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Voykit pocket guide · India
Kollam
കൊല്ലം
Spend 1–2 days in Kollam: a half‑day at the beach and Thangassery, plus a half‑day on Munroe Island or Sasthamcotta lake.
Kollam is a small coastal city in Kerala with a historic port, colonial forts, nearby backwater islands and a large freshwater lake. Its sights are close together, so a short stay covers the highlights.
- Country
- India
- Local name
- കൊല്ലം
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Avoid
- Jun–Sep (monsoon)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹1,200–2,000 excl. bed · Mid ₹2,500–4,000 excl. bed · High ₹5,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police 112 · Ambulance 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Auto‑rickshaw (short ride) | ₹30–₹60 |
| Coconut water (street stall) | ₹20–₹30 |
| Fish fry (beachside stall) | ₹80–₹150 |
| Cashew pack (local market) | ₹200–₹400 |
| Museum / fort entry fee | ₹10–₹30 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TRV · Trivandrum International Airport
- ≈70 km (43 mi) north, about 1.5 h by bus≈43 mi (70 km) north, about 1.5 h by bus
Typical fares
- Trivandrum → Kollam bus
- ≈₹150, 1.5 h (check)
- Auto‑rickshaw 5 km
- ₹30–₹60
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Auto‑rickshaws (₹30–₹60 for short hops), city buses, and trains from Kollam Junction (QLN). Hire a driver for island trips (≈₹400–₹500).
See and do
Known for
- Thangassery Fort and lighthouse
- Kollam Beach
- Munroe Island backwaters
- Sasthamcotta freshwater lake
- Cashew processing
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Munroe Island | Local train to Munroe Island station (≈30 min) then auto‑rickshaw (≈₹400) | ≈1 h total |
| Sasthamcotta Lake | Bus from Kollam bus station (≈1 h) or taxi (≈₹600) | ≈1 h 15 min |
| Thenmala Eco‑tourism | Bus to Thenmala (≈2 h) or hire car (≈₹2,200 round) | ≈2 h 30 min |
Sleep
- Government Guesthouse
- Central, cheap, noisy on highway
- Hotel Prashanti
- Beach Road, rooms from ₹1,700
- The Quilon Beach Hotel & Convention Centre
- Beachfront, pool, rooms from ₹3,100+tax
- Munroe Island Backwaters Homestay
- Island stay, rooms ~₹1,000
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | ക്ഷമിക്കണംkshamikkanaṁ |
| Thank you | നന്ദിnandi |
| How much? | എത്രയാണ്?ethrayāṇ? |
| Where is the beach? | കടല് എവിടെയാണ്?kaṭal eviteyāṇ? |
| Can I pay by card? | കാര്ഡ് ഉപയോഗിച്ച് പണം അടയ്ക്കാമോ?kārd upayōgiccu paṇam aṭakkāmō? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- Snakes near the overgrown St Thomas Fort ruins – keep a safe distance.
- Sewage discharge at Kollam Beach; swimming is discouraged.
- Small fees at Thangassery Lighthouse; carry exact change.
Kollam is generally safe for tourists; watch for snakes at ruins and avoid swimming at the beach due to sewage.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Kollam yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Thangassery Fort and lighthouse
- Kollam Beach
- Munroe Island backwaters
- Sasthamcotta freshwater lake
- Cashew processing
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Kollam, revision 5279241 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5279241
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/kollam). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.