Where to Stay—Lower

Fort Cochin It is an interesting place to stay, but there are not many choices. Sometime it can be hard to find a room here, so you may want to first get a room in Ernakulam and then get a room here the next day.
Tharavadu Tourist Home (226-897), Quiros St, is a well-maintained, atmospheric house with eight clean, good-sized rooms with bath for Rs 160 to Rs 200 and there is a top-floor room with common bath for Rs 225. There are good views of the street below from the roof. The rooms are all different, so ask to see them. Recommended.
PWD Rest House, near the waterfront in a good location, has just two huge rooms for Rs 150.
The popular with backpackers Elite Hotel (pronounced “ee-light”) (225-733), Princess St, has rooms with bath for Rs 150 to Rs 300. Some rooms have a balcony. It has a popular restaurant.
Nearby is the Brisbane Lodge (225-962), with three decent rooms for Rs 200.
Vasco Hospitality Centre (229-877), near St Francis Church, has simple rooms for Rs 125.
The modern Royal Grace Tourist Home (223-584), opposite the St Peter and Paul church, has large rooms with bath for Rs 200 and Rs 550 for an A/C room. Managed by the same people, is the Grace Tourist Home, KB Jacob Rd, south of the basilica. It is a good place.
Adam’s Old Inn (229-495), Burgher St, has good single rooms for Rs 200, doubles for Rs 250 to 450, and A/C rooms for Rs 400.
The new family-run Delight Tourist Resort (228-658), Rose St, has good-sized rooms with bath for Rs 150/175, upstairs double Rs 250 and with a balcony Rs 500. Recommended.
Spencer Home (275-409), Parade Rd, has clean single rooms with bath for Rs 125 and double rooms for Rs 250 to 350.

Ernakulam The popular Basoto Lodge (352-140), Press Club Rd, is a friendly place with rooms with common bath for Rs 75 and a double room with bath for Rs 150. It is best to get to this place early in the day to get a room.
Biju’s Tourist Home (369-881, 361-661), on the corner of Canon Shed and Market Rd, has good-size rooms with hot water for Rs 125/200 and with A/C for Rs 400. It is a friendly, recommended place.
Hakoba Hotel (369-839), Shanmugham Rd, on the waterfront, has clean rooms with bath for Rs 275 and Rs 450 with A/C. It has a restaurant. The front rooms are best.
Queen Residency (365-775) has rooms for Rs 175/250 and with A/C for Rs 500.
Maple Tourist Home (371-711; fax 371-712), Canon Shed Rd, near the main boat jetty, has good, clean double rooms for Rs 300 to Rs 400 and A/C rooms for Rs 500.
Hotel KK International (366-010), opposite the Ernakulam Junction railway station, has good valued rooms for Rs 200/300 and Rs 400 with A/C.
Ninans Tourist Lodge, near the KSRTC bus station, has really basic rooms for Rs 100/150.
Hotel Sea King (355-341; fax 372-608), off MG Rd, has good rooms for Rs 250/350 and Rs 550 with A/C. It is a good value.
Hotel Luciya (381-177; fax 361-524), near the KSRTC bus station, is a nice, friendly place with rooms for Rs 150/250 and Rs 300/450 with A/C. Double rooms have balconies. It has a restaurant.
Hotel Aiswarya (364-454), Warrion Rd, near Jos Junction, has a good new place with clean rooms with hot water and TV for Rs 300/400 and Rs 550 with A/C.

Travels Agencies and Car Rental
PL Worldways, 35/1389 MG Rd, Ernakulam; and Olympus, MG Rd, are good travel agencies.
Car rental: KTDC Tourist Reception Centre, Shanmugham Rd, Ernakulam; Princy Travels, Ernakulam; Corp Taxi Stand (361-444), MG Rd, Ernakulam.

Local Transport

Airport From Ernakulam a taxi to the airport costs about Rs 100 and an auto-rickshaw about Rs 40. A bus to the airport costs Rs 2.

Auto-rickshaw, Taxi & Bus The easiest way to get around in Ernakulam is by auto-rickshaw. To get from the railway or bus stations to Shanmughan Rd costs Rs 20. You catch the bus from Ernakulam to Fort Cochin (Rs 3.50) on MG Rd, a little south of Durbar Hall Rd. After the ferries stop at night, auto-rickshaws will want at least Rs 60 to go from Ernakulam to Fort Cochin. A taxi to Willingdon Island from Ernakulam late at night will cost Rs 150.

Ferry This is the main way of getting around Kochi. Most of the ferry stops have names. The main stop at Fort Cochin is called Customs, the stop on the west side of Willingdon Island, opposite Mattancherry, is called Terminus, and on the east side is called Embarkation. In Ernakulam, you should make sure you are on the correct boat. Fares should be less than Rs 2. During the lunch hours the ferries may not run.

Ernakulam to Mattanchery via Willingdon Island (Terminus) and Fort Cochin (Customs). There are regular ferries from 6:30 am to 10 pm.

