Kochi to Alleppey at a glance
The nearest large airport is Cochin International Airport, code COK, and from there you travel on to Alleppey (Alappuzha) by road. Kochi and Cochin are two names for the same city, and the airport is not in Alappuzha. From the airport, the road distance to Alleppey is about 83 to 105 km depending on the route, and the drive takes roughly 2 to 3 hours. Plan for the longer end. From Kochi city the distance is about 62 km on the national highway.
Alleppey itself has a railway station and a bus stand, and a state ferry runs to Kottayam. The sections below compare the options. If you want to spend your first night on the water, see our guide to Alleppey houseboat cruises. Once you arrive, our guide to where to stay in Alleppey helps you choose a base.
Ways to get from Kochi to Alleppey
The main options in 2026. Times and fares change, so confirm them before you travel.
| Option | From | Time | Cost example (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private taxi | Airport or Kochi | About 2 to 3 hours from the airport | Sedan INR 3,500, Ertiga INR 4,500, Crysta INR 6,500 (as of October 2026), plus GST, tolls and parking |
| Car hire with driver | Kochi | By the day | 80 km block: sedan INR 2,500, Ertiga INR 2,700, Crysta INR 3,500 (as of October 2026) |
| KSRTC bus | Kochi | About 1 hour 45 minutes | Ask at the station for the current fare |
| Train | Kochi | Check the timetable | Fare depends on class |
| State ferry | Kottayam | About 2 hours | About INR 17 to 29 |
For most visitors who land at the airport with luggage and want to go straight to a houseboat or hotel, a taxi or a pre-booked transfer is the simplest choice. The bus and train suit travellers who start in Kochi city and have time.
Our pick after you land
A group trip from a Fort Cochin meeting point or the cruise terminal.
Hand-picked tours, booked through Viator. 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.
Alleppey tours and boat trips after you arrive
Houseboat cruises, shikara rides and canoe trips around Alleppey, with live prices and availability.
Taxi and airport transfer from Kochi airport (COK)
Taxis are the standard way to go from the airport to Alleppey. The airport has prepaid taxi counters at the domestic and international terminals, open around the clock. Ask whether the counter quotes a fare to Alleppey, and agree the total before you leave.
Example prices for a private transfer from the airport to Alleppey as of October 2026: INR 3,500 for a sedan, INR 4,500 for an Ertiga and INR 6,500 for a Crysta. GST, tolls and parking are extra, and rates can change. The figures are per vehicle, not per person.
The road distance depends on the route. It runs from about 83 km and 2 hours to 105 km and 2.5 to 3 hours via the national highway through Edappally. Keep a time buffer if you must be at a houseboat jetty before check-in, which is around 11:30 on some boats.
Car hire with driver
If you want to stop on the way or continue to other places, a car with a driver can be hired by the day. A day block covers 80 km: INR 2,500 for a sedan, INR 2,700 for an Ertiga and INR 3,500 for a Crysta (as of October 2026). Extra kilometres cost INR 18, 20 and 24 respectively. Driver hours and night allowances may add to this, so ask for the full price in writing. This is the usual choice for a longer route such as a Kerala itinerary with Alleppey.
Book a private transfer from Kochi Airport (COK) to Alleppey at a fixed price on Kiwitaxi.
Alleppey railway station
Alappuzha railway station has the code ALLP and is run by Southern Railway. The airport is not a railway station, so you need a road transfer before you can board a train. Timetables and classes change, so check IRCTC for current trains between Kochi and Alappuzha.
The railway station and the bus stand are the two main points of arrival in town. The lighthouse is within about 2 km of the station.
Bus from Kochi to Alleppey
KSRTC buses run between Kochi and Alappuzha. Plan for about 1 hour 45 minutes, and check the current timetable and fare on the day. There is no guaranteed direct bus from the airport, so most air travellers take a taxi first.
State ferry between Kottayam and Alappuzha
A state-run ferry connects Alappuzha and Kottayam through the backwaters. It takes about 2 hours, and the Alappuzha jetty is opposite the KSRTC bus stand. Departures from Alappuzha are spread between roughly 7:15 and 17:15. Fares are in the range of INR 17 to 29. Confirm the day's departures at the jetty, as services depend on conditions.
This is a public boat, not a tourist cruise. If you want a private boat for sightseeing, see our page on shikara boat rides.
Kochi to Alleppey: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to go from Kochi airport to Alleppey?
Roughly 2 to 3 hours by road. The distance is about 83 to 105 km depending on the route, so allow the longer time.
Is there a train from the airport to Alleppey?
The airport is not a railway station. Take a taxi or transfer first, then continue by train from a Kochi station if you prefer.
How much is a taxi from Kochi airport to Alleppey?
As of October 2026, example prices are INR 3,500 for a sedan, INR 4,500 for an Ertiga and INR 6,500 for a Crysta, plus GST, tolls and parking. Agree the total before you set off.
Is the bus cheaper than a taxi?
Per person, usually yes. A KSRTC bus from Kochi takes around 1 hour 45 minutes, but it runs on a fixed timetable and does not collect you from the airport. Check the current fare at the station.
Can I take a boat from Kottayam to Alleppey?
Yes. A state ferry runs between the two towns and takes about 2 hours. Check departures at the jetty.