Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
There's a tourist information counter at the airport. Many places distribute a free brochure
that includes a map and walking tour entitled
Historical Places in Fort Cochin
.
8am-7pm)
Also organises
KTDC Tourist Reception Centre
(
2353234; Shanmugham Rd, Ernakulam;
tours. There's another office at the jetty at Fort Cochin.
8am-6pm)
; Fort Cochin
( 2216129; Fort Cochin; 8am-7pm)
A private tour agency that's very
knowledgable and helpful about Kochi and beyond. Runs several popular and recommen-
ded tours, and its Ernakulam office displays recommended cultural events on in town that
day, and has a secondhand book exchange.
Tourist Police
Ernakulam
(
8am-6pm)
; Fort Cochin
(
2353234; Shanmugham Rd, Ernakulam;
2215055; Fort Cochin;
24hr)
Getting There & Away
AIR
Kochi International Airport is a popular hub, with international flights to the Gulf states,
Sri Lanka and Singapore. Between them Jet Airways, Air India and Spicejet fly direct
daily to Chennai, Mumbai and Bengalaru. Jet Airways and Spicejet also fly to Hyderabad,
while IndiGo flies to Trivandrum. Air India flies to Delhi daily and to Agatti in the Lak-
shadweep islands six times a week. The following airlines have offices in Ernakulam:
Air India
(
2351295; MG Rd)
Jet Airways
(
2359334; MG Rd)
BUS
At the time of writing there were plans afoot for buses to operate directly between Fort
Cochin and places like Munnar, Alleppey and Periyar. Until then, all long-distance ser-
vices operate from Ernakulam. The
KSRTC bus stand
( 2372033; reservations 6am-10pm)
is
next to the railway, halfway between the two train stations. There's a separate window for
reservations to Tamil Nadu. Government and private buses pull into the massive new
Vyt-
tila Mobility Hub
( 2306611;
www.vyttilamobilityhub.com
;
24hr)
, a state-of-the-art transport ter-
minal about 2km east of Ernakulam Junction train station. Numerous private bus compan-
ies have super-deluxe, air-con, video and Volvo buses to long distance destinations such as
Bengaluru, Chennai, Mangalore, Trivandrum and Coimbatore; prices vary depending on
the standard but the best buses are about 50% higher than government buses. Agents in
