Trivandrum to Kanyakumari is among the most fun journeys in Southern India filled with a smooth riad and charming countryside sights! Short and sweet, this distance of less than 100 km can be completed in a couple of hours by car, bus, or train, allowing you a comfortable, budget-friendly, and relaxing voyage!
Located just about 97 km away from Trivandrum, Kanyakumari is the southernmost tip of the Indian mainland and a sea side town with beaches, waterfalls, mythological locations, and historical attractions.
Often called The Land’s End, this small town has an exquisite coastline and some of the most gorgeous beaches in Tamil Nadu. You can find many of them on your route while traveling to Kanyakumari from Trivandrum.
And the best part – it offers the most incredible views of both the Arabian Sea and the Bay of Bengal!
Scroll down and find all that you need to know for planning your journey like the best modes of transport to employ and the best routes between Trivandrum and Kanyakumari.
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Distance from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari: 97 km
Travel time (by road): 2 hours 50 minutes
Nearest airport to Trivandrum: Trivandrum International Airport
Nearest railway station to Trivandrum: Trivandrum Central Railway Station
Nearest airport to Kanyakumari: Trivandrum International Airport (90 km)
Nearest railway station to Kanyakumari: Kanyakumari Terminus Railway Station
Why should one travel from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari?
If you’re a fan of scenic road trips or train rides, you’ll love traveling from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of the Indian Ocean. Kanyakumari is located where the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean meet. This unique geographical location offers stunning views of the confluence of the three seas of sunsets and sunrises in the background of Vivekananda Memorial.
Whether you take the train to reach Kanyakumari from Trivandrum, board a bus, or drive, your trip will take you past rustic villages, paddy fields, tropical jungles, and pretty beaches.
Kanyakumari Beach is one of the few places in India where you can witness both sunrise and sunset over the ocean.
Kanyakumari is the perfect escape from the busy city life of Trivandrum. Also, people traveling to Kanyakumari from anywhere in the world find it most convenient to go through Trivandrum, the nearest city to Kanyakumari with an international airport and elaborate rail network.
The major tourist attractions in Kanyakumari are Vivekananda Rock Memorial which was constructed to commemorate Swami Vivekananda’s visit to Kanyakumari in 1892 and Thiruvalluvar Statue which is a 133-foot tall statue of the Tamil poet and philosopher Thiruvalluvar is another iconic landmark. The height represents the 133 chapters of his famous work, “Tirukkural.
Other than offering a fun road trip, the beach town of Kanyakumari is a great destination to relax away from urban clutter. Kanyakumari, or Cape Comorin, is known for its delightful beaches and attractions like Vivekananda Rock Memorial, Kanyakumari Temple, and Gandhi Memorial.
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Best way to get to Kanyakumari from Trivandrum
There are two convenient and comfortable ways of reaching Kanyakumari from Trivandrum. The fastest, easiest, and most economical way is by train.
It takes 1 hour to 2.5 hours to get from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari by train. Around 7 trains are operating on the Trivandrum-Kanyakumari route on a daily basis, and 5 trains on a weekly basis.
Trains like Chennai Express, Kanyakumari Express, Ernad Express, and Parasuram Express run between Kanyakumari and Trivandrum daily at set intervals, with Chennai Express being the fastest.
The day’s earliest train from Trivandrum, Chennai Express, departs for Kanyakumari at 4 AM, while the last train, the Ernad Express, departs at 9 PM.
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Other ways to travel from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari
Train travel is the best way of getting to and from Trivandrum and Kanyakumari. But if you aren’t into traveling by rail, you can choose to travel by these other means we have listed.
By Car:
Road travel gives you the option to stop by and explore the major tourist attractions on the way.
You can opt to drive from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari and back by yourself. The distance is short and can easily be covered by car in 2 hours and 50 minutes if normal traffic conditions prevail and stopovers are less.
You can rent a vehicle or book a taxi to save yourself the inconvenience of driving. There are plenty of taxi rental services and car hire agencies operating in Trivandrum city and the airport area. You can either book a vehicle of your choice at their office or conveniently pick one from their website online.
Trivandrum to Kanyakumari taxi fare can be anywhere between INR 1,500/- to INR 4,000/- one way depending on the number of passengers, stops, and vehicle type.
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By Bus:
Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates daily bus services to and from Trivandrum and Kanyakumari at regular intervals and nominal charges.
The Trivandrum Bus Terminal is located next to Trivandrum Central Railway Station, making it easy for travelers to book tickets and board a bus to Kanyakumari or other places. Rental cabs are also available here.
Bus tickets can be bought at the terminal ticket counter or purchased online. Chartered or private buses (Volvo A/C and non-A/C sleeper and non-sleeper coaches) are also available online and give passengers the option of selecting desired seats.
Traveling from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari by bus is the most economical way of getting to and from these two cities by road.
By Air:
Air travel is not possible between these two cities owing to the absence of an airport in Kanyakumari. The nearest airport to Kanyakumari is Trivandrum International Airport.
Trivandrum to Kanyakumari best routes by road
There are two major routes you can take to travel from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari by road. We have mentioned the pros and cons of both so that you can pick the one that suits you most.
Route 1: Via Panvel-Kochi-Kanyakumari Hwy
Trivandrum – Neyyattinkara – Marthandam – Nagercoil – Kanyakumari
Total distance: 90 km
Travel time: 3 hours
This is the shortest route to Kanyakumari from Trivandrum, which is why it’s considered the best route to travel between the two. It has a standard number of tolls, less traffic, good road conditions, and no road closures.
You can visit places like Aruvippuram Shiva Temple, Padmanabhapuram Palace, Nagaraja Temple, and Irattai Kulam along the way. You can eat at restaurants like SPR Family Restaurant in Balaramapuram and Irani Restaurant in Neyyattinkara
Route 2: Via Panvel-Kochi-Kanyakumari Hwy & NH 66
Thiruvananthapuram – Kovalam – Poovar – Puthukkadai – Colachel – Kanyakumari
Total distance: 100 km
Travel time: 3.5 to 4 hours
This alternate route is longer than Route 1, but more beautiful in turns of the sceneries it offers! On this route, you get to drive by the coast and several remote villages for a large portion of your trip. It allows you to take a break and enjoy some beach time.
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This route too has a standard number of tolls, fewer road closures, and good road conditions. However, the traffic conditions on this route vary. Keep a tab on Google Maps and weather updates along the way.
You can visit places like Chowara Beach, Poovar Backwaters, and Colachel Beach along the way. You can dine at restaurants like Chilli’s Floating Restaurant in Poovar and Masha Café in Colachel.
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Regardless of whether you travel from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari by train, car, or bus, you’re bound to have a memorable journey along the way! And when you reach your destination, you’ll be smitten with the old-world charm and serenity of Kanyakumari! So, which mode will you pick to travel?
