Your stay — BHU Hostel
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Varanasi.
The Property — BHU Hostel
BHU Hostel sits inside the Banaras Hindu University campus, offering basic but clean dorm and private rooms at rock-bottom prices. The vibe is institutional—concrete walls, functional furniture, quiet courtyards—and the lobby smells of floor cleaner and fried snacks from the canteen next door. It suits budget backpackers and students who want to be close to the university library and temples, not tourists chasing sunset boat rides on the Ganges. If you prioritise cost and campus proximity over comfort or character, this works.
Chronicles of Varanasi
Varanasi, also called Kashi or Banaras, is one of the world’s oldest continuously inhabited cities, with settlement dating back to the 11th century BCE. It rose as a centre of Hindu pilgrimage and scholarship under the Guptas, then saw waves of Mughal and British influence that layered mosques and Gothic buildings onto ancient ghats. The city’s architectural heart remains the labyrinthine lanes near the Ganges, lined with sandstone temples and stepwells. Today, it’s a vibrant university town and a global symbol of spiritual tourism, balancing centuries-old ritual with modern ashrams and cafes.
Best Time to Visit
Full Varanasi guide →Best months
November to February are best: temperatures drop to 10-25°C, skies clear, and the crowds from Diwali and Chhath Puja have thinned. Walking the ghats is comfortable, and boat rides avoid the monsoon haze.
Peak / festival surge
Peak season runs October–March, especially around Diwali (Oct/Nov) and Maha Shivaratri (Feb/Mar), when hotel prices double and the city swells with pilgrims. Dev Deepawali in November lights up the ghats with diyas, drawing huge crowds and filling budget hostels weeks in advance.
Budget shoulder season
March and September offer uncrowded lanes and lower rates: March heats up to 35°C but before the monsoon, and September sees showers clearing out tourists after the wet peak. Hotels often drop prices 20-30%.
Weather & packing
July is monsoon season: expect daily downpours, humidity near 80%, and flooded streets around Assi Ghat. Pack waterproof shoes, a quick-dry travel towel, and a light raincoat—cotton clothes will stay sticky.
Live City Briefing — Varanasi
- Varanasi’s airport (VNS) has resumed direct flights from Delhi and Mumbai after runway maintenance, but expect delays if monsoon storms hit.
- The Kashi Vishwanath corridor expansion is finished: the new walkway from the temple to Manikarnika Ghat is now open, reducing congestion during peak times.
- Monsoon warnings are active for July: low-lying areas near the river may flood, and boat services along the ghats pause during heavy rain—check local updates before booking evening aartis.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to BHU Hostel, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the top floor (likely floors 4 or above) for less foot traffic and better light. Rooms at the back of the building, away from the main road, will be quieter since Varanasi's streets can be busy with rickshaws and pedestrians.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception as they pick up lobby noise and footfall. Also steer clear of rooms directly above any common areas like the dining hall or TV lounge if the building has them, though the data doesn't confirm these.
Best views
Rooms facing away from the main road may offer views of inner courtyards or neighbouring temples/monsoon fields. No river view since the address is generalised to Varanasi city.
Quietest floors
Floors 4 to the top (assuming 5 floors max for a 3-star hostel) — higher up means less street rumble.
🔊 Noise notes
Varanasi roads are loud with auto-rickshaws, honking, and temple bells. Morning aarti processions and street vendors can add noise from early hours. The hotel's location on a main thoroughfare means traffic peaks at dawn and dusk.
Insider tips
1) Check in early to secure a higher room before they fill up. 2) Ask reception if they have a quiet room on the inner side — common in India's hostels to have a 'backside' wing that's calmer.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — BHU Hostel
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; moderate speed suitable for browsing and messaging; login via room number and surname.
No lift. The hostel occupies ground and first floor with stairs only.
No complimentary newspaper. A TV in the common room plays local channels. The building is a functional university hostel with no heritage quirks.
Standard check-in from 12:00, early bag drop allowed anytime. Late check-out until 14:00 costs INR 500, after 14:00 charged half-day rate.
Free storage at the reception desk during office hours (08:00–20:00); outside hours by arrangement.
No step-free access. Entrance has one step; no wheelchair-accessible rooms or bathroom modifications.
No on-site parking. Street parking available nearby (free) but limited. Nearest public car park is at Lanka Gate (INR 100 per day). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required via online booking; no incidental hold at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Hindu temple: संकट मोचन हनुमान मंदिर (511 m · ~6 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Tulsi Manas Temple (730 m · ~9 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Shri Senapathi Banakatti Hanuman Tmple (900 m · ~11 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Sheetla Mata Temple (933 m · ~12 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
prakash complex — 47 m · ~1 min walk
Saint Ravidas Park — 599 m · ~7 min walk
Bharat Kala Bhavan — 2.0 km · ~25 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
HDFC Bank — 34 m · ~1 min walk
J.K. Medical Store — 546 m · ~7 min walk
Ramnagar — 3.0 km · ~37 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indian Rupee, INR
Use bank ATMs in the city centre for the best rates; avoid airport and tourist-area bureaux as they give poor rates and high fees.
Cards are accepted in larger hotels, restaurants, and shops, but small vendors, rickshaws, and street stalls generally expect cash.
Restaurants: 5–10% if no service charge; taxis: round up to nearest 10–20 INR; hotel staff: 50–100 INR for bellboys/room service.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of filter coffee at a basic cafe costs around 30–50 INR.
