Location Map
Kochi (Cochin), the Queen
of the Arabian Sea, is situated on the west coast of India
in the beautiful state of Kerala. Kochi can be regarded
as the commercial and industrial capital of Kerala. Kerala
is one of the most prosperous states of India, flanked
by the Arabian Sea on the western side and the Western
Ghats on the eastern side. Roughly speaking Kochi is 10
º North and 76 º East.
Kochi is the most important city in Kerala. It is the
second most important city (after Mumbai) on the western
coast of India .
Kochi is known as the Queen of the Arabian Sea and
the Queen of the Adriatic. It is also referred to as
the Gateway of South India.
By Air
Cochin/Kochi (Airport Code: COK) has a world-class
modern international airport, located 30kms north-east
of the city, with regular flights to major cities in
India. Cochin is also connected to Singapore, Colombo
and all major cities in the middle-east (Abu Dhabi,
Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Kuwait, Jeddah, Muscat, and Riyadh)
by direct international flights. Airlines operating
from Cochin include Air Deccan, Air India, Air India
Express, Air Sahara, Emirates, Go Air, Gulf Air, Indian
Airlines, Jet Airways, Kingfisher Airlines, Kuwait Airways,
Mahan Air, Oman Air, Saudi Arabian Airlines, SilkAir,
SriLankan Airlines, and Qatar Airways, making it the
fifth busiest airport in India. The International and
Domestic terminals are located right next to each other.
The airport buildings have been built in traditional
Kerala architectural style. It is the first Indian airport
to be built using private investment. Cochin airport
is expanding at a very fast pace. For regular flight
arrivals and departures, follow the links below. The
airport is also used extensively by cargo and chartered
aircrafts. Prepaid taxis are available from the airport
and can be booked from within the arrival hall.
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By Rail
Kochi (and Ernakulam) are connected to the rest of India
by an extensive network of rails.There are three main
railway stations in Cochin: Ernakulam Junction (main
station), Ernakulam Town and Cochin Harbour Terminus.
Many important trains start from here and many others
from/to the south of kerala stop at these stations.
Railway enquiry: Ernakulam Junction:
+91 484 131; Ernakulam Town: +91 484 2390920/2395198;
Cochin Harbour Terminus: +91 484 2666050
By Road
An extensive network of national/state highways and
local roads link Kochi to rest of the country. Three
important National Highways(NH) pass through/start from
Kochi, apart from many state roads. NH 47 from Kanyakumari
to Salem pass right through the heart of Kochi while
NH 17 to Mumbai and NH 49 to Madurai (in Tamil Nadu)
starts from Kochi. Private and public transport services
are available to/from all major cities of South India
from here. Long distance coach tickets to Mumbai (Bombay),
Chennai (Madras), Bangalore, Coimbatore, etc. can be
purchased from private coach operators operating from
Jos Junction in the heart of the city.
KSRTC enquiry: +91 484 2352033/2372033
- for state and inter-state public buses.
By Sea/Backwaters
Kochi has a magnificent all weather natural port that
is used regulary by large cargo ships. Regular boat
service to places like Kottayam, Kumarakom and Alleppey
are available through the scenic backwaters of Kerala.
The outlying islands that make up Cochin, like Vypeen,
Mattancherry, Bolghatty, etc are connected to the mainland
by regular public and private boats plying from the
main boat jetty off Park Avenue and from the boat jetty
near the High Court. Many cruises ships also currently
berth and the Ernakulam Wharf, which is part of the
Cochin Port located on Willingdon island.
Local Transport
Getting around Cochin is quite straightforward. Cheap
and affordable private buses (bright red) will take
you to most parts of the city, but they may not necessarily
stop near a location of interest. Tickets must be bought
on board. Short distances can be covered in an autorickshaw.
Taxis or prebooked taxis are generally recommended for
longer trips.
Mysorean
Invasion |
Portuguese Period
| Dutch
Conquest | Pre
History
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