Major city · India
Alappuzhaആലപ്പുഴ
Give Alappuzha one full day plus one night, and treat a houseboat night as optional: the town takes half a day, the water is the reason to come. Arrival timing is yours to set — check ferry and houseboat boarding times before you book.
Alappuzha (Alleppey) is a small Kerala port town on a canal network between the sea and the Vembanad backwaters, 70 km south of Kochi. The town itself takes half a day; the reason to come is the water — a houseboat night, a public ferry to Kottayam, or a canoe through the narrow canals. Two nights is the useful maximum. September to March is dry and comfortable; June to August is heavy monsoon.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Sep–Mar
- avoid Jun–Aug (heavy monsoon rain and wind)
- Airport
- COK
- 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.
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 Alappuzha100 ▾
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 Alappuzha, 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
- SafetyAlappuzha is calm by Indian city standards.
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 numbers100 police · 108 ambulance · 101 fire (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.
- AirportcheckCOK Cochin International (Nedumbassery) (Nearest airport; taxi to Alappuzha 1.5–2 h, or train/bus via Kochi (distance check)).
- Getting aroundThe town is flat but spread out: the beach is about 3.5 km (2.2 mi) from the KSRTC bus stand and there are no proper pavements on that stretch.The town is flat but spread out: the beach is about 2.2 mi (3.5 km) from the KSRTC bus stand and there are no proper pavements on that stretch.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee or chai at a bakery₹20–60 (≈ under US$1)
- SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12)
- Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person₹600 (≈ US$7)
- Mid-range bedHomestay or hotel double room, a night, per room₹3,500 (≈ US$40)
- High-end bedHomestay or hotel double room, a night, per room₹9,000 (≈ US$110)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,800 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₹4,000 (≈ US$50) · High ₹9,000 (≈ US$110)
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
- COK Cochin International (Nedumbassery) (Nearest airport; taxi to Alappuzha 1.5–2 h, or train/bus via Kochi (distance check))
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
May
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Jun
Avoid
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Jul
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Aug
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Sep
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Best: Sep–Mar. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Mar (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C) low), wettest Jul (22 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Alappuzha: 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
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
2 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
3 rd
Apr
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
May
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
11 rd
Jun
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
21 rd
Jul
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
22 rd
Aug
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
18 rd
Sep
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
13 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
Dec
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 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
The town is flat but spread out: the beach is about 3.5 km from the KSRTC bus stand and there are no proper pavements on that stretch. Auto-rickshaws are the default — agree the fare before you get in. Local buses run from the KSRTC stand. Government SWTD ferries leave from the jetty opposite the KSRTC bus stand; the Kottayam service is the cheap backwater ride most visitors take.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Kottayam by government ferry
goDoor to door: About 2 h each way
SWTD boat from the jetty opposite the KSRTC bus stand; about 2 h each way
The cheapest backwater ride going; return by boat or KSRTC bus via Changanassery. Check the day's departures at the jetty.
Marari Beach (Mararikulam)
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Local bus from the KSRTC stand to Mararikulam Junction, about 20 min, then auto 4 km (2.5 mi)Local bus from the KSRTC stand to Mararikulam Junction, about 20 min, then auto 2.5 mi (4 km)
Quiet sand and fishing village; combine with Arthunkal church.
Ambalapuzha
goDoor to door: About 45 min
Local bus or auto south of town, about 30 min
Sreekrishna temple and the Karumadikkuttan Buddha statue; the temple palpayasam is served at noon.
Kumarakom
cautionDoor to door: 1.5–2 h
Bus or taxi via Kottayam, about 1.5 h
Bird sanctuary and lake resorts; better as an overnight than a rushed return.
Kollam
overnightDoor to door: About 8 h
SWTD tourist boat along the backwaters, most of a day
One-way scenic run; sleep in Kollam rather than coming back the same day.
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.
Beach road and Sea View Ward
Guesthouses and homestays 2–4 km (1.2–2.5 mi) west of the centre; walk to the beach and the pier. Quiet after dark.Guesthouses and homestays 1.2–2.5 mi (2–4 km) west of the centre; walk to the beach and the pier. Quiet after dark.
Town centre around Mullackal
Walk to the boat jetty, KSRTC bus stand and the main bazaar; cheap rooms, traffic noise.
