How to Explore Varanasi on a Budget with Scooty Rental

Planning a trip to Varanasi but worried about expenses? This ancient city offers incredible experiences without breaking the bank—especially when you rent a scooty. Here's your complete budget travel guide.

Why Scooty Rental is the Most Budget-Friendly Option

Cost Comparison (7-Day Trip)

Savings with scooty: ₹3,100 - ₹12,200 (43% - 85% savings)

Complete Budget Breakdown for 7 Days in Varanasi

Accommodation: ₹3,500 - ₹7,000

• Budget hostel dorm: ₹300-500/night (Total: ₹2,100-3,500)
• Budget hotel: ₹800-1,200/night (Total: ₹5,600-8,400)
• Best areas: Sigra, Lanka, Assi Ghat

Transportation: ₹2,000 - ₹2,500

• Scooty rental: ₹299/day x 7 = ₹2,093
• Weekly discount (15% off): ₹1,779
• Fuel (50 km/day): ₹300-400

Food: ₹1,400 - ₹3,500

• Street food breakfast: ₹50-80
• Local thali lunch: ₹80-120
• Dinner: ₹120-180
• Daily total: ₹200-500

Activities & Entry Fees: ₹1,000 - ₹2,000

• Most ghats and temples: FREE
• Sarnath Museum: ₹20
• Ramnagar Fort: ₹50
• Evening Ganga Aarti: FREE
• Boat ride: ₹100-200

Miscellaneous: ₹500 - ₹1,000

• SIM card: ₹200
• Snacks, water: ₹300-500
• Souvenirs: ₹200-300

Total 7-Day Budget

• Ultra Budget: ₹8,400 (₹1,200/day)
• Moderate Budget: ₹16,000 (₹2,285/day)
• Comfortable Budget: ₹20,000 (₹2,857/day)

Free Things to Do in Varanasi

1. Watch Ganga Aarti (Worth ₹0)

Evening aarti at Dashashwamedh Ghat is completely free if you watch from the steps. Paid seating options available but not necessary.

2. Explore Ancient Ghats (Worth ₹0)

• Assi Ghat (morning yoga)
• Manikarnika Ghat (cremation ghat)
• Panchganga Ghat (five rivers confluence)
• Route: Assi to Dashashwamedh

3. Visit Kashi Vishwanath Temple (Worth ₹0)

Free entry to one of India's most sacred Shiva temples.

4. Explore BHU Campus (Worth ₹0)

Beautiful colonial architecture, Bharat Kala Bhavan museum (small fee).
Location: BHU area guide

5. Morning Walk Along Ghats (Worth ₹0)

Wake up at 5:30 AM, rent your scooty from Lanka, reach Assi Ghat by 6 AM. The sunrise is priceless.

Money-Saving Scooty Tips

1. Rent for Longer Duration

• Daily: ₹299
• Weekly (7 days): ₹1,779 (15% off = ₹314 savings)
• Monthly: ₹6,273 (30% off = ₹2,697 savings)

2. Share Rental with Travel Buddy

Split the cost with a friend:

• Weekly scooty: ₹1,779 ÷ 2 = ₹890 per person
• Beat even the cheapest auto option

3. Fuel-Efficient Routes

Plan your route to minimize backtracking:

• Morning: Assi Ghat → Dashashwamedh → Manikarnika (6 km)
• Evening: BHU → Sigra market (3 km)
• Day trip: Sarnath round trip (25 km)

4. Pick Up from Convenient Location

We have pickup points across Varanasi:

• Sigra (near hotel area)
• Mahmoorganj (central location)
• BHU (student-friendly)

Budget Food Recommendations

Breakfast (₹30-60)

• Kachori sabzi at Madhur Milan, Sigra
• Kashi chaat at Deena Chaat Bhandar, Godowlia
• Poori sabzi at any local stall

Lunch (₹60-100)

• Thali at Keshari Ruchikar, Lanka
• Dal fry rice at any "Bhojnalaya"
• Litti chokha (₹40)

Dinner (₹100-150)

