The short answer
It depends on whether you return the same day. If you fly or take a train back, a one-way cab is almost always cheaper because you pay only for the drop. If you need the cab to bring you home, a round-trip cab is usually better value than two one-way drops, because round-trip per-km rates are lower and you avoid paying for the driver’s empty return leg twice.
How one-way cab pricing works
A one-way cab charges you for the distance driven in one direction only. The catch is the minimum billing: one-way trips bill a minimum of 130 km, so for very short routes you may pay for more kilometres than you actually travel. Per-km rates are higher than round-trip rates because the operator has to recover the driver’s return journey.
- Sedan one-way: ₹14/km (min 130 km)
- SUV one-way: ₹19/km (min 130 km)
- Innova Crysta one-way: ₹23/km (min 130 km)
How round-trip cab pricing works
A round-trip cab bills you for both legs of the journey at a lower per-km rate, with a minimum of 250 km per day. You also pay driver batta (₹500/day) for each day the cab is with you. If you stay multiple nights, the cab waits with you — useful, but you pay for the waiting days.
- Sedan round-trip: ₹13/km (min 250 km/day)
- SUV round-trip: ₹18/km (min 250 km/day)
- Innova Crysta round-trip: ₹21/km (min 250 km/day)
Worked example: Chennai to Pondicherry (~160 km)
One-way Sedan: 160 km × ₹14 = ₹2,240 (you return by bus/train). Round-trip Sedan for a 2-day trip: 320 km × ₹13 = ₹4,160, plus 2 days driver batta ₹1,000 = ₹5,160. If you genuinely need the cab both ways, the round-trip is the right call; if you only need the drop, the one-way saves you over ₹2,900.
When to pick which
Choose one-way when you are flying or taking a train back, relocating, or sending someone one-way. Choose round-trip for same-day returns, family holidays where you want the cab throughout, and pilgrimage circuits with multiple stops. Toll, inter-state permit, parking and driver batta are extra in both cases and are always disclosed before you confirm.
Still unsure? Ask us
Share your route, dates and whether you need the cab back. We will calculate both options and tell you which is cheaper — no obligation. Message us on WhatsApp or call 9940360903.