Cheap flights to Kochi
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Quick summary
Country
India
Continent
Asia
Airport
COK
Currency
Indian rupee
Time zone
UTC+5:30
Deals already spotted to Kochi
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Queen of the Arabian Sea
A Kochi travel guide to Kerala's most cosmopolitan city
Kochi, formerly Cochin, is the commercial capital of Kerala, nicknamed the Queen of the Arabian Sea. Portuguese, Dutch and British traders all left their mark on this old port, which has become one of the cultural hubs of southern India. This Kochi travel guide follows its layers: the colonial lanes of Fort Kochi, the synagogue of Jew Town, the fishing nets on the shore, and the backwaters just beyond the city.
Kochi is also known for the Kochi-Muziris Biennale, a major contemporary art event, and for its shipyard, the largest in India.
History
A port created by a flood
| Date | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1341 | A flood destroys the port of Muziris and creates Kochi's natural harbour |
| 1500 | The Portuguese arrive under Pedro Alvares Cabral |
| 1503 | Fort Emmanuel, the first European fort on the subcontinent, is built |
| 1663 | The Dutch take over |
| Later | The British take control of the port |
Kochi lives today on its port, India's largest shipyard, IT and spices.
Fort Kochi
Chinese fishing nets and the churches of Fort Kochi
Cantilevered nets with stone counterweights
The Chinese fishing nets of Fort Kochi stand about 10 m tall and are balanced by stone counterweights. Their exact origin is debated, but they are said to have come with traders from China centuries ago. They are free to see, and the fishermen expect a tip if you climb onto a net. Sunset is the classic time to come.
Churches of Fort Kochi
St Francis Church, described as the oldest European-built church in India, is where Vasco da Gama was first buried; his remains were later moved to Lisbon. Santa Cruz Basilica dates from 1902, and Pope John Paul II restored its basilica title in 1984.
Mattancherry
Jew Town, the palace and the Paradesi Synagogue
| Place | Good to know |
|---|---|
| Paradesi Synagogue | Built in 1568, with a floor of hand-painted Chinese tiles; days and hours vary (closed on Fridays, Saturdays and Jewish holidays, sometimes Sundays too): check before you go |
| Jew Town | The Jewish quarter of Mattancherry, a narrow street of antique shops between the palace and the synagogue |
| Mattancherry Palace | Known as the Dutch Palace, of Portuguese origin, with murals of Indian epics; closed on Fridays |
In the synagogue, dress modestly and respectfully. Fort Kochi is best explored on foot; Mattancherry is a short tuk-tuk or ferry ride away.
Arts and museums
Kathakali, museums and the art biennale
Kathakali
Kathakali performances are staged every day in Fort Kochi, notably at the Kerala Kathakali Centre and the Great K V Kathakali Center. An evening show is one of the essential Kochi experiences.
Museums
In Fort Kochi, the Indo-Portuguese Museum traces Portuguese colonisation and the growth of the Latin Church, and the Indian Naval Maritime Museum the naval tradition; the Kerala Folklore Museum occupies a historic wooden building. Check opening times.
The Kochi-Muziris Biennale
Since 2012 this contemporary art biennale has made the city an art destination. In late 2019 Lonely Planet ranked Kochi 7th in its top 10 cities to visit in 2020.
Food
Fish, appam and street food
Kochi is a crossroads of cuisines, shaped by centuries of exchange with Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch and British. Fish and seafood dominate: on Fort Kochi beach you can pick fresh fish and have it cooked at nearby stalls.
What to try
Meen molagitta, fish curry with chilli and coconut milk, appam with stew, puttu for breakfast, and at the thattukadas, the street-side stalls, Kerala dosas and porottas.
Backwaters and Ayurveda
From Kerala's lagoons to Ayurvedic treatments
A night on a houseboat
Kochi is the gateway to the Kerala backwaters, a vast network of lakes and canals. Day tours and overnight cruises can be booked from the city, but most houseboats leave from Alleppey (Alappuzha), roughly 55 to 70 km to the south depending on the route.
