Top Tourist Scams to Avoid in Varanasi

Varanasi is one of the holiest and most visited cities in India, known as a spiritual center of Hinduism. Every year, millions of people come here to experience its sacred atmosphere. But like any popular tourist spot, some people try to take advantage of visitors through clever scams.

For the past 10 years, we’ve worked with travelers from around the world, hearing their stories and helping them avoid or deal with tricky situations. Since COVID-19, Varanasi has become even busier, but it’s also safer if you stay aware.

This guide isn’t meant to scare you—it’s here to help! Our goal is to give you the knowledge you need to have a smooth and enjoyable trip. If you ever need help while visiting, feel free to reach out to us.

Based on our experience, we’ve put together a list of the most common scams in Varanasi. We’ve ranked them by how often they happen and how tricky they are so that you can stay informed and enjoy the city's culture and spiritual beauty without worry.

 

Rickshaw, Tuk-Tuk & Taxi Scam
 

This is one of the first scams tourists may face in Varanasi, especially after arriving at the airport or railway station. Many drivers eagerly offer rides, but there’s often a hidden trick behind their friendly approach.
 

How It Works:

As soon as you step out, drivers may offer to take you to your hotel or any other destination. They might say your hotel is far, hard to find, or even closed to convince you to go somewhere else. Some take longer routes to charge more, while others take you to a different hotel where they get a commission.
 

How to Avoid It:

• Use apps like Ola, Uber, or Rapido for taxis, tuk-tuks, or bike rides. These apps show fixed prices, making them a safe choice.
• If you prefer local rides, check the app fares first to negotiate a fair price.
• Always agree on the price and destination before starting the trip.
• If you’re going to a hotel, call ahead to confirm it’s open and available.
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Hotel Booking Scam

This scam is not very common, but some tourists have experienced it, especially during busy times like Dev Diwali.
 

How It Works:

A tourist books a hotel online through a trusted website. Later, someone pretending to be from the hotel contacts them and asks for full payment directly into a bank account to confirm the booking. After paying, the tourist arrives only to find that the hotel doesn’t exist at the given address.
 

How to Avoid It:

• Always book through trusted websites.
• Never send money directly to a bank account unless it’s through a secure payment platform mentioned during booking.
• If someone asks for payment in an unusual way, it’s a red flag. Stick to official payment methods to make sure your booking is real.
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Priest & Tilak Scam

While walking around Varanasi, you might meet people dressed as priests who offer to put a tilak (a sacred mark) on your forehead. It may seem like a kind gesture, but some of them use it as a way to demand money.
 

How It Works:

A priest-like person applies a tilak without asking and then requests a donation. If you don’t agree on a price beforehand, they might demand a large amount afterward. Some may even try to pressure or scare you into paying more. While getting a tilak can be a nice experience, the forced donation is where the scam happens.
 

How to Avoid It:

• If you want a tilak, agree on a small donation beforehand (₹10-₹20 is reasonable).
• If someone puts a tilak on you without permission, you are not obligated to pay.
• If they become pushy or aggressive, stay calm and walk away.
• Be aware of your surroundings and avoid unexpected rituals to avoid surprises.

 

Shoe Locker Scam

Near the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, you’ll see many small shops offering lockers for your shoes and mobile phones. They claim that these items aren’t allowed inside the temple but be careful!
 

How It Works:

These shops let you store your belongings, but once you do, they pressure you to buy prasad (offerings) at high prices. If you refuse, they may get annoyed and ask you to take your things back, causing unnecessary trouble.
 

How to Avoid It:

• You don’t need to leave your phone or shoes outside.
• Walk straight to the temple corridor, where you’ll find free, secure lockers provided by the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust.
• These official lockers are safe and hassle-free, so you can avoid dealing with pushy shopkeepers.

 

Fake Guides Scam

In Varanasi, some fake guides (often linked to hotels or cafes) approach tourists, offering tours with exaggerated or false stories about the city’s history.
 

