Major city · India
Kollamകൊല്ലം
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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon)
- Airport
- TRV
- Nights
- 1
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Kollam112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Kollam, 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
- SafetyKollam is generally safe for tourists; watch for snakes at ruins and avoid swimming at the beach due to sewage.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police · 112 fire and 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.
- AirportTRV Trivandrum International Airport (≈70 km (43 mi) north, about 1.5 h by bus).TRV Trivandrum International Airport (≈43 mi (70 km) north, about 1.5 h by bus).
- Getting aroundAuto‑rickshaws (₹30–₹60 (≈ under US$1) for short hops), city buses, and trains from Kollam Junction (QLN).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealCoconut water (street stall)₹20–₹30 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum / fort entry fee₹10–₹30 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedGovernment Guesthouse bed, a night, per person₹300 (≈ US$4)
- Mid-range bedHotel Prashanti double, a night, per room₹2,200 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedHotel Prashanti double, a night, per room₹3,500 (≈ US$40)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,200 (≈ US$14) · Mid ₹2,500 (≈ US$30) · High ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
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 →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
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
- TRV Trivandrum International Airport (≈70 km (43 mi) north, about 1.5 h by bus)TRV Trivandrum International Airport (≈43 mi (70 km) north, about 1.5 h by bus)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Jun
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Oct
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Jun (22 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kollam: 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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10 rd
May
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
22 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
20 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Sep
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Oct
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
16 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Auto‑rickshaws (₹30–₹60 for short hops), city buses, and trains from Kollam Junction (QLN). Hire a driver for island trips (≈₹400–₹500).
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Munroe Island
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Local train to Munroe Island station (≈30 min) then auto‑rickshaw (≈₹400)
Canoe tours and homestay options.
Sasthamcotta Lake
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 15 min
Bus from Kollam bus station (≈1 h) or taxi (≈₹600)
Largest freshwater lake in Kerala, birdwatching.
Thenmala Eco‑tourism
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h 30 min
Bus to Thenmala (≈2 h) or hire car (≈₹2,200 round)
Dam and forest; best with a guide.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
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
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,200–2,000 (≈ US$14–25) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–4,000 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- High
- ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel Prashanti double1 × 1 night × ₹2,200 | ₹2,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Auto‑rickshaw 5 km ride2 × ₹120 · check | ₹240 |
| Munroe Island canoe tour2 × ₹300 · check | ₹600 |
| eSIM 7‑day data2 × ₹1,200 · check | ₹2,400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,040 |
| Trip total≈ ₹5,740 per person per day, bed included | ₹11,480≈ US$140 |
includes breakfast
2026 estimate in INR; flights and long‑distance rail passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Auto‑rickshaw (short ride) | ₹30–₹60 (≈ under US$1) |
| Coconut water (street stall) | ₹20–₹30 (≈ under US$1) |
| Fish fry (beachside stall) | ₹80–₹150 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Cashew pack (local market) | ₹200–₹400 (≈ US$3–5) |
| Museum / fort entry fee | ₹10–₹30 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
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Kollamകൊല്ലം
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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ഈ വിലാസം ദയവായിTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Ambulance112
Embassy
US Consulate in Thiruvananthapuram (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Trivandrum → Kollam bus: ≈₹150, 1.5 h (check)
- Auto‑rickshaw 5 km: ₹30–₹60 (≈ under US$1)
Say or show
- ക്ഷമിക്കണം — Excuse me / Sorry (kshamikkanaṁ)
- നന്ദി — Thank you (nandi)
- എത്രയാണ്? — How much? (ethrayāṇ?)
- കടല് എവിടെയാണ്? — Where is the beach? (kaṭal eviteyāṇ?)
- കാര്ഡ് ഉപയോഗിച്ച് പണം അടയ്ക്കാമോ? — Can I pay by card? (kārd upayōgiccu paṇam aṭakkāmō?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
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 Kollam. 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: Oct–Mar · avoid Jun–Sep (monsoon) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Rail‑to‑hotel contract for Kollam Junction (QLN) – last‑minute tickets may be scarce.
- Auto‑rickshaw fare guide for short hops (₹30–₹60).
- Island‑to‑mainland shuttle schedule (check with homestay).
Sources
Ask about Kollam
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