting some exercise. A taxi ride from the airport to the city center can cost INR 700-1000 and take approximately 1 hour.

Useful Tips

If you have extra time, consider adding a visit to the Tulsi Manas Mandir, Monkey Temple or the Alamgir Mosque. If you have less time, skip the Bharat Mata Mandir or the Sarnath Museum. For a unique experience, take a sunrise boat ride and witness the Ganga Aarti ceremony from the river.

Airports

The nearest airport to Banaras is the Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport (VNS) located 18 km northwest of the city center. It offers both domestic and international flights and is well-connected to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata.