Kochi to Varkala Cab Fare
Prices from 4 sites, the drive, and what to see in Varkala.
A one-way sedan from Kochi to Varkala costs ₹3,953 to ₹4,436. A cab takes about 4.5 hours down NH66 through Alleppey and Kollam, a flat road along the coast. Most people stay two or three days on the cliff.
Kochi to Varkala cab fare
The price Savaari, EaseMyTrip, Bharat Taxi and Kera Cabs each showed us for the same trip. Lowest price in each row is highlighted.
One way
Drop at Varkala. You pay for one side only. Every price is for the 173 km drive.
| Car | Savaari | EaseMyTrip |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchback | ₹4,347 | ₹3,951 |
| Sedan | ₹4,436 | ₹3,953 |
| SUV (Ertiga) | ₹6,196 | ₹5,539 |
| Innova | ₹8,730 | ₹8,709 |
- Savaari: includes toll and state tax, driver allowance, fuel, GST. Not included: expressway toll.
- EaseMyTrip: includes taxes and charges. Not stated: driver allowance.
Round trip, 2 days
The same car and driver stay with you and bring you back to Kochi. Every price is for 346 km, the drive there and back.
| Car | Savaari | Bharat Taxi | Kera Cabs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatchback | ₹7,201 | No price | No price |
| Sedan | ₹7,348 | ₹9,083 | ₹6,882 |
| SUV (Ertiga) | ₹9,101 | ₹11,626 | ₹8,120 |
| Innova | ₹13,161 | ₹13,805 | ₹10,212 |
| Tempo Traveller | ₹21,355 | No price | No price |
- Driving around Varkala adds about 54 km (our 1 day plan), at each site's rate per extra km.
- Savaari: includes driver allowance, fuel, GST. Not included: toll and state tax.
- Bharat Taxi: includes GST, driver allowance. Not included: toll, parking, state tax.
- Kera Cabs: includes driver allowance, parking. Not included: toll, state tax.
We checked each site on 20 Oct 2026 for a pickup on 3 Nov 2026. Where a site's price covers fewer km than the trip, we added the extra km at its own rate, plus 5% GST if applicable. Prices change with the date, the season and demand, so check the site before you book. Cabsguru does not sell these trips.
- Distance 173 km
- Drive time ~4.5h
- Highway NH66
Road distance from Ernakulam Junction station to the Varkala North Cliff. NH66 runs through busy towns the whole way, so allow up to 5.5 hours at the morning and evening rush.
What to see in Varkala
Red cliffs over the sea, a beach below, and temples, backwaters and an old fort nearby. One day covers the sights by cab.
Papanasam Beach and the North Cliff
Varkala's main beach, under red laterite cliffs that are rare on the Kerala coast. The path along the cliff top is lined with cafes looking out to the sunset.
Janardhana Swamy Temple
A Vishnu temple on the hill above the beach, about 2,000 years old by local tradition. Open about 05:30 to 12:00 and 17:00 to 20:00; only Hindus may enter the inner temple.
Kappil Lake and Beach
A strip of sand where a backwater lake meets the sea, about 8 km north of the cliff, with boats from about 10:00 to 18:00. The sea here has strong currents.
Ponnumthuruthu (Golden Island)
A small island with an old Shiva and Parvathi temple, in the backwaters about 12 km south of Varkala. A country boat from Nedunganda takes about 30 minutes.
Anchuthengu Fort
A fort built by the English East India Company in the 1690s, with a lighthouse beside it open about 15:00 to 17:00. About 15 km south of the cliff.
Jatayu Earth's Center
A 200 foot sculpture of the bird Jatayu from the Ramayana on a rock hilltop about 28 km inland, reached by cable car. Open about 10:00 to 17:30; go at opening, before the midday heat.
The drive: which way to go
The coast road is the usual way. An inland road through Kottayam is a little longer.
Down the coast on NH66
~173 km · about 4.5 h · via Alleppey & Kollam
The usual way, flat the whole way. Alleppey is about 60 km in, a good place to stop for breakfast or a short look at the backwaters.
Through Kottayam on the MC Road
~187 km · about 4.5 h · via Kottayam
About 14 km longer, through Kottayam and the inland towns on the MC Road (NH183), joining NH66 near Kollam. Worth it when the coast road is jammed.
Cab from Kochi to Varkala
Call or message a local Kochi operator. Tell them your pickup point, dates and whether you need a one-way drop or a round trip, and they send a price for the car and driver.
Kera Cabs
Visit website ↗Pickup from Kochi, Alleppey, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Kovalam, Varkala, Kollam, Trivandrum, Thiruvananthapuram, Guruvayur, Triprayar, Cherai, Calicut
Common questions
How much is a cab from Kochi to Varkala?
A one-way sedan costs ₹3,953 to ₹4,436 on Savaari and EaseMyTrip, and a 2-day round trip in a sedan costs ₹6,882 to ₹9,083 for the drive there and back. Check the date you travel, as prices move with demand.
What does an SUV or Innova cost from Kochi to Varkala?
An Ertiga-type SUV one way costs ₹5,539 to ₹6,196. An Innova one way costs ₹8,709 to ₹8,730. Both seat 6 to 7 people with luggage.
How long is the drive from Kochi to Varkala?
About 173 km and 4.5 hours on NH66. Allow up to 5.5 hours, as the highway runs through towns where traffic is slow at the rush hours.
Can the cab pick me up at Kochi airport?
Yes, but the airport is north of the city, so the ride to Varkala is about 209 km and 5 hours or more. If you have not booked your flight yet, Trivandrum airport is only about 46 km from Varkala.
Can I stop in Alleppey on the way?
Yes. Alleppey is right on NH66, about 60 km from Kochi, so a stop for a shikara ride or lunch adds only your time there.
Is there a train from Kochi to Varkala?
Yes. Varkala Sivagiri station is on the main line from Ernakulam to Trivandrum, about 2 km from the cliff. A cab is easier with luggage and takes you to the hotel door.
When is the best time to go?
October to March, when the sea is calm and the days are dry. From June to September the sea is rough and swimming is not safe.