Alappuzha (Alleppey) | India
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Alappuzha (Alleppey)

The city of Alappuzha, also known as Alleppey, is situated in Kerala. Alappuzha is the smallest district in Kerala with a long coastline and many lagoons and backwaters. It is often called the Venice of the East due to the canals that connect it to Kerala's famous snaking backwaters. The district headquarters is 70 km south of Cochin.

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Planning a Trip

Contents 1 Get in 1.1 By plane 1.2 By train 1.3 By bus 1.4 By car By plane[edit] Cochin International Airport (COK IATA). This is the nearest airport. Expect to pay about ₹450 for a taxi to get from Cochin airport to Cochin, and then more for a bus or train to Alappuzha. Another option is to take a local bus from nearby Athani, reachable by rickshaw. Alternatively, there are airports in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), Kozhikode (Calicut), Chennai, and Bangalore and you can catch a train to Alappuzha. By train[edit] Train service is available to Alappuzha from different parts of Kerala such as Kochi (Cochin), Thiruvananthapuram, and Kozhikode, and from other major cities in India such as Chennai, Bengaluru (Bangalore), Coimbatore, Mumbai (Bombay), New Delhi, Mangalore, and Kolkata. If you are coming from Hyderabad, you can take the Sabari Express. 9.48465476.3223371 Alappuzha railway station (ആലപ്പുഴ തീവണ്ടി നിലയം).   (updated Jan 2020) By bus[edit] There are bus services operating from Cochin (1 hr 45 min, ₹75 for KSRTC), Thiruvananthapuram (3½ hours, ₹150 for KSRTC), Kozhikode, Chennai, Bangalore (overnight luxury ₹800), Mysore, Coimbatore (overnight ₹250) to Alappuzha. By car[edit] The entire Alappuzha district is well-connected by NH 66 (formerly NH 47). It goes via the Alappuzha, Ambalapuzha and Cherthala towns. Alappuzha is well connected to other cities Kochi, Kottayam, Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode, Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore by road. Tourist taxis are the most convenient way to travel from attraction to attraction, especially while travelling as a group. They can be found at most airports and railway stations.

Alappuzha (Alleppey)

Getting Around

Contents 1 Get around 1.1 By bus 1.2 By autorickshaw 1.3 By taxi 1.4 By boat 1.5 By foot 9°29′24″N 76°19′48″EMap of Alappuzha By bus[edit] Like elsewhere in Kerala, Alappuzha has a cheap and efficient local bus system. You can catch buses to almost eerywhere from the KSRTC bus stand, Alappuzha. By autorickshaw[edit] This is a cheap means of transportation between attractions. Make sure you agree on a price first. You can bargain or contact the tourist centre nearby to confirm the auto charges in the area before you set out. By taxi[edit] Local taxis are also available for what many western wallets would consider cheap. There are car rental companies that offer cars with drivers or self-drive options. Rates often start at around ₹7 per km and increase depending on the extra features you select (i.e. whether you want a driver or a car with air-conditioning). If you are unfamiliar with the area, or with driving on Indian roads, you should get a driver as well, who will also be able to recommend places to eat and visit. By boat[edit] A visit to Alappuzha would not be complete without making a journey by boat. In some cases, such as visiting Kuttanad, boats are the preferred method of transport as some locations are inaccessible by road. There are ferry services between places, widely used by the locals, which are a scenic way of getting around. The government-run Kerala State Water Transport Corporation (KSWTC) boats are there at the boat jetty opposite to Alappuzha KSRTC bus stand. One can use the service and alight at any preferred location at cheap rates by making use of the service. Tourist boat service to the Kollam district is also available from Alappuzha boat jetty at reasonable price. Boat service is available to Kottayam at every two hours interval starting from 7:30AM. The fare is ₹18 and the trip takes two hours. Water taxis, ☏ +91-477-2252015. Water taxis are available at Alappuzha Boat Jetty for ₹1,500 per hour. The boats can seat ten people. (updated Oct 2020) By foot[edit] Many of Alappuzha's attractions are easily accessible by foot.

Alappuzha (Alleppey)

Top Attractions

Pathway in Alappuzha Public transport boat in Alappuzha Village boat in Alappuzha Alappuzha Light House The city itself is a sight to see. Exploring the city, especially by boat, can often lead to memorable experiences. Bring a camera, there are many photo opportunities on the waterways and beaches. If you are visiting Alappuzha, enquire about the schedule of temple festivals. Alappuzha is one of the few places in Kerala where non-Hindus are allowed enter temple premises. Alappuzha temples are generally more open and accepting, though there might be a few areas inside the temples where entry is restricted. The Ambalapuzha temple festival is particularly impressive. Five elephants carry the Krishna idol, with a music accompaniment, for a distance of about 14 km away from Alappuzha and to the temple. Make sure you try the rose palpayasam a traditional, sweet, milk delicacy made by boiling milk until it condenses and turns into a light pink colour. 9.49496376.3236621 Jain Derasar. This temple is very calm and quiet temple. Allepey has a very small Jain population.  9.3800176.3864732 Karumadikkuttan (Karimadi, Near Ambalapuzha). This is a 9th century black granite statue of the Buddha, locally known as Karumadi Kuttan. This statue is protected by the Archeological survey of India.  9.59618176.3022233 Marari-beach, Mararikulam. A good destination for a day trip, it is about 16 km north of Alappuzha town. This area also has the Mahadeva temple and Arthunkal church. You can get here by local bus from the KSTC bus stand, get off at Maraikulam Junction (journey time: 20 min), and then walk 4 km or (better) get an autorickshaw for around ₹30 to the beach itself.  9.40916776.4111114 St. Mary's Church. Alleppey has a high percentage of Christians. St. Mary’s Church (Champakulam) is believed to be one of the seven churches established by St. Thomas.  9.383676.36955 Sreekrishna Swamy Temple, Ambalapuzha. This temple was built in the 15th century. Of interest here is an extremely distinctive Paal-Payasam (a sweet milk dessert made out of rice, with jaggery, in milk). Its recipe is a well guarded secret. It's believed the same cooks cannot reproduce the same taste using same ingredients, anywhere, because of a special blessing given by the Lord to his favorite kitchen. Definitely try some if you are somewhere near this temple. This payasam is distributed everyday, exactly at 12:00 Noon. Only those who have a prior booking are allowed to partake. You can get one from the stall just outside the temple.  Public Water Transport to Kottayam. ₹29. (updated Oct 2022)

Alappuzha (Alleppey)