FAQ

Please find here the most asked questions, and the answers accordingly, from the last couple of months:

TRANSPORTATION

How to reach Rana Mahal?

For the very best experience you should go for a pickup by boat – after you arrive at the airport, train station, or by car into the city vicinity. Your boat ride enjoying the Ganges, overlooking the skyline of Kashi, not only gives a ‘Grand Entry’ but also secures a hassle free arrival. Our driver, car (Black Bollywood vibe Mahindra Thar), boatmen and some staff members are waiting for you to guide you, and to help you with your luggage. After a comfortable car ride and very charming boat tour along the banks of the Ganges, in the heritage part of Varanasi, the captain will finally drop you right in front of our place; now you only need to climb the steps to our entry and you’re at your ‘home away from home’, Rana Mahal. You can book this pick-up via us for Rs. 4.000/- (for a maximum of 4 people in one ride)

Alternatively take a taxi (book yourself or through us) to Benia Parking or Kinnaram Baba Ashram (route depends on traffic and festival situation), from there organise a cycle rickshaw to Girja More (Church Crossing) or Bengali Tola J&K Bank . Let us know where the rickshaw will drop you, at about what time, and how much luggage you have. We will be happy to send (for free) some carriers that take your luggage and guide you through the crowded, narrow alleys that still function as they do already for centuries. It’s a jump back in time! Arriving like this will cost you Rs.2500/- (for a maximum of 4 people in the same ride) when you book it through us

Please notice that during Monsoon (somewhere July-September) when the river is at it’s highest point you cannot reach our place by boat, only via landside. Also late in the evening boats are not allowed to go on the Ganges. So when you have a late or early arrival we can only pick you up via landside.

How long does it take to reach Rana Mahal from the airport? And from the train station?

It really depends on the time of the day and the festivals going on that moment. But usually from the airport it’s about 50 mins by car to Namo Ghat and 25 mins by boat from Namo Ghat to Rana Mahal Ghat. From there you only need to climb the stairs which will take you less then a minute (in healthy condition).

If you prefer to come via land – what certainly also has a charm of it’s own but nevertheless we strongly recommend you to enter the city in a ‘fairytale way’ – then the car ride will take you about 1 hour, the cycle rickshaw about 15 minutes and the walking also about 15 minutes. Don’t do the alleys on your own since you most probably get lost when you are here for the first time. We’re happy to help you find your way and carry your luggage, just call us.

There are two railway stations; Varanasi Junction (BSB)/ Varanasi Cantt. (old name) and Banaras Railway Station (BSBS)/ Manduadih (old name). From both stations it takes around 40 minutes by car to reach the drop point Benia parking. From there the trip continues by cycle rickshaw for about 15 minutes and by walking, another 15 minutes. If needed we can provide a wheelchair for elderly and disabled people.

Is Rana Mahal accessible by car?

The palace is exclusively located on the bank of Ganges and thus cannot be reached by car. But we can offer you a boat ride that brings you right in front of the palace – then you only need to climb a couple of stairs before you’re ‘home away from home’.

When you approach Rana Mahal from the landside walking and biking are the two options to reach our place. Usually we prefer to bring people through the narrow lanes by feet, but if needed we can also pick you up by bike from the main street or Godhowlia Chowk or Nandi Circle.

Can somebody help with luggage?

Sure, our team members will welcome you, regardless the way of transport you choose, and will also help you with the luggages. Just let us know about the number of luggages, the expected time of arrival and the pickup point – and how we can best reach each other when plans change.

Does Rana Mahal have a parking place?

Sorry, we don’t have a parking because you even cannot reach our property by car.

RENOVATION

How long will the renovation take?

Right now we’re aiming to be fully operational in September 2026. Till that time our guests will encounter disturbances from this challenging project to restore this heritage building for future generations. But we try our very best to make up with this in terms of service.

Can I visit during the renovation?

We try to keep some rooms open for our guests all the time. Simply because the place is situated too fantastic not to be enjoyed. Watching the sunrise from your room or our rooftop is just spectacular. However, till January 2026 expect some serious renovations. If you don’t want to be bothered by that we fully understand. We recommend in that case that you book somewhere else for this trip and visit us lateron. (And if you don’t mind the renovation, we also recommend that you visit us lateron, simply to see what the hard works were leading too. And as one of our early guests we will offer you a special rate the first time you visit us after the renovation is completed, that’s a promise.)

SERVICES & STYLE

What are the times to check-in and check out?

Our regular check-in time is 15:00 hrs IST, checkout time 11:00 hrs IST.

You can check in early and check out late. However if our rooms are still occupied or will be occupied because of another reservation, we will request you to enjoy the view of Ganges from our terrace. And of course we will take care of your luggage meantime.

Does the property have a lift? Is the place disabled friendly?

Once the renovation is finished we will have a lift. So, for disabled people it might be difficult to reach us. And also inhouse there are a lot of stairs to be expected. However, from landside you can come to our property with a wheel chair or bike.

How many stairs do you have?

