What does a boat ride on the Ganga cost in Varanasi? Here are the real 2026 prices for private boats and per-person seats, and what changes the price. Updated 28 October 2026.
In Varanasi you pay for the boat, or for a seat on a shared boat. Four things change the price: the boat type, the route, whether the ride includes the Ganga Aarti, and whether you book the whole boat or a per-person seat.
Boat type. The open boat is the cheapest, followed by the canopy boat, the bajra (double decker) and the cruise. A bigger boat costs more, but it takes more people, so the cost per person falls for bigger groups.
Route. A shorter ride of about 9 km past 54 ghats costs less than the full ride of about 12 km past 84 ghats. Each route, such as Namo Ghat to Assi Ghat, Assi Ghat to Namo Ghat or a ride from Dashashwamedh Ghat, has its own price.
Ganga Aarti. Rides that include the evening Ganga Aarti cost more than the plain ride.
Private or sharing. A private booking is the full boat for your group. A per-person seat is on a shared boat and needs a minimum number of guests, which is 8 for the open boat and 16 for the bajra.
Starting prices for the plain ride. Rides with the Ganga Aarti and special nights cost more and are listed on their own pages.
| Boat | Private boat | Per person | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open BoatPrivate boat: ₹1,999 to ₹2,999 (up to 20 guests) | From ₹1,999 | ₹200 to ₹300 per person | Book on WhatsApp |
| Canopy BoatPrivate boat: ₹3,499 to ₹3,999 (up to 30 guests) | From ₹3,499 | ₹299 to ₹399 per person | Book on WhatsApp |
| Bajra / Double DeckarPrivate boat: ₹10,999 to ₹12,499 (up to 60 guests) | From ₹10,999 | ₹499 to ₹699 per person | Book on WhatsApp |
| CruisePrivate boat: ₹24,999 to ₹28,000 (up to 120 guests) | From ₹24,999 | Private only | Book on WhatsApp |
Ask for the total price of the whole ride before you sit in the boat, and confirm the route, the time and the number of guests. All our prices are fixed and listed on our pages, so there is nothing to bargain over on the day.
If your group is small, a per-person seat on an open boat is usually the cheapest. If your group is large, a private boat can cost less per person than seats. Elders and children are more comfortable on the canopy boat.
Special nights cost differently. On Dev Deepawali night, the private open boat is ₹46,999, the canopy boat ₹59,999, the bajra ₹349,999 and the cruise ₹667,999. See Dev Deepawali boat booking. A decorated boat for a birthday or anniversary has its own prices, on the birthday and anniversary boat booking page.
Related guides: Ganga Aarti boat booking in Varanasi, sunrise boat booking in Varanasi and private boat booking in Varanasi.
The cheapest option is a per-person seat on an open boat, or a private open boat on the shorter 54-ghat route at ₹1,999.
A private open boat starts at ₹1,999, a canopy boat at ₹3,499, a bajra at ₹10,999 and a cruise at ₹24,999, depending on the route.
Both exist. A private booking is priced for the whole boat. Per-person seats are for shared boats and need a minimum number of guests.
Yes, rides that include the Ganga Aarti are priced higher than the plain ride. See the Ganga Aarti boat ride page for the exact prices.
Yes. Dev Deepawali night has its own rates, and we list them on the Dev Deepawali page. Please confirm the price on call or WhatsApp when you book.
Yes, a free storyteller comes with every boat.