Varanasi
820 km from Delhi
Haridwar
230 km from Delhi
Varanasi vs Haridwar — Which Spiritual City to Visit By Car?
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
Top Highlights
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
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
Top Highlights
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
Head-to-HeadComparison
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.
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Triveni Cabs — AC sedan at ₹11/km, SUV at ₹15/km. Expert drivers for every route.
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