The short version of Varkala travel tips: get around by auto-rickshaw or scooter rather than expecting a taxi app, keep some cash as well as UPI, save 112 as India's emergency number and install the Kerala Police Pol-App, carry your passport and visa (or an Indian photo ID), and let the place you stay handle the foreigner registration paperwork. Food delivery works in town, and almost everything else is a short auto ride away.
We run a guesthouse and surf school at Edava, on the quiet northern side of Varkala, and these are the questions guests ask us before they arrive. Here is everything practical, in one place.
Getting around Varkala
Auto-rickshaws are the backbone. They wait near the cliff, the station and the main junctions, and they will take you anywhere in and around town. Agree the fare before you get in; a local can tell you roughly what a trip should cost.
Taxi apps are hit and miss here. Uber has a page for Varkala (Uber), and travellers regularly ask whether Uber and Ola will pick them up (Tripadvisor), but in practice cars are far easier to find from Thiruvananthapuram, including the airport, than inside Varkala. Do not plan a late-night trip around an app finding you a car at Edava.
Scooters are how most longer-stay visitors get around. Rent from a proper shop, carry your licence, and wear the helmet. Roads are narrow and busy, and the cliff lanes are steep.
Trains stop at Varkala Sivagiri station, and our guide on how to reach Varkala covers every route in, including from the airport.
Food delivery and eating out
Food delivery works in Varkala. Swiggy lists restaurants in Varkala town and delivers from them (Swiggy). Zomato is worth checking in the app with your exact location, as coverage varies. At the quieter northern beaches like Edava, delivery can be patchy, and the better move is usually a short auto ride to eat out.
For what to actually eat, from Kerala breakfasts to seafood dinners, see our Varkala food guide.
Money: UPI and cash
Most cafés, shops and many autos take UPI, the QR-code payments Indians use for almost everything. Foreign visitors without an Indian bank account should carry cash for small amounts: autos, snacks, temple offerings and small shops. ATMs are in Varkala town and near the cliff; do not rely on finding one at the quieter beaches.
Police, emergencies and safety apps
Save these before you arrive:
- 112 is India's single emergency number for police, fire and ambulance.
- Pol-App, the Kerala Police app, brings its services online and has an SOS button that sends a panic alert to the Emergency Response Support System (Kerala Police; Pol-App on Google Play). It also has a Track My Trip feature for people travelling alone.
- Varkala Police Station has an official page on the Kerala Police website with its contact details (Kerala Police).
Varkala is a relaxed, friendly place, and the most common problems are ordinary ones: a lost phone, a fare dispute, a scooter scrape. The biggest real risk is the sea. Currents at Edava and Kappil can be strong, so swim only where and when someone who knows the beach says it is safe, and never alone.
What to carry: documents
Foreign visitors
- Passport and a valid Indian visa or e-visa. Apply for an e-visa only through the official government portal (Indian Visa Online).
- You do not fill in Form C yourself. Anyone who puts up a foreign guest, from a hotel to a homestay, must report the stay to the immigration bureau, generally within 24 hours of arrival and again at departure; the form is widely still called Form C, though under the Immigration and Foreigners Act, 2025 it is now Form III (Wikipedia). Hand over your passport and visa details at check-in and we take care of it.
- Travel insurance that covers surfing, if you are here to surf.
Indian visitors
- A government photo ID (Aadhaar, passport, driving licence or voter ID). Guesthouses ask for one at check-in.
- Your driving licence if you plan to rent a scooter.
Alcohol rules worth knowing
- The legal drinking age in Kerala is 23, raised from 21 in 2017 (Business Standard).
- The first of the month has traditionally been a dry day in Kerala. Since August 2025, star-rated, heritage and boutique hotels have been allowed to serve on that day (Aabkari Times), but many bars and shops still close, so plan around it.
- Bottles are sold at government outlets, run by the Kerala State Beverages Corporation (Wikipedia), which often have queues in the evening.
Temples and local etiquette
- At the Janardhana Swamy Temple, just up from Papanasam beach, cover shoulders and knees; the grounds are open to all, the inner shrine to Hindus only.
- Rituals take place on Papanasam beach itself. Give them space and do not photograph people without asking.
- Swimwear is for the beach. In town and at temples, dress modestly.
- Edava is a working fishing beach. Keep clear of nets and ropes, especially at dawn.
Phones and internet
Mobile data is good across Varkala, and most guesthouses and cafés have WiFi. Foreign visitors can buy a local SIM with a passport and visa; allow time for verification. If you work remotely, test the connection where you are staying on the first day.
A last-minute checklist
| Before you leave | Why |
|---|---|
| Passport and visa, or Indian photo ID | Check-in and registration |
| 112 saved, Pol-App installed | Emergencies and SOS |
| Some cash as well as cards | Autos and small shops |
| Driving licence | Scooter rental |
| Travel insurance covering surfing | If you surf |
| Modest clothes for temples | Janardhana Swamy and the island temples |
If you are staying with us, message us before you travel with your arrival time and we will help with the airport run and the last few kilometres. Our contact page has the map pin and every way to reach us.
Frequently asked questions
Does Uber work in Varkala?
Sometimes, but not reliably inside Varkala. Taxi apps work much better from Thiruvananthapuram and the airport. In town, auto-rickshaws are faster and easier.
Can I get food delivered in Varkala?
Yes, in town. Swiggy lists and delivers from Varkala restaurants, and Zomato is worth checking in the app. At the quieter northern beaches coverage is patchier, and eating out is often simpler.
What is the emergency number in Varkala?
112, India's single emergency number for police, fire and ambulance. The Kerala Police Pol-App has an SOS button that connects to the same emergency system.
Do foreigners need to register with the police in Varkala?
Not personally. The hotel, homestay or guesthouse must report every foreign guest's stay to the immigration bureau within 24 hours, using what is widely known as Form C. You just provide your passport and visa details at check-in.
Is Varkala safe for tourists?
It is generally relaxed and safe. The main risk is the sea: currents can be strong, so swim only in safe conditions and never alone. Use common sense with belongings and on scooters, as you would anywhere.
What ID do Indian travellers need?
A government photo ID such as Aadhaar, a passport, a driving licence or a voter ID. Carry your driving licence as well if you plan to rent a scooter.