मुद्रा और बैंकिंग
Currency & Banking
Currency & Banking
Navigate Varanasi's vibrant economy with ease. From cash essentials in the galis to digital payments at chai stalls, here's your guide to making every rupee count in the holy city.
Daily Budget Guide
How far does your rupee go in Varanasi? Here's what each budget tier gets you.
₹800–1,200 per day Budget Traveller
Guesthouse near Assi Ghat (₹400–600)
Street food: kachori, chaat, lassi (₹100–200)
E-rickshaw & walking everywhere
Shared boat ride (₹50–100)
₹2,000–3,000 per day Mid-Range Comfort
Good AC hotel with river views (₹1,200–1,800)
Mix of restaurants and street food (₹400–600)
Private auto-rickshaw for some trips
Private morning boat ride (₹500–800)
₹5,000–10,000 per day Luxury Experience
Heritage hotel or Ganga-view property (₹3,000–6,000)
Fine dining with authentic Banarasi cuisine (₹800–1,500)
Exclusive private boat & guided tours
Silk shopping, spa, guided experiences
ATM Locations Near the Ghats
ATMs in the ghat area are sparse and often run dry during peak season — know where the clusters are. ⚠️ Most ATMs cap international withdrawals at ₹10,000–20,000 per transaction. SBI and HDFC work best with Visa, Mastercard, and Maestro.
Godowlia Chowk
10 min walk from Dashashwamedh
Largest ATM cluster near the ghats. SBI, HDFC, ICICI, Axis.
Best option for cash near the old city.
Lanka – Assi Road
2 min from Assi Ghat
Good cluster of ATMs near Lanka crossing.
Reliable for Assi Ghat area stays.
Sigra
3 km from ghats
Commercial area with highest ATM density.
Best for large withdrawals when ghat ATMs are empty.
Cantt Station Area
5–6 km from ghats
Reliable ATMs near Varanasi Junction. SBI and HDFC accept widest range of international cards.
Ways to Pay in Varanasi
India's payment revolution has reached even the smallest paan shops — but cash is still king in the galis.
Cash (INR)
Essential for ghat area, auto-rickshaws, street food, boats, and small temples
UPI / QR Code
Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm — widely accepted from chai stalls to silk shops
Credit / Debit Card
Accepted at upscale hotels, restaurants, larger shops. Visa and Mastercard most reliable.
Forex / Travel Card
Thomas Cook, BookMyForex, Niyo — best exchange rates for international visitors
Denomination Guide
Keep a mix of notes — getting change for ₹500 from a chai-wallah at 6 AM is a losing battle.
Tipping Culture in Varanasi
Tipping is appreciated but never obligatory — here's the local etiquette.
| Service | Appropriate Tip | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Boat operator (shared) | ₹50 | Per person for a sunrise ride |
| Boat operator (private) | ₹100–200 | On top of agreed price |
| Local guide (half day) | ₹200–300 | More for excellent knowledge |
| Restaurant | Round up | 10% appreciated at sit-down restaurants |
| Hotel staff / porter | ₹50–100 | Per bag or per service |
| Street food / chai stall | None expected | Price of kachori is sacred — don't tip here |
🪔 Insider Tips
Before You Arrive
In the Old City
💰 Currency
Indian Rupee (INR/₹). No foreign currency accepted at small shops.
🏧 Best ATMs
SBI & HDFC at Godowlia, Lanka, Sigra — widest international card support
📱 Digital Pay
UPI/QR codes everywhere — Google Pay, PhonePe, Paytm all work
💵 Carry Cash
₹5,000 minimum on arrival. Keep small notes for daily ghat transactions.