Varanasi Railway Station Taxi Service — Pickup & Drop Guide 2026
I've been doing station pickups in Varanasi since 2016. Every morning, every midnight Rajdhani, every confused tourist dragging bags through the Varanasi Junction chaos — I've seen it. I know which exit to tell you, which parking lot my driver will be at, and exactly what the auto-wallah outside Platform 1 will try to charge you.
Varanasi has 3 railway stations. Most tourists only know about Varanasi Junction. The other two — Manduadih and City Station — are sometimes better options depending on your train and destination. This guide covers taxi service at all three, with real fares, real scam warnings, and real pre-booking options.
TL;DR — Quick Fare Comparison (All 3 Stations)
| Route | Sedan (Dzire/Etios) | SUV (Innova/Ertiga) | Tempo Traveller |
|---|---|---|---|
| Varanasi Junction (BSB) → Ghats area | ₹800–1,000 | ₹1,200–1,400 | ₹1,800–2,200 |
| Varanasi Junction → Sarnath | ₹900–1,100 | ₹1,400–1,600 | ₹2,000–2,400 |
| Varanasi Junction → Airport (Babatpur) | ₹1,500–1,800 | ₹2,200–2,500 | ₹3,200–3,800 |
| Manduadih (MUV) → Ghats area | ₹800–1,000 | ₹1,200–1,400 | ₹1,800–2,000 |
| Manduadih → Sarnath | ₹1,000–1,200 | ₹1,500–1,700 | ₹2,200–2,600 |
| Manduadih → Airport | ₹1,500–1,800 | ₹2,200–2,500 | ₹3,200–3,800 |
| City Station (BCY) → Ghats area | ₹800 | ₹1,200 | ₹1,600–1,800 |
| City Station → Sarnath | ₹1,000–1,200 | ₹1,500–1,700 | ₹2,200–2,600 |
| City Station → Airport | ₹1,500–1,800 | ₹2,200–2,500 | ₹3,200–3,800 |
Night surcharge (10 PM – 6 AM): +₹200–300 on all routes.
Pre-book and skip the chaos → Book Station Pickup on WhatsApp | 📞 8062182380
The 3 Railway Stations of Varanasi — Compared
Most people land at Varanasi Junction without knowing there were other options. Here's what you need to know about each station:
| Feature | Varanasi Junction (BSB) | Manduadih (MUV) | Varanasi City (BCY) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Cantonment area | Near Lanka/BHU | Kotwali, Old City |
| Distance to ghats | 5–7 km (20–30 min) | 6–8 km (25–35 min) | 1.5–3 km (10–15 min) |
| Crowd level | Very high | Moderate | Low |
| Prepaid taxi booth | Yes (often closed at night) | No | No |
| Auto availability | High (but aggressive) | Moderate | Low–moderate |
| App cabs (Ola/Uber) | Unreliable | Unreliable | Very unreliable |
| Best for | Most trains, Rajdhani, Shatabdi | South India trains, some express | Few local/passenger trains |
| Parking for pickup | Crowded, use Gate 1 lot | Easy, clear parking | Very limited |
| Night safety | Fair (well-lit, police) | Fair | Poor (avoid late night) |
My honest recommendation: If your train stops at both Junction and Manduadih, pick Manduadih. Less chaos, easier pickup, and you save 15 minutes of headache. I tell every customer this.
Varanasi Junction (BSB) — The Main Station
Deep dive: For PNR tracking, platform-level pickup, and Cantt-specific tips, see our dedicated Varanasi Cantt Station Taxi page.
Station Layout & Exits
Varanasi Junction is the busiest station in the city. Roughly 300+ trains pass through. That means the area around it is a permanent traffic jam of autos, cycle rickshaws, taxis, touts, and confused passengers.
The station has 2 main exit gates:
- Gate 1 (Main Exit / Cantt side): Faces the main road. This is where the prepaid taxi booth is. Our drivers park in the lot directly ahead after you exit — look for a driver with your name board.
