Planning a road trip from Varanasi to Gaya whether for Pind Daan at Vishnupad Temple, a Buddhist pilgrimage to Bodh Gaya, or a family visit one question comes up every time: how much will toll tax and state tax actually add to my fare?
This guide breaks down the complete Varanasi to Gaya Taxi toll tax and state tax charges, plaza by plaza and vehicle by vehicle, so there are no surprises on the highway. Toll rates are revised by NHAI every April, and state tax/permit charges are set by the Bihar Transport Department, so we’ve marked every figure as indicative always confirm the exact live rate with your Chiku Cab operator at the time of booking, since it’s pre-verified and locked into your fare.
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Varanasi to Gaya Route Overview
The Varanasi–Gaya corridor is one of the busiest pilgrimage and business routes in eastern India, connecting Uttar Pradesh’s spiritual capital with Bihar’s Vishnupad Temple city and the nearby Buddhist site of Bodh Gaya. The route runs largely along NH-19 (the old Grand Trunk Road) through Bihar, before joining NH-22/NH-120 near Dobhi to reach Gaya.
Varanasi to Gaya Distance and Travel Time
- Road distance: approximately 240–250 km
- Travel time: roughly 5 to 5.5 hours by road (car/SUV), depending on traffic near Sasaram and Aurangabad
- States crossed: Uttar Pradesh → Bihar
Best Road Route from Varanasi to Gaya
The most commonly used and fastest road route is:
Varanasi → Chandauli → Mohania → Sasaram → Dehri-on-Sone → Aurangabad → Dobhi → Gaya
This route runs primarily on NH-19, which is well-maintained, four-laned for most of the stretch, and the same corridor used by long-distance trucks and buses moving between Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and West Bengal. It’s the route Chikucab drivers use by default for all Varanasi to Gaya taxi bookings, since it offers the best balance of time, road quality, and toll cost.
Varanasi to Gaya Toll Plaza List
Along the Varanasi–Gaya stretch of NH-19, vehicles pass through a series of toll plazas as they move from Uttar Pradesh into Bihar. Based on the current NHAI plaza layout on this corridor, the toll plazas you’re likely to cross include:
| Toll Plaza (approx. location) | State |
|---|---|
| Lalanagar / Daffi (near Varanasi, before city limits) | Uttar Pradesh |
| Toll plaza near Mohania | Bihar |
| Toll plaza near Sasaram | Bihar |
| Toll plaza near Dehri-on-Sone | Bihar |
| Toll plaza near Aurangabad | Bihar |
| Toll plaza near Dobhi (NH-19/NH-22 junction) | Bihar |
Note: NHAI periodically renames, merges, or relocates plazas as highway sections are upgraded, so the exact number of plazas your driver crosses can vary slightly by season. On average, a one-way Varanasi to Gaya trip by road crosses 3 to 5 toll plazas.
Route-Wise Toll Charges from Varanasi to Gaya
Toll charges are calculated per plaza based on the vehicle class (car, SUV, or bus/tempo) and the length of the highway stretch that plaza covers. For a ~250 km trip like Varanasi to Gaya, the combined one-way toll cost across all plazas typically falls in this indicative range:
| Vehicle Type | Approx. One-Way Toll (all plazas combined) | Approx. Round-Trip Toll (same day) |
|---|---|---|
| Hatchback / Sedan | ₹350 – ₹550 | ₹550 – ₹850 |
| SUV (Ertiga, Innova, Innova Crysta) | ₹450 – ₹700 | ₹700 – ₹1,100 |
| 12-Seater Tempo Traveller | ₹700 – ₹1,000 | ₹1,100 – ₹1,600 |
| 16 / 20-Seater Tempo Traveller | ₹900 – ₹1,300 | ₹1,400 – ₹2,000 |
| 21 / 24-Seater Tempo Traveller / Mini Bus | ₹1,100 – ₹1,600 | ₹1,700 – ₹2,500 |
Figures are indicative averages based on current NHAI toll slabs for this highway class and are subject to the periodic NHAI revision every April. FASTag return-trip rates are usually charged at a discounted rate (around 1.5x the single toll) if you return through the same plaza within 24 hours.
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Varanasi to Gaya Toll Charges by Vehicle Type
Toll pricing on Indian national highways follows a fixed vehicle classification:
- Car / Jeep / Van (up to 5–7 seats): Sedan, hatchback — lowest slab
- Light Commercial Vehicle / Mini-bus (7–12 seats): Ertiga, Innova, Innova Crysta, 12-seater Tempo Traveller — mid slab
- Bus / Truck (13+ seats): 16, 20, 21, 24-seater Tempo Traveller — higher slab based on axle and length
A sedan and an Innova Crysta are charged the same toll slab at most plazas, since both fall under the “car/jeep/van” category, while Tempo Travellers with 12+ seats are billed under the higher “light commercial vehicle” or “bus” category, which is why toll cost roughly doubles for larger vehicles on this route.