Ernakulam to Vypeen Island via Willingdon Island (Embarkation). There are regular ferries from 6:30 am to 10 pm. Ferries also leave from High Court Jetty on Shanmugham Rd in Ernakulam to Vypeen Island (sometimes via Bolgatty Island).

Fort Cochin to Willingdon Island There are regular ferries from the Customs stop to the Malabar Hotel Jetty (not on Sun).

Fort Cochin to Vypeen Island There are regular ferries from 6 am to 10 pm.

Boat Rental Visitors can rent a boat near the main Jetty in Ernakulam or at the Sealord Jetty. A rental boat is a good way to get around the harbor without the crowds. Boats start at Rs 350 per hour, but you have to bargain for a good price. Rowboats go between Willingdon Island and Mattancherry or Fort Cochin for around Rs 50.

Travel

Air The airport is on Willingdon Island, 5km from downtown Ernakulam. The Indian Airlines office (370-242; Airport: 666-072, 140) is on Durbar Hall Rd, next to the Bharat Tourist Home in Ernakulam. Air India (351-295), 35/1301 MG Rd; and Jet Airways (369-879; Airport 668-620) fly out of Kochi. Swiss Air (360-380).
There are flights to Agatti (3 weekly, $150), Bangalore (1 daily, $70), Chennai (1 daily, $105), Delhi (daily, $300), Goa (1 daily, $110) and Mumbai (3 daily, $150).

Train Kochi/Ernakulam is on the main train line going between Thiruvananthapuram and Mangalore, Bangalore and Chennai. There are two stations in Ernakulam, Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town. There is also Cochin Harbor Station on Willingdon Island. No through trains on the main train line go to Cochin Harbor Station. Most of the trains depart from the Ernakulam Junction Station, but some depart from both Ernakulam Town and Cochin Harbor Stations. When you purchase the ticket, be sure to ask from which station the train will depart.
The main reservation office is at Ernakulam Junction (353-100).

There are regular trains south to Thiruvananthapuram via Kollam and Kottayam. The Vanchinad Exp reaches Thiruvananthapuram in only four hours. There are also trains north to Thrissur, Kozhikode, Thalasseri, and Kasaragod. Two trains a day go to Mangalore: Thiruvananthapuram–Mangalore Exp #6349 (11 am, 10 hr, ET). If you are going to Udhagamandalam (Ooty), there are trains to Coimbatore (6 hr).

Bangalore Bangalore Exp #6525 (2.20 pm, 14 hr, ET); Chennai, Chennai Exp #6042 (4.15 pm, 14 hr, EJ); Delhi Kerala #2625 (3.50 pm, 49 hr), Rajdhani Exp #2431 (11.25 pm, 41 hr; Sun, Mon, EJ); Goa Netravati Exp #6636 (4.15 am, 16 hr), Lakshadweep Exp #2617 (11.45 am, 16 hr); Kozhikode Cannanore Exp #6307 (5.12 pm, 4 hr, ET); Mumbai (VT), Kanniyakumari Exp #1082 (12.55, 41 hr, ET); Thiruvananthapuram Vanchinad Exp #6303 (5.50 am, 4½ hr).

Bus The main KSRTC Bus Stand (372-033) is in Ernakulam. From there, you can reserve buses five days in advance for buses originating in Ernakulam. For buses originating in other places, you cannot reserve tickets and have to fight your way on the bus. There are also private bus stands: the Ernakulam South Stand near Ernakulam Junction Railway Station, and the Kaloor Stand northeast of the Ernakulam Town Railway Station.
There are frequent buses to Thiruvananthapuram (4½ hr), Kollam (3 hr), Alappuzha (1½ hr), and Kottayam (1½ hr). There are a few buses daily to Kanyakumari (9 hr).

There are regular buses to Thrissur (Trichur) (2 hr) and Kozhikode (5 hr). Several buses daily go to Bangalore (15 hr), Mysore, Madurai (10 hr) and to Kumily and Thekkady (for Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, 6 hr).

Buses depart from the High Court bus stand to Thrissur, Guruvayur and Kumily (for the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary).

There are several private bus companies such as Conti Travels (353-080), MG Rd, and Princy Tours (354-712), GCDA Complex, Shanmugham Rd. They offer deluxe buses to various locations.
Back

