Short answer
Most travellers fly into Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram. Trains run along the coast from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Chennai. By road, Kerala is about 10 to 11 hours from Bengaluru and 12 to 13 from Chennai. Within Kerala, a private car links the hills, backwaters and beaches.
On this page 13 sections
Kerala is long and narrow, with major airports at both ends, good rail links along the coast and winding roads into the hills. A bit of planning can save you hours, particularly if you choose an open-jaw route that starts in the north and ends in the south. This guide explains your options for arriving and for moving between bases.
By air
Kerala has four international airports.
- Cochin International Airport (COK) at Nedumbassery, about 35 km from Fort Kochi, is the busiest. It has flights from all major Indian cities and several international destinations, and is known for being powered largely by solar energy.
- Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) in the south is convenient for Kovalam, Varkala and the capital.
- Calicut (Kozhikode) International Airport (CCJ) serves the north, including Wayanad (about 90 km away).
- Kannur International Airport (CNN) serves the north-east.
For most itineraries, we recommend flying into Kochi and out of Thiruvananthapuram, or the reverse. This avoids a long return drive and lets the route flow in a single direction.
By rail
Kerala has a dense network along the coast. Key stations include:
- Ernakulam Junction (ERS) and Ernakulam Town (ERN) in Kochi.
- Alappuzha (ALLP) for the backwaters.
- Kottayam (KTYM) for Kumarakom and Thekkady.
- Thiruvananthapuram Central (TVC) in the south.
- Varkala Sivagiri (VAK) for Varkala.
- Thrissur (TCR) and Kozhikode (CLT) in the middle and north.
Long-distance trains connect Kerala with Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Chennai and other cities, and Vande Bharat and other fast services run along the state. Schedules change, so check IRCTC before booking. Trains are comfortable and scenic along the coast, but do not reach Munnar or Thekkady, which need a road transfer.
By road
Roads are good on the main corridors but become winding in the hills.
| Route | Approx. distance | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru to Kochi | 550 km | 10 to 11 hours |
| Chennai to Kochi | 700 km | 12 to 13 hours |
| Coimbatore to Munnar | 160 km | 4 to 4.5 hours |
| Madurai to Thekkady | 140 km | 3.5 to 4 hours |
| Mysore to Wayanad | 100 km | 3 hours |
Overnight buses run from Bengaluru, Chennai and other cities. Self-drive is possible, but hill roads, heavy rain and wildlife on the road call for experience and care.
Moving between bases in Kerala
| Leg | Distance | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kochi to Munnar | 130 km | 4 to 4.5 hours |
| Munnar to Thekkady | 110 km | 3.5 to 4 hours |
| Thekkady to Alleppey | 160 km | 4 hours |
| Alleppey to Kochi | 55 km | 1.5 hours |
| Alleppey to Kovalam | 155 km | 3.5 to 4 hours |
| Kochi to Wayanad | 270 km | 7 hours |
These times assume normal conditions. Heavy rain, roadworks and festivals can add hours. A private car with an experienced driver is the most comfortable way to cover the hill sections.
Water routes and the Kochi Water Metro
In Kochi, ferries and the Water Metro connect islands and the mainland. In the backwaters, the State Water Transport Department runs public boats between Alleppey and Kottayam and other towns, a slow and scenic way to see canal life. Houseboats are not transport as such, but they make for a memorable leg of the journey.
Airport transfer times
| From | To | Distance | Usual time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kochi airport | Fort Kochi | about 35 km | 1 hour |
| Kochi airport | Munnar | about 110 km | 3.5 to 4 hours |
| Kochi airport | Alleppey | about 80 km | 2 hours |
| Thiruvananthapuram airport | Kovalam | about 15 km | 30 minutes |
| Thiruvananthapuram airport | Varkala | about 50 km | 1.5 hours |
| Kozhikode airport | Wayanad | about 90 km | 3 hours |
Times assume normal traffic. Rain, festivals and roadworks can add hours.
Tips for each mode
By air: Book morning flights if you plan to start sightseeing the same day, and check baggage rules if you plan to buy spices and tea. By train: Reserve seats early, carry snacks and note that some stations are far from the sights. By road: Choose daylight hours, plan breaks every two hours and keep a charged phone.
Choosing your route
| Trip | Suggested arrival | Suggested departure |
|---|---|---|
| Classic Kerala | Kochi | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Honeymoon | Kochi | Thiruvananthapuram |
| Munnar and houseboat | Kochi | Kochi |
| Ayurveda stay | Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram | Same |
| Wayanad and the north | Kozhikode | Kochi or Kozhikode |
Arrival tips
At airports and stations, use prepaid taxi counters, app cabs or pickups arranged by your hotel or planner. Carry cash for small expenses and tolls, and keep ID handy. Mobile coverage is good in most towns, but patchy in hill forests.
In the monsoon
Heavy rain can delay flights, trains and road journeys. Hill roads may be closed after landslides. Allow a buffer day on either side of your trip, avoid tight connections and check district advisories. Your driver and hotel are the best sources on the day.
What to expect at airports and stations
Kochi airport is modern and efficient, with prepaid taxi counters, app cabs and hotel shuttles. Thiruvananthapuram airport is smaller and also has prepaid counters. Railway stations can be crowded and noisy; porters help with luggage, and you should confirm the platform on the display. Keep your belongings close and your ticket and ID handy.
Visas and entry for international visitors
If you are travelling from abroad, check visa requirements early and carry printouts of your hotel and onward bookings. Domestic travellers only need a government photo ID. Foreign nationals are asked to register at some hotels and may need to show their passport at certain attractions.
Where to go next
Once you know your arrival point, choose your base. See Kochi, Munnar, Alleppey and Kumarakom and Kovalam and Varkala. For help with transfers, tell us your flight or train details and we will include them in your plan.
Practical tips
- Choose arrival and departure airports to avoid backtracking, for example Kochi in and Thiruvananthapuram out.
- Book trains early for December and January.
- Avoid tight same-day connections after a long hill or highway drive.
- Use prepaid taxis, apps or hotel pickups at airports and stations.
- Check district road advisories in the monsoon before travelling to hill areas.
