How to Reach Kerala: Flights, Trains and Road Routes

The easiest way to reach Kerala is to fly into Kochi, which sits between Munnar, Thekkady and the backwaters of Alappuzha and Kumarakom. Thiruvananthapuram suits Kovalam and Varkala, while Kozhikode and Kannur serve Wayanad and the north. Trains from Mumbai, Goa, Bengaluru and Chennai, and the highway from Bengaluru, are good alternatives.

Kerala is long and narrow, and choosing the wrong arrival point can add half a day of driving. This guide explains which airport to choose, the main train routes, road distances from nearby cities and how to get around once you arrive.

The short answer

Kerala's four international airports

Kochi (Cochin International Airport) is the busiest and most central, with flights from every major Indian city and the Gulf. It is about an hour from Fort Kochi and is the natural gateway for Munnar, Thekkady, Alappuzha and Kumarakom.

Thiruvananthapuram in the south is close to Kovalam and about an hour from Varkala. It is the best choice if your trip ends on the beach.

Kozhikode (Calicut) and Kannur serve north Kerala, including Wayanad, Bekal and the Theyyam season in Kannur and Kasaragod. Our The Sacred Flames of Kerala trip is built around this region.

Arriving from abroad

Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Kannur all have international flights, mainly from the Gulf, and Kochi also connects with Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and Colombo. Non-resident Indians and overseas visitors can often fly straight into Kerala without changing planes in Delhi or Mumbai, which saves a domestic connection and a long day.

By train

Kerala is well connected by rail. From Mumbai and Goa, trains run along the Konkan Railway through Mangaluru into Kerala, a scenic coastal journey. From Delhi, long-distance trains such as the Kerala Express and the Rajdhani take more than a day. From Bengaluru and Chennai, overnight trains reach Ernakulam (Kochi) and Thiruvananthapuram. Within Kerala, Vande Bharat and express trains link Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Ernakulam, Thrissur, Kozhikode and Kannur. Key stations are Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town for Kochi, Alappuzha for the backwaters, Varkala Sivagiri for Varkala and Thiruvananthapuram Central.

By road

From Bengaluru, the drive to Kochi via Salem, Coimbatore and Palakkad takes about ten to eleven hours. The route to north Kerala via Mysuru and Wayanad passes through forest reserves where night traffic is restricted, so plan daytime travel. From Coimbatore, Palakkad is about an hour away; from Mangaluru, Kannur is about three hours. From Chennai, flying or taking the train is usually more comfortable than driving.

Drive times within Kerala

Getting around

A private car with a driver is the most comfortable way to cover the hills and backwaters, especially with parents. Trains are useful along the coast between Kochi, Alappuzha, Varkala and Thiruvananthapuram. In the backwaters, houseboats and public ferries replace roads for part of the journey. Our Serene Kerala Escapade includes a driver for the full route.

Season and booking

October to March is the main season, with peak demand around Christmas, New Year and Onam. Flights and houseboats fill early in December. The south-west monsoon from June to September brings heavy rain, slower hill roads and occasional landslides, though it is popular for Ayurveda. Read our month-by-month guide to Kerala before booking.

Your first day: airport to hotel

Most flights from north India land in Kochi by midday or afternoon. Rather than driving straight to Munnar, many travellers spend the first night in Fort Kochi, walking past the Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church and Jew Town, and catching a Kathakali performance in the evening. The hill drive the next morning is safer and more enjoyable in daylight. If you land early, Alappuzha or Kumarakom is close enough for a first-night houseboat or lakeside stay.

Budget options

Trains are the cheapest way to reach Kerala from south and west India, and sleeper and AC three-tier berths book out early in season. Kerala State Road Transport buses run from Bengaluru, Mysuru, Coimbatore and Chennai, including overnight services. Within Kerala, public ferries in the backwaters cost far less than private boats and give a glimpse of daily life on the canals. Flights are cheapest when booked a few weeks ahead, avoiding Christmas and Onam weeks.

For couples

Couples often fly into Kochi, head for the hills and a houseboat, and fly home from Thiruvananthapuram after a few days in Kovalam or Varkala. For a slower trip, our Riverside Romance and Just Us by the Sea at Marari are both within easy reach of Kochi airport.

Roads in the monsoon

From June to September, heavy rain can slow hill roads to Munnar, Thekkady and Wayanad, and landslides occasionally close stretches. Check local updates before you set out, start early and avoid driving in the hills after dark. Trains and coastal routes are usually less affected.

Travelling with parents

Choose the airport closest to your first stop, avoid the longest hill drives on arrival day, and break the Munnar journey with a rest stop at the waterfalls on the way. Many trains have lower-berth quotas for senior citizens; book early. Ask for wheelchair assistance at the airport if needed.

Matching the route to the trip

Practical tips

Book window seats on the Konkan route for the views, and allow extra time for Kochi traffic, especially on the way to the airport. Mobile coverage can drop in parts of Munnar and Thekkady. Read our 7-day Kerala itinerary and Kerala planning guide to build the rest of the trip, or explore Unexplored Kerala for quieter corners.

A BagPackerMe planner can arrange the whole journey privately, with one named planner, WhatsApp support throughout and vegetarian and Jain food planned in.

Your questions, answered

Which is the best airport for a Kerala trip?

Kochi suits most first trips, as it is central for Munnar, Thekkady, Alappuzha and Kumarakom. Fly into Thiruvananthapuram for Kovalam and Varkala, and into Kozhikode or Kannur for Wayanad and north Kerala.

Can I fly into one airport and out of another?

Yes, and it often saves time. A common plan is to arrive in Kochi, travel through Munnar, Thekkady and the backwaters, and fly home from Thiruvananthapuram after a beach stay.

Is the train a good way to reach Kerala?

It can be, especially from Mumbai, Goa, Mangaluru, Bengaluru and Chennai. The Konkan route along the coast is scenic. From Delhi the journey takes well over a day, so most travellers fly.

How long is the drive from Kochi to Munnar?

Allow about four hours for the roughly 130 kilometres, as the last section climbs through winding hill roads. Leave in daylight, especially in the monsoon.