- Gate 2 (Platform 6 side): Less crowded, but fewer taxis. If we're picking you up from here, the driver will confirm on WhatsApp.
Tip from experience: When you exit Gate 1, you'll be swarmed by auto drivers and hotel touts. Walk past them. Do not engage. If you've pre-booked, your driver is already in the parking lot with your name on a board. Walk straight for 50 metres.
Prepaid Taxi Booth
There is an official UP Tourism prepaid taxi booth inside Varanasi Junction, near Gate 1 exit.
Reality check:
- It's supposed to operate 24/7. It doesn't.
- In my experience, it's closed after 10 PM more often than not.
- Even when open, the queue can be 20–30 minutes during peak hours.
- Fares are government-regulated but vehicles are basic — no AC selection, no Innova option.
If your train arrives before 9 PM and you're in no rush, the prepaid booth is fine. For everything else: pre-book.
Varanasi Junction Fare Table
| Destination | Sedan | SUV (Innova/Ertiga) | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assi Ghat area hotels | ₹800–1,000 | ₹1,200–1,400 | 6 km | 20–30 min |
| Dashashwamedh Ghat area | ₹800–1,000 | ₹1,200–1,400 | 5 km | 20–25 min |
| Godowlia / Vishwanath Temple | ₹800–1,000 | ₹1,200–1,400 | 4.5 km | 20–25 min |
| Lanka / BHU area | ₹800–900 | ₹1,200–1,300 | 5 km | 15–20 min |
| Sarnath (Deer Park) | ₹900–1,100 | ₹1,400–1,600 | 10 km | 25–35 min |
| Varanasi Airport (Babatpur) | ₹1,500–1,800 | ₹2,200–2,500 | 26 km | 45–60 min |
| Ramnagar Fort | ₹1,200–1,400 | ₹1,800–2,000 | 14 km | 30–40 min |
| Vindhyachal (Mirzapur) | ₹2,800–3,200 | ₹3,800–4,200 | 75 km | 2 hr |
Add ₹200–300 for pickups between 10 PM – 6 AM.
Platform Tips for Junction
- Rajdhani Express (from Delhi): Usually arrives at Platform 1 or 9. Exit Gate 1.
- Mahamana Express / Shatabdi: Platform 1–3 area. Gate 1 is closest.
- Prayagraj/Lucknow trains: Can be anywhere from Platform 1–9. Check display boards.
- If your train terminates here, don't rush. Everyone exits at once. Give it 5 minutes and the chaos thins out.
I always tell my drivers to call the customer 10 minutes before arrival. If the train is delayed (and this is Varanasi — delays are normal), the driver adjusts. No waiting charges, no drama.
Manduadih Station (MUV) — The Quieter Option
Why I Recommend Manduadih
Manduadih (now officially renamed Banaras station, but everyone still calls it Manduadih) is the station I recommend whenever possible. Here's why:
- Less chaos. About 1/5th the foot traffic of Junction.
- Easier parking. My driver parks right outside the exit. No 50-metre walk through touts.
- Modern infrastructure. Cleaner platforms, better signage, working lifts.
- Same distance to ghats. Only 1–2 km more than Junction — maybe 5 extra minutes.
Trains That Stop at Manduadih
- Many South India trains (Tamil Nadu Express, Himsagar, etc.)
- Several trains from Mumbai (Mahanagari, LTT specials)
- Some Rajasthan/Gujarat trains
- A few Bihar/Jharkhand trains
Check your ticket. If it says MUV or Banaras, that's Manduadih — not Varanasi Junction. I've had customers wait at Junction for an hour before realising their train was at Manduadih. 8 km apart. Don't make that mistake.
Manduadih Station Layout
Single main exit. When you walk out, there's a small parking area. Our driver will be right there — no navigating through 5 lanes of auto-rickshaws.
No prepaid booth here. Autos are available but limited. App cabs almost never come. Pre-booking is the only reliable option.
