Getting from Cochin International Airport to the city

The cheap way, which is also a good way

• The Kochi Metro is a genuinely useful line, running from Aluva in the north through Ernakulam to Tripunithura.
• It does not come to the airport. Aluva is as close as it gets.
• A KSRTC bus covers the gap in 20 to 30 minutes for about 45 rupees.
• Bus plus metro gets you from the terminal to central Ernakulam for under 100 rupees, which for a 30 km journey in a major city is very cheap indeed.

The direct buses

• KSRTC runs buses from the airport to Ernakulam, about 30 km, taking around an hour, at about 76 rupees.
• Buses also run through to Fort Kochi, about two hours, by way of Aluva, Vytilla Hub and Thoppumpadi.
• Vytilla Hub is the mobility hub for the whole city. If you are going anywhere in Kerala by bus afterwards, that is where to change.
• Fares on the low floor air conditioned buses start at 10 rupees for the first 5 km and rise at about 1.50 rupees a kilometre after that.

Taxis

• The airport runs a prepaid taxi counter, which fixes the fare before you get in.
• A taxi to Aluva is about 400 to 600 rupees for a ten minute run, which puts the 45 rupee bus in perspective.
• App based cabs also operate, with the usual variation at busy hours.

Worth knowing

• The airport is at Nedumbassery, about 30 km north east of Ernakulam, and is often called that locally.
• It is the world's first airport to run entirely on solar power, which is the thing every guidebook mentions and the only thing here that does not affect your journey.