Getting around Varanasi means combining road transport with walking, especially in the old city, where one-way traffic affects access. Hotel Padmini International is about 22 minutes by car from Varanasi Junction Railway Station, while destinations such as the ghats, BHU and Sarnath call for different plans.
- Local transport: e-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, three-wheelers and private taxis.
- Old-city access: some routes are one-way, and auto-rickshaws and larger vehicles are restricted on some of them.
- From Padmini International: Dr. Sampurnanand Sports Stadium is about 8 minutes by car; Varanasi city centre is about 24 minutes by car.
- Nearby day trips: Sarnath is 10 km from Varanasi, and Ramnagar Fort is about 29 minutes by car from the hotel.
How Varanasi’s main areas fit together
Varanasi’s stations, city centre, old-city lanes and outlying destinations are spread across a city served by air, rail and road. The Varanasi district administration identifies Varanasi Cantt as a station serving the city and gives Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport at Babatpur’s distance as 22 km from Varanasi and 30 km from Sarnath.
From the hotel, Banaras (Manduadih) station is about 11 minutes by car or 29 minutes on foot. Varanasi Junction Railway Station is about 22 minutes by car or 31 minutes on foot, while Bhulanpur station is about 25 minutes by car or 55 minutes on foot. The hotel is also about 16 minutes on foot from Dr. Sampurnanand Sports Stadium.
For rail arrivals, the stations are not interchangeable in location. Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction is 16 km from Varanasi; local connection details are not provided. If you are choosing a station, compare Varanasi’s railway stations with the hotel area before settling on your arrival plan.
The UPSRTC Bus Stand on Sher Shah Suri Marg and Golgadda Bus Stand are bus facilities in the city.
The hotel is about 59 minutes on foot or 24 minutes by car from Varanasi city centre. A three-star hotel room in Varanasi puts your starting point in the hotel area, rather than beside the central station or airport.
Which local transport works best in Varanasi?
Auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, three-wheelers and private taxis are available for getting around Varanasi, but access depends on the route. Some old-city roads have one-way traffic.
Auto-rickshaws and rickshaws
Auto-rickshaws and rickshaws can cover local journeys, but auto-rickshaws and larger vehicles are not permitted on some old-city routes. If you reserve an auto-rickshaw or rickshaw, agree the fare before setting off. For narrower or restricted streets, ask where the vehicle can drop you and continue on foot if needed.
Taxis and private hires
Private taxis are available through travel agencies, hotels and online services, and private-vehicle hires can be used for destinations around Varanasi. Ask about the pickup point and route before you leave; old-city traffic rules can limit where a vehicle goes.
You can also use a taxi for the longer drive to Banaras Hindu University, about 49 minutes from the hotel by car.
Walking and navigating the old city
Walking is useful for the parts of the old city that vehicles cannot reach, but one-way traffic operates on some routes, particularly around the temple and market areas. Some of those routes exclude auto-rickshaws and larger vehicles, so plan for a drop-off followed by a walk.
For longer walks, compare the time on foot with a car journey before deciding. From Padmini International, Varanasi city centre is about 59 minutes on foot, compared with about 24 minutes by car.
Banaras Hindu University is about 103 minutes on foot or about 49 minutes by car. Those times offer a sense of scale; local restrictions may shape the final approach to a particular street or entrance.
If you are arranging a full day around the city, the one-day Varanasi itinerary from the hotel area can help you sequence stops rather than crossing town repeatedly.
How do you get to the ghats and temple area?
Reach the ghats and temple area by combining a vehicle journey with walking where the old-city traffic rules restrict access. One-way routes operate on some roads in the temple and market areas, and auto-rickshaws and larger vehicles are barred from some of them.
Before setting off, confirm a suitable drop-off point with your driver and agree the fare if you are using a reserved auto-rickshaw or rickshaw.
The route may not take you directly to the ghat or temple entrance, so leave room for the final part on foot. The same approach helps when linking the ghats with market streets in the old city.
Trips to BHU, Sarnath and Ramnagar
BHU, Sarnath and Ramnagar are separate trips from the hotel area, so a car or private hire can simplify the longer journeys. Sarnath is 10 km from Varanasi.
Banaras Hindu University
Banaras Hindu University is about 49 minutes by car from the hotel; the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) is about 35 minutes by car. These are separate destinations within the university area, so specify which one you are visiting when arranging a ride.
Sarnath
Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport at Babatpur is 30 km from Sarnath. For planning the visit itself, this Sarnath visitor guide covers the sites, museum and visit planning.
Ramnagar
Ramnagar Fort is about 29 minutes by car from the hotel. It is a distinct destination from the city-centre and university trips, so plan its drive as a separate leg.
Practical notes for busy days
Allow flexibility for road journeys in Varanasi because one-way traffic affects some routes, especially in the old city’s temple and market areas. For a reserved auto-rickshaw or rickshaw, agree the fare before travelling; for a taxi, confirm the destination and pickup arrangements with the provider.
For airport arrivals, Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport serves Varanasi from Babatpur and is about 74 minutes by car from Padmini International. The hotel is roughly 126.4 km by road from Allahabad Airport. Check the official site before you go for current transport and access details.
FAQs
What local transport is available in Varanasi?
Options include e-rickshaws, cycle rickshaws, three-wheelers, auto-rickshaws and private taxis. Vehicle access is restricted on some old-city routes.
Can auto-rickshaws enter Varanasi’s old city?
Not on every route. Some one-way roads in the temple and market areas do not permit auto-rickshaws or larger vehicles.
How far is Sarnath from Varanasi?
Sarnath is 10 km from Varanasi. Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport at Babatpur is 30 km from Sarnath.