Major city · India
Kozhikodeകോഴിക്കോട്
Give Kozhikode two nights: one for the old port core and Kuttichira, one for a beach run to Kappad or Beypore. Kozhikode Beach is for walking and food stalls, not swimming; Kappad has bathing facilities.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Dec–Feb
- avoid Jun–Sep (southwest monsoon; heaviest rain in June–July, wet through September)
- Airport
- CCJ
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Kozhikode is Kerala's second city and the old Calicut of the spice trade — the port that gave English the word calico. It is a working city, not a resort: the draw is the 600-year-old Mishkal Mosque and Kuttichira pond, the Mananchira park and library, the Valiyangadi market lanes, Malabar food (biriyani, halwa, banana chips) and the beach road. Two nights covers it; most travellers pass through between Kochi and Wayanad or Mysore.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kozhikode, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyGenerally safe for tourists, with the usual caveats: heat and humidity year-round, patchy sidewalks and heavy traffic…
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All services (police, fire, ambulance) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportCCJ Calicut International (Karipur) (About 28 km from the centre; no confirmed direct city bus — take a taxi…CCJ Calicut International (Karipur) (About 17 mi from the centre; no confirmed direct city bus — take a taxi…
- Getting aroundGreen city buses are cheap and frequent, most starting and ending around Mananchira Pond (about ₹8 (≈ under US$1) for 5 km).Green city buses are cheap and frequent, most starting and ending around Mananchira Pond (about ₹8 (≈ under US$1) for 3.1 mi).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeFilter coffee or tea₹15–40 (≈ under US$1)
- Taxi, about 5 kmTaxi, about 3 miAuto-rickshaw, 5 kmAuto-rickshaw, 3.1 mi₹150 (≈ US$2) (about ₹30 (≈ under US$1)/km)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person₹500 (≈ US$6)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per room₹3,000 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per room₹6,000 (≈ US$70)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,800 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₹3,500 (≈ US$40) · High ₹7,000 (≈ US$80)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- CCJ Calicut International (Karipur) (About 28 km from the centre; no confirmed direct city bus — take a taxi, auto or a local bus via Airport Junction)CCJ Calicut International (Karipur) (About 17 mi from the centre; no confirmed direct city bus — take a taxi, auto or a local bus via Airport Junction)
Weather and climate
Kozhikode: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
33°C91°F
23°C73°F
1 rd
Feb
34°C93°F
24°C75°F
1 rd
Mar
34°C93°F
26°C79°F
2 rd
Apr
34°C93°F
27°C81°F
5 rd
May
34°C93°F
26°C79°F
10 rd
Jun
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
22 rd
Jul
30°C86°F
24°C75°F
23 rd
Aug
30°C86°F
24°C75°F
19 rd
Sep
31°C88°F
24°C75°F
13 rd
Oct
32°C90°F
24°C75°F
12 rd
Nov
33°C91°F
24°C75°F
7 rd
Dec
33°C91°F
23°C73°F
3 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Green city buses are cheap and frequent, most starting and ending around Mananchira Pond (about ₹8 for 5 km). Autos run about ₹30 per km; app cabs (Ola, Uber) work. Air-conditioned taxis are quoted around ₹1,000 a day. Traffic blocks over an hour are common — avoid Kallayi Road and Wayanad Road at peak. Sidewalks are patchy; the beach road from Beypore to Kothi Bridge is the good walk.
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45–60 min
Bus 9 from Mananchira, or taxi
17 km north; Vasco da Gama landed here in 1498. Park, memorial pillar, a hilltop temple and open bathing facilities.11 mi north; Vasco da Gama landed here in 1498. Park, memorial pillar, a hilltop temple and open bathing facilities.
Door to door: About 30–40 min
Green bus from the Girls School side of Mananchira, or auto
Old port and boatyard; the beach road south from here is the city's best walk.
Elathur
cautionDoor to door: About 40 min
Bus toward Elathur, or taxi
Riverside village and estuary; the Vallikkattu Kavu sacred grove is a swamp reserve — check access before going.
Thamarassery
cautionDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus toward the hill route, or taxi (check which service runs)
Hill route toward Wayanad; go for the climb and views, not as a quick return.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Mananchira and the railway station area
Central, walkable to the park, library, Mittayi Theruvu and the station; best for a short stay.
Mavoor Road and the new bus stand
Malls, KSRTC and private buses; practical if you arrive or leave by bus.
Beach Road (Kozhikode Beach)
Sea air and the promenade; fewer services and the beach is not a swimming beach.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,800 (≈ US$18–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,800–5,500 (≈ US$35–65) excl. bed
- High
- ₹5,500 (≈ US$65)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × ₹3,000 | ₹6,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ₹3,500 | ₹14,000 |
| Airport taxi, both ways1 × ₹1,600 | ₹1,600 |
| City bus day of rides2 × ₹50 | ₹100 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₹800 · 2026 estimate | ₹1,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹2,330 |
| Trip total≈ ₹6,410 per person per day, bed included | ₹25,630≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate
2026 estimate in rupees; flights and long-distance trains excluded. Bed and daily figures are estimates, not quoted rates. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Malabar biriyani | ₹150–300 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Kozhikode halwa (per 250 g) | ₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Banana chips (250 g) | ₹80–150 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Filter coffee or tea | ₹15–40 (≈ under US$1) |
| Auto-rickshaw, 5 km | ₹150 (≈ US$2) (about ₹30 (≈ under US$1)/km) |
| Air-conditioned taxi, day rate | about ₹1,000 (≈ US$12) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- The monsoon dumps most of its rain in June and July — plan around it.
- Kozhikode Beach is for walking and food stalls, not swimming.
- Non-Muslims need permission to enter Mishkal Mosque — view it from across the Kuttichira pond.
- Some museums close on Mondays (check each site).
- Mananchira park gates open only in the afternoon (check current hours).
- Avoid saying you want to go "to the station" at Airport Junction — you may be put on a bus to Feroke station instead.
Emergency numbers
- All services (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
Pocket card
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Kozhikodeകോഴിക്കോട്
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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ഈ വിലാസത്തിൽ കൊണ്ടുപോകൂTo this address, please
Emergency
- All services112
Embassy
No US consulate in Kozhikode; the nearest is the US Consulate General in Chennai. Most other countries: embassies in New Delhi, consulates in Chennai or Kochi (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Airport (CCJ) → city centre, taxi: about ₹800–1,000 (≈ US$10–12), 45–60 min
- City bus, 5 km: about ₹8 (≈ under US$1)
- Auto-rickshaw: about ₹30 (≈ under US$1) per km
Say or show
- നമസ്കാരം — Hello (namaskaram)
- നന്ദി — Thank you (nandi)
- എത്ര രൂപ? — How much is it? (ethra roopa?)
- ഇവിടെ നിർത്തൂ — Please stop here (ivide nirthoo)
- ടോയ്ലറ്റ് എവിടെ? — Where is the toilet? (toilet evide?)
- വേണ്ട — I don't want it (venda)
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Kozhikode. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Feb · avoid Jun–Sep (southwest monsoon; heaviest rain in June–July, wet through September) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for CCJ: confirm the bus situation at the airport, taxi fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Mananchira, Kuttichira and Valiyangadi, the beach road, Mavoor Road.
- Place pages with verified hours (Mishkal Mosque, Mananchira park, museums) and eat pages with last orders.
- Monsoon and hostile-arrival fixtures so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialKozhikode district official site
- officialKerala Tourism
- officialKIRTADS (tribal research museum)
- secondaryWikivoyage: Kozhikode, revision 5308491 (CC BY-SA 4.0)