M
Social & central
Moustache Varanasi
Varanasi
A friendly, well-run hostel near Assi Ghat with clean dorms, helpful staff, and a social vibe.
Hostels · Uttar Pradesh · India
We reviewed 36 hostels across Varanasi and selected the best ones for this page, so you can find the ideal base for your spiritual journey.
M
Social & central
Varanasi
A friendly, well-run hostel near Assi Ghat with clean dorms, helpful staff, and a social vibe.
W
Rooftop views
Varanasi
A clean, social hostel with rooftop Ganges views and a free breakfast, steps from the ghats.
L
Ghat proximity
Varanasi
A 6-minute walk from Ravidas Ghat, this hostel earns an 8.7 rating for its clean rooms, hot showers, and helpful staff.
G
Guest favourite
Varanasi
A sociable hostel with strong staff reviews, private rooms with bathrooms, and a leafy garden in a quiet Varanasi neighbourhood.
Z
Top-rated
Varanasi
A high-scoring Varanasi hostel with dorms and private rooms, a game room, and a central location within walking distance of Nepali Temple.
E
Budget-friendly
Varanasi
A friendly hostel close to the temple, with a shared lounge and budget rooms from £13.
M
Simple & Budget
Varanasi
A budget-friendly dormitory with parking and free Wi-Fi, ideal for travellers wanting a straightforward base in Varanasi.
T
High-rated
Varanasi
A well-rated guesthouse steps from Assi Ghat, with car hire and free Wi-Fi.
G
Social & tours
Varanasi
A social hostel with high-rated staff, guided tours, and AC rooms in Varanasi.
M
Budget Stay
Budget dorms and private rooms near the ghats, with a rooftop restaurant and a staff that guests repeatedly praise.
V
Near Durga Temple
Varanasi
A budget-friendly base in Varanasi, steps from Shri Durga Temple and featuring a shared lounge.
B
Sociable & central
Varanasi
A sociable hostel near the ghats with a rooftop restaurant, personal lockers, and a cozy common area.
V
Sociable & Centrally Located
Varanasi
A sociable hostel with free parking, a sun terrace, and a restaurant — 2.6 km from Assi Ghat.
B
Ghat-side budget stay
A five-minute walk from Shivala Ghat, this compact hostel offers simple dorms and private rooms with a rooftop patio.
M
Family-run
Varanasi
A welcoming family-run hostel near the Ganges with clean rooms, rooftop terrace, and local tours.
I
Peaceful stay
A calm, family-run hostel with a garden, shared kitchen, and easy access to the railway station.
M
Top Rated
Varanasi
Friendly staff, rooftop views, and a prime location near the ghats at a budget-friendly price.
T
Top Facilities
Varanasi
A well-rated hostel with top-notch facilities and a staff that goes the extra mile.
M
Sarnath stay
Quiet guest house minutes from Sarnath's Buddhist temples, with home-style meals and a friendly family welcome.
Y
Near the Ghats
Varanasi
A laid-back hostel with a prime location near Varanasi's Ghats, offering clean beds, helpful staff, and free Wi-Fi.
S
Value stay
A quiet homestay just 2.7 km from Dhamek Stupa, with air-conditioned rooms from £28.
G
Varanasi Hostel
Varanasi
Friendly staff, rooftop pool, and easy access to the ghats — a safe haven in Varanasi.
J
Budget & basic
Varanasi
An 8-minute walk to Kaal Bhairav Mandir, this budget dormitory offers a terrace, parking, and 24-hour security.
O
Budget Stay
Varanasi
A 9-rated budget hostel near Assi Ghat with a shared dorm and free parking.
B
Budget-friendly
Rooms from £20 with car hire and airport shuttle in Varanasi.
S
Budget stay
Simple male-only hostel in Varanasi with free Wi-Fi and a shared kitchen, about 25 minutes' walk from Assi Ghat.
O
Near Assi Ghat
A well-rated guest house near Assi Ghat with a rooftop terrace, on-site restaurant, and staff praised for going the extra mile.