Ayurveda
Kerala is also known for Ayurveda, with treatment programs that usually run for two to three weeks.
| From Kochi | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Alleppey (Alappuzha) | About 55 to 70 km | The departure point for most backwater houseboats |
| Munnar | About 130 km, 4 to 5 h by road | The tea hills of Kerala |
| Vypin Island | A few minutes by ferry | Quiet beaches, such as Cherai |
Getting there
A solar-powered airport, far from the centre
Cochin International
At Nedumbassery, about 29 to 30 km from the city centre and around 45 km from Fort Kochi. Described as the first airport in the world to run solely on solar energy.
| From COK | Approximate time | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| KSRTC Orange Bus to Fort Kochi | About 1 h 40 | Air-conditioned, departing every 30 to 40 minutes; check timetables |
| Prepaid taxi | About 1 to 1.5 hours depending on traffic | Official counter in the arrivals hall; estimate, to be checked |
| Auto-rickshaw and train | Varies | Aluva or Angamaly, about 15 km away, are the nearest stations; Aluva is also the northern terminus of the metro |
Allow 2 to 3 days in Kochi, then a night in Alleppey on a houseboat and a stop in Munnar.
Getting around
Metro, Water Metro and ferries
Kochi has the only metro in Kerala and the first Water Metro in India, a network of electric boats linking the city's islands. Public ferries connect Fort Kochi to Ernakulam faster and more cheaply than the road, and buses, auto-rickshaws and ride-hailing apps complete the picture, subject to availability.
Traffic
At peak hours traffic is heavy: limit yourself to three or four places a day and favour the water and the metro. Fort Kochi is best explored on foot.
When to go
When to visit Kochi?
December to February
The most pleasant period, in the middle of the favourable season that runs from October to April.
October-November and March-April
Still in the good season, but March and April are hot and humid.
June to September
The southwest monsoon, the wettest time of year, which starts around late May or early June. The northeast monsoon can still bring showers from October to December.
Three days
Kochi in three days, and what it costs
Fort Kochi
St Francis Church, the colonial lanes and sunset at the fishing nets.
Mattancherry and Kathakali
The Paradesi Synagogue and Jew Town in the morning, a Kathakali show in the evening.
The backwaters
A day on the water from Alleppey, before continuing to Munnar.
Cost level
Low to medium: guesthouses, meals in small restaurants, buses and ferries stay very affordable, while houseboats and Ayurvedic treatments are the main expense.
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In pictures
Kochi in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Kochi
Which airport serves Kochi, and how far is it from the centre?
Cochin International Airport (COK), at Nedumbassery, about 29 to 30 km from the city centre. Allow about 1 h 40 by Orange Bus to Fort Kochi; a prepaid taxi is the other option.
When is the best time to visit Kochi?
October to April, and especially December to February. The southwest monsoon brings heavy rain from June to September; March and April are hot and humid.
Is Kochi expensive?
No: the cost level is low to medium. Houseboats and Ayurvedic treatments are the main expenses.
How many days do you need in Kochi?
Two to three days for the city, then a night in Alleppey and a stop in Munnar if time allows.
How do I get around Kochi?
On foot in Fort Kochi, by ferry and Water Metro, by metro, bus or auto-rickshaw; traffic is heavy at peak hours.
What is there to see in Fort Kochi and Mattancherry?
The Chinese fishing nets, St Francis Church, Santa Cruz Basilica, Mattancherry Palace and the Paradesi Synagogue in Jew Town.
What should I eat in Kochi?
Fish and seafood, such as meen molagitta, appam and puttu; on Fort Kochi beach, stalls cook the fish you choose.
How much does a flight to Kochi usually cost?
It mostly depends on your departure city, the season and how far ahead you book. The "deals" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
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