Varanasi to Gaya FASTag Toll Charges
FASTag is mandatory on all NHAI plazas on this route. A few things worth knowing before you travel:
- Vehicles entering a FASTag-only lane without a valid, active tag are charged double the standard toll.
- A same-day return trip through the same plaza (within 24 hours) is usually billed at a discounted return rate, not the full toll again.
- Chikucab vehicles travel with pre-loaded, active FASTags, so there’s no queue delay and no risk of double charges at any plaza on the Varanasi to Gaya route.
Varanasi to Gaya State Tax and Permit Charges
This is the part most travelers get confused about, so let’s break it down clearly.
Is State Tax Applicable for Varanasi to Gaya Taxi?
Yes. Since the trip crosses from Uttar Pradesh into Bihar, a commercial (yellow-plate) taxi registered outside Bihar is technically required to pay an entry tax / state permit charge to operate legally within Bihar. This is separate from toll tax — toll pays for highway usage, while state tax/permit is a border-crossing charge levied by the destination state’s transport department on commercial vehicles from another state.
Uttar Pradesh to Bihar Taxi Permit and Tax
- Private vehicles from other states can generally use Bihar’s roads for up to 12 months without paying full Bihar road tax.
- Commercial vehicles (taxis, cabs, tempo travellers) operating on a trip or temporary basis are liable for entry tax / state permit charges, typically paid at the state border or nearest RTO checkpoint.
- Bihar’s day-wise state permit charges for commercial vehicles are generally on the lower-to-moderate end compared to states like Maharashtra or Goa.
Varanasi to Gaya State Tax and Permit Charges (Indicative, Day-Wise)
| Vehicle Type | Approx. State Tax — 1 Day | Approx. State Tax — 7 Days | Approx. State Tax — 1 Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | ₹200 – ₹400 | ₹1,000 – ₹1,800 | ₹3,000 – ₹5,000 |
| SUV / Ertiga | ₹250 – ₹450 | ₹1,200 – ₹2,000 | ₹3,500 – ₹5,500 |
| Innova / Innova Crysta | ₹300 – ₹500 | ₹1,400 – ₹2,200 | ₹4,000 – ₹6,000 |
| 12-Seater Tempo Traveller | ₹500 – ₹800 | ₹2,500 – ₹4,000 | ₹6,000 – ₹9,000 |
| 16-Seater Tempo Traveller | ₹600 – ₹1,000 | ₹3,000 – ₹4,800 | ₹7,000 – ₹10,500 |
| 20-Seater Tempo Traveller | ₹700 – ₹1,100 | ₹3,300 – ₹5,200 | ₹7,500 – ₹11,500 |
| 21-Seater Tempo Traveller | ₹750 – ₹1,200 | ₹3,500 – ₹5,500 | ₹8,000 – ₹12,000 |
| 24-Seater Tempo Traveller | ₹800 – ₹1,300 | ₹3,800 – ₹6,000 | ₹8,500 – ₹13,000 |
These are indicative slabs based on current Bihar commercial-vehicle permit norms and typical operator-quoted state tax on this corridor. Actual government charges are revised periodically and can vary by vehicle age, fuel type, and RTO checkpoint. Chiku Cab pays the applicable state tax upfront on your behalf and builds it into your final quote you won’t need to pay anything extra at the border.
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What Is Included in Varanasi to Gaya Taxi Fare?
A transparent Varanasi to Gaya taxi fare from Chikucab typically includes:
- Base fare (per km or fixed one-way/round-trip rate)
- Toll tax at every plaza en route
- Bihar state tax / entry permit charge
- Driver allowance for outstation trips
- Fuel cost (already factored into the fare, not billed separately)
Not included (paid directly, if applicable): parking charges at monuments/temples, driver’s night halt charges for multi-day round trips, and any personal expenses like guide fees at Bodh Gaya or Vishnupad Temple.
Toll Tax vs State Tax vs Parking Charges
It’s easy to lump these together, but they’re three different charges:
| Charge | Who Levies It | What It’s For |
|---|---|---|
| Toll Tax | NHAI (National Highways Authority of India) | Usage of the national highway |
| State Tax / Permit | Bihar Transport Department | Commercial vehicle from another state operating in Bihar |
| Parking Charges | Local municipal body / temple trust | Parking at Vishnupad Temple, Bodh Gaya, railway station, etc. |
Varanasi to Gaya Total Taxi Cost
Putting it together, here’s roughly what a full Varanasi to Gaya taxi cost looks like once toll and state tax are added to the base fare — this is the complete, all-inclusive taxi cost most travelers actually want to know before booking.
