Therefore, having planned your Kerala backwater holiday package, the next question you have is How to Reach Kumarakom from Kochi Airport. Well, there are no secrets here because this journey is probably one of the easiest ones in Kerala. The distance between Cochin International Airport (COK) and Kumarakom is about 75-80 km and takes around 2 to 2.5 hours depending on traffic and the route. In this guide, you will find out all the ways to transfer including prepaid taxi service, bus and train transfers, and Kottayam route.
If you want to go straight from the airport to your houseboat cruise on the Vembanad Lake or backwaters resort, you must pay attention to the transfer because it will save you a lot of time and money.
Where Is Kumarakom and Why Does the Route Matter?
Kumarakom is an island made up of numerous backwater villages located on the eastern side of Vembanad Lake in Kottayam district, Kerala. Kumarakom is known for its houseboats, Bird Sanctuary, and its tranquil environment that seems detached from the hustle and bustle of airport lounges and roads.
Since Kumarakom is not a significant transit point in itself, tourists visiting Kumarakom do so from either of the following gateway destinations:
- Cochin International Airport (COK): Nearest airport that is mainly used by domestic and international travelers.
- Kottayam Railway Station: The nearest rail junction, preferred by tourists who combine their visit to Kerala along with a train ride from other parts of India.
This would help you decide on which route suits you the best.
How to Reach Kumarakom from Kochi Airport: Your Options
If you are confused about how to get from Kochi Airport to Kumarakom in a hassle-free manner, then the easiest mode of transportation for your journey would be the taxi which will take 2 to 2.5 hours, covering a distance of 75-80 km. However, buses or taxis via trains can also be considered as an alternative means of transport.
Here’s how to reach:
1. By Private Taxi/Prepaid Cab (Highly Suggested)
Taking a private taxi straight from Cochin International Airport to Kumarakom would be the easiest route for you. There are prepaid taxi counters available at the arrival terminal.
- Distance: 75-80 kms
- Duration: 2-2.5 hrs depending upon traffic around Kochi and Muvattupuzha areas
- Route: COK → NH966 (route to/from Aluva Perumbavoor) OR COK → Angamaly → Muvattupuzha → Kottayam → Kumarakom
- Tariff: Cost varies for sedans from ₹1,800 to ₹2,800 and for bigger vehicles it goes up from there, especially for group transfers
This route is recommended by all houseboat operators and we too at Rajadhani Holidays, recommend this route since it takes you to your destination without transferring anywhere in between.
2. By KSRTC or Private Bus
Budget travelers often wonder how to get to Kumarakom from the Kochi International Airport by bus, which is possible but less convenient than taking a taxi.
- COK to Aluva or Vytilla bus terminal by shuttle or taxi (approximately 30-40 min)
- From there, board KSRTC or private bus to Kottayam
- Kottayam to Kumarakom by local bus or auto-rickshaw (approximately 16 km, 30 min)
It’s cheaper, but at the same time, it requires at least two changes and staying at bus terminals, which may be exhausting after the flight with baggage.
3. Travel by Train (From Kochi Airport to Kottayam, and then Travel by Road to Kumarakom)
In case you like traveling by train, use an airport taxi to reach either of the two destinations – either Ernakulam Junction or Aluva railway station, from where take a train to Kottayam Railway Station. Kottayam is only 16 kilometers away from Kumarakom, which can be covered in 25-30 minutes.
If your plan was to visit Ernakulam or Kochi city before reaching Kumarakom backwaters, then this will be a great combination for you.
Distance and Travel Time Comparison
| Route | Distance | Travel Time | Best For |
| Kochi Airport (COK) → Kumarakom by taxi | 75-80 km | 2-2.5 hrs | Direct, hassle-free arrival |
| Kochi Airport → Kottayam → Kumarakom (bus) | 80-85 km | 3-3.5 hrs | Budget travelers |
| Kochi Airport → Ernakulam/Aluva (train) → Kottayam → Kumarakom | Varies | 3-4 hrs | Train enthusiasts, city stopovers |
| Kottayam Railway Station → Kumarakom | 16 km | 25-30 mins | Travelers arriving by train directly |
How to Reach Kumarakom from Kottayam Railway Station
If traveling from cities such as Chennai, Bangalore, or Trivandrum, Kottayam is the nearer gateway by rail. Kumarakom lies 16 kilometers away from the railway station at Kottayam, and the journey by road only takes half an hour using the excellent state highway.
Transport options from Kottayam include:
- By taxi/auto rickshaw: Available at the station itself, costing between ₹350 to ₹600
- Local bus service: KSRTC and other buses regularly ply toward Kumarakom but might not reach your actual place
- Pre-arranged pickup: This service can be arranged by most resorts and houseboats for station pickup
Step-by-Step Travel Plan: Kochi Airport to Kumarakom
- Landing at Cochin International Airport (COK), and then collect your luggage.
