Varanasi, India: What to pack, what to wear, and when to go [2018]
Traveling to Varanasi, India? If you're planning to go to Varanasi, here is some important information about when to go, what to wear, and what to pack:
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.
What to wear/what to pack for Varanasi, India by month
January
January in Varanasi is a perfect temperature. The average overnight temperatures in the area are in the high 40s F (single digits C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Sunscreen lotion
- Sandals
- Light footwear
- Dresses
- Long and short sleeve shirts
- Skirts
- Shorts or short pants
February
February here is pretty consistently hot. Temperatures average in the low 80s F (high 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Sunscreen lotion
- Dresses
- Light footwear
- Skirts
- Sandals
- Shorts or short pants
- Long and short sleeve shirts
March
March in this region can be very hot. Temperatures average in the low 90s F (low 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Skirts
- Dresses
- Sunscreen lotion
- Sandals
- Short sleeve shirts
- Shorts
- Sunglasses
April
If you vacation in Varanasi during April, you are likely to 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:
- Extremely light dresses
- Light skirts
- Sandals
- High-SPF sunscreen lotion
- Thin tank or crop tops
- Extremely thin shorts
- Sarong
- Sunglasses
- Thin short sleeve shirts
May
If you are 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:
- Sandals
- Sunglasses
- Sarong
- Thin short sleeve shirts
- High-SPF sunscreen lotion
- Extremely thin shorts
- Light skirts
- Thin tank or crop tops
- Extremely light dresses
June
June in Varanasi is unbearably hot. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the low 90s F (low 30s C) to low 100s F (high 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Thin tank or crop tops
- Extremely light dresses
- Sandals
- Sarong
- Extremely thin shorts
- High-SPF sunscreen lotion
- Sunglasses
- Light skirts
- Thin short sleeve shirts
July
July in Varanasi can be blisteringly hot. The rain can amount to several inches/centimeters. During this time, temperatures average in the low 90s F (mid 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Thin short sleeve shirts
- Skirts
- High-SPF sunscreen lotion
- Light shorts
- Sunglasses
- Thin pants, such as light khakis
- Tank tops
- Light dresses
- Sandals
August
August in Varanasi is constantly hot. Temperatures average in the low 90s F (low 30s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Sunscreen lotion
- Sunglasses
- Sandals
- Shorts
- Dresses
- Short sleeve shirts
- Skirts
September
If you vacation in Varanasi during September, you are likely to find that it can be very 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:
- Sunglasses
- Short sleeve shirts
- Sandals
- Sunscreen lotion
- Shorts
- Skirts
- Dresses
October
If you are traveling to Varanasi in October, you will notice that it is extremely hot. Daytime temperatures are in the low 90s F (low 30s C).
What to wear/what to pack:
- Shorts
- Sunscreen lotion
- Skirts
- Sunglasses
- Sandals
- Short sleeve shirts
- Dresses
November
November is pretty consistently hot. Temperatures average in the 80s F (high 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Skirts
- Sunscreen lotion
- Short sleeve shirts
- Sunglasses
- Dresses
- Shorts
- Sandals
December
December here is warm. Temperatures average in the 70s F (mid 20s C) during the day.
What to wear/what to pack:
- Dresses
- Shorts or short pants
- Skirts
- Sunscreen lotion
- Light footwear
- Sandals
- Long and short sleeve shirts
Year-round what to wear/what to pack 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.
- A plug adadpter that supports outlet types C, D and M
- A SIM card that works in Varanasi
- If you plan to visit a mosque, pack clothing that covers the knees and shoulders
- If you are visiting a temple, pack respectful clothing
- Appropriate museum wear
- Bicycle friendly attire, if you plan on biking anywhere
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