Trivandrum to Varkala Cab Fare
Prices from 4 sites, the drive, and what to see in Varkala.
A one-way sedan from Trivandrum to Varkala costs ₹1,683 to ₹2,000. A cab takes about 1.5 hours up the coast road through Perumathura, passing Anchuthengu Fort 15 km before Varkala. It works as a day trip or a drop to the cliff for a few days.
Trivandrum 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 47 km drive.
| Car | Savaari | EaseMyTrip |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchback | ₹1,650 | ₹1,664 |
| Sedan | ₹1,683 | ₹2,000 |
| SUV (Ertiga) | ₹2,700 | ₹1,960 |
| Innova | ₹4,541 | No price |
- 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, 1 day
The same car and driver stay with you and bring you back to Trivandrum. Every price is for 94 km, the drive there and back.
| Car | Savaari | Bharat Taxi | Kera Cabs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatchback | ₹2,800 | ₹3,085 | No price |
| Sedan | ₹2,857 | ₹3,873 | ₹2,400 |
| SUV (Ertiga) | ₹3,931 | No price | ₹2,600 |
| Innova | ₹5,015 | ₹4,345 | ₹3,400 |
| Tempo Traveller | ₹5,749 | 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. Not included: toll, parking, 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 47 km
- Drive time ~1h 30m
- From the airport 46 km
Road distance from Thiruvananthapuram Central station to the Varkala North Cliff. Traffic leaving the city can add 30 minutes at the rush hours, so allow up to 2 hours.
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.
Anchuthengu Fort
A fort built by the English East India Company in the 1690s, right on the drive from Trivandrum. The lighthouse beside it is open about 15:00 to 17:00.
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.
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.
Sivagiri Mutt
The hilltop home of the order founded by Sree Narayana Guru, Kerala's social reformer, with his samadhi, a white domed shrine. Open about 05:30 to 12:00 and 16:30 to 18:00.
The drive: which way to go
The coast road is shorter and passes the old fort. The highway inland is the other way.
The coast road through Perumathura
~47 km · about 1.5 h · via Veli, Perumathura & Anchuthengu
The shorter way. Anchuthengu Fort is right beside the road, 15 km before Varkala; stop on the way back after 15:00 to climb the lighthouse too.
NH66 through Attingal
~56 km · about 1.5 h · via Kazhakkoottam & Attingal
About 9 km longer, on the main highway north to Attingal and then west to Varkala. Use it when the coast road is slow.
Cab from Trivandrum to Varkala
Call or message a local Trivandrum 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 Trivandrum to Varkala?
A one-way sedan costs ₹1,683 to ₹2,000 on Savaari and EaseMyTrip, and a 1-day round trip in a sedan costs ₹2,400 to ₹3,873 for the drive there and back. Check the date you travel, as prices move with demand.
What does an SUV or Innova cost from Trivandrum to Varkala?
An Ertiga-type SUV one way costs ₹1,960 to ₹2,700. An Innova one way costs ₹4,541. Both seat 6 to 7 people with luggage.
How long is the drive from Trivandrum to Varkala?
About 47 km and 1.5 hours on the coast road. Allow up to 2 hours when traffic leaving the city is heavy.
Can the cab pick me up at Trivandrum airport?
Yes. The airport is on the coast west of the city, so the ride to Varkala is about 46 km, the same as from the station.
Can I do Varkala as a day trip from Trivandrum?
Yes. With about 3 hours of driving there and back, you have time for the temple, the cliff and the beach, and Anchuthengu Fort on the way. Stay for the sunset and drive back after dark.
Is there a train from Trivandrum to Varkala?
Yes. Varkala Sivagiri station is on the line from Trivandrum to Kollam, about 2 km from the cliff. A cab takes you to the hotel door and can stop at the fort.
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.