Varanasi to Gaya One-Way Taxi Fare
| Vehicle | Base Fare (approx.) | Toll (one-way) | State Tax | Approx. Total One-Way |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedan | ₹2,800 – ₹3,200 | ₹350 – ₹550 | ₹200 – ₹400 | ₹3,400 – ₹4,100 |
| Ertiga | ₹3,500 – ₹4,000 | ₹450 – ₹700 | ₹250 – ₹450 | ₹4,200 – ₹5,100 |
| Innova Crysta | ₹4,500 – ₹5,200 | ₹450 – ₹700 | ₹300 – ₹500 | ₹5,300 – ₹6,300 |
| 12-Seater Tempo Traveller | ₹6,500 – ₹7,500 | ₹700 – ₹1,000 | ₹500 – ₹800 | ₹7,700 – ₹9,200 |
Varanasi to Gaya Round-Trip Taxi Fare
Round trips (same-day or multi-day) work out cheaper per kilometer since the driver doesn’t return empty, and FASTag return tolls are discounted.
| Vehicle | Approx. Round-Trip Total (incl. toll + tax) |
|---|---|
| Sedan | ₹6,200 – ₹7,500 |
| Ertiga | ₹7,800 – ₹9,200 |
| Innova Crysta | ₹9,500 – ₹11,200 |
| 12-Seater Tempo Traveller | ₹13,500 – ₹16,000 |
All figures are starting indicative estimates. Final fare depends on exact dates, vehicle availability, and season (fares rise slightly during Pitru Paksha/Pind Daan season). Get an exact, no-surprise quote by booking directly with Chikucab.
Sedan Taxi Fare from Varanasi to Gaya
A sedan (Dzire, Etios, or similar) is the most economical option for solo travelers or couples, comfortably seating 4 passengers with luggage. It’s the cheapest vehicle class for both toll and state tax on this route.
Ertiga Taxi Fare from Varanasi to Gaya
The Ertiga is a popular pick for small families (up to 6 passengers), offering more boot space than a sedan at only a modest increase in toll and state tax cost.
Innova Crysta Taxi Fare from Varanasi to Gaya
For a more premium, spacious ride — especially for Pind Daan trips where families carry pooja items — the Innova Crysta remains the most-booked vehicle on the Varanasi to Gaya route.
Tempo Traveller Fare from Varanasi to Gaya
For groups, tour operators, or Buddhist pilgrimage groups heading to Bodh Gaya, 12 to 24-seater Tempo Travellers are available. Toll and state tax scale up with seating capacity, so a 24-seater will cost roughly 2–2.5x the toll and state tax of a sedan.
Varanasi to Bodh Gaya Taxi Fare
Bodh Gaya is about 15–17 km beyond Gaya city, adding roughly 30–40 minutes to the journey. Since this extra stretch is largely toll-free local road, the additional toll cost is minimal — expect only a small increase over the standard Varanasi to Gaya fare, mainly reflecting the extra distance and driver time.
Varanasi to Gaya Taxi for Pind Daan
Families travelling for Pind Daan at Vishnupad Temple often need the taxi on standby for a full day (or more) at Gaya. Chikucab offers day-wise Varanasi to Gaya taxi packages with toll and state tax pre-included, so there’s no last-minute cash payment needed at any checkpoint during ritual travel.
Varanasi to Gaya Taxi for Mahabodhi Temple
For pilgrims visiting the Mahabodhi Temple in Bodh Gaya, the same Varanasi–Gaya–Bodh Gaya route applies. Early morning departure from Varanasi is recommended to reach comfortably before the temple gets crowded.
Varanasi to Gaya Airport Taxi
Gaya has its own international airport (primarily serving Buddhist pilgrimage flights). Chikucab also runs Varanasi Airport to Gaya and Gaya Airport pickup/drop taxi services, with toll and state tax included in the quoted airport transfer fare.
Varanasi to Gaya Railway Station Taxi
For travelers arriving by train at Varanasi Junction or Varanasi Cantt, Chikucab offers direct station-to-Gaya taxi pickup, with the same transparent, toll-and-tax-inclusive pricing.
How to Reduce Your Varanasi to Gaya Travel Cost
- Book a round trip instead of two one-ways — you save on the discounted FASTag return toll rate.
