Sarnath, near Varanasi
Where the Buddha gave his first sermon, twelve kilometres from the city and a world away from its noise.
- Vehicle reaches
- Direct, 12 km from the city, large car park.
- You walk
- Walking inside the site.
- Allow
- Half a day done properly.
Direct parking, a large walkable site, and the archaeological museum holding the original Ashokan lion capital.
When to go
Mornings year-round. The museum closes Fridays, and it holds the most significant object at the site — we reshuffle the itinerary when a trip falls that way.
Getting here
Both our vans reach the same drop point — a Force Urbania — 17 Seater at ₹30/km or the Maharaja Urbania — 9 Seater at ₹37/km. Where a stop involves a walk, the van waits rather than being re-booked, so you are not looking for it afterwards in a crowd.
Questions
How far is Sarnath from Varanasi?
Twelve kilometres, about thirty-five minutes, with direct parking at the site. Too short for an outstation rate — book it inside a local package instead.
Is Sarnath museum open every day?
No, it closes on Fridays. Since it holds the original Ashokan lion capital, a Friday visit misses the main object at Sarnath.