Traveling from Alleppey to Kovalam is easy, refreshing, and full of scenic sights ranging from beach to village life to backwaters! Whether you travel by air, train, car, or bus from the jade backwaters of Alleppey to the sunny beaches of Kovalam, you’ll be met with the most wonderful experiences en-route!
Struggling to draw a convenient and budget-friendly Alleppey-Kovalam travel plan? Fret not. We have compiled all the information you’ll need to plan your trip.
Find details on the modes of transport you can avail, which route you can take by road, the best season to travel, places to see the route, and some basic guidelines you must follow.
Why travel from Alleppey to Kovalam
Kovalam is among the most popular beaches in Kerala for its serene environment, golden shores, and laid-back vibe.
Other than its breathtaking sunsets, it’s the perfect place for thrilling watersports, Ayurvedic massages, and staying in lavish beach resorts.
Most Kerala tour packages craft itineraries in a way that takes travelers to Kovalam right after Alleppey as this beach town lies pretty close to Kerala’s most popular backwater destination and is easily accessible from it.
And the best part- you’ll love to engage in hearty beach adventures after a slow and relaxing houseboat cruise on the backwaters!
ALSO SEE – Best Time To Visit Kovalam, Kerala’s Favorite Beach Town
Fun Fact: If you’re traveling to Kovalam from Alleppey by train or road, you’ll pass several destinations rich in culture, history, and natural beauty along the way including Varkala, Kollam, and Kottayam depending on the route you take!
How to get from Alleppey to Kovalam
Kovalam is accessible via multiple modes of transport from Alleppey.
Check out all the options we’ve given below and pick the one that suits you best for your convenience, budget preferences, and trip duration.
By air
Nearest airport to Alleppey: Cochin International Airport
Distance & travel time: 90 km | 2 hours 15 mins
You can reach Kochi Airport from Alleppey via KSRTC bus, taxi, or tuk-tuk.
Nearest airport to Kovalam: Trivandrum International Airport
Distance & travel time: 12 km | 23 mins
You can hire a taxi, autorickshaw, or find a seat on a KSRTC local bus to get to Kovalam from Trivandrum Airport at nominal rates.
Alleppey Kovalam flight time is about 40-45 minutes. Traveling from Alleppey to Kovalam by flight through these two airports takes about 4 hours in total.
IndiGo and Air India fly between these two airports with a low frequency of flights daily.
ALSO SEE – How To Book Taxis From Cochin Airport (COK)
By train
Nearest railway station to Alleppey: Alappuzha Railway Station
Nearest railway station to Kovalam: Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station
Distance & travel time: 13.7 km | 20 mins
At Trivandrum Railway Station, taxis and tuk-tuks are readily available to take you to your destination in Kovalam at nominal rates.
Trivandrum Express, Ernad Express, Kerala S Kranti, and Maveli Express trains run frequently between Alappuzha Railway Station and Trivandrum Railway Station.
The average travel time by train between these two stations is about 3 hours 10 minutes. In total, it takes about 3.5 hours to get from Alleppey to Kovalam by train.
ALSO SEE – Best Train Journeys in Kerala
By car
Distance between Alleppey and Kovalam: 171 km
Travel time: 4 hours 15 mins
You can drive from Alleppey to Kovalam by car, hire a taxi, or take a bus and enjoy a scenic journey past paddy fields, palm trees, small towns, and forests.
Alleppey to Kovalam taxi fare: Starting at INR 2,800/-
ALSO SEE – Top 7 Things to do in Kovalam
By bus
To travel from Alleppey to Kovalam by bus, you’ll need to look up both private and government buses online and compare the fare.
A range of private Volvos, chartered buses, and Tempos are available to take you from Alleppey to Kovalam and other cities in Kerala at affordable rates.
You can also find a seat on a KSRTC-operated public bus at nominal rates.
Alleppey to Kovalam private AC bus fare: Starting at INR 1,000/-
Alleppey to Kovalam KSRTC public bus fare: Starting at INR 250/-
Best way to travel to Kovalam from Alleppey
As you can see, traveling to Kovalam from Alleppey by air is rather inconvenient and pricey considering you’ll be switching several modes of transport to get to your destination.
Traveling to Kovalam from Alleppey by car or by train is the best option since it’s less time-consuming and budget-friendly.
ALSO SEE – Best Train Journeys In Kerala That Will Compel You For A Holiday!
Alleppey to Kovalam routes by road
There are two routes you can take to reach Kovalam from Alleppey and both offer a great road trip experience with a promise of a smooth and scenic drive.
While one route runs parallel to the Malabar Coast and past the beaches of Varkala, the other takes you through the visually charming rubber plantations of Kottayam and the lively city of Trivandrum.
Let’s compare the two routes you can take to reach Kovalam from Alleppey so that you can take your pick.
ROUTE 1: Via NH 66
Alleppey → Thottappally → Kollam → Paravur → Varkala → Kovalam
Total distance: 167 km
Travel time: 5 hours
The road is well-maintained with moderate traffic. There are a standard number of tolls and no road closures.
You can see places like Ashtamudi Lake, Munroe Island, Kollam Beach, Paravur Beach, Varkala Beach, and the Janardhana Swamy Temple along the way.
You can eat at restaurants like Ramees Restaurant in Kollam and Coffee Temple in Varkala en route.
ROUTE 2: Via NH 66 & Kottayam
Alleppey → Mannanchery → Kottayam → Thiruvalla → Thiruvananthapuram → Kovalam
Total distance: 213 km
Travel time: 5.5 hours
This is a longer and less scenic route as compared to the first one, but devoid of road closures. It takes you through lots of small towns where you can experience the local culture and cuisine.
While the road is well-maintained with a standard number of tolls, traffic can be high in the cities and towns you cross, especially in the daytime.
You can check out places like Marmala Waterfalls, Ilaveezhapoonchira, Mannarasala Sree Nagaraja Temple, Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple, and Napier Museum en route.
You can dine at restaurants like Nusrat Restaurant in Kottayam and Cafe Jade in Trivandrum on the way.
Tips for Alleppey-Kovalam travel
- The best time to take this trip is in the winter when the weather is cool and pleasant. Avoid driving in the monsoon as the road could be slushy with low visibility and road closures.
- Keep a tab on the weather conditions before taking this trip.
- If you’re traveling by air, book your flight months in advance to avoid last-minute price hikes.
- Only book a taxi or private bus from Alleppey to Kovalam via government-authorized agencies.
- If you plan to take the Kottayam route, leave at around 4:30 AM / 5 AM to avoid getting stuck in traffic in the small towns you’ll cross.
- For road travel, make a list of rest spots, petrol stations, and restaurants along the way before you leave.
- Keep a tab on real-time traffic updates through GPS.
ALSO SEE – How To Get From Thekkady To Alleppey By Air, Train & Road
As a recognized local travel operator, we can plan your trip from Alleppey to Kovalam in the best way possible ensuring your journey is comfortable and enjoyable. Reach out to our team and let us design you a fun Kovalam trip itinerary while you sit back and relax! Happy tripping!