Manduadih Fare Table
| Destination | Sedan | SUV (Innova/Ertiga) | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assi Ghat area hotels | ₹800–1,000 | ₹1,200–1,400 | 5.5 km | 15–20 min |
| Dashashwamedh Ghat area | ₹800–1,000 | ₹1,200–1,400 | 7 km | 25–30 min |
| Godowlia / Vishwanath Temple | ₹800–1,000 | ₹1,200–1,400 | 6.5 km | 20–25 min |
| Lanka / BHU area | ₹800 | ₹1,200 | 2 km | 5–10 min |
| Sarnath (Deer Park) | ₹1,000–1,200 | ₹1,500–1,700 | 13 km | 30–40 min |
| Varanasi Airport (Babatpur) | ₹1,500–1,800 | ₹2,200–2,500 | 28 km | 50–65 min |
| Ramnagar Fort | ₹1,000–1,200 | ₹1,500–1,700 | 12 km | 25–35 min |
Add ₹200–300 for night pickups (10 PM – 6 AM).
Varanasi City Station (BCY) — Closest to the Ghats
When City Station Makes Sense
Varanasi City Station is the smallest of the three and handles mostly local/passenger trains. But its location is gold — right in the old city, barely 1.5–2 km from the main ghats.
You'd use this station if:
- Your train terminates at BCY (check ticket carefully)
- You're on a slow passenger train from Mughal Sarai / Pt. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction
- You want the shortest possible ride to ghats
The Catch
City Station has very limited taxi availability outside. The lane outside is narrow — it's old city Varanasi, not a four-lane road. Autos are few. App cabs don't come here. Random taxi drivers will quote absurd rates because they know you have no alternative.
This is exactly why pre-booking matters at City Station more than anywhere else. We send a compact sedan (the lanes are tight) and the driver parks at the nearest open spot. He'll call you with exact directions.
City Station Fare Table
| Destination | Sedan | SUV (Innova/Ertiga) | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assi Ghat area hotels | ₹800–900 | ₹1,200–1,300 | 4 km | 15–20 min |
| Dashashwamedh Ghat area | ₹800 | ₹1,200 | 1.5 km | 10 min |
| Godowlia / Vishwanath Temple | ₹800 | ₹1,200 | 1.5 km | 10 min |
| Lanka / BHU area | ₹800–900 | ₹1,200–1,300 | 5 km | 15–20 min |
| Sarnath (Deer Park) | ₹1,000–1,200 | ₹1,500–1,700 | 12 km | 30–40 min |
| Varanasi Airport (Babatpur) | ₹1,500–1,800 | ₹2,200–2,500 | 28 km | 50–65 min |
Night surcharge applies: +₹200–300 after 10 PM.
Complete Fare Table — All Stations, All Vehicle Types
For group bookings and families, here's the full breakdown by vehicle type:
Sedan (Swift Dzire, Toyota Etios) — 1–3 Passengers
| From → To | Varanasi Junction | Manduadih | City Station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghats area (Assi/Dashashwamedh) | ₹800–1,000 | ₹800–1,000 | ₹800 |
| Sarnath | ₹900–1,100 | ₹1,000–1,200 | ₹1,000–1,200 |
| Airport (Babatpur) | ₹1,500–1,800 | ₹1,500–1,800 | ₹1,500–1,800 |
| Ramnagar Fort | ₹1,200–1,400 | ₹1,000–1,200 | ₹1,200–1,400 |
| BHU / Lanka | ₹800–900 | ₹800 | ₹800–900 |
SUV (Toyota Innova, Maruti Ertiga) — 4–6 Passengers
| From → To | Varanasi Junction | Manduadih | City Station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghats area (Assi/Dashashwamedh) | ₹1,200–1,400 | ₹1,200–1,400 | ₹1,200 |
| Sarnath | ₹1,400–1,600 | ₹1,500–1,700 | ₹1,500–1,700 |
| Airport (Babatpur) | ₹2,200–2,500 | ₹2,200–2,500 | ₹2,200–2,500 |
| Ramnagar Fort | ₹1,800–2,000 | ₹1,500–1,700 | ₹1,800–2,000 |
| BHU / Lanka | ₹1,200–1,300 | ₹1,200 | ₹1,200–1,300 |
Tempo Traveller (12–17 Seater) — Groups 7–15
| From → To | Varanasi Junction | Manduadih | City Station |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghats area | ₹1,800–2,200 | ₹1,800–2,000 | ₹1,600–1,800 |
| Sarnath | ₹2,000–2,400 | ₹2,200–2,600 | ₹2,200–2,600 |
| Airport (Babatpur) | ₹3,200–3,800 | ₹3,200–3,800 | ₹3,200–3,800 |
All fares are one-way, inclusive of toll where applicable. Night surcharge (10 PM–6 AM) adds ₹200–300.
