Assi Ghat to Sarnath by Scooty - Complete Route Guide

Sarnath, the place where Buddha first taught the Dharma, is one of the four most important Buddhist pilgrimage sites. Located just 12 km from Assi Ghat, it's a perfect half-day trip on a rented scooty.

Quick Facts

Distance: 12-13 km from Assi Ghat
Time: 25-30 minutes ride
Best Route: Via BHU and Sarnath Road
Fuel Needed: ~1 liter (₹100-110)
Best Time: 8 AM - 12 PM (before heat)
Total Trip Duration: 4-5 hours including visit

Rent Scooty for Sarnath Trip

The Route: Assi Ghat to Sarnath

Route Option 1: Via BHU (Recommended)

Total Distance: 13 km
Estimated Time: 28 minutes
Road Quality: Excellent

Start from Assi Ghat
Head towards BHU Main Gate (2 km)
Enter BHU campus, follow signs for Lanka Gate
Exit from Lanka Gate
Take Sarnath Road (NH 19)
Follow signs for Sarnath

Why this route?

Better road condition
Scenic BHU campus
Less traffic
Clear signage

Route Option 2: Direct via Cantt Road

Total Distance: 12 km
Estimated Time: 25 minutes
Road Quality: Good

Assi → Sigra
Sigra → Cantt via Maldahiya
Cantt → Sarnath Road (NH 19)

Less scenic but slightly faster

Detailed Riding Instructions

From Assi Ghat (Starting Point)

Landmarks to watch:

Durga Temple (left side after 1 km)
BHU Main Gate (right side at 2 km)
Vishwanath Temple BHU (inside campus)

Through BHU Campus

Speed limit: 30 km/hr
Watch for students crossing
Beautiful tree-lined roads
Takes 7-10 minutes to cross

Sarnath Road (NH 19)

Well-maintained 4-lane highway
Straight road, easy riding
Light traffic usually
Speed limit: 60 km/hr (stay at 40-45)

Entering Sarnath

Look for "Sarnath Archaeological Site" signs
Main parking area clearly marked
Parking: ₹10-20 for scootys

What to See at Sarnath

Main Attractions (Walking Distance)

Dhamek Stupa (5 mins walk)
- 128 feet tall
- Built 5th century CE
- Entry: ₹20 (Indians), ₹200 (Foreigners)
Mulagandha Kuti Vihar (Adjacent)
- Modern temple with beautiful frescoes
- Free entry
- Remove shoes before entering
Sarnath Archaeological Museum (10 mins walk)
- Famous Ashoka Pillar Lion Capital
- Closed on Fridays
- Entry: ₹20
- Photography not allowed inside
Ashoka Pillar (5 mins walk)
- Original pillar site
- Inscription visible
- Included in monument ticket
Thai Temple (10 mins walk)
- Beautiful Thai architecture
- Peaceful atmosphere
- Free entry

Time Required

Quick visit: 2 hours
Moderate visit: 3 hours
Detailed with guide: 4 hours

Sample Itinerary

Half-Day Sarnath Trip from Assi

7:00 AM - Breakfast at Assi
8:00 AM - Start ride to Sarnath
8:30 AM - Arrive, park scooty
8:45 AM - Dhamek Stupa visit
9:30 AM - Archaeological Museum
10:30 AM - Mulagandha Kuti Vihar
11:00 AM - Thai Temple
11:30 AM - Tea/snacks at local café
12:00 PM - Start return journey
12:30 PM - Back at Assi Ghat

Tips for Sarnath Scooty Trip

Before You Leave

✅ Fill fuel (ensure tank is at least 50%)
✅ Carry water bottle
✅ Sunscreen and sunglasses
✅ Phone fully charged (GPS)
✅ Helmet (provided with rental)
✅ Small bag for temple shoe removal

During the Ride

✅ Follow GPS but watch road signs too
✅ Stick to speed limits
✅ Take NH 19 (smoother road)
✅ Stop at BHU if needed (restrooms available)
✅ Watch for speed breakers in Sarnath area

At Sarnath

✅ Park in designated paid parking only
✅ Lock your scooty properly
✅ Don't leave valuables in scooty
✅ Guides available (₹300-500)
✅ Dress modestly (temples)
✅ Remove shoes at temples

Fuel & Parking

Fuel Stations on Route

Near BHU - Indian Oil (2 km from Assi)
Cantt Area - Multiple options
Before Sarnath - HP Petrol Pump (10 km mark)

Parking at Sarnath

Main Parking: Near Dhamek Stupa (₹10-20)
Temple Parking: Thai Temple has free parking
Safe: Well-maintained with security

Food Options at Sarnath

Near Monuments

Small cafés and tea stalls
Budget: ₹50-100 per person
Limited options, better to eat back in Varanasi

Return Journey

Best Route Back

Same route (via BHU) but consider:

Option 1: Straight back to Assi (13 km)

Option 2: Sarnath → BHU → Explore BHU campus → Assi (add 30 mins)

Option 3: Sarnath → Visit Ramnagar Fort → Assi (add 45 mins, 8 km extra)

Combined Trips

Sarnath + BHU (4-5 hours total)

Morning: Sarnath (2.5 hours)
Afternoon: BHU Vishwanath Temple & Museum (1.5 hours)

Sarnath + Ramnagar Fort (6-7 hours)

Sarnath (3 hours) → Lunch → Ramnagar Fort (2 hours)

Plan Your Extended Trip

Cost Breakdown

Item	Cost
Fuel (round trip)	₹100-120
Parking	₹20
Entry Tickets	₹60-240
Guide (optional)	₹300-500
Snacks	₹100
Total	₹280-980

Much cheaper than taxi (₹800-1200 round trip)!

Safety Tips

Helmet Always: Mandatory on highways
Stay Left: Let faster vehicles pass
No Rush: Smooth, steady riding
Check Weather: Avoid if heavy rain predicted
Emergency Contact: Save our 24/7 helpline

Best Time to Visit

By Season

October-March: Best weather
April-June: Very hot, go early morning
July-September: Monsoon, roads may be slippery

By Day

Early Morning (7-9 AM): Cool, less crowd
Late Afternoon (4-6 PM): Good light for photos
Avoid: 11 AM - 3 PM (peak heat)

Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Going during 12-2 PM (too hot)
❌ Not carrying water
❌ Rushing the ride (enjoy the journey)
❌ Forgetting entry fee cash
❌ Not locking scooty properly
❌ Skipping museum (has best artifacts)

Why Scooty is Perfect for This Trip

✅ Quick 25-30 min ride vs 45 min in auto
✅ Total control of your schedule
✅ Stop for photos anywhere
✅ Save ₹500-700 vs taxi
✅ Park right at monuments
✅ Freedom to explore surrounding areas

Extending Your Trip

If you have more time:

Nearby Attractions from Sarnath

Chunar Fort (30 km, add 2 hours)
Vindhyachal (65 km, full day trip)
Multiple Buddhist monasteries in Sarnath area

Conclusion

The Assi Ghat to Sarnath trip is one of the best ways to use your rented scooty in Varanasi. Perfect distance, excellent roads, rich history, and significant cost savings make it a must-do for any visitor.

At just ₹100 fuel cost and 30 minutes each way, there's no better way to visit this Buddhist pilgrimage site than on your own scooty.

Ready for your Sarnath adventure?

Rent Scooty for Sarnath Trip | Book Now

Pro Tip: Combine this with BHU campus tour for a perfect cultural day exploring Varanasi's diversity - Hindu and Buddhist heritage in one trip!