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Varanasi to Sarnath: is it worth the trip?

Distance, travel time, day trip or overnight — and how to fit Sarnath into a Varanasi holiday.

Sarnath
Distance10 km
By road~0.5 hrs
Best asDay trip

Why go to Sarnath

Dhamek Stupa, the museum and the deer park where the Buddha first taught. The Buddhist site where the Buddha gave his first sermon: the Dhamek Stupa, ruins of monasteries and the museum that holds the Ashoka lion capital.

Is it worth it?

If you have three days in Varanasi, Sarnath fits in as a relaxed day trip without cutting into the city. With two days, we'd keep to Varanasi itself.

How to do it with Deshraah

Questions travellers ask

How far is Sarnath from Varanasi?

About 10 km — roughly 0.5 hours by road.

Can I do Sarnath as a day trip from Varanasi?

Yes. Sarnath works well as a day trip — leave after breakfast and you're back in Varanasi by evening.

Want us to plan Varanasi + Sarnath for you?

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