• Brown Bread Bakery, Assi Ghat (₹120)
• Baati chokha at Tadka, Sigra (₹140)
• Local dhabas (₹80-100)

Budget Itinerary: 3 Days in Varanasi

Day 1: Old City & Ghats (₹1,650 total)

• 6:00 AM: Pick up scooty from Sigra
• 6:30 AM: Sunrise at Assi Ghat
• 8:00 AM: Breakfast (₹50)
• 9:00 AM: Walk from Assi to Dashashwamedh
• 12:00 PM: Lunch (₹80)
• 3:00 PM: Explore Godowlia market
• 6:00 PM: Evening Ganga Aarti
• 8:00 PM: Dinner (₹120)
• Costs: Accommodation (₹500) + Scooty (₹299) + Food (₹250) + Fuel (₹100) = ₹1,149

Day 2: Sarnath & Surrounding (₹1,200 total)

• 7:00 AM: Breakfast (₹50)
• 8:00 AM: Ride to Sarnath (12 km)
• 9:00 AM: Explore Dhamek Stupa, monasteries
• 12:00 PM: Lunch in Sarnath (₹100)
• 2:00 PM: Sarnath Museum (₹20)
• 4:00 PM: Return to city
• 6:00 PM: Rest at hotel
• 8:00 PM: Dinner (₹120)
• Costs: Accommodation (₹500) + Scooty (included) + Food (₹270) + Fuel (₹150) + Entry (₹20) = ₹940

Day 3: Hidden Gems (₹1,100 total)

• 6:00 AM: Boat ride (₹150)
• 8:00 AM: Breakfast (₹60)
• 10:00 AM: Visit BHU campus
• 1:00 PM: Lunch (₹100)
• 3:00 PM: Explore Cantt area
• 5:00 PM: Return scooty
• 7:00 PM: Dinner (₹150)
• Costs: Accommodation (₹500) + Boat (₹150) + Food (₹310) + Fuel (₹100) = ₹1,060

3-Day Total: ₹3,149 (₹1,050/day)

Additional Money-Saving Tips

1. Travel Off-Season

• Cheapest: May-June (very hot, 40-45°C)
• Value: July-September (monsoon, fewer crowds)
• Peak prices: October-March

2. Book Accommodation in Advance

Compare prices on:

• Hostelworld (for hostels)
• MakeMyTrip (Indian hotels)
• OYO (budget hotels)

3. Avoid Tourist Traps

• Don't buy from first shop (prices 2-3x higher)
• Eat where locals eat
• Use scooty to access non-touristy areas

4. Free Wi-Fi Spots

• Most cafes in Assi Ghat
• BHU campus
• Hotels/hostels

What You Save by Renting Scooty

Scenario 1: Couple traveling for 7 days

• With Scooty: ₹1,779 + ₹500 fuel = ₹2,279
• With Auto: ₹700/day x 7 = ₹4,900
• Savings: ₹2,621 (enough for 3 nights accommodation!)

Scenario 2: Solo traveler for 3 days

• With Scooty: ₹897 + ₹300 fuel = ₹1,197
• With Ola/Uber: ₹400/day x 3 = ₹1,200
• Savings: Similar cost BUT complete freedom!

Scenario 3: Group of 3 friends for 5 days

• With 2 Scooties: ₹2,536 + ₹400 fuel = ₹2,936 (₹979/person)
• With Autos: ₹800/day x 5 = ₹4,000 (₹1,333/person)
• Savings: ₹1,064 total (₹354 per person)

Is Scooty Rental Worth It for Budget Travel?

Absolutely YES if you:

• ✅ Are staying 3+ days
• ✅ Want flexibility (no waiting for autos)
• ✅ Plan to explore beyond central ghats
• ✅ Like authentic local experiences
• ✅ Are comfortable riding in India

Maybe reconsider if you:

• ❌ Staying only 1-2 days in Godowlia
• ❌ Not confident riding in traffic
• ❌ Only visiting Dashashwamedh Ghat

Book Your Budget Scooty

Ready to explore Varanasi without burning your budget?

👉 View our transparent pricing
👉 Book scooty from ₹299/day
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