Key hubs
Kochi airport and railway station
- Airport
- Kochi International Airport (COK) at Nedumbassery, roughly 30–45 minutes by road to Fort Kochi, traffic dependent
- Railway station
- Ernakulam Junction (mainline trains) and Ernakulam Town are the main stations. Some trains also stop at Kochi Harbour. Roughly 30–45 minutes by car to Fort Kochi.
- Getting around
- Fort Kochi is walkable and best explored on foot. Auto-rickshaws and app-based cabs serve the city. Ferries connect Fort Kochi to Mattancherry and mainland areas. Private boats and houseboats are the main way to see backwaters.
How to reach Kochi by air
Cochin International Airport (COK) is about 30-40 km from Fort Kochi, roughly 45 minutes to 1 hour by road, and is one of Kerala's busiest with wide domestic and international links.
How to reach Kochi by train
Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town are the main stations, with Kochi Harbour serving some trains; Fort Kochi is a further 30-45 minutes by road.
How to reach Kochi by road
National highways connect Kochi to the rest of Kerala, making it a practical base for reaching Munnar, Alappuzha and other backwater towns.
Getting around Kochi
Fort Kochi is best explored on foot; auto-rickshaws and app cabs cover the wider city, ferries link Fort Kochi to Mattancherry, and houseboats are the way to see the backwaters.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Kochi
- Heat and humidity are the main challenge, especially April to September. Plan your main walking time for early morning or late afternoon. Rest indoors with air conditioning during midday (roughly 1 pm to 4 pm), and carry water, a hat and sunscreen.
- Stay in Fort Kochi proper if you enjoy walking; stay in Ernakulam if you prefer a modern hotel and want a car for sightseeing. Either way, book a hotel with reliable lifts, good air conditioning and water supply—power cuts and water shortages can happen.
- Hire a car and driver for visits to Mattancherry, temples outside Fort Kochi, or day trips to villages. Auto-rickshaws are fun but can be jerky and noisy on longer distances. Car hire is roughly ₹800–₹1,500 per 8-hour day depending on the vehicle.
- Pharmacies and hospitals (including Lakeshore Hospital and Medical Trust Institute) are concentrated in Ernakulam, a 30-minute ride from Fort Kochi. Note your hotel's nearest clinic and carry any regular medicines in original bottles.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.