Alleppey in a nutshell
Alleppey and Alappuzha are two names for the same city on the coast of Kerala. The district administration changed the official name by government order on 7 February 1990, and both names are still in daily use. Visitors come for the canals, the backwaters, a long beach and the houseboats. The backwaters are a connected system of canals, rivers, lakes and channels, and Vembanad Lake is only one part of it.
This guide covers houseboat stays and day cruises, shikara and canoe trips, Kuttanad, Alleppey and Marari beaches, Kumarakom, Vembanad Lake, the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, temples and palaces, weather, where to stay, the way from Kochi, Kerala itineraries and history. Prices are in Indian rupees (INR) as of 2026, and they change with season and operator.
Cochin International Airport (COK) is the nearest large airport, and Kochi city is about 62 km and roughly an hour away by road. Alappuzha railway station has the code ALLP. The way from Kochi, with train, bus and taxi, is on the page Kochi to Alleppey, and the best months for the trip are on the weather page. Use this site as a planning tool, then confirm times and fares with the operator or at the jetty.
Our picks: Alleppey tours
Houseboats from a day cruise to a night on the water, kayaking at Kumarakom and a shikara ride. The overnight cruise suits you if you want the full backwater experience; the shikara ride and the walking tour are the cheap way in.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Backwater houseboat day cruise from Kochi
- Three to four hours on a houseboat
- Lunch, tea and snacks
- Air-conditioned transfers
A long day that links Kochi, Alleppey and Kumarakom with a lunch cruise in the middle. Taxes and service charges are covered.
Check availability →
Overnight houseboat cruise from Kochi
- Night on a deluxe houseboat
- Traditional Kerala meals
- Kochi pickup and return
A night on the water with Kerala meals, a fishing experience and time with local people. The air-conditioned car takes you from Kochi and back.
Check availability →
Kumarakom and Pathiramanal Island day trip
- Hotel pickup and return
- Shikara cruise
- Pathiramanal Island on Vembanad Lake
Six hours that combine the Kumarakom bird sanctuary with a shikara cruise and the island in the lake. Ask before booking whether the sanctuary entry is included.
Check availability →
Same-day houseboat cruise in Alleppey
- Lunch on the houseboat
- Two water bottles each
- Taxes, fuel and parking
A cruise without an overnight stay, with lunch on board. Pick the hotel pickup option when you book if you want a transfer.
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Half-day village kayaking at Kumarakom
- Certified English-speaking guide
- Kayak and paddle
- Snack
A guided paddle past villages on a route adapted to the group. A sit-in or sit-on-top kayak is provided.
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Shikara ride through canals and a village
- Shikara with local boatman
- Village visit
- Canal and backwater route
Three hours on the water with a local boatman who also acts as your guide. Ask before booking whether your departure time catches the sunset.
Check availability →Alleppey backwater tours and houseboat cruises
Houseboat day cruises, overnight stays, shikara rides and village trips, with live prices and availability.
Boats and water
Start here if you want to be on the backwaters.
Alleppey houseboats
Overnight stays and day cruises: times, rules, registration and what to ask.
Houseboat rates
Price examples for 2026, seasons and how to compare quotes.
Kerala backwaters
Kuttanad, Kainakary, canals and lakes, and the ways to see them.
Alleppey tours
Shikara, kayak, village trips and the public ferry compared.
Shikara boat rides
Small-boat rides on the backwaters and what to agree before you board.
Vembanad Lake
Kerala's largest lake, Pathiramanal Island and the public boats.
Kumarakom
Bird sanctuary on Vembanad Lake with entry fees for 2026/27.
Nehru Trophy Boat Race
Snake boats on Punnamada Lake and the 2026 race.
Places and planning
Beaches, sights and the practical pages.
Alleppey Beach
The coast, the old pier and the lighthouse.
Marari Beach
A fishing village coast north of the city.
Places to visit
Temples, a palace in Kayamkulam, canals and the lighthouse.
Weather and best time
Monthly rainfall and temperature for Alappuzha.
Where to stay
Beach, town or backwater: which area fits your trip.
Kochi to Alleppey
Train, bus, taxi and the airport transfer.
Kerala itinerary
Kochi, Alleppey and Munnar in one route.
History of Alleppey
Canal port, coir and the name Venice of the East.
A few things to know before you go
Facts that save you a wrong plan.
An overnight stay is not a night of sailing
Houseboats anchor for the night, typically between 17:00 and 17:30, and do not cruise in the dark. Ask your operator for its own times before you pay.
Houseboat guide →October is not a dry month
The average rainfall for October at Alappuzha is 357.4 mm. December to March is the drier stretch, and January has the lowest average.
Weather and best time →The Nehru Trophy date changes
The 72nd race took place on 22 August 2026 on Punnamada Lake. Check the date every year before you plan a trip around it.
Boat race →The old pier is a landmark to see
The pier is 387 m long and in poor condition, and harbour traffic ended in 1989. Look at it from the beach.
Alleppey Beach →Lighthouse tickets are for the same day
The online portal sells tickets for the current day only: INR 10 for Indian nationals and INR 25 for foreign nationals, plus 18 percent GST (2026). Visiting hours are 10:00 to 12:30 and 14:00 to 17:00, closed on Monday.
Places to visit →Kumarakom entry in 2026/27
The tariff for April 2026 to March 2027 is INR 150 per adult and INR 75 per child up to 12 years, GST included. A boat costs INR 800 per person, GST included, with up to 9 people per boat.
Kumarakom →Alleppey: frequently asked questions
Is Alleppey the same as Alappuzha?
Yes. Alleppey and Alappuzha name the same city. The district administration changed the name by government order on 7 February 1990. Keep the city, the district and the wider backwater area apart: the backwaters reach far beyond the city limits.
When is the best time to visit Alleppey?
December to March is the drier period, and January has the lowest average rainfall at 16.3 mm. June is the wettest month at 592.0 mm, and October still averages 357.4 mm. Rain and thunderstorms can happen in any month, so keep a spare day. See the weather page.
Does a houseboat sail all night?
No. Houseboats typically anchor between 17:00 and 17:30 and do not cruise after dark, so your night on board is spent at anchor. Ask the operator for its schedule, the boarding point and the check-out time. More in the houseboat guide.
How do I get from Kochi to Alleppey?
By train, KSRTC bus or taxi. Alappuzha station has the code ALLP. The bus from Kochi takes roughly 1 hour 45 minutes. A private airport transfer by sedan is priced per car, for example INR 3,500 as of October 2026, plus GST, tolls and parking. Check current times and fares before you go. Details on the way from Kochi.
How much does a houseboat cost?
It depends on the boat, the season and the meals. Low-season starting prices in 2026 are INR 10,000, 15,000 and 20,000 per night for a one-bedroom deluxe, premium and luxury boat, plus GST, and a day cruise starts at INR 9,000. Peak weeks around Christmas and New Year cost more. See houseboat rates.
Is discoveralleppey.com the official website?
No. This is an independent travel guide. It is not the website of the District Tourism Promotion Council, Kerala Tourism or any authority, and it has no link to a houseboat owner, a tour operator, a resort or a hotel.