Kovalam to Munnar is one of the most scenic trips in Kerala! The journey begins on the clean beaches of Kovalam and ends in the lush green tea plantations of Munnar. Set 296 km apart (7.5 hours by road), Munnar-Kovalam travel is super easy by train, car, and bus.
In this blog, you can find out whether you should travel by flight, train, or road, the best time to take this trip, what attractions you can visit en-route, tips for a smooth journey, and questions people frequently ask regarding traveling from Kovalam to Munnar.
Scroll down to find out what experiences await you on this incredible journey!
Why travel from Kovalam to Munnar?
With visually striking sceneries of lush mountains, undulating pastures, mist-bathed carpets of tea plantations, and year-round cool mountain breeze, there’s no doubt why Munnar is the perfect escape from urban hustle!
ALSO SEE – Best Time To Visit Munnar- Summer, Winter or Monsoon?
Besides being the most beautiful hill station in Kerala, Munnar offers a lot to travelers whether they’re couples, honeymooners, families with kids, solo backpackers, or adventure enthusiasts.
Some great things to do in Munnar include observing the rare Nilgiri Tahr in the Eravikulam National Park, walking in tea gardens, splashing around in waterfalls, hiking to mountaintops, staying in a treehouse, and picnicking by Mattupetty Dam, and boating in Kundala Lake.
Ways to travel from Kovalam to Munnar
You can use various modes of transport to get to Munnar from Kovalam.
While one or two are pretty straightforward and convenient, the others might be more time-consuming and costly.
Let’s evaluate the different means to reach Munnar so you can decide which one best fits your travel style, budget, and comfort level.
ALSO SEE – 22 Best Resorts In Munnar
By Train
Nearest railway station to Kovalam: Trivandrum Central Railway Station
Distance & travel time 13 km | 20 minutes
You can easily ride to the Trivandrum railway station by cab or tuk-tuk if you don’t have a lot of luggage.
Nearest railway station to Munnar: Aluva Railway Station
Distance & travel time 108 km | 3 hours
You can pre-book a cab or find one at the railway station itself to take you to Munnar. Cabs generally charge between INR 400/- and INR 1,000/- from Aluva train station to Munnar.
Though it’s a budget-friendly option, most people find it rather inconvenient to travel from Kovalam to Munnar by train owing to the constant switching of travel modes and the surplus amount of time it takes.
Getting to Munnar from Aluva or Ernakulam Railway Station itself takes more time than the total distance between Kovalam and Munnar.
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By Car
Distance between Kovalam and Munnar: 296 km
Travel time: 7.5 hours
If you don’t wish to drive yourself, you can easily hire a cab to take you to Munnar from Kovalam.
You will find tons of Trivandrum-based taxi services online offering Kovalam to Munnar cabs with a choice of vehicle type and model. They usually charge between INR 5,000/- and INR 7,500/-.
You can take either of these routes depending on the distance you’re comfortable with and the places you want to visit along the way.
Distance & travel time: 308 km | 8.5 hours
Places to see along the way: Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Trivandrum), Punalur Suspension Bridge (Punalur), Chengannur Backwaters, Mutholy village
Distance & travel time: 346 km | 10 hours
Places to see along the way: Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple (Trivandrum), Kollam Backwaters, Kollam Beach, Alleppey Backwaters, Parappukadu Devi Temple (Changanassery), Marmala Waterfalls (Kottayam)
ALSO SEE – Best Way to Travel from Cochin to Munnar
By Bus
Traveling from Kovalam to Munnar by bus is the most economical option.
You can book a seat on private AC chartered buses, Volvos, or Tempos.
Or you can ride in a KSRTC public bus from Trivandrum to Munnar at nominal rates.
Kovalam to Munnar public bus fare*: Starting at INR 380/-
Kovalam to Munnar private bus fare: Starting at INR 850/-
*The bus fare indicated is not inclusive of cab/bus charges from Kovalam to Trivandrum.
By Air
Most find traveling from Kovalam to Munnar by flight an inconvenient and unnecessarily costly option.
The nearest airport to Munnar is Kochi Airport located 107 km (3 hours) away from it. The closest airport to Kovalam is the Trivandrum Airport situated 12 km (22 minutes) from it.
Travelers find it uncomfortable and tiresome to frequently switch modes of transport for such a short flight time and a costly ticket.
ALSO SEE – Nearest Airport to Munnar- How to Reach
Best travel option from Kovalam to Munnar
Traveling by car, taking a taxi, or riding a public KSRTC bus are the most popular options for traveling to Munnar from Kovalam and vice versa.
Traveling from Kovalam to Munnar by cab or driving there yourself will reward you with enriching sights of rustic villages, paddy fields, backwaters, bustling cities, lush forests, and mountains in the places you pass.
You’ll get to see Kerala’s vivid culture, greet friendly locals in small towns, taste Kerala’s delectable cuisine, visit temples and churches aplenty, and explore local markets on your journey.
You can stop along the way, admire the scenery, take pictures, and visit a plethora of tourist attractions to make the most of your trip to Kerala!
Kovalam to Munnar travel tips
- The best time to travel from Kovalam to Munnar is October to March. While Munnar is pleasant year-round, Kovalam can be rather hot and humid in summers and monsoons.
- Pack light cotton clothes, full-length trousers or jeans, sturdy waterproof shoes, and a light jacket or cardigan for Munnar as it tends to get chilly there at night.
- If you’re driving, go slow on the hilly terrain and narrow winding roads of Munnar.
- Keep a tab on real-time weather forecasts and traffic updates.
- Don’t forget to carry an umbrella and mosquito repellent.
ALSO SEE – Munnar To Alleppey- Routes, Distance, Travel Time & Tips
We bet you didn’t know a Kovalam to Munnar trip was so fun and full of delightful experiences! Did you? But now that you know, we urge you to browse our customized Munnar tour packages and start planning your getaway instantly! Happy tripping!
Frequently asked questions about Kovalam to Munnar travel
Which is better, Kovalam or Munnar?
Both have beautiful and unique terrain. While Kovalam is popular for its beaches and backwaters, Munnar is famous for its hills, waterfalls, and tea estates.
How to reach Munnar from Kovalam Beach?
You can head to Trivandrum, which is just 12 km away, and take an AC cab to Munnar from any of the city’s taxi rental services. You can head to the Trivandrum Central Railway Station and take a train to Aluva Railway Station, the closest train station to Munnar. You can also book a seat on a KSRTC bus bound for Munnar. If you wish to travel by private bus, you may get one from Kovalam itself.
Which route is better to Munnar?
If you want a shorter route to Munnar from Kovalam, you can travel via NH 66 & NH 183 which takes you through places like Trivandrum, Punalur, Chengannur, and Mutholy. If you want a more scenic journey, you can take the longer route via NH 66 and NH 85 which takes you through destinations like Trivandrum, Kollam, Alleppey, Changanassery, and Kottayam.
Which is the best month to visit Kovalam?
October to March is the best time to visit Kovalam since it’s a hot and humid coastal destination in Kerala. If you wish to be a part of the Christmas and New Year festivities in Kovalam, you must visit it in December. But if you wish to relax and unwind on empty beaches devoid of crowds, you can go in January. The weather will be pleasant and warm in both these winter months.
Which time is best for a Munnar trip?
Munnar is pleasant and cool year-round. However, the monsoon can bring torrential rains, slippery terrain, and road blockages, and is not considered a good time to visit Munnar.
Is 2 days enough for Munnar?
Ideally, 2 days is enough to visit Munnar and see its major tourist attractions. If you wish to relax amid its refreshingly cool hills and valleys, you can add another day to your itinerary.
