A trip to Varanasi from Singapore is unlike any other Indian journey. This is one of the oldest continuously lived-in cities in the world and one of the holiest places in Hinduism, set along the west bank of the Ganges in Uttar Pradesh. Life and death play out openly on its riverside steps, or ghats, and the experience can be intense, moving and unforgettable. This guide helps a Singapore traveller reach Varanasi, understand its rhythms and, above all, visit with respect.
Getting to Varanasi From Singapore
There is no direct flight from Changi, so the usual approach is a connection through an Indian hub such as Delhi, with a domestic flight on to Varanasi’s airport. Singapore has frequent links to Delhi on full-service and low-cost carriers, and the onward hop is short. Some travellers arrive instead by overnight train as part of a wider North India route, which is slower but atmospheric.
Give yourself a comfortable buffer at your connecting airport rather than a tight layover, and confirm current flight and train schedules and fares yourself when you book, as this guide stays general.
Entry rules depend on your passport, and a Singapore passport and a China passport can face very different requirements for India. Check India’s official e-visa portal or the nearest Indian mission for your own passport, and check ICA for your Singapore re-entry. Treat this as general travel information, not immigration advice.
A Sacred City: Visiting With Respect
Varanasi is a living place of pilgrimage, not a set piece, so respectful behaviour matters more here than almost anywhere. Pilgrims come to bathe in the Ganges, to pray and to bring loved ones for cremation, and some ghats are cremation grounds where families grieve.
Please keep these points in mind:
- At the cremation ghats, do not take photos or videos of the pyres or the mourners. Stand back, stay quiet and do not treat it as a spectacle.
- Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, especially near temples and during rituals.
- Ask before photographing people, and accept a no gracefully.
- Decline unofficial “guides” who steer you toward the cremation areas asking for donations; a polite, firm refusal works.
- Remove shoes and follow the rules where required at temples and shrines.
Approached with humility, Varanasi offers a rare, honest window into faith and everyday life.
When to Go and How Many Days
The comfortable season is broadly October to March, when the North Indian plains are cool and dry. Winter mornings by the river can be genuinely cold and misty by tropical standards, so pack a warm layer for the dawn boat ride, a real change from Singapore’s constant humidity. From April the heat becomes intense before the summer monsoon, when the river can run high. Two nights is enough to catch both a sunrise and an evening ceremony without rushing.
| Time of day | What to do | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Dawn | Boat ride on the Ganges | Soft light, morning prayers, calm river |
| Daytime | Walk the ghats, visit Sarnath | Quieter sightseeing away from the crowds |
| Evening | Watch the Ganga Aarti | The main fire ceremony at the riverfront |
The Ghats, the River and Nearby Sarnath
The ghats are the soul of Varanasi, best experienced early and late in the day:
- A dawn boat ride on the Ganges, watching pilgrims bathe and pray as the sun rises behind the ghats, is the classic Varanasi experience.
- The Ganga Aarti is an elaborate evening fire ceremony held at a main ghat, with lamps, bells and chanting; arrive early for a spot or watch from a boat.
- Walking the ghats by day links dozens of riverfront steps, temples and old buildings in a single unbroken stretch.
- Sarnath, a short drive away, is where the Buddha is traditionally said to have given his first sermon, an important and peaceful Buddhist site.
Move gently through the crowds, mind your footing on the steps and keep valuables secure.
What and Where to Eat
Varanasi has a rich street-food tradition rooted in North Indian vegetarian cooking. Look out for kachori sabzi for breakfast, various chaat snacks, and the city’s famous banarasi paan, a betel-leaf preparation offered after meals. Many rooftop cafes near the ghats serve simple thalis with a river view. Coming from Singapore, expect richer, heartier North Indian flavours than the South Indian dishes common at home.
Be sensible with food and water: favour hot, freshly cooked dishes, drink sealed bottled or properly treated water, and be cautious with ice and raw items if your stomach is sensitive. For vaccination and travel-health advice, check MOH or a travel clinic before you go, and buy suitable travel insurance. This is general prudence, not medical advice.
Where to Base Yourself and Getting Around
Where you stay shapes the whole trip:
- The old town near the main ghats puts you steps from the river and the ceremonies, but its lanes are narrow, crowded and best walked, not driven.
- Areas a little back from the river and near the cantonment are calmer and easier to reach by car, with more space.
The riverside old city is a warren of pedestrian alleys, so much of your movement will be on foot, with auto-rickshaws and app taxis for the edges. Agree fares or use the app before setting off, and be ready for busy, sensory-heavy streets.
Costs, Money and Practical Tips
Varanasi can be very affordable by Singapore standards, with budget and mid-range stays plentiful and a smaller number of higher-end riverside options. Think in terms of general budget, mid-range and higher-end feel rather than fixed prices, as costs and exchange rates change. Carry cash for small vendors, boat rides and tips, while cards and digital payments work in larger places.
A few practical notes:
- A local SIM or eSIM helps with maps and ride apps; coverage is generally good.
- Hindi and English are both widely used with visitors.
- Keep a firm but friendly manner with touts around the ghats and station.
- Watch your step on wet or uneven riverside stairs, especially in the dark.
Varanasi rewards travellers who slow down and pay attention. If you are shaping a wider India trip, read our guides to Agra from Singapore for the Taj Mahal and Udaipur from Singapore for Rajasthan’s lake palaces. Explore more: Vienna from Singapore for a very different European city.
Confronting, beautiful and deeply human, Varanasi is a destination to approach with an open and respectful heart.