Punnamada and the backwater edge
Resorts and houseboat boarding points on the lake side; you need an auto for everything else.
Mararikulam
Beach village 16 km (9.9 mi) north; resort strip with sand and palms, nothing else within walking distance.Beach village 9.9 mi (16 km) north; resort strip with sand and palms, nothing else within walking distance.
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
- ₹1,500–3,000 (≈ US$18–35) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹3,000–6,000 (≈ US$35–70) excl. bed
- High
- ₹6,000 (≈ US$70)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Homestay or hotel double room1 × 2 nights × ₹3,500 | ₹7,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ₹4,000 | ₹16,000 |
| SWTD ferry Alappuzha → Kottayam, one way2 × ₹30 | ₹60 |
| Auto-rickshaw, KSRTC stand to beach1 × ₹100 | ₹100 |
| Water taxi, per hour (seats ten)1 × ₹1,500 | ₹1,500 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₹800 | ₹1,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹2,630 |
| Trip total≈ ₹7,220 per person per day, bed included | ₹28,890≈ US$350 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights and long-distance trains excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee or chai at a bakery | ₹20–60 (≈ under US$1) |
| South Indian thali or meals | ₹100–250 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Fish curry rice at a local hotel | ₹150–350 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Toddy shop meal with prawnsToddy sold by the glass; prices vary by shop. | ₹300–700 (≈ US$4–8) |
| Auto-rickshaw, 3 kmAgree before boarding. | ₹80–120 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Government ferry ride | ₹10–30 (≈ under US$1) |
| eSIM or data SIM, about a week | ₹500–1,000 (≈ US$6–12) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Houseboat touts at the station and jetty take commission: book with an operator directly, and get the boat, route and meal plan in writing.
- Swimming at Alappuzha Beach is not recommended — the water is deep and the current is strong, worse during and after the monsoon.
- The Kottayam ferry motor is loud; earplugs help. Boats stop running in the evening, so check the last return.
- Alcohol rules in Kerala are restrictive and vary by outlet and licence: check locally before you plan around a drink.
- Monsoon (Jun–Aug) can cancel boat trips and houseboat nights at short notice.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Ambulance
- 108
- Fire
- 101
- Tourist helpline
- 1363
Pocket card
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Alappuzhaആലപ്പുഴ
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ഈ വിലാസത്തിൽ കൊണ്ടുപോകൂTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police100
- Ambulance108
- Fire101
- Tourist helpline1363
Embassy
No embassies in Alappuzha; the US consulate-general and most others are in Chennai, with a US consulate in Kochi (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- SWTD ferry Alappuzha → Kottayam: about ₹29 (≈ under US$1), about 2 h
- Auto, KSRTC bus stand → beach: ₹80–100 (≈ US$1–2) for 3.5 km (2.2 mi)₹80–100 (≈ US$1–2) for 2.2 mi (3.5 km)
- Water taxi: about ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) per hour, seats ten
Say or show
- എത്ര രൂപ? — How much is it? (ethra roopa?)
- ഈ വിലാസത്തിൽ പോകൂ — Please go to this address (ee vilaasathil pokoo)
- നന്ദി — Thank you (nandi)
- ബോട്ട് ജെട്ടി എവിടെ? — Where is the boat jetty? (boat jetty evide?)
- വേണ്ട, നന്ദി — No, thank you (venda, nandi)
- ഇത് സസ്യാഹാരമാണോ? — Is it vegetarian? (ithu sasyaahaaramaano?)
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 Alappuzha. 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: Sep–Mar · avoid Jun–Aug (heavy monsoon rain and wind) · 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
- 5 day-trips, door to door
- 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for COK: last train and bus times from Kochi, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: beach and pier, Mullackal bazaar, boat jetty and canal, Punnamada lake edge.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (beach, pier, Ambalapuzha temple, Marari) and eat pages with last orders.
- Houseboat and ferry fixtures — boarding points, meal plans, monsoon cancellations — so gates A–D can go green.
Sources
- officialAlappuzha district administration
- officialKerala State Water Transport Department
- officialKerala Tourism
- officialNehru Trophy Boat Race
- secondaryWikivoyage: Alappuzha, revision 5301391 (CC BY-SA 4.0)