- Go to the prepaid taxi counter or book a cab in advance through your hotel or houseboat agency.
- Ensure that your route is correct, and your driver takes the Muvattupuzha-Kottayam road as it will be an easier route without traffic.
- Also, take a stoppage in Muvattupuzha on the way as it can be done in the middle of the journey to have some tea or snack
- Arrive at Kumarakom and check in at your resort, or head straight to the .
- Then reach Kumarakom and get yourself checked into your resort or proceed towards the houseboat jetty as your boat tour is scheduled the same day.
Common Mistakes Travelers Make
- Not booking a taxi in advance during the high season, i.e., December-January, making you pay high rates later
- Thinking that all buses take a straight route to Kumarakom, whereas all the buses except the one from Kottayam stop there
- Neglecting traffic congestion in the vicinity of Kochi City, mainly during weekday mornings and evenings
- Failing to communicate the drop-off point with the resort/houseboat provider due to the unfamiliarity of the driver with backwaters
Expert Tips for a Smooth Journey
- It is recommended that you pre-book a cab from airport to Kumarakom from your hotel or houseboat booking agency in advance as it would be better and more dependable than getting one at the airport itself.
- Travel during daytime if you have never visited before as there are narrow roads in the area of Kumarakom and sometimes they aren’t well lit.
- Have the phone number of your driver saved and also the exact address because GPS coordinates near the lake sometimes might go wrong.
- If you are arriving early to get your houseboat at about 12 noon, it would be best to make arrangements for an early flight.
What to Do Once You Reach Kumarakom
After reaching Kumarakom, the fun starts! That’s because here, Vembanad Lake becomes a maze of tranquil backwaters, paddy fields, and coconut groves. Most tourists come straight to enjoy a cruise on a houseboat, and there’s no denying that cruising around and taking in the sights of the rural life while enjoying a delicious Kerala meal of karimeen fish curry and rice onboard a houseboat is something that you cannot easily find elsewhere in India!
Rajadhani Holidays has been providing various types of houseboat cruises in Kumarakom and Alleppey since more than ten years now, offering a fleet of houseboats ranging from Deluxe to Premium and Luxury. In case you wish to take a backwater cruise, it is better if you can arrange your Kumarakom transfer along with your houseboat trip to make sure that your driver takes you to the right jetty.
Future Trends: Getting to Kumarakom Is Only Getting Easier
With the improvement of transport infrastructure around the cities of Kochi and Kottayam – including new highway stretches and road widening programs – traveling to Kumarakom is getting easier every year. As the connectivity of the airport of Kochi increases together with its expansion of the tourism infrastructure of Kerala, it is expected that the journey from Kochi Airport to Kumarakom will only get easier for travelers in the near future.
Conclusion
Arrival at Kumarakom from Kochi Airport is not such a difficult task to perform. The quickest and most comfortable transfer to Kumarakom is made by a taxi within 2-2.5 hours, but buses and trains are great choices for budget-conscious travelers. In case you are landing in Kottayam Railway Station, then you have only 30 minutes of driving till the backwaters. Regardless of the chosen type of transfer, the preparation for your arrival will give you more time to explore the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the distance of Kumarakom from Kochi Airport?
Kumarakom is around 75-80 km away from Cochin International Airport (COK). The travel time via road mode is 2 to 2.5 hours using taxis, considering the road distance from the airport to Kumarakom via Muvattupuzha/Aluva and traffic at Kochi city.
2. What is the most convenient means of transport to go from Kochi Airport to Kumarakom?
Taxi would be the best choice of travel due to its single transfer mode. Bus and train are more economical but they involve more transfers, which makes it a tedious process to travel with luggage.
3. What is the cost of traveling by taxi from Kochi Airport to Kumarakom?
The charges of taxi depend on the mode of booking. One has to pay ₹1,800 to ₹2,800 for a sedan taxi in a single way.
4. Is there any direct bus facility available from the Kochi Airport to Kumarakom?
Unfortunately, there’s no direct bus route. Tourists mostly hire taxis or shuttles to Aluva or Vytilla Bus station and from there catch a bus to Kottayam and then take an autorickshaw or local bus for a distance of 16 kilometers to reach their destination.
5. What is the distance between Kumarakom and Kottayam Railway Station?
The distance between the two places is only 16 kilometers which could take 25 to 30 minutes by taxi or autorickshaw. In such a case, Kottayam serves as an ideal transit point for tourists who come to Kumarakom by train from other cities of Kerala and neighboring states.
6. Is it possible to get a pickup service at Kochi Airport itself for the houseboat?
Yes, most of the houseboat agencies at Kumarakom like Rajadhani Holidays can help you adjust the time for pickup according to your cruise check-in time.
