AUTORICKSHAWS/TUKTUKS
The Government authorised fare is Rs 30/- up to a distance of 1.5 kms, beyond which the rate per running kilometre will be Rs 15/-. Waiting charge is Rs 15/- for every 15 minutes, subject to a maximum of Rs 250/- a day. If the travel is between 11 pm and 5 am, an additional 50% of the charge shall be levied. No tip is expected by the drivers. In practice, you may have to pay a little extra since the drivers feel that the government rates are too low. Point-to-point pre-paid autorickshaw services from Ernakulam Junction and Ernakulam Town railway stations, the KSRTC bus stand, the Vyttila mobility hub, and the Kaloor bus stand are available to select destinations. For a service charge of Rupee One, you can get a slip issued that specifies the destination, the registration number of the vehicle and the exact fare to be paid. In addition, you can call an autorickshaw through aggregator apps like Uber, but payment has to be via cash. Complaints, if any, against autorickshaws can be lodged on WhatsApp number 62381 00100; it is better if you provide some photographic or other evidence.
UBER CABS
Uber cab services are available for short rides as well as for intercity rides and a variety of car options are available. Uber services in Kochi are far better and more reliable than in most other cities. The drivers are usually polite, keep their cars clean and in good condition and are, more often than not, helpful in finding the exact location. Slightly more expensive than the autorickshaws, they offer comfortable, air-conditioned rides and are excellent value for money.
TOURIST CABS
In Kochi, taxi rates vary based on vehicle type and distance. For standard sedans (engines under 1500cc), the minimum fare is ₹200 for the first 5 km, with a per-kilometre charge of ₹18 beyond that. Ertiga taxis have a daily rate of ₹2,600 for 80 km or 8 hours, with a per-kilometre charge of ₹19 beyond that. Innova taxis range from ₹2,900 to ₹3,600 per day, including 80 km or 8 hours. Taxi waiting charges are typically Rs. 50 per hour with a maximum of Rs. 500 per day; it, however, varies with the type of car. Cars can also be hired from car rent companies. At the international and domestic airports, Uber cabs are available on call. Prepaid taxi booths are available near the exit gate of the Arrival Hall. (Tel: 2610115, Extn 2107 Domestic terminal; Extn 2242 International terminal).
PRIVATE CITY BUSES
The most common mode of transport, these buses are quite crowded during the peak hours; one needs to be beware of pickpockets. There is a joke in the city that with the advent of the UPI payment system, people don't carry cash, and so, the pickpockets lost their jobs! Minimum fare is Rs 10/-.
STATE TRANSPORT CITY BUSES
Non A/c service ordinary Thirukochi services are available to various destinations in and around the city. Minimum fare is Rs 10/-. An open-top Double-decker bus offers a city tour for Rs 300 on the top deck and Rs 150 on the lower deck. This bus is not air-conditioned.
METRO BUSES
Kochi Metro offers first- and last-mile connectivity by offering electric bus and autorickshaw facilities. The comfortable, air-conditioned buses provide inexpensive connectivity to the Metro boat station, InfoPark, SmartCity, CUSAT, Government Medical College, the airport and a few more important locations from the nearest Metro stations. The tickets cost between Rs 20 and 50, depending on the distance covered.
STATE TRANSPORT BUSES
The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (Tel: 237-2033, 246-3799) operates mofussil, long-distance, and interstate express, superfast and air-conditioned services (starting and terminating at Ernakulam) from the KSRTC bus station. Also available from here are interstate services of the Karnataka (Tel: 237-4000, +91-94771-66179, 236-0299) and Tamil Nadu (Tel: 237-2616) State Transport Corporations. All superfast and super express services can be accessed from the Mobility Hub at Vyttila (Tel: 230-1161). State transport mofussil services are also available from the main bus stand, the main boat jetty, as well as from the Vyttila Mobility Hub. Cochin is well connected by national highways to the rest of the country. These are NH 66 (Kanyakumari-Panvel), NH 544 (Kochi-Salem), NH 85 (Kochi-Sivaganga), NH 183 (Kundanoor, Kochi-Alappuzha) and NH 966B (Kundanoor, Kochi- Willingdon Island - providing connectivity to and from the Cochin Port).
LONG-DISTANCE PRIVATE BUSES
Long-distance interstate private buses (usually Volco or Scania) are available from the Vyttila Mobility Hub (Ph:230-3434). A few services are also available from Ernakulam South, High Court Junction, Vyttila.
BOATS
Water Metro has the High Court Jetty as its hub, and its network connects to many places located on the waterways. Hailed as the best boat service in India, it provides a comfortable, air-conditioned, high-quality ride through exotic locales. It is fun to take the Metro ride to just enjoy the beautiful scenery on offer, have tea and snacks between rides and just relax. These boats are eco-friendly - they are electric boats with some use of solar energy. The services are Vypin--High Court, Vyttila--Kakkanad, South Chittoor--High Court, South Chittoor--Cheranelloor, High Court--Fort Kochi and High Court--Eloor. This network is continuously expanding, and more connections will come soon.
State Water Transport (Tel: 2360215, 94000-50350) services from the main jetty at Park Avenue are available to Fort Cochin, Mattancherry, Vypin, and Willingdon Island. Ferry service connecting Vyttila with Kakkanad is available from the Vyttila Mobility Hub. Private services are available to Bolgatty from the High Court jetty.
TRAINS
Cochin is well connected by rail to various parts of the country by the Indian Railways, the largest railway system in Asia. Ernakulam is a major railhead of Southern Railways. Trains are accessible from Ernakulam Junction (Reservation Enquiry: 2375431; Timings: 8 am to 8 pm, Sundays till 2 pm) and Ernakulam Town railway stations. Passenger services can also be accessed from Edappally and Kalamassery Halt stations. Train ticket booking can be done online at www.irctc.gov.in
AIRPLANES
Cochin International Airport Linited (Tel: 2610115) is located at Nedumbassery, 25 kms northeast of the city. International destinations include Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Colombo, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuala Lumpur, Kuwait, Male, Muscat, Riyadh, Sharjah, and Singapore. International flights are operated by Air Arabia, Air Asia, Air-India, Air-India Express, Emirates, Etihad Airways, Fly Dubai, Gulf Air, IndiGo Airlines, Jet Airways, Kuwait Airways, Malindo Air, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Silkair/Singapore Airlines, SpiceJet, Srilankan Airlines, and Tigerair among others. Domestic flight services are operated by Air-India, Air-India Express, Akasa, IndiGo Airlines, GoAir and SpiceJet. To get a full list, please visit https://m.cial.aero/Airlines