Varanasi, India: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2022]
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Traveling to Varanasi, India? If you're planning to go to Varanasi, this is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack.
Contents
- When to go to Varanasi
- Important essentials for Varanasi
- Activities for Varanasi
- Varanasi in January: weather and what to pack
- Varanasi in February: weather and what to pack
- Varanasi in March: weather and what to pack
- Varanasi in April: weather and what to pack
- Varanasi in May: weather and what to pack
- Varanasi in June: weather and what to pack
- Varanasi in July: weather and what to pack
- Varanasi in August: weather and what to pack
- Varanasi in September: weather and what to pack
- Varanasi in October: weather and what to pack
- Varanasi in November: weather and what to pack
- Varanasi in December: weather and what to pack

About your travel guide
Hi! I'm Dev. I've traveled all over the world and in my travels, I have made many packing lists. In this series, my team and I have compiled the most useful information, as well as things we couldn't live without, to help you plan your trip.
When to go to Varanasi, India
Based on the climate and weather in Varanasi, the best time to go is November. See below for details.
Important essentials for Varanasi, India
Here are some general tips on what to wear in Varanasi, as well as several items to remember to pack when traveling there.
COVID-19 ESSENTIALS FOR 2022
Travel insurance
If you or a companion get COVID-19, your amazing trip can be ruined. Good travel insurance can help. See plans
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A vaccine card protector
Vaccine cards frequently become worn. An unreadable vaccine card can have severe consequences. This vaccine card protector helps avoid that.
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Hand sanitizer
This hand sanitizer is an excellent TSA-friendly product.
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Travel disinfecting wipes
Use these to sanitize plane and hotel surfaces.
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Kids' KN95 masks
N95 masks are not available for kids. These are a good alternative (and can also be used by adults if N95 masks are not available).
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N95 masks to use in crowded airports
These N95 masks provide the best level of COVID protection possible.
General health necessities
Virus/bacteria filtering water bottle
Some areas may have unreliable tap water, so it's wise to bring a contaminant filtering water bottle.
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Travel first aid kit
This one is a superb option.
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Emergency motion sickness relief
Don't forget these
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Money/passport pouch
A money pouch is vital for protecting your passport and credit cards.
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Airplane or car necessities
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For families with young children
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Voice and data SIM card
A SIM card that works in Varanasi. A good global SIM card works in most countries, but check the country list before buying. In some more rural areas you may need a satellite phone. We recommend this satellite phone.
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Plug adapter
A plug adapter that supports outlet types C, D and M. This one should be sufficient for most locations, but you may want to check with your hotel.
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Power bank for devices
A portable power bank, like this one
What to wear/what to pack for Varanasi, India by month
Already know when you're traveling?
January
If you visit Varanasi during January, you are likely to notice that it is a perfect temperature. Temperatures tend to hover around the 70s F (low 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 40s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Extra socks
-
Bug repellent
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Sandals
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Light skirts
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
Mosques often require certain dress, so if you plan to visit the stunning Alamagir Mosque, take the following:
Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; you should check with the Varanasi tourism authority.
February
If you visit Varanasi during February, you will probably find that it is pretty consistently hot. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 50s F (low 10s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Sandals
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Light skirts
-
Extra socks
Mosques often require certain dress, so if you plan to visit the stunning Alamagir Mosque, take the following:
Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; you should check with the Varanasi tourism authority.
March
Traveling to Varanasi in March, you will notice that it can be very hot. Daytime temperatures are in the low 90s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can cool you down quickly and guard against the sun:
-
Insulated water bottle
Our choice also removes contaminants:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Bug repellent
-
Skirts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Sunglasses
Mosques often require certain dress, so if you plan to visit the stunning Alamagir Mosque, take the following:
Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; you should check with the Varanasi tourism authority.
April
If you visit Varanasi during April, you might find that it can be excruciatingly hot. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 100s F (high 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 70s F (low 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Insulated water bottle
-
Light skirts
-
Sarong
-
Waterproof sandals
-
UV protecting legwear
These will keep your legs protected from UV rays while also cool. Our favorites:
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can keep you comfortable and guard against UV rays:
-
High-SPF sunscreen lotion
One of these:
- https://amzn.to/31Mz9kT
Bug bite relief
-
Bugs can be an issue here.
We recommend these bug repellents:
-
Thin tank or crop tops
-
Personal cooling fan
-
100% UV protection sunglasses
We suggest:
-
Lightweight 'harem' pants
Mosques often require certain dress, so if you plan to visit the stunning Alamagir Mosque, take the following:
Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; you should check with the Varanasi tourism authority.
May
Traveling to Varanasi in May, you will notice that it is sweltering. Daytime temperatures are in the 100s F (low 40s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Protecting pants/skirts
These will keep you safe from UV rays while also cool. Our favorites:
-
Breatheable shirts
A good breatheable shirt can keep you comfortable and guard against skin damage:
-
Insulated water bottle
-
Lightweight 'harem' pants
-
Thin tank or crop tops
-
Personal cooling fan
-
Waterproof sandals
- https://amzn.to/31Mz9kT
Bug bite relief
-
Bugs can be an issue here.