How It Works:

These guides may speak some English, but they are not licensed. Instead of giving you accurate information, they make up stories or take you to shops where they earn a commission from your purchases, like sarees or handicrafts. Their main goal is to make money rather than provide a real experience.
 

How to Avoid It:

• Always book guides from trusted sources.
• Look for licensed or verified local guides.
• Avoid random offers from strangers on the street.
• If you want a reliable tour, book through reputable websites that offer trained guides.

 

Manikarnika & Harishchandra Ghat Scam

The burning ghats in Varanasi, like Manikarnika Ghat, are sacred places where Hindu cremation rituals take place. Unfortunately, some people take advantage of tourists here.
 

How It Works:

• Some men may stop you and say it’s disrespectful to watch the rituals. They might offer a "better view" but then demand a high fee.
• Others may ask for donations for poor families or local hospices, but in many cases, the money never goes to the cause.
• These scammers often work in groups, and if you refuse, they may become pushy or even threatening.
   

How to Avoid It:

• Stay respectful and watch from a distance without interacting with strangers.
• Ignore donation requests from random people.
• If you want to learn more, hire a licensed guide from a trusted source.

 

Silk Shop Scam

Varanasi is famous for its beautiful silk sarees, but some shops trick tourists into overpaying for fake or overpriced silk.
 

How It Works:

• Drivers, fake guides, or strangers may take you to a shop claiming it’s "government-approved" or offers special discounts.
• In reality, these shops overcharge and pay big commissions to those who bring customers.
• Some shops sell fake or machine-made silk, but claim it's real Banarasi silk.
• Shopkeepers use pressure tactics to make you buy more than you planned.
   

How to Avoid It:

• Visit well-known and trusted stores with a good reputation.
• Do research before shopping or ask a licensed guide for recommendations.
• Avoid shops suggested by drivers or unlicensed guides, as they often get a commission.

 

Fake Sadhu or Aghori Scam

Varanasi is known for its holy men (sadhus), but some fake sadhus take advantage of tourists to get money.
 

How It Works:

• While walking near the ghats, you may meet someone dressed as a sadhu or Aghori.
• They offer blessings, rituals, or put a tilak on your forehead for free.
• After the ritual, they demand a lot of money as a donation.
• If you refuse, they may get angry, curse you, or make you feel guilty.
   

How to Avoid It:

• Politely say no to any random blessings or rituals.
• Real sadhus do not force people to pay for blessings.
• If you want to donate, give a small amount (10–100 INR) to a genuine sadhu that you approach by choice.

 

Boat Ride Overcharges

Taking a boat ride on the Ganga River is a must-do in Varanasi, but some boatmen charge too much from tourists.
 

How It Works:

• Boatmen or agents approach tourists and offer boat rides at very high prices.
• They may promise extra services like a priest’s blessing or a special ceremony view, which are often fake.
• Some rides are shorter than promised, and they may demand more money for extra time.
• If you take a shared boat, they may charge extra fees for different parts of the ride.
   

How to Avoid It:

• Decide the price, route, and time before getting on the boat.
• Negotiate well, as prices are usually much higher than the real cost.
• Ask locals or check online for fair rates before booking a ride.

 

Sympathy Scam

This scam happens in many tourist places, including Varanasi. Scammers pretend to need help and trick kind-hearted tourists into giving them money.
 

How It Works:

• A person (acting as a traveler or local) approaches you with a sad story.
• They might say they lost their wallet, got robbed, or need money for medicine or to return home.
• Some even show fake documents as "proof" of their situation.
• They ask for money, saying they will pay you back later, but once they get it, they disappear.
   

How to Avoid It:

• Be careful if someone urgently asks for money with a sad but suspicious story.
• Do not give money without verifying if their situation is real.
• If they claim to need help, offer to call the police or a local charity instead of giving cash.
• Avoid giving money to strangers, especially if they seem too pushy or their story feels fake.