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Voykit pocket guide · India
Mattanur
മറ്റന്നൂർ
Visit Mattanur only if you need a quick stop for the airport or a day trip to nearby temples; otherwise skip.
Mattanur is a small town in Kannur district, best known for the nearby Kannur International Airport (3 km away). With limited attractions, a half‑day visit suffices unless you are using the airport or exploring nearby sites like Kottiyoor Temple.
- Country
- India
- Local name
- മറ്റന്നൂർ
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Avoid
- Mar–May (hot, humid)
- 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 ₹800–₹1,200 excl. bed · Mid ₹1,200–₹2,000 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 · Medical 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 |
|---|---|
| Masala dosa | ₹40–₹80 |
| Bottle water (500 ml) | ₹15–₹30 |
| Autorickshaw per km | ₹15 |
| Bus (local, up to 3 km (1.9 mi))Bus (local, up to 1.9 mi (3 km)) | ₹7 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- CNN · Kannur International Airport
- 3 km (1.9 mi) from town, flights to Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Sharjah, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad1.9 mi (3 km) from town, flights to Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, Sharjah, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad
Typical fares
- Kannur Intl Airport → Mattanur
- ≈₹150 by autorickshaw, 5 min (check)
- Autorickshaw 1 km
- ₹15 per km
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
Autorickshaws ₹15 /km; local buses ₹7 for three km. No metro; walk where possible.
See and do
Known for
- Kannur International Airport
- Kottiyoor Temple festival (June)
- Pazhashi Dam and Gardens
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kottiyoor Temple | Bus 57 km (35 mi), about 1 h 30 minBus 35 mi (57 km), about 1 h 30 min | ≈2 h round trip |
| Pazhashi Dam and Gardens | Bus 18 km (11 mi), ~30 minBus 11 mi (18 km), ~30 min | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- PWD Rest House Government Lodge
- Budget government lodging, basic facilities
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | ക്ഷമിക്കണംkshamikkana |
| Thank you | നന്ദിnandi |
| How much is it? | എത്രയാണ്?ethrayanu? |
| Where is the bus stop? | ബസ് സ്റ്റോപ്പ് എവിടെയാണ്?bus stop evideyanu? |
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
- Airport construction may cause road delays; check latest status.
- Autorickshaw fares can vary; agree on price before boarding.
Mattanur is generally safe; petty theft is rare but keep valuables secure, especially at bus stations.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Mattanur yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Kannur International Airport
- Kottiyoor Temple festival (June)
- Pazhashi Dam and Gardens
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Kannur International Airport: www.kannurairport.aero/
- Wikivoyage: Mattanur, revision 5308497 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5308497
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/mattanur). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.