2-Day Varanasi Itinerary by Bike - Perfect Weekend Trip

Planning a quick weekend trip to Varanasi? This optimized 2-day itinerary on a rented bike/scooty helps you experience the best of Banaras without missing major attractions.

Why Bike/Scooty is Perfect for This Itinerary

• Cover 40+ km across 2 days efficiently
• Flexible timings for sunrise/sunset
• Easy parking at all locations
• Cost-effective (₹299-499/day vs ₹700+ in autos)
• Freedom to explore spontaneously

Rent Your Bike for This Trip

Day 1: Ghats, Temples & Old Varanasi

5:30 AM - Assi Ghat Sunrise

Duration: 1 hour
Start your day with the famous Assi Ghat sunrise and morning aarti. Park your bike at designated parking (₹10).

Route: From hotel → Assi Ghat (easy to find on GPS)

7:00 AM - Breakfast at Assi

Location: Pizzeria Vaatika Café or Brown Bread Bakery
Try: Lassi, poha, upma

8:00 AM - BHU Campus & Vishwanath Temple

Duration: 1.5 hours
Route: Assi → BHU Main Gate (2 km, 6 mins)

Visit:

• Bharat Kala Bhavan Museum
• New Vishwanath Temple
• BHU Gardens

10:00 AM - Tulsi Manas Temple & Durga Temple

Duration: 1 hour
Route: BHU → Durga Temple (2 km, 7 mins)

Both temples allow bike parking nearby.

11:30 AM - Back to Hotel (Rest)

Varanasi is hot during noon. Rest 11:30 AM - 4:00 PM

4:00 PM - Explore Banaras Old City

Route: Your hotel → Godowlia Chowk

Park bike at paid parking and explore on foot:

• Kashi Vishwanath Temple (darshan)
• Gali Gawakdh (narrow lanes)
• Thatheri Bazaar (brass market)
• Vishwanath Gali shopping

6:00 PM - Dashashwamedh Ghat Evening Aarti

Duration: 1 hour
Must-do: Witness the grand Ganga Aarti

Park bike 500m away and walk to ghat.

7:30 PM - Dinner at Godowlia

Try: Kashi Chat Bhandar, Deena Chat Bhandar

8:30 PM - Return to Hotel

Safe night riding on main roads.

Day 1 Total Distance: ~15 km

Day 2: Sarnath & Manikarnika Ghat

6:00 AM - Manikarnika Ghat

Duration: 30 mins
Experience the cremation ghat in early morning (respectful photography only).

7:00 AM - Breakfast

Quick breakfast near your area

8:00 AM - Sarnath Trip

Distance: 10-12 km from Varanasi (25 mins ride)
Duration at Sarnath: 3 hours

What to See:

• Dhamek Stupa
• Mulagandha Kuti Vihar
• Sarnath Archaeological Museum
• Ashoka Pillar remains
• Thai Temple

Tips:

• Entry: ₹20-50 per monument
• Museum closed on Fridays
• Guides available (₹300-500)

12:00 PM - Lunch at Sarnath

Local restaurants near the monuments

1:30 PM - Return to Varanasi

Route: Sarnath → Hotel (rest time)

4:00 PM - Ramnagar Fort (Optional)

Distance: 8 km from city center
Duration: 1.5 hours

Vintage car museum and Ganga views

6:00 PM - Assi Ghat Sunset

End your trip where it began - beautiful sunset at Assi

7:30 PM - Farewell Dinner

Try: Baati Chokha at local restaurants

Day 2 Total Distance: ~35 km

Total Trip Statistics

• Total Distance: ~50 km
• Fuel Cost: ₹150-200 (scooty gives 45+ kmpl)
• Bike Rental: ₹299-499/day x 2 days
• Parking: ₹50-100 total
• Major Attractions Covered: 15+

Bike Rental Tips for This Itinerary

1. Book in Advance: Especially for weekends
2. Choose Scooty: Honda Activa perfect for this route
3. Morning Pickup: Collect bike by 5 AM if possible
4. Fuel Stations: Available at Sigra, BHU, Cantt
5. GPS Offline Maps: Download before starting

Book Scooty for 2 Days - Special Rate

What to Pack

• Helmet (provided with rental)
• Sunglasses
• Sunscreen
• Water bottle
• Phone holder for GPS
• Light jacket for early morning
• Comfortable shoes

Alternative Day 2: If Not Interested in Sarnath

Replace Sarnath with:

• All Ghats Circuit: Assi → Kedar → Harishchandra → Manikarnika → Dashashwamedh
• Sankat Mochan Temple
• More time in markets
• Ramnagar Fort + Chunar Fort (45 km)

Best Time for This Itinerary

Ideal Months: October to March
Avoid: June-August (monsoon, hot and humid)
Peak Season: October-November, February-March

Budget Breakdown

Much cheaper than hiring daily autos (₹1200+) with way more flexibility!

Safety Tips

1. Wear Helmet: Mandatory and provided
2. Avoid Rush Hours: 10 AM-12 PM, 5-7 PM
3. Night Riding: Stick to main roads
4. Parking: Use paid parking only
5. Fuel: Don't let tank go below 25%

Extending Your Trip?

If you have 3-4 days:

• Add Chunar Fort (45 km)
• Explore more ghats
• Day trip to Vindhyachal (65 km)
• Attend evening classical music performances

Conclusion

This 2-day itinerary perfectly balances spirituality, culture, and adventure. Renting a bike gives you the freedom to explore Varanasi at your own pace, saving money while maximizing experiences.

Ready for your Varanasi adventure?

Rent Your Bike Now | View All Location Guides

Pro Tip: Book your bike 24 hours in advance for guaranteed availability, especially during tourist season!