Kerala Tour Packages from Kochi
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Kochi (Cochin) is where almost every Kerala holiday begins. It has the state's busiest airport and main railway stations, and it sits right in the middle of Kerala, about four hours from Munnar and two from the Alleppey backwaters. All our Kerala tour packages from Kochi start with a pickup at Cochin International Airport or Ernakulam railway station, and most end back in Kochi; the longer trips that finish on the beach end in Trivandrum instead. Below you'll find every package, the time you need to land in Kochi for each, and ideas for seeing Kochi itself.
Choose Your Package by Arrival Time
The first day of each trip sets how early you need to arrive. Trips that start with a houseboat need you in Kochi by mid-morning, while trips that start with the drive to Munnar work with an early-afternoon arrival.
Arriving by mid-morning (about 10 am)
Package | Days | Day 1 | Ends in |
|---|---|---|---|
4 | Alleppey houseboat at noon | Kochi | |
5 | Alleppey houseboat at noon | Kochi | |
5 | Alleppey houseboat at noon | Kochi | |
7 | Guruvayur temple day trip | Kochi |
Arriving by late morning or midday
Package | Days | Day 1 | Ends in |
|---|---|---|---|
4 | Athirapilly Falls | Kochi | |
6 | Athirapilly Falls | Kochi | |
8 | Guruvayur temple | Kochi | |
9 | Athirapilly Falls | Trivandrum |
Arriving by early afternoon
Package | Days | Day 1 | Ends in |
|---|---|---|---|
4 | Drive to Munnar | Kochi | |
5 | Drive to Munnar | Kochi | |
6 | Drive to Munnar | Kochi | |
7 | Drive to Munnar | Kochi | |
7 | Drive to Munnar | Trivandrum | |
8 | Drive to Munnar | Trivandrum | |
9 | Drive to Munnar | Trivandrum |
Arriving any time of day
Package | Days | Day 1 | Ends in |
|---|---|---|---|
6 | Short drive to Cherai Beach | Kochi |
Landing later than your package needs? We can usually swap the order of the first days or add a night in Kochi. See all our Kerala tour packages, or compare routes in the Kerala itinerary guide.
Getting to Kochi
- By air: Cochin International Airport (COK) is at Nedumbassery, about 30 km north of Ernakulam city. It has direct flights from Delhi (about 3½ hours), Mumbai (about 2 hours), Bengaluru (about 1 hour) and many other Indian cities, plus the Gulf and Southeast Asia.
- By train: the main stations are Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town, with trains from across India.
- Pickup: your driver meets you at the airport arrival hall or at the station, with a name board.
We can also book your flights or trains with the package. Morning flights work best for most trips.
Kochi Tour Packages: Seeing the City
Kochi is worth more than a pickup point. If you have half a day at the start or end of your trip, or add a night in the city, you can see:
- Fort Kochi: the Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica and the colonial streets of the old town. See our walking guide to Fort Kochi tourist places.
- Mattancherry and Jew Town: Mattancherry Palace with its murals, the Paradesi Synagogue and the spice and antique shops.
- A Kathakali show: evening performances in Fort Kochi, with the elaborate make-up applied in front of you.
- Marine Drive: a waterfront walk in Ernakulam, best at sunset.
- Hill Palace, Tripunithura: the former royal palace of the Kochi rajas, now a museum.
Our Kerala 5 Days Trip: Houseboat, Munnar & Fort Kochi includes a full evening in Fort Kochi, and most other trips include a Fort Kochi stop if your flight home leaves in the evening.
Day Trips from Kochi
- Athirapilly Falls (about 2 hours): Kerala's biggest waterfall, with the Vazhachal falls nearby.
- Cherai Beach (about 1 hour from the airport): a quiet beach with backwaters behind it.
- Alleppey backwaters (about 2 hours): a day cruise on a houseboat or a shikara ride.
- Guruvayur (about 2½ hours): the Sri Krishna Temple and the Punnathur Kotta elephant camp.
See more ideas in our guide to Kerala tourist places, and check the best time to visit Kerala before you book.
Kerala Tour Packages from Kochi: FAQs
Are Kochi and Cochin the same place?
Yes. Kochi is the official name of the city and Cochin is the older name, still used for the airport (Cochin International Airport, code COK). Kerala tour packages from Cochin and from Kochi mean the same thing.
Why do most Kerala tours start from Kochi?
Kochi has Kerala's busiest airport and main railway stations, and it sits in the middle of the state. Munnar is about four hours away, Alleppey about two and Thekkady four to five, so you reach the highlights quickly.
What time should I land in Kochi?
It depends on your package. Trips that start with a houseboat need you in Kochi by about 10 am; trips that start with Athirapilly or Guruvayur by late morning; and trips that start with the drive to Munnar by early afternoon. The tables on this page show each one.
Do your Kochi tour packages include Kochi sightseeing?
Most of our trips include a Fort Kochi stop on the last day if your flight leaves in the evening, and one 5-day trip includes a full evening in Fort Kochi. We can add a night in Kochi to any package.
Can my Kerala tour end somewhere other than Kochi?
Yes. Our trips that finish at Kovalam or Kanyakumari end in Trivandrum, which is closer to the beach. Any trip can also end in Kochi if you prefer, with a longer drive on the last day.
How far is Kochi airport from Fort Kochi?
About 1 to 1½ hours by road, depending on traffic. The airport is north of the city, while Fort Kochi is on the coast to the south-west.