The problem
Why "just grab a taxi" gets complicated here
Varanasi's roads are dense, the old city is a maze of lanes many cars can't enter, and informal taxi rentals come with a familiar set of frustrations:
- A fare agreed at the start of the day, renegotiated at the end once you're stuck without options.
- A "fuel surcharge" or "waiting charge" added on that was never mentioned upfront.
- A car that hasn't been cleaned between the last booking and yours.
- A driver who takes an unplanned detour through a shop that pays him commission.
None of this is unique to Varanasi, but the old city's layout makes it easy to feel stuck once you're already in the car.
How we're different
One fixed rate, agreed before you get in
Every Kashi & Kin car is booked the same way, regardless of how long your trip is:
- Fare locked in at booking — never renegotiated, no fuel surcharge added afterward.
- Deep-cleaned between every guest, not just when it looks dirty.
- Covers airport or station pickup, drop-off, and up to 10 hours of use each day.
- Directly-employed drivers on salary, not subcontracted — the same no-commission policy that applies to our Sāthis applies to drivers too.
SUV or small car: the SUV suits groups or families with luggage; the small car (a Swift Dzire or similar) is a lighter option for 1-2 people. Pick either in the panel to the right — the daily rate scales the same way whichever you choose.
Pricing
How much does it cost to rent a car with a driver in Varanasi?
The SUV is ₹2,899 per day; the small car is ₹2,499 per day. Add more days for a longer trip — the rate stays the same, it just scales. A car is also included at no extra cost inside every Kashi & Kin package.