How to get Cochin/Kochin, Kerala

Its stragetic location and commerial importance has led to an extensive travel network linking Kochi to the rest of the country and the world by air, rail, road and sea.

Air - Cochin/Kochi (Airport Code: COK) has a world-class modern international airport, located 30kms north-east of the city, with regular flights to major cities in India. Cochin is also connected to Singapore, Colombo and all major cities in the middle-east (Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Jeddah, Muscat, and Riyadh) by direct international flights. Airlines operating from Cochin include Air Deccan, Air India, Air India Express, Air Sahara, Emirates, Go Air, Gulf Air, Indian Airlines, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, Kuwait Airways, Mahan Air, Oman Air, Saudi Arabian Airlines, SilkAir, SriLankan Airlines, and Qatar Airways, making it the fifth busiest airport in India. The International and Domestic terminals are located right next to each other. The airport buildings have been built in traditional Kerala architectural style. It is the first Indian airport to be built using private investment. Cochin airport is expanding at a very fast pace. For regular flight arrivals and departures, follow the links below. The airport is also used extensively by cargo and chartered aircrafts. Prepaid taxis are available from the airport and can be booked from within the arrival hall.

Rail - Kochi (and Ernakulam) are connected to the rest of India by an extensive network of rails.There are three main railway stations in Cochin: Ernakulam Junction (main station), Ernakulam Town and Cochin Harbour Terminus. Many important trains start from here and many others from/to the south of kerala stop at these stations.

Road - An extensive network of national/state highways and local roads link Kochi to rest of the country. Three important National Highways(NH) pass through/start from Kochi, apart from many state roads. NH 47 from Kanyakumari to Salem pass right through the heart of Kochi while NH 17 to Mumbai and NH 49 to Madurai (in Tamil Nadu) starts from Kochi. Private and public transport services are available to/from all major cities of South India from here. Long distance coach tickets to Mumbai (Bombay), Chennai (Madras), Bangalore, Coimbatore, etc. can be purchased from private coach operators operating from Jos Junction in the heart of the city.

Ferries - Ferries are the best way of getting about between islands. It reaches faster, cheaper and much more comfortable than buses or autos. There are two ferry stations in Ernakulam. The main Boat, Jetty is 1 Km from the Junction railway station and the other is near the High Court. There are two Ferry stops in Willington Island 'Embarkation' and 'Terminus'.

Public Ferries are available every 20 minutes from High Court Jetty (Ernakulam) to Vypeen and Bolghatty islands from 6am to 10pm.There is a vehicular ferry service available from High Court Jetty to Vypeen jetty. Kerala State Government Ferry service to and fro is available for every 35 - 45 minutes from Ernakulam Main boat jetty to Mattancherry via Terminus jetty (Willington Island) and to Fort Kochi (Customs jetty) via Embarkation jetty (Willingdon Island). The ticket office opens 10 minutes before each sailing. Sail starts from 6am and ends at 9.30 pm.

Local Transport -

Auto Rickshaws :- The original church, situated in Fort Kochi, was built by the Portuguese in 1505 and named as a cathedral in 1558. The British colonists destroyed the cathedral in 1795. The current structure was built in 1905 and raised to the status of a basilica by Pope John Paul II in 1984.

Buses :- Buses are fairly frequent and cheap in Ernakulam. It connects Ernakulam, Willington, Fort Kochi and many other places. Local passenger buses are coloured in red and pale yellow on top. Minimum charges upto three stoppage is Rs. 2.00

Hire Boats :- Motorised boats of various sizes can be hired from the Sealord jetty or from the small dock adjacent to the Main jetty in Ernakulam. They are an excellent way of exploring Kochi harbour at your leisure and without crowds. Rowboats offer to shuttle between Willington Island, Fort Cochin or Mattancherry.