Travel Guide

Rail : 
Kochi has 2 stations, Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town. These 2 stations are connected on broad gauge line. This line links the railway stations to Thiruvanthapuram, Mangalore and Mangalore to Chennai.  Trains from the Northern cities/Southern parts of India stop at Ernakulam Junction. Note that none of the through trains on the main trunk routes go to the Cochin Harbour Terminus station at Willingdon Island. Ernakulam Junction
Reservation Enquiry:  132
Information: 131/0484-2375131
Arrival Enquiry: 133

Enquiry about confirmation and availability of Railway Ticket at Ernakulam Junction, dial 1361 (English) or 1362 (Hindi) or 1363 (Malayalam)

Ernakulam Town, Near North Bridge : 0484-2395198
Ernakulam Junction, Near South Bridge : 0484-2375131
Cochin Harbour Terminus, Willingdon Island  : 0484-2666050
Terminus Parcel Service : 0484-2666346
Aluva : 0484-2624141

Road :
KSRTC Central Bus station is near the Junction railway station. It runs Express and Fast services from Ernakulam to other major cities within Kerala and into the neighbouring states. Reciprocal services from other STCs are also available. Enquiry phone : 0484-2352033, 2372033
There are plenty of private buses available for travel from Ernakulam to other cities. They operate from High Court Junction, Railway Station and Kaloor Junction.

Tamil Nadu Road Transport Ernakulam : 0484-2372616
Karnataka Road Transport Ernakulam  : 0484-2360229

Ferries :
Ferries are the best way of getting about between islands. It reaches faster and it is cheaper and much more comfortable than buses or autos. Another alternative is the Goshree Bridge from Ernakulam that stretches out across the backwaters connecting the islands of Bolghatty, Mulavukadu, Vallarpadam and Vypeen which make tourist access much more easier. 

There are two ferry stations in Ernakulam. The main Boat Jetty is 1 Km. from the Junction railway station and the other is near the High Court. There are two Ferry stops in Willingdon Island also; 'Embarkation' and 'Terminus'. 

Public Ferries are available every 20 minutes from High Court Jetty (Ernakulam) to Vypeen and Bolghatty islands from 6am to 10pm.There is a vehicular ferry service also available from High Court Jetty to Vypeen jetty. Kerala State Government Ferry service  to and fro is available every 35 - 45 minutes from Ernakulam Main boat jetty to Mattancherry via Terminus jetty (Willingdon Island) and to Fort Kochi (Customs jetty) via Embarkation jetty (Willingdon Island). The ticket office opens 10 minutes before each sailing.  Sail starts from 6am and ends at 9.30 pm. 

There are ferries from Fort Kochi to Vypeen island from 6 am to 10 pm. A vehicular ferry is also available every half hour or so. Maximum fare is Rs.3/-

Local Transport :

Auto Rickshaws
Auto-Rickshaws are fairly cheaper than Taxi cars.  Minimum charge  upto 3 Kms is Rs. 20/-.  In Ernakulam, auto-rickshaws are the most convenient mode of transport. There are around 800 or more autos running in the city.  Pre-paid auto stands (booth) are available at Ernakulam Junction railway station and at Thoppumpady.

Buses
Buses are fairly frequent and cheap in Ernakulam. It connects Ernakulam, Willingdon and Fort Kochi and many other places.  Local passenger buses are coloured in red and pale yellow on top. Minimum charges for upto three stoppage is Re. 7.00 approximately. Now, the Goshree Bridge from Ernakulam that stretches out across the backwaters connecting the islands of Bolghatty, Mulavukadu, Vallarpadam and Vypeen make tourist access much more easier to these Islands. 

Hire Boats
Motorised boats of various sizes can be hired from the Sealord jetty or from the small dock adjacent to the Main jetty in Ernakulam.  They are an excellent way of exploring Kochi harbour at your leisure and without the crowds.  Rowboats offer to shuttle between Willingdon Island and Fort Cochin or Mattancherry.