Boats in Varanasi are priced per boat, not per seat — so the more people in your group, the less each person pays. Here's the real per-person cost.
Travel Guide
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PricingPer boat
From₹3,999 / boat
Per Person (8 pax)≈ ₹500
Kids Under 5Free
The most common question about boat rides in Varanasi is the price per person. With private boats, you pay one fare for the whole boat — so a ₹3,999 Normal Motor Boat costs about ₹2,000 each for a couple, but only about ₹500 each for a group of eight.
Below are the real per-person costs for each type of ride, based on our current boat prices.
Per-Person Cost by Group Size
Group Size
Sunrise or Ganga Aarti Ride (₹3,999)
2 persons
≈ ₹2,000 each
4 persons
≈ ₹1,000 each
8 persons
= ₹500 each
10 persons
₹4,599 total ≈ ₹460 each
20 persons
₹7,599 total ≈ ₹380 each
Normal Motor Boat fares include 8 persons and already cover the evening Ganga Aarti and all 84 ghats; each extra person is ₹300, up to 20 persons. Children under 5 ride free.
Per-Person Cost for Big Groups
Bajra Boat from ₹11,999 for 1–35 persons — about ₹314 each for a group of 35, with the Ganga Aarti and all 84 ghats included.
AC Cruise from ₹24,999 for up to 80 persons — about ₹312 each for a full group, air-conditioned.
Private Boat vs Shared Seat
Some operators sell single seats on a shared boat. We provide private boats only — the whole boat is booked for your group. For couples, a shared seat can look cheaper per person, but a private boat gives you your own timing, route, pickup ghat and space for photos. For groups of four or more, a private boat usually costs about the same per person or less.
The one exception is Dev Diwali, when special per-person seats are available.
What the Price Includes
Private boat with an experienced boatman and fuel
50 Ghats Ride from Assi to Manikarnika (all 84 ghats for +₹1,000)
Life jackets for every passenger
Ganga Aarti view on evening rides, included at no extra cost
Book a private boat in VaranasiSunrise rides, Ganga Aarti boats and all 84 ghats — from ₹3,999 per boat.
On a private Normal Motor Boat (₹3,999 for up to 8 persons) the cost is about ₹500 per person for a group of eight, or about ₹2,000 each for a couple. Larger groups pay less per person.
Our prices are per boat. The base fare covers up to 8 persons on Normal and Light Motor Boats; extra guests are ₹300 each.
Children under 5 ride free and don't count towards the boat's capacity.
For a group, the cheapest option per person is a private Normal Motor Boat shared within your own group, or the Bajra Boat for large groups (about ₹333 each for 30 persons).