Flights to Kochi (Cochin)

Carve a place for yourself on Kochi's shining coastline

Kochi is the coastal state of Kerala's jewel. It is a bustling port city situated on the south-west coast of the Indian peninsula. Referred to informally as the Gateway to Kerala, Kochi is a multi-ethnic city and home to a significant melting pot of cultures, traditions and cuisines.

Kochi highlights

Residents and tourists alike come together to celebrate the Cochin Carnival in December, a bright display of the city's traditions with parades and festivities. Locals also gather to celebrate Hindu religious festivals such as Holi and Diwali, Islamic festivals such as Eid-ul-Fitr and Milad-e-sherif as well as a significant festival known as the Onam harvest festival which lasts for 10 days from mid-August to mid-September.

The region of Kochi features a tropical climate, with daytime temperatures resting anywhere between 30°C to 35°C. Blessed with beautiful weather, benign conditions for Kochi means cool winds and some intermittent showers from September to February, a humid summer season spanning from February to April and a classic monsoon from mid-May to September. The peak season for travel is generally from August to February, with the bulk of tourists visiting in December.

Some Kochi facts

Kochi's relatively low cost of living is offset only slightly by its minimally higher accommodation prices when compared to other Indian cities. This means that while a full restaurant meal costs around 50 rupees. Kochi's popularity as a tourist destination and port city means accommodation is priced according to demand and location.

Local information

Kochi is a city that is proud to remain accessible and amenable to its visitors and residents alike by offering transport solutions such as ferries between Fort Kochin and the mainland, scooter hires from about ₹300 per day and famous Indian auto-rickshaws for around Rs. 10 for the first 1.25 km. The airport is situated just 29 km from central Kochi and air-conditioned buses operated by the KSRTC cost about ₹80 while taxis are available for around ₹1200. You will always find the perfect accommodation to cater for any budget, either in low-cost hostels that charge around ₹800 or medium priced hotels for about ₹2000. Once you've checked in, check out the quiet, scenic and lush Fort Cochin area, perfect for cycling around, with its numerous boutique hotels. Willingdon Island is also a popular spot for tourists to stay while in Kochi. Tucked away Ernakulam City suits all travelling budgets.