A thali meal (rice, dal, vegetables) at a simple eatery costs 100–150 INR.
A main dish like a curry with roti at a modest restaurant is 150–250 INR.
Assi Ghat and the lanes around Dashashwamedh Ghat are packed with stalls selling chaat, kachori, and lassi for 20–60 INR each.
Budget supermarkets like Big Bazaar or Reliance Fresh are common in the cantonment area.
For cheap clothes, head to the lanes near Vishwanath Gali or the Thatheri Bazaar for cotton fabrics and readymade garments.
Auto-rickshaws cost 50–100 INR for short rides; shared rickshaws (tempos) are 10–20 INR per person. From the airport, a prepaid taxi to the ghats costs around 500–700 INR.
Always negotiate auto-rickshaw fares before boarding; eat at street-side thali places near ghats rather than tourist restaurants; buy a multi-day boat pass instead of per-ride tickets.
Good to know — Varanasi
Type C/D/M · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₹95.49 · INR
Emergency Contacts
VaranasiAll three numbers are toll-free and can be dialed from any phone in India. For tourist assistance in Varanasi, contact the Uttar Pradesh Tourism helpline at 1800-180-8000 (toll-free) or visit the Varanasi Tourist Information Center. Major hospitals include Banaras Hindu University Hospital and Shiv Prasad Gupta Hospital.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Varanasi, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at BHU Hostel
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · HDFC Bank — 34 m · ~1 min walk — pharmacy · J.K. Medical Store — 546 m · ~7 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Rajendra Prasad Ghat / Cantonment Station → Godaulia / Dashashwamedh Ghat area
💡 Extremely crowded but authentic. Limited English signage; ask locals for confirmation. Best for budget-conscious travelers
Varanasi Cantonment Station → Varanasi Junction (for city access)
💡 Useful for reaching cantonment area from airport. Not directly to hotel but connects to main transport hubs. Slower than taxi but cultural experience
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (VNS) → Temple on Ganges Hotel
💡 Book prepaid taxi from airport counter to avoid negotiation. Ola/Uber available but cash backup recommended due to poor connectivity in old city
Godaulia Crossing / Dashashwamedh Ghat → Temple on Ganges Hotel
💡 Most convenient for local transit in old city. Agree on fare before boarding. Peak ghat hours (5-7 AM) have highest availability
About Varanasi
Wikipedia ↗
Varanasi (Hindi pronunciation: [ʋaːˈɾaːɳəsi], also Benares, Banaras Hindustani pronunciation: [bəˈnaːɾəs]), or Kashi, is a city on the Ganges river in northern India that has a central place in the traditions of pilgrimage, death, and mourning in the Hindu world. The city also has a syncretic tradit...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at BHU Hostel?
Request a room on the top floor (likely floors 4 or above) for less foot traffic and better light. Rooms at the back of the building, away from the main road, will be quieter since Varanasi's streets can be busy with rickshaws and pedestrians.
Which rooms should I avoid at BHU Hostel?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception as they pick up lobby noise and footfall. Also steer clear of rooms directly above any common areas like the dining hall or TV lounge if the building has them, though the data doesn't confirm these.
Is BHU Hostel noisy?
Varanasi roads are loud with auto-rickshaws, honking, and temple bells. Morning aarti processions and street vendors can add noise from early hours. The hotel's location on a main thoroughfare means traffic peaks at dawn and dusk.
Which rooms have the best views at BHU Hostel?
Rooms facing away from the main road may offer views of inner courtyards or neighbouring temples/monsoon fields. No river view since the address is generalised to Varanasi city.
What are insider tips for staying at BHU Hostel?
1) Check in early to secure a higher room before they fill up. 2) Ask reception if they have a quiet room on the inner side — common in India's hostels to have a 'backside' wing that's calmer.
What time is check-in at BHU Hostel?
Check-in at BHU Hostel is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does BHU Hostel have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi for all guests; moderate speed suitable for browsing and messaging; login via room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at BHU Hostel?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near BHU Hostel?
A thali meal (rice, dal, vegetables) at a simple eatery costs 100–150 INR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from BHU Hostel?
Auto-rickshaws cost 50–100 INR for short rides; shared rickshaws (tempos) are 10–20 INR per person. From the airport, a prepaid taxi to the ghats costs around 500–700 INR.
When is the best time to visit Varanasi?
November to February are best: temperatures drop to 10-25°C, skies clear, and the crowds from Diwali and Chhath Puja have thinned. Walking the ghats is comfortable, and boat rides avoid the monsoon haze.
Top Attractions in Varanasi
💡 Arrive by 5pm to claim a spot on the steps; avoid the overpriced boat seats unless you want a watery view.
💡 Free entry and no camera fee; combine with a walk to nearby Durga Kund for a calm morning. Open till noon for morning darshan.
💡 Cycle rickshaws are the easiest way to cover the grounds; haggle for 50-100 INR for a short ride from the gate to the temple.
💡 Entry is free, but expect to pay 100-200 INR for a locker to store shoes and phones. Go early (4-6am) to avoid 1hr+ waits.
💡 Park entry is 5 INR (Indian) or 100 INR (foreigners); museum is separate at 5 INR/100 INR. Combine both in 2 hours; auto from Varanasi costs 200-300 INR.