India Guide
Kerala
Arrival
Kochi's international airport ( 
www.cochinairport.com ) – one of India's most modern and efficient – is at Nedumbassery, near Alwaye (aka Alua), 26km to the north of Ernakulam. A pre-paid taxi into town costs around Rs425 and takes thirty to forty minutes, traffic permitting – travelling by bus is more trouble than it's worth. There are two main railway stations, Ernakulam Junction, near the centre, and Ernakulam Town, 2km further north. The Cochin Harbour Terminus, on Willingdon Island, serves the island's luxury hotels.
The KSRTC Central Bus Stand ( 
0484/237 2033), beside the railway line east of MG Road and north of Ernakulam Junction, is for state-run long-distance services. There are also two stands for private services: the Kaloor Stand (rural destinations to the south and east) is across the bridge from Ernakulam Town railway station on the Alwaye Road; while the High Court Stand (buses to Kumily, for Periyar Wildlife Reserve, and north to Thrissur, Guruvayur and Kodungallur) is opposite the High Court ferry jetty. The Fort Cochin bus terminus serves tourist buses and local services to Ernakulam.