We recommend these bug repellents:
-
High-SPF sunscreen lotion
One of these:
-
Light skirts
-
100% UV protection sunglasses
We suggest:
-
Sarong
Mosques often require certain dress, so if you plan to visit the stunning Alamagir Mosque, take the following:
Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; you should check with the Varanasi tourism authority.
June
June for Varanasi is blindingly hot. Temperatures average in the low 100s F (high 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Light skirts
-
Sarong
-
Bugs may be a problem here.
We recommend these bug repellents:
-
Personal cooling fan
-
UV protecting pants/skirts
These will keep your legs safe from UV rays while also cool. Our favorites:
-
Insulated water bottle
-
Lightweight 'harem' pants
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can keep you comfortable and guard against UV rays:
- https://amzn.to/31Mz9kT
Bug bite relief
-
100% UV protection sunglasses
We suggest:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
High-SPF sunscreen lotion
One of these:
-
Thin tank or crop tops
Mosques often require certain dress, so if you plan to visit the stunning Alamagir Mosque, take the following:
Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; you should check with the Varanasi tourism authority.
July
If you visit Varanasi during July, you might see that it is sweltering. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 90s F (mid 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the low 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Sunglasses
Bug bite relief
-
Insulated water bottle
-
Bug repellent
-
Skirts
-
High-SPF sunscreen lotion
-
Cooling tank or crop tops
These are specially designed for cooling:
-
Light dresses
These Columbia dresses are specially designed for cooling and include UV protection.
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Thin short sleeve shirts
Be sure bring additional, since these often get wet or dirty.
-
Light linen shorts
-
Sun protecting pants/skirts
These will keep your legs safe from UV rays while also cool. Our favorites:
-
Lightweight 'harem' pants
-
Personal cooling fan
Mosques often require certain dress, so if you plan to visit the stunning Alamagir Mosque, take the following:
Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; you should check with the Varanasi tourism authority.
August
If you visit Varanasi during August, you will probably find that it is constantly hot. Temperatures tend to hover around the low 90s F (low 30s C) during the day, while at night they can dip into the high 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses to provide UV protection and cool you.
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Breatheable shirts
A breatheable shirt can keep you cool and protect you from skin damage:
-
Insulated water bottle
Our choice also cleans harmful contaminants:
-
Sunglasses
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Bug repellent
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Skirts
Mosques often require certain dress, so if you plan to visit the stunning Alamagir Mosque, take the following:
Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; you should check with the Varanasi tourism authority.
September
September in Varanasi can be sweltering. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the 80s F (high 20s C) to low 90s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Sunglasses
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Skirts
-
Breatheable shirts
A breatheable shirt can keep you cool and protect you from skin damage:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
Insulated water bottle
Our choice also removes contaminants:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Bug repellent
Mosques often require certain dress, so if you plan to visit the stunning Alamagir Mosque, take the following:
Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; you should check with the Varanasi tourism authority.
October
October can be sweltering. Temperatures average in the low 90s F (low 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses offer UV protection and help you stay cool.
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Bug repellent
-
Breatheable shirts
A breathing shirt can keep you comfortable and protect you from UV rays:
-
Skirts
-
Sunglasses
-
Insulated water bottle
Our fave also filters dangerous contaminants:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Loose-fit shorts
Mosques often require certain dress, so if you plan to visit the stunning Alamagir Mosque, take the following:
Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; you should check with the Varanasi tourism authority.
November
If you are traveling to Varanasi in November, you will notice that it is extremely warm. Daytime temperatures are in the 80s F (high 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Waterproof sandals
-
Sunscreen lotion, moderate SPF
-
Sunglasses
-
Bug repellent
-
Skirts
-
Breatheable shirts
A good breatheable shirt can keep you cool and protect you from UV rays:
-
Loose-fit shorts
-
Cool and dry dresses
These dresses can provide UV protection and keep you cool.
-
Insulated water bottle
Our pick also removes contaminants:
Mosques often require certain dress, so if you plan to visit the stunning Alamagir Mosque, take the following:
Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; you should check with the Varanasi tourism authority.
December
Traveling to Varanasi in December, you will notice that it is a perfect temperature. Daytime temperatures are in the 70s F (mid 20s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
-
Short pants or heavy shorts
-
Extra socks
-
Breathable footwear or sandals
-
Light skirts
-
Long and short sleeve shirts
-
Sunscreen lotion
-
Light dresses
You can find some great options here
-
Sandals
-
Bug repellent
Mosques often require certain dress, so if you plan to visit the stunning Alamagir Mosque, take the following:
Note that there may be restrictions on who may enter the building; you should check with the Varanasi tourism authority.
Activities for Varanasi, India
Here are some activity recommendations and activity-specific packing tips for Varanasi.
Check out our guides for these other locations: Rausu, Japan, Ramechhap, Nepal, Manovo-Gounda St.
Floris National Park, Central African Republic, Henley-in-Arden, England, United Kingdom, Igaliku, Greenland, Woods Hole, Massachusetts, United States of America, Sarsai Nawar, India, Moszna, Poland, Radium Hot Springs, British Columbia, Canada, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico, and Huntingdon, England, United Kingdom.