- Travel with a verified operator who has an active FASTag and pre-cleared state permit — avoids the 2x penalty toll and border delays.
- Avoid peak pilgrimage season cash surcharges by booking a package that locks in toll and state tax in advance.
- Share a Tempo Traveller for group travel — per-person toll and state tax drop significantly compared to booking multiple sedans.
Toll and State Tax Payment: What Travelers Should Know
- All NHAI toll plazas on this route are FASTag-enabled; cash lanes exist but are being phased down.
- Bihar’s state tax/entry permit for commercial vehicles is typically paid by the operator at the RTO checkpoint, not by the passenger directly — always confirm this is included in your quoted fare before booking.
- Rates for both toll and state tax are revised periodically (toll usually every April; state tax as per Bihar Transport Department notifications) — the figures in this guide are indicative and should be confirmed at the time of travel.
- Always ask for a fare breakup (base fare + toll + state tax + driver allowance) before confirming your booking, so you know exactly what you’re paying for.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the total toll tax from Varanasi to Gaya?
For a standard car or SUV, one-way toll tax across all plazas on the Varanasi to Gaya route is typically ₹350–₹700, depending on vehicle type. The exact amount depends on current NHAI toll slabs, which are revised annually.
2. Is state tax charged separately from toll tax on the Varanasi to Gaya route?
Yes. Toll tax is paid at NHAI plazas for highway usage, while state tax (or entry permit charge) is a separate fee paid to the Bihar Transport Department because the taxi is crossing from Uttar Pradesh into Bihar as a commercial vehicle.
3. How many toll plazas are there between Varanasi and Gaya?
Travelers typically cross 3 to 5 toll plazas on the Varanasi to Gaya route via NH-19, including stretches near Mohania, Sasaram, Dehri-on-Sone, Aurangabad, and Dobhi.
4. Does Chikucab’s fare include toll tax and state tax?
Yes. All Chikucab Varanasi to Gaya taxi fares are quoted inclusive of toll tax and applicable Bihar state tax, so there are no hidden charges to pay during the trip.
5. How much does an Innova Crysta cost for a Varanasi to Gaya trip including toll and tax?
An Innova Crysta one-way trip from Varanasi to Gaya, including toll and state tax, typically costs in the range of ₹5,300–₹6,300, though the exact fare depends on travel dates and availability.
6. Is FASTag mandatory for taxis travelling from Varanasi to Gaya?
Yes. FASTag is mandatory on all national highway toll plazas in India, including the entire Varanasi to Gaya route. Vehicles without an active FASTag are charged double toll in FASTag-only lanes.
7. What is the state tax for a Tempo Traveller travelling from Varanasi to Gaya?
State tax for Tempo Travellers on this route varies by seating capacity — roughly ₹500–₹800/day for a 12-seater and scaling up to ₹800–₹1,300/day for a 24-seater, based on current Bihar commercial vehicle permit norms.
8. Do I need to pay toll or state tax separately if I book through Chikucab?
No. Chikucab handles toll payment via FASTag and pre-clears Bihar’s state permit/entry tax for the trip, so these costs are already built into your booking fare.
9. Is the toll cost different for a one-way trip versus a round trip?
Yes. Return trips through the same toll plaza within 24 hours are usually charged a discounted FASTag return rate (around 1.5x the single toll) rather than the full toll again, making round trips more cost-efficient per kilometer.
10. How far is Bodh Gaya from Gaya, and does it add extra toll?
Bodh Gaya is about 15–17 km from Gaya city. This final stretch is mostly local, toll-free road, so it adds only a small distance-based cost rather than an additional toll plaza charge.
11. What documents does a commercial taxi need to legally cross from UP to Bihar?
A commercial taxi crossing from Uttar Pradesh into Bihar should carry a valid national/all-India tourist permit (or the applicable state permit), registration certificate, insurance, fitness certificate, and driver’s commercial license — all of which Chikucab vehicles carry as standard.
12. Are toll and state tax rates the same throughout the year?
No. NHAI toll rates are typically revised once a year (usually April), and Bihar’s state tax/permit charges are updated periodically by the Transport Department. It’s best to confirm current rates when booking, especially during high-travel seasons like Pitru Paksha.
Book Varanasi to Gaya Taxi
Skip the toll-plaza guesswork and border-tax confusion. Chiku Cab offers Varanasi to Gaya taxi service with toll tax and Bihar state tax fully included in your fare — one transparent price, no surprises at any checkpoint. Choose from Sedan, Ertiga, Innova Crysta, or 12–24 seater Tempo Traveller options for solo trips, family Pind Daan visits, or group pilgrimages to Bodh Gaya.
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