How to Pre-Book Your Station Taxi
Step 1: Share Your Details
Send us a WhatsApp message with:
- Train name & number (e.g., Rajdhani 12559)
- Expected arrival time
- Station (Junction / Manduadih / City)
- Number of passengers + luggage count
- Drop location (hotel name & address is best)
Step 2: We Confirm Vehicle & Fare
Within 10–15 minutes, we'll reply with:
- Vehicle type assigned
- Exact fare (no surprises)
- Driver name & phone number
Step 3: Driver Tracks Your Train
On the day of arrival:
- Driver checks live train status (we use RailYatri / NTES)
- If the train is delayed, driver adjusts accordingly
- No waiting charges for delays up to 60 minutes
- Driver reaches 15 minutes before expected arrival
Step 4: Pickup
- Driver calls you when he's in position
- At Junction: Look for name board at Gate 1 parking lot
- At Manduadih: Driver directly outside the exit
- At City Station: Driver calls with exact location (lanes are narrow)
Pre-book now → WhatsApp: Book Station Pickup | 📞 8062182380
How to Avoid Taxi Scams at Varanasi Stations
I'll be direct — Varanasi Junction is one of the worst stations in India for transport scams. Not because the city is unsafe, but because tourist volume is high and there's no effective regulation of private taxis and autos outside the station.
Scam #1: The ₹500 Auto for a ₹150 Ride
What happens: You exit Gate 1. An auto driver approaches: "Assi Ghat? ₹500." The actual fare is ₹100–150 by meter. But there is no meter. And he knows you don't know the rate.
How to avoid: Know the rough fare before you exit. If taking an auto from Junction to ghats, ₹100–150 is fair. ₹200 is the max you should pay. Walk to the auto stand 100m from the exit — those drivers are slightly more reasonable than the touts right at the gate.
Scam #2: The "Hotel is Closed" Trick
What happens: You tell the auto/taxi driver your hotel name. He says: "Oh, that hotel is closed / flooded / under renovation. I know a better one." He takes you to a hotel that pays him 30–40% commission. Your actual hotel is perfectly fine.
How to avoid: Never change your destination based on what a taxi driver tells you. Call your hotel while you're still in the taxi to confirm. Better yet, pre-book your taxi with us — our drivers take you where you want to go, period.
Scam #3: The Shared Auto Bait
What happens: Driver starts as a private hire ("₹200, just for you"). Along the way, he picks up 3 more passengers. You still pay ₹200. He earns ₹800 for one trip.
How to avoid: Use a pre-booked taxi. It's your vehicle, your ride, your route.
Scam #4: The Meter Multiplier
What happens: Some newer autos have meters. The meter shows ₹80. Driver says "It's ₹80 times 3 — night rate." There is no such multiplier system.
How to avoid: There is no official multiplier in Varanasi. If the meter says ₹80, you pay ₹80 (plus a small night surcharge on good faith). Or skip the drama entirely and pre-book.
Scam #5: Wrong Station Confusion
What happens: You booked an auto or shared ride from the airport/hotel to "Varanasi station." The driver takes you to whichever station is most convenient for him — not necessarily where your train departs from. Junction and Manduadih are 8 km apart. You realise the mistake at the gate.
How to avoid: Always specify the station code: BSB for Junction, MUV for Manduadih, BCY for City. When pre-booking with us, we confirm the station before dispatch.
