Varanasi by taxi or not?

lightworker · Mar 9th, 2009, 09:47

G'day,

I will be around 5-7 in Varanasia and want to make the best out of it. My main focus will be in making photos! Is is advisable to get a private driver/guide for at least a few days to get more easy around due to distances or is there no need for this?

Thanks,

Vivek

atala · Mar 9th, 2009, 19:01

No need and no possibility: congestion is too enormous, and alleys too narrow. Besides, many fotos you take from a boat. Save your money to hire your own boat for your own purposes (not the ones of the boat people that is).

n kumar · Mar 9th, 2009, 19:10

You can hire a guide for a day or two, get to know the town, the people and then do it on your own to save some money.

angangang · Mar 9th, 2009, 19:27

I spent a few days with a budding photographer in Varanasi recently, and I agree with the previous posters. A taxi will do you no good in the narrow streets. Plan on taking a boat ride at sunrise and sunset a few times. You will have no problem organizing this.

Any auto rickshaw driver will take you to Sarnath or the other sites outside of town.

Darmabum · Mar 9th, 2009, 20:52

There are certain places in and around Varanasi, such as Sarnath, that do require public transport of some kind. And, depending on where you chose to live while in Varanasi, some places worth seeing in the city itself, may require public transport. But a taxi, as mentioned unanimously above, is not the way to go, and for all the reasons given.

Having spent over a year in Varanasi over three trips, I find most of my time is spent along or on the river. The river, and the myriad small lanes in the old city, is where much of my interests lie, and I am a photographer and a videographer.

If you want to know what's going on in the city, it's cultural, historical and religious significance, I know of no better guide than Diana Eck, her book - Banaras: City of Light.

lightworker · Mar 9th, 2009, 21:45

Thanks guys for all the great info, I might get that book!

I seriously can't wait to go!

Mar 9th, 2009, 09:47	#1
lightworker Happy Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Around the Globe Posts: 10	Varanasi by taxi or not? G'day, I will be around 5-7 in Varanasia and want to make the best out of it. My main focus will be in making photos! Is is advisable to get a private driver/guide for at least a few days to get more easy around due to distances or is there no need for this? Thanks, Vivek

Mar 9th, 2009, 19:27	#4
angangang Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: USA Posts: 40	No need for a taxi I spent a few days with a budding photographer in Varanasi recently, and I agree with the previous posters. A taxi will do you no good in the narrow streets. Plan on taking a boat ride at sunrise and sunset a few times. You will have no problem organizing this. Any auto rickshaw driver will take you to Sarnath or the other sites outside of town.

Mar 9th, 2009, 20:52	#5
Darmabum On the Road, wherever I am Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: in the mountains of Idaho . . . now the red-rock plateau of southern Utah Posts: 1,109	There are certain places in and around Varanasi, such as Sarnath, that do require public transport of some kind. And, depending on where you chose to live while in Varanasi, some places worth seeing in the city itself, may require public transport. But a taxi, as mentioned unanimously above, is not the way to go, and for all the reasons given. Having spent over a year in Varanasi over three trips, I find most of my time is spent along or on the river. The river, and the myriad small lanes in the old city, is where much of my interests lie, and I am a photographer and a videographer. If you want to know what's going on in the city, it's cultural, historical and religious significance, I know of no better guide than Diana Eck, her book - Banaras: City of Light. __________________ Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate; our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure - Marianne Williamson

Mar 9th, 2009, 21:45	#6
lightworker Happy Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Around the Globe Posts: 10	Thanks! Thanks guys for all the great info, I might get that book! I seriously can't wait to go!

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Mar 9th, 2009, 19:01	#2
atala 8 years in India Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Switzerland Posts: 978	No need and no possibility: congestion is too enormous, and alleys too narrow. Besides, many fotos you take from a boat. Save your money to hire your own boat for your own purposes (not the ones of the boat people that is).

Mar 9th, 2009, 19:10	#3
n kumar Maha Guru Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: bangalore Posts: 975	You can hire a guide for a day or two, get to know the town, the people and then do it on your own to save some money.

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