Where to Stay—Middle
Fort Cochin  Hotel Seagull (228-128), Calvathy Rd, has rooms downstairs for Rs 350, upstairs for Rs 450, with A/C for Rs 600, and a room on the upper floor with a good sea view for Rs 300. It is on the waterfront overlooking the harbor. From the restaurant you can view the harbor’s activities.
Abad (228-212; 227-163), south of the Palace in Mattancherry, has comfortable A/C rooms for Rs 900/1100. It is a good place.
Fort House (226-103; fax 222-066), Calvathy Rd, has clean, comfortable rooms for Rs 750 including breakfast. It is well located and is a good value.
Hotel Park Avenue (222-671), corner of Bastion and Peter Celli St, is a new place that has rooms for Rs 300/400 to Rs 600/800 with A/C. Some rooms do not have windows, so it is best to see a few rooms. Off-season discounts.
Fort Heritage (225-333; fax: same), Napier St, is an old Dutch building that has large rooms with antique rosewood furniture for $40/55 including breakfast and $50/60 with A/C. It has a good restaurant.
Bolgatty Island The KTDC Bolgatty Palace Hotel (355-003) was built by the Dutch in 1744 as a palace. It was later used as the British Residency. It has nice lawns and a good atmosphere. Rooms go for Rs 800/950 and A/C cottages for Rs 1000/1250. An A/C honeymoon cottage, right on the edge of the harbor is Rs 1400/1700. Call in advance or ask at the Tourist Reception Centre on Shanmugham Rd for reservations, because it is an endeavor to get to. Ferries go to Bolgatty Island from the High Court Jetty in Ernakulam. Recommended.

Ernakulam
Paulson Park Hotel (382-170; fax 370-072), opposite Ernakulam Junction railway station, has large, clean, comfortable rooms with 24-hour hot water which are a good value for Rs 350/600 and Rs 600/750 with A/C. It has a few restaurants. It is a good place.
The friendly Hotel Sangeetha (368-487), Chittoor Rd, near the railway station, has clean rooms with Star TV for Rs 350/450 to Rs 400/550 and A/C rooms for Rs 700/750; breakfast is included.
The modern, central A/C Metropolitan (369-931) is a new place with comfortable rooms for Rs 700/1000. It has a restaurant.
Bharat Tourist Home (353-501; fax 370-502), Durbar Hall Rd, next to the Indian Airlines office, is a large well-managed place with comfortable rooms with hot water for Rs 600/700 and Rs 750/850 to Rs 900/1000 for an A/C room. It has a good North Indian restaurant.
The popular Woodlands Hotel (382-052; fax 382-080), MG Rd, has rooms with color cable TV and hot water for Rs 450/600 and Rs 650/850 for an A/C room. It has a good A/C vegetarian restaurant.
Hotel Cochin Tower (340-910; fax 370-645), near Ernakulam Town railway station, has comfortable rooms with cable TV for Rs 500/600 and Rs 700/850 with A/C.
The three-star Hotel Excellency (374-001; fax 374-009), Nettipadam Rd, south of Jos Junction, has modern comfortable rooms for Rs 500/600 to Rs 450/500 and A/C rooms for Rs 800/900. It has good facilities.

Where to Stay—Higher

Fort Cochin Several places are being built at this level.
Malabar House Residency (221-199; fax: same), Parade Rd, near St Francis Church, has very comfortable, central A/C rooms for $110 and suites for $130. It has a good restaurant, which in the evening often has dance performances.
Willingdon Island The Casino Hotel (668-421; fax 668-001), near the railway station, has very good facilities, including a pool. Rooms are $75/90. The rooms in the old building are better.
The five-star Taj Malabar (666-811; fax 668-297), has a great location near the water’s edge overlooking the harbor. It has very good facilities including a pool and a garden next to the water. Rooms are $105/120 and rooms with excellent seaviews are $135/150. Deluxe suites are $250 to $300. It has a very good restaurant.

Ernakulam The Grand Hotel (382-061; fax 382-066), MG Rd, in a beautiful old building, has a spacious lawn and A/C rooms for Rs 700/900 in the old wing and Rs 1000/1200 in the new wing.
Presidency (363-100; fax 370-222), 47 Paramara Rd, has central A/C rooms for Rs 1400/1800. It is a good place.
Sealord Hotel (382-474; fax 370-135), Shanmugham Rd, has nicely furnished rooms with bathtubs for Rs 700/800 and Rs 900/1300 for a deluxe room. Some rooms have views of the harbor and there are good views from the rooftop restaurant. It has central A/C and is a good value.
The modern Hotel Abad Plaza (361-636; fax 370-729), MG Rd, has rooms for Rs 1050/1300 to Rs 1200/1550. It has central A/C, a rooftop pool, a health club and a few restaurants. From the roof there is a good view of the city.
The four-star central A/C Avenue Regent (372-660; fax 370-129), MG Rd, near Junction Station, has very comfortable rooms for $45/65 to $60/90.
Taj Residency (371-471; fax 371-481), Marine Drive, on the waterfront, has good facilities, but does not have a pool. Rooms are $90/100 and a room with a sea view is $110/125.

If you know of a informationthat is not correct or if you would like to help update our listings, please e-mail us at:

Our own Vegetarian, Vegan, Alternative & Spiritual Sales Shop

Buy Spiritual India, A Practical Guide

Please Help Support This Site Buy USA Vegetarian Restaurants Book

Please check out our Natural Nirvana Store, which we started to help pay for the maintenance of this Website. Natural Nirvana is dedicated to selling vegetarian, spiritual and alternative products. We sell only animal-friendly and cruelty-free clothing, gifts, health foods, books and beauty products.