Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, India
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Varanasi? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from February 2024 to January 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in Varanasi:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Varanasi?
The short-term rental market in Varanasi shows distinct revenue patterns across different property tiers. Our analysis reveals that successful properties combine strategic pricing with quality management to maximize earnings potential. Market data demonstrates clear revenue differentiation among properties:
- Typical properties (median) earn $481 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $976 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $1,560+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $193
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Varanasi
The market in Varanasi shows distinct occupancy patterns influenced by seasonal trends and local dynamics. Properties that maintain high guest satisfaction scores and implement strategic pricing consistently achieve stronger occupancy rates. Current market data shows:
- Typical properties (median) maintain 30% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 52% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 75%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 14%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Varanasi
Daily rates in Varanasi vary based on seasonality, property quality, and market dynamics. Properties that effectively balance competitive pricing with strong amenities typically command higher rates. Market analysis shows the following rate structure:
- Typical properties (median) generate $35 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $55 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $81+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $23
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Varanasi
Peak Season (April, June, March)
- Revenue peaks at $907.94 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 46.39%
- Daily rates average $51.07
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $703.14 per month
- Occupancy maintains 35.15%
- Daily rates hold at $48.29
Low Season (July, August, September)
- Revenue drops to $380.17 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 25.65%
- Daily rates adjust to $45.50
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Varanasi in 2025?
Yes! Varanasi demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 35% and monthly revenue averaging $703 and With 447 active listings, the market shows established demand while maintaining room for growth. There's also room for profit through rental arbitrage strategies, if you can identify competitively priced properties. To maximize your return on investment, consider employing the following strategies:
Peak Season Strategy
- Implement premium seasonal pricing strategies
- Set longer minimum stay requirements during high-demand periods
- Enforce stricter cancellation policies
Shoulder Season Strategy
- Maintain competitive market-based pricing
- Offer moderate-length stay incentives
- Target a mix of leisure and business travelers with flexible booking terms
- Focus on weekend getaway packages and mid-week business traveler promotions
Low Season Strategy
- Adjust pricing to remain competitive in the market
- Target different guest segments (families on vacation, festival goers, adventure tourists, international visitors)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Varanasi
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Dashashwamedh Ghat | This is the most famous and spiritual ghat in Varanasi, known for the Ganga Aarti ceremony held every evening. It attracts a large number of tourists and pilgrims, making it an ideal location for Airbnb hosting. | Ganga Aarti, Dashashwamedh Ghat, Kashi Vishwanath Temple, River Ganges, Street food stalls |
| Assi Ghat | Assi Ghat is popular with both tourists and locals for its lively atmosphere and beautiful views of the river. The area has many cafes, and it's a favorite spot for boat rides and sunset views. | Assi Ghat, Cafes and restaurants, Banaras Hindu University, Bhuwaneshwari Temple, Boat rides |
| Bhookh Ghat | A less crowded ghat that offers a more serene experience along the Ganges. Its calm environment attracts those looking for peace amidst the chaos of the city. | Bhookh Ghat, Quiet riverbank views, Local fishing activities, Traditional lifestyle, Natural scenery |
| Kashi Vishwanath Temple | A major pilgrimage site, this area sees numerous visitors every day. The proximity to the temple makes it highly attractive for tourists seeking spiritual experiences. | Kashi Vishwanath Temple, Gyanvapi Mosque, Local bazaars, Spiritual shops, Pilgrimage activities |
| Godowlia | The bustling market area of Varanasi, Godowlia is full of shops and eateries, making it a vibrant spot for travelers who want to experience local culture and cuisine. | Godowlia Market, Street food, Local handicrafts, Shopping, Cultural experiences |
| Sarnath | Just a short distance from Varanasi and a key Buddhist pilgrimage site, Sarnath attracts many tourists interested in exploring Buddhist heritage and history. | Dhamek Stupa, Sarnath Museum, Buddhist temples, Ashoka Pillar, Monumental ruins |
| Mahalaxmi Ghat | Known for its beautiful views of the Ganges and peace away from the busy city life, Mahalaxmi Ghat is appealing for those looking for a tranquil stay. | Natural scenery, Yoga and meditation spots, Local life, Scenic sunset views, Relaxation areas |
| Tulsida Ghat | A ghat known for its cultural significance, Tulsida attracts tourists interested in the history and literature of Varanasi. It's also a serene location for stays. | Tulsida Temple, Cultural activities, Local festivities, Scenic views, Religious ceremonies |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Varanasi?