L
Ghats hostel
Varanasi
A clean, friendly hostel in the Ghats with a rooftop hangout and complimentary breakfast.
T
Pet-friendly hostel
Varanasi
A sociable Varanasi hostel with kitchen facilities and a pet-friendly policy, near the Ganges.
M
Peaceful & Pet-Friendly
Varanasi
A serene adults-only stay with a perfect comfort score, moments from a tranquil temple.
S
Ghat-side hostel
Varanasi
Steps from Dashashwamedh Ghat, this hostel earns praise for its staff and rooftop views.
E
Budget-friendly
A laid-back hostel in Varanasi with a sundeck, shared kitchen, and easy access to local temples and ghats.
S
Local favorite
Varanasi
A clean, friendly hostel in Varanasi with an aqua park and picnic area, just a short drive from Ramnagar Fort.
R
Practical Sigra stay
No-frills Sigra lodging with fast Wi-Fi, a short walk to Varanasi's key ghats and temples.
V
Top Rated
Varanasi
A top-rated hostel near Assi Ghat with parking and easy access to the ghats and university.
S
Budget Stay
Varanasi
A no-frills Varanasi guesthouse with easy access to the Ganga Aarti and practical rooms for groups.
Map & live prices by our partner
The most popular search is for hostels near the ghats, and for good reason — you want to wake up steps from the Ganges. Assi Ghat is a favorite, with options like Moustache Varanasi, which has a social vibe and is near the ghat, and Temple Town Homes, rated 9.4, just steps away. Other hostels, like Banaras Gully House, are a five-minute walk from Shivala Ghat, offering a rooftop patio and simple dorms. If you prefer to be near the main action, Stay Inn Heritage is steps from Dashashwamedh Ghat, perfect for the evening aarti.
For the quintessential Varanasi experience, staying near Assi Ghat is a top choice. Besides Moustache Varanasi and Temple Town Homes, both social and highly rated, you'll find Om Villa PG Hostel, a budget hostel with a 9.0 rating, and Wander Station, which offers rooftop Ganges views. These hostels put you in the heart of the backpacker district, with easy access to cafes, yoga classes, and the ghat itself.
In Varanasi, you can find hostel beds starting from around 1,051 INR (Wander Station, Mother Hostel) and going up to about 5,730 INR at Stay Inn Heritage. Most budget hostels like Zostel and El Profesor fall in the 1,500–2,400 INR range for a night.
For first-timers, staying near Assi Ghat is highly recommended. It's a vibrant area with easy access to the ghats, temples, and a lively backpacker scene. Hostels like Moustache Varanasi and Temple Town Homes are great bases, offering both social atmospheres and proximity to the river.
Varanasi Junction railway station is about 3-4 km from the ghats. A taxi or auto-rickshaw will take 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic. If you're looking for a place closer to the station, International Travellers' Hostel By Ith Stays offers easy access.
Varanasi's hostels cluster where the city's life happens — along the Ganges, especially near Assi Ghat and Dashashwamedh Ghat, and in the winding gullies that connect them. Here, a bed in a dorm often comes with a rooftop view of the ghats and a walk to the evening aarti. The cheapest dorm-style stays start around 1,051 INR, while private rooms in guesthouses and hostels can go up to 5,730 INR, depending on how close you want to be to the river.
What sets Varanasi's hostels apart is their social vibe — many feature rooftop restaurants, shared lounges, and organized tours. You'll find a mix of well-known backpacker brands and family-run guesthouses, all offering clean beds, hot water, and that certain magic of waking up in the world's oldest living city. Beyond the ghats, some hostels are near the railway station or in quieter neighborhoods like Sarnath, offering a different pace and a chance to explore the city's Buddhist heritage.
These hostels are perfect for backpackers, solo travelers, and anyone seeking a social, budget-friendly base in Varanasi. If you prefer more privacy or are traveling as a family, consider exploring the guest houses or hotels under 'Hotels in Varanasi', 'Guest houses in Varanasi', or 'Family Friendly hotels in Varanasi' for a different experience.