HomeDestination Comparison
V
4.7

Varanasi

820 km from Delhi

VS
H
4.3

Haridwar

230 km from Delhi

Varanasi vs Haridwar — Which Spiritual City to Visit By Car?

OPTION A

Varanasi

Ancient spiritual capital, intense and transformative, 5000-year old living city

Drive Time

10-12 hours

Cab Fare

₹18,040 (sedan round trip)

Daily Cost

₹2,500-4,500/person

Best Time

October-March

Best For

Deep spiritual seekersCulture enthusiastsPhotographersHistory lovers

Top Highlights

Dashashwamedh Ghat Aarti
Kashi Vishwanath Temple
Morning Boat Ride
Sarnath
Ganga Ghats
Silk Shopping

Advantages

  • +India's oldest and most sacred city
  • +More dramatic and intense Ganga Aarti
  • +Rich silk shopping tradition
  • +Sarnath — birthplace of Buddhism
  • +Unparalleled photography opportunities
  • +Unique boat ride experience on Ganga

Drawbacks

  • -Very far from Delhi
  • -Expensive cab fare
  • -Extremely hot in summer
  • -Narrow galis can be overwhelming
  • -More chaotic and intense
OPTION B

Haridwar

Gateway to gods, holy Ganga entry, pilgrimage base camp

Drive Time

5-6 hours

Cab Fare

₹5,060 (sedan round trip)

Daily Cost

₹2,000-3,500/person

Best Time

October-March, Kumbh Mela years

Best For

Weekend pilgrimsFamiliesFirst-time spiritual seekersRishikesh combo trippers

Top Highlights

Har Ki Pauri Aarti
Chandi Devi Temple
Mansa Devi Temple
Ganga Canal
Rajaji National Park
Rishikesh (25 km)

Advantages

  • +Much closer to Delhi — easy weekend trip
  • +Very affordable
  • +Clean and well-maintained ghats
  • +Can combine with Rishikesh (25 km)
  • +Less overwhelming than Varanasi
  • +Cable car to temples

Drawbacks

  • -Less culturally rich than Varanasi
  • -Smaller and fewer ghats
  • -Less dramatic Aarti compared to Varanasi
  • -Limited beyond spiritual activities
Point by Point

Head-to-HeadComparison

Category
Varanasi
Haridwar
Winner
Distance from Delhi
820 km (10-12 hrs)
230 km (5-6 hrs)
Haridwar
Cab Cost (Round Trip)
₹18,040 (sedan)
₹5,060 (sedan)
Haridwar
Ganga Aarti Experience
Grand & dramatic (Dashashwamedh)
Beautiful but smaller (Har Ki Pauri)
Varanasi
Spiritual Depth
India's holiest city
Important but less intense
Varanasi
Photography
World-famous ghat scenes
Good but limited scope
Varanasi
Ease of Travel
Far and challenging
Close and convenient
Haridwar
Nearby Attractions
Sarnath (10 km)
Rishikesh (25 km)
Haridwar
Budget Friendliness
Affordable locally but high travel cost
Very affordable all-round
Haridwar

Expert Analysis

Our Verdict

Choose Varanasi for a deep, transformative spiritual experience — the ancient ghats, grand Aarti, and 5,000-year-old culture are unmatched anywhere on Earth. Choose Haridwar for a convenient weekend pilgrimage from Delhi, especially if you want to combine it with adventure activities in Rishikesh.

Book Your Trip Now

Triveni Cabs — AC sedan at ₹11/km, SUV at ₹15/km. Expert drivers for every route.

V

Cab to Varanasi

820 km | ₹18,040 (sedan round trip)

H

Cab to Haridwar

230 km | ₹5,060 (sedan round trip)

No Hidden Charges 4.9 Rated Service 5000+ Trips Done

Explore More Services

FAQs

Varanasi vs Haridwar — FAQs

Common questions about choosing between these destinations

Still have questions?

Our team is here to help. Contact us for personalized assistance.