Right now inside there are 14 steps to go to reach the first floor and 14 steps from the 1st floor to the terrace. For entry from the Ghat there are 25 steps for the reception entry and 25 more for reaching the ground level.

How many rooms with Ganges View you have?

At the moment we have 3 Ganges View rooms in service, coming up with 4 more shortly.

Are all your rooms airconditioned?

Yes, in all rooms we have the facility to activate the airconditioning, as well as the roof fans. And for the cold days – there are some in Varanasi – we can put the airco on heating.

Is there WIFI?

Yes, at Rana Mahal we take care of a good and solid wifi-connection for your convenience.

FOOD

Does Rana Mahal has a restaurant?

We don’t have a restaurant yet. However we do cook for our guests; room service for lunch and dinner. In the near future our fully roofed and airconditioned restaurant will be opened in the beautiful courtyard. Also is it possible – already now – to eat outside on the rooftop.

Another project we’re running in Varanasi is to launch a lovely restaurant in an old Haveli, on one minute distance from House of Varanasi. Will let you know when that’s operational too.

Where do you serve breakfast?

Usually we serve our breakfast buffet on the terrace however in unusual situations – like monsoon rains – we serve in the rooms too. From our rooftop watching the sunrise is just a spectacular experience – a must do when visiting Varanasi. It all depends on the season, but be ready to wake up around 5:30 for this viewing.

What kind of food do you serve?

Being situated in the heart of the oldest part of Varanasi, Kashi, on the banks of holy river Ganges we only serve vegetarian food. For now it’s ‘just’ Indian food, lateron – when the new kitchen is ready – we will extend our services also to some Western signature dishes.

Our breakfast is mainly homecooked Indian – too tasty not to enjoy. And when needed, we can cook whole day for you. Any preferences? Just let us know and we will do our best to make it work.

Good to know that thanks to our location in the heart of the spiritual city we do not serve alcoholic beverages.

What are the amenities in your bathroom?

Our bathrooms have shower gel, hand wash, hair shampoo, hair conditioner, soap, toilet paper and other toiletries. Any special additional needs, just let us know.

Is smoking allowed? Where can I get sigarettes?

You can smoke on our terrace outside, smoking is not allowed in the rooms and public spaces. Sigarettes are available at several shops nearby our place.

ACTIVITIES

What should I do while visiting Varanasi?

There are many reasons to come here. And the duration of your stay would impact our suggestions too. Most people come for spiritual reasons. Our Rana Mahal is just a minute walk from Dashashwmedh Ghat where daily the famous evening Aarthi takes place. A 15 minute stroll along the Ganges will bring you from our Rana Mahal to the main Vishwanath temple. Another must do is an early morning boat ride that allows you to enjoy the sunrise from the Ganges and drops you at the morning Aarthi at Assi Ghat. You didn’t do Varanasi properly without some good food experiences. Also specials like Indian traditional music or dance classes, yoga and meditation can be organised, as well as daytrips to beautiful waterfalls, the iconic place of Sarnath, Ramnagar Fort and much more. For more information on what you can do, please visit our page ‘explore’ where we share some of our own best experiences with you. And yes we will be very happy to organise (parts of) your stay in Varanasi, because ‘we know them all’.

OTHER

What is the best time to visit Varanasi?

Most people visit in the period October till April. Then the weather is very comfortable and you can walk the banks of the river Ganges – a beautiful experience. From April till July it’s getting really hot. And in July – September you can expect the monsoon taking over the banks. Then you can reach our place only by landside.

Are pets allowed?

We don’t have pet care facilities. But of course when you live with a dog that helps you with your disability we will see for a solution.

What can we expect from Rana Mahal?

Experience it for yourself. We like to be your ‘home away from home’ in style.

We like to host a beautiful mix of Indians, NRI’s and other international, likeminded people. People that value richness in history, art and happiness. People looking for beautiful experiences and connections – with or without spiritual goal. (But once you’re here in Varanasi we would highly recommend you to visit at least one temple.)

We want you to feel at home, here at Rana Mahal, surrounded by the wealth of art, heritage – and vibes that cannot be described by words. Just surrender to it. We think it’s because the location, situated right on the banks of the holy river Ganges. It’s nothing but a bliss to sit in your room or on the rooftop and take some time to just watch – and see how life unfolds on and near (the banks of) the Ganges. Nothing more, nothing less.

Also expect every now and then spontaneous traditional Indian music performances and dances by the best artists Varanasi has to offer. Since the city is not only famous for it’s spiritual heritage, it’s also deeply rooted in the art scene. Generations of musicians, dancers, poets and painters lived here and worked here – and still do. Don’t expect at Rana Mahal a daily enjoyable flute performance in the morning during breakfast, we prefer and organise spontaneous music and dance performances in the evenings that really touch the soul. And when you want to be sure that music is part of your Varanasi trip we are happy to organise a private room concert for you (when you stay in one of our larger rooms) – how romantic it can be!

Last but not least we will try to surprise you with some ‘Easter Eggs’. Like a complimentary morning massage by one of the most gifted masseurs we ever met. Also that experience will most probably make you want to come back to Varanasi.

FAQ