Varanasi cab booking: the complete guide (2026)
A cab from Varanasi on GhatGo starts at ₹950 for an airport pickup, ₹2,600 for local sightseeing, ₹3,600 for Prayagraj, ₹5,600 for Ayodhya, ₹6,600 for Gaya + Bodh Gaya and ₹11,600 for Naimisharanya — all in a Swift Dzire, scaling up to an Urbania for larger groups. You pay 25% online to lock the booking and the rest to the verified driver at the end of the trip. The fare covers vehicle, driver, fuel and standard taxes; tolls, state permits and parking are paid at actuals. This guide walks through every destination fare, how to pick the right vehicle, and the payment / cancellation rules.
How much does a cab from Varanasi cost?
The table below lists every destination GhatGo currently serves with its approximate one-way distance, drive time, cheapest available vehicle and the popular Innova Crysta price. All fares are taken live from the GhatGo rate card so they stay in sync with the cab booking page.
| Destination | Distance | Drive time | Cheapest vehicle | Innova Crysta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| D.D. Upadhyay Rail StationLocal | 18 km | ~40 minutes | Swift Dzire — ₹950 | ₹1,550 |
| AirportLocal | 25 km | ~45 minutes | Swift Dzire — ₹950 | ₹1,550 |
| Sight SeeingLocal | 40 km | 6–8 hours | Swift Dzire — ₹2,600 | ₹3,600 |
| Local Full DayLocal | 60 km | Full day | Swift Dzire — ₹2,800 | ₹4,100 |
| VindhyachalOutstation | 90 km | ~2.5 hours | Swift Dzire — ₹2,800 | ₹4,100 |
| Prayagraj (Allahabad)Outstation | 120 km | ~3 hours | Swift Dzire — ₹3,600 | ₹5,600 |
| AyodhyaOutstation | 220 km | ~5 hours | Swift Dzire — ₹5,600 | ₹8,600 |
| NaimisharanyaOutstation | 380 km | ~7 hours | Swift Dzire — ₹11,600 | ₹17,600 |
| Gaya + Bodh GayaOutstation | 250 km | ~5.5 hours | Swift Dzire — ₹6,600 | ₹9,800 |
| Ayodhya + PrayagrajOutstation | 340 km | 1 long day | Swift Dzire — ₹8,000 | ₹12,000 |
| Naimisharanya + Ayodhya (2 Day)Outstation | 600 km | 2 days | Swift Dzire — ₹13,000 | ₹20,000 |
| Prayagraj + Ayodhya + Naimisharanya (2 Day)Outstation | 780 km | 2 days | Swift Dzire — ₹14,000 | ₹21,000 |
Sample fares assume a daytime boarding (12:00 IST). A ₹300 night surcharge applies for boarding between 7:30 PM and 4:50 AM. Tolls, state permits and parking are paid to the driver at actuals.
Which vehicle should I pick for my group?
The right vehicle depends on group size, luggage, distance and comfort preference. As a quick rule:
| Vehicle | Seats | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Swift Dzire | 4 passengers | Couples, solo travellers, airport pickups, short outstation trips |
| Ertiga | 6 passengers | Small families, friends groups of 4–6 with light luggage |
| Toyota Innova Crysta | 7 passengers | Families of 5–7, long outstation trips, premium comfort |
| Kia Carens | 7 passengers | Same use case as the Innova at a slightly lower price point |
| AC Cruiser | 12 passengers | Mid-size groups; AC; long distances |
| City Line | 9 passengers | Group of 8–9, mostly within the state |
| Winger | 9 passengers | Compact 9-seater for outstation pilgrimage groups |
| Traveller | 17 passengers | Large groups, multi-day outstation tours, religious pilgrimages |
| Urbania | 17 passengers | Premium large groups; lounge-style seating; long-haul comfort |
How does the airport pickup work?
Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport (LBSI / VNS) is about 25 km from central Varanasi. After payment, GhatGo shares the driver’s phone number, vehicle make and number plate. The driver waits at the arrivals concourse pickup zone; flight delays are tracked automatically and there is a free wait window before any waiting charge applies. For boardings between 7:30 PM and 4:50 AM (India time) a ₹300 night surcharge is added on top of the fare.
For full details see our Varanasi airport to city taxi guide.
Outstation trips — what does the fare include?
The fare you see at checkout covers:
- The vehicle, driver and fuel for the route shown.
- Standard taxes on the fare.
Paid to the driver at actuals during the trip:
- National and state highway tolls.
- State permits (for inter-state trips, e.g. into Bihar for Gaya + Bodh Gaya).
- Parking at temples, monuments and overnight stops.
Multi-day packages (Ayodhya + Prayagraj, Naimisharanya + Ayodhya, Prayagraj + Ayodhya + Naimisharanya) include the driver’s overnight halt; meals and accommodation for guests are not included.
How is payment handled?
GhatGo cabs use a 25% online advance to lock the booking and the remaining 75% is paid to the verified driver at the end of the trip. The advance is processed securely via Cashfree (UPI, cards or net-banking). You receive an invoice for the advance on email; the final balance is settled with the driver on the day. Tolls, parking and state permits are paid at actuals and are not part of the advance.
Cancellation policy
The cancellation slabs apply to both boats and cabs:
- More than 48 hours before departure: 100% refund.
- Between 24 and 48 hours: 75% refund.
- Between 6 and 24 hours: 50% refund.
- Less than 6 hours, or no-show: no refund.
If your trip cannot run for a reason on our side — unsafe weather, mechanical issues, force-majeure, instructions from local authorities — email services@ghatgo.com with your booking reference. We review every request through this email channel and arrange either a free reschedule to the next available slot or a 100% refund — GhatGo does not automatically cancel your booking for you. Approved refunds reach your original payment method in 5–7 working days. Full terms on the refunds page.
How do I book a cab online?
- Open the cab booking page.
- Pick your destination, vehicle and boarding date / time. The page recalculates the price live.
- Pay the 25% advance via Cashfree.
- Receive your confirmation on WhatsApp and email, with the driver’s phone, vehicle plate and pickup instructions.
- Pay the balance to the driver at the end of the trip.
Useful next steps
Ready to book? Head to the cab booking page, or read the per-destination guides below for distance, route and itinerary detail.