How to get from Kochi airport to Munnar
Taxi, bus or private transfer, how long the drive really takes, and what the road is like.
Cochin International Airport (COK) is the usual arrival point for Kerala, and Munnar is roughly 110 kilometres away. That sounds like a short hop. It isn’t: the road climbs into the Western Ghats through a long series of bends, and the drive normally takes between three and a half and four and a half hours, longer in rain or heavy traffic.
Your options
Private taxi or pre-booked transfer
This is what most visitors do. A car takes you door to door, you can stop where you like, and you don’t have to change vehicles with luggage. Agree the price before you set off, or book in advance through your accommodation. On our retreats, transfers are included, so there’s nothing to arrange.
Bus
Kerala’s state buses run to Munnar, generally from Ernakulam rather than directly from the airport, so you’ll take a bus or taxi into the city first. It’s inexpensive and an experience in itself, but slower, with luggage to manage and a change along the way.
Train
There’s no railway to Munnar. The nearest stations are Aluva, close to the airport, and Ernakulam. From either, you continue by road.
What the drive is like
The first stretch through the lowlands is flat and green. After Neriamangalam the road begins to climb, following a river valley past the Cheeyappara and Valara waterfalls, which are worth a short stop. Then come the hairpins, tea estates, and cooler air.
A few practical notes:
- Travel in daylight. The bends, the lack of lighting and occasional wildlife make the mountain road harder at night.
- If you get motion sickness, take something before you start, sit in the front, and ask the driver to stop when you need to.
- Break the journey. One stop for tea and a viewpoint makes a big difference.
- Check the weather in the monsoon. Heavy rain can slow the hill road considerably.
Arriving after a long flight
If your flight lands late at night, consider sleeping near the airport or in Fort Kochi and driving up the next morning. You’ll see the landscape instead of the dark, and arrive able to enjoy it. That’s one reason our week starts on the coast in Fort Kochi before moving to the hills.
Once you’re up there, our Munnar guide covers what to see and how long to stay.