We recommend checking directly with Varanasi's local government regarding short-term rental licensing requirements. Current market data shows limited licensing information (0% of listings), making it essential to verify current regulations before starting your Airbnb business.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Varanasi
5 Bedroom Villa @ Serene Stays near Ghat & Temple
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
StayVista at The Ganga House w/ River Views, BBQ
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Heritage Home Near The Ghats
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Gautam Villa
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Grace 4 bhk Condo
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Uprè: 3 Lavish Apartments
Entire Place • 9 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Varanasi
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vishrut | 10 | $137,885 | 801 | 4.78/5.0 |
| Rahil | 5 | $105,516 | 151 | 4.79/5.0 |
| Pratyush | 17 | $94,220 | 317 | 3.50/5.0 |
| Dipti | 7 | $84,750 | 58 | 1.98/5.0 |
| 467780165 | 3 | $66,981 | 3 | 0.00/5.0 |
| Palak | 4 | $66,414 | 195 | 4.83/5.0 |
| Sahej | 4 | $60,316 | 201 | 4.82/5.0 |
| Malvika | 8 | $57,897 | 109 | 4.25/5.0 |
| Pallavi | 6 | $48,840 | 250 | 4.06/5.0 |
| Vinetaa | 2 | $43,417 | 15 | 4.83/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Varanasi
AirROI also have other key metrics and comprehensive data for your vacation rental, real estate needs. Go explore the advanced metrics that can help you make informed decisions:
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Key Insights
- Market dominated by private room listings (49.9%), with apartment & condo and house properties comprising 77.8% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (21.0%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in others, outdoor & mobile segments (1.5% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 447 properties in Varanasi shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 31.8% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 57.9% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (31.8%)
- Least common: 4 bedrooms (4.7%)
- Market concentration: 57.9% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 447 properties in Varanasi reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 17.4% of all listings. The average property accommodates 3.8 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 2 guests make up 34.7% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (17.4% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (1.6% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 3.8 guests per property
- Market concentration: 34.7% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 447 properties in Varanasi, the most common availability pattern is 271-366 days (63.1% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 31-90 days (34% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 271-366 days (63.1%)
- Most common booking duration: 31-90 days (34%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 84.6%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 17.0%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
366 listings
93.6% of total
2 Nights
14 listings
3.6% of total
3 Nights
2 listings
0.5% of total
4-6 Nights
3 listings
0.8% of total
30+ Nights
6 listings
1.5% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 97.2%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 0.8% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (1.5%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 97.7% accepting 3 nights or less
Recommendations
- Set minimum stays between 2-3 nights to align with market standards
- Adjust minimum stays seasonally based on demand patterns
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Flexible
145 listings
50.5% of total
Moderate
73 listings
25.4% of total
Firm
24 listings
8.4% of total
Strict
45 listings
15.7% of total
Key Insights
- Flexible is the preferred policy at 50.5% of listings
- Guest-friendly policies (Flexible & Moderate) dominate at 75.9% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Flexible policies
- Firm policies are least common at 8.4% of listings
Recommendations
- Consider starting with a Flexible policy to align with market preferences
- Strong market preference for Flexible policies suggests this should be your baseline
- Consider generous cancellation terms as a competitive advantage
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Nov, Feb, Oct, averaging 35 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Sep, Dec, Jun, averaging 17 days
- Fall shows the longest average booking window at 30 days, while Summer has the shortest at 18 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Fall bookings at least 30 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Summer to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Sep-Jun when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Varanasi
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Varanasi:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 70.1% of total guests, indicating a dominant local market share.
- Primary international markets: United States (8.1%) and United Kingdom (4.8%)
- English is the top language at 50.2%, followed by Hindi (36.8%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 7.2%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Bengaluru and New Delhi markets
- Develop localized content for United States and United Kingdom
- Prioritize English and Hindi language support
- Tailor experiences for Pre-1950s (Silent Gen) while maintaining broad age appeal
- Implement seasonal promotions aligned with key market travel patterns
Nearby Markets
Explore short-term rental performance in markets surrounding Varanasi. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
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