A Kerala itinerary built around Alleppey
A good Kerala itinerary with Alleppey uses the backwaters as its centre and adds stops on either side. Kochi is the natural starting point, since Cochin International Airport (COK) is the nearest large airport. From there you can go south to the backwaters and the coast, or east to the hills around Munnar.
This page gives the building blocks rather than a fixed day plan. Transfer times vary with traffic and route, and the right number of nights depends on your pace. If you only choose one boat experience, make it a night on a houseboat; the details are in our guide to Alleppey houseboat cruises.
The stops and how they connect
Distances are approximate road figures and change with the route you take.
| Stop | Link to Alleppey | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Kochi | About 62 km from the city; about 83 to 105 km from the airport | Arrival and departure |
| Alleppey backwaters | The base | Houseboat night, canals, village life |
| Kumarakom | On Vembanad Lake in Kottayam district | Bird sanctuary, lake boat trips |
| Marari Beach | About 15 km from Alappuzha railway station | Beach walks, fishing village |
| Munnar | About 150 to 175 km by road | An inland stop beyond the coast |
For most first-time visitors, the simplest Kerala itinerary is Kochi, then Alleppey with one houseboat night, with Munnar added only if you have the time for the long transfer.
Our pick for a longer route
A five-day private tour that links Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey.
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.
Alleppey tours for your Kerala itinerary
Houseboat cruises, shikara rides and canoe trips around Alleppey, with live prices and availability for your travel dates.
Kochi: the starting point
Kochi and Cochin are two names for the same city. The airport carries the code COK and is not in Alappuzha. The road from the airport to Alleppey is about 83 to 105 km, which takes roughly 2 to 3 hours, and from Kochi city it is about 62 km on the national highway. Our page on getting to Alleppey from Kochi compares taxi, bus, train and ferry.
If you plan to go straight to a houseboat, remember that check-in is around 11:30 on some boats and that overnight cruises usually end around 9:00 the next morning. Do not schedule a long transfer for the same morning.
Alleppey and Kumarakom
Alleppey is the backwater base: canals, Vembanad Lake and the boats. Kumarakom lies on the same lake in Kottayam district, not in Alappuzha town, and is known for its bird sanctuary. The sanctuary charges INR 150 for adults and INR 75 for children up to 12 in the 2026/27 season, including GST. A boat at the sanctuary costs INR 800 per person, including GST, for up to 9 people per boat.
Local birds are best seen from June to August and migratory birds from November to February. Pathiramanal, an island in the lake between Thanneermukkom and Kumarakom, can only be reached by boat. From Alappuzha it takes about 1.5 hours by motorboat or about 30 minutes by speedboat, and landing depends on conditions. Learn more on the Kumarakom and Vembanad Lake pages.
Marari Beach
Marari Beach is a fishing-village coast in Alappuzha district. It is about 15 km from Alappuzha railway station and mostly dry from December to March. Plan beach days in those months, and see the Marari Beach page for what to expect on the sand.
Alleppey to Munnar
Munnar is the hill stop in this itinerary. The road distance is roughly 150 to 175 km, and by car the trip takes from about 2.5 to almost 5 hours depending on the route. A bus takes anywhere from 3 hours 45 minutes to 7 hours. Allow the longer times, and check the current KSRTC timetable.
- By car: a car with driver is the most flexible choice. A day block of 80 km costs INR 2,500 for a sedan (as of October 2026) and extra kilometres are charged on top. The trip to Munnar is longer than that block, so ask for a full quote.
- By bus: a low-cost option, but the time varies widely.
- Weather: our Alleppey weather page covers Alappuzha only. Pack for Munnar separately, because conditions there may differ.
Kerala itinerary: frequently asked questions
How do I get from Kochi to Alleppey?
By taxi, bus, train or, from Kottayam, by state ferry. A taxi from the airport takes roughly 2 to 3 hours.
How far is Munnar from Alleppey?
Roughly 150 to 175 km by road, depending on the route. By car the trip takes about 2.5 to almost 5 hours, and by bus 3 hours 45 minutes to 7 hours.
Can I do Munnar and a houseboat in one trip?
Yes, but do not squeeze the transfer into the houseboat check-in morning. Check-in is around 11:30 on some boats, and the cruise ends around 9:00 the next day.
When is the best time for a Kerala itinerary?
December to March is the driest stretch on the Alappuzha coast. Bird seasons at Kumarakom follow a different pattern. See the weather page for the monthly figures.
Do I need a car for the whole trip?
A car with driver can be hired by the day if you want to reach Marari Beach, Kumarakom or Munnar without relying on bus timetables.