Getting to & from Kochi
Kochi is well connected by air, road, rail and ferry from others parts of India, and to some international destinations. Below are your different Kochi transport options:
By Air – Located in Nedumbassery, 29 km from the Ernakulum City Centre, this is the largest airport in Kerala and one of major gateway to India. Kochi has regular flights to almost all the cities in Middle East and few destinations in Southeast Asia. There are buses, prepaid taxis, Radio Taxi Service, TAXIO, auto rickshaws and private cars.
By Train – Kochi is well connected by train from all parts of India. There are two major rail terminals inside the city limits – Ernakulum Town Station (ERN) and Ernakulum Junction Station (ERS). ERN is mainly for Inter City trains and a few long distance trains. Most of the long distance trains to and from Kerala pass through ERS.
By Bus – Kochi is accessible from all South Indian states as well as other parts of Kerala, through the extensive state-run Kerala Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) bus services and services of neighbouring state transport corporations.
By Private car – Kochi is well connected by road from all parts of the state as well as other major cities.
Getting around Kochi
Between the Islands & Ernakulum
Kochi has an excellent system of cheap inter-island ferries. The Ro-Ro (roll on-roll off) ferry service called Junkar between Fort Kochi and Vypeen is very popular. There are regular boat services operated by KSINC and other private operators, every 20-30 minutes, from Ernakulam to Mattancherry, Fort Kochi, Vypeen and Willingdon Island which are cheaper and in many cases faster, than buses. All services operate from 4:40AM-6:30PM with an exception to Fort Kochi-Vypeen Junkar service which operates from 4AM-10:30PM. The major boat jetties are Ernakulam Main Jetty (located in Marine drive near High Court), Park Jetty (in Park Avenue next to KSRTC Bus station), Customs Embarkation Jetty in Willingdon Island, Fort Kochi Jetties. Do take a look at the map provided, as some ferries do not stop at all stops along the way. A few tourist oriented private ferries service non-scheduled routes during tourist seasons connecting mainly to Kumbalangi Tourist village from Ernakulam Main Jetty as well as from Aroor.
Around Fort Kochi
Within Fort Kochi, there are auto rickshaws that ply the road regularly and will take you to all Fort Kochi attractions. Buses also ply from the ferry terminal and travel around town.
Around Ernakulum
There are several buses in addition to auto rickshaws and taxis that ply the roads in Ernakulum. It is also possible to hire a private car with chauffeur while in Kochi.
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