You're Going to Love Kochi
With its iconic Chinese fishing nets at Fort Kochi, European colonial architecture, South Indian-flavored cuisine, and diverse population, Kochi is one of the most multicultural cities in India. Because of its historic position as a port city for trading merchants, Kochi has many interesting traditions and festivals on offer.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Kochi
1. Religious Diversity
In Kochi, all worship is welcome and you'll find everything from sacred Catholic churches to well-designed Hindu temples and even a Jewish synagogue filled with Chinese tiles and Belgian chandeliers.
2. Colonial Architecture
Fort Kochi and the Mattancherry Palace are just two displays of traditional design. Along with these marvels, check out the Hill Palace Museum, which, along with its architecture, is the largest archaeological museum in Kochi.
3. Incredible Food
Eat your way through the entire world in just this one city: here, you'll find Portuguese-inspired cuisine, as well as Arabic, Chinese, and Dutch food.
4. Beautiful Beaches
Cherai Beach and Fort Kochi beach are two of the most serene and beautiful spots for travelers to stretch out in the sun.
5. Colorful Festivals All Year
The south of India enjoys many festivals all year long like Diwali, Holi, and many regional celebrations featuring lots of outdoor theater performances and dancers.
When to Visit Kochi
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Kochi's tropical climate can see heavy monsoons throughout May to September and temperatures in the summer, from February to May, soaring to 95 degrees, which can feel hotter with the humidity. The winter months are cooler and pleasant.
How to Get to Kochi
Plane
Cochin International Airport (COK) is 18 miles from the city center. Use the orange KSRTC bus service for ₹70 or a taxi, which costs ₹510 for a standard taxi and ₹650 for an air-conditioned taxi.
Train
Trains get in to the Ernakulam Town Station and come from all over the country, including Kolkata, Chandigarh, and Mumbai. Book in advance or risk paying ₹150 extra.
Car
Depending on where you're coming from, there are three major highways you can connect to. Use the NH 17 if you're coming from the north, the NH 47 or NH 29 if you're coming from the south.
Bus
The state-run KSRTC services Kochi with three services: Super Fast, Express, and Garuda Hi-Tech. Fares vary but a trip from Mumbai to Kochi, for example, costs ₹3,300.
Airlines serving Kochi
Where to stay in popular areas of Kochi
Most booked hotels in Kochi
How to Get Around Kochi
Public Transportation
Fares for standard city buses are ₹7.50 for the first mile and ₹1 for each mile after that.
Taxi
Taxis are easy to find. The fare is a flat rate of ₹50 for the first two miles, and then ₹15 per additional mile. Expect a 10 percent surcharge for air conditioning. Fares at night are 15-20 percent higher.
Car
If you're renting a car to get around Kochi, you can find a rental for ₹1,600 for 50 miles and ₹20.5 for each mile beyond the cap.
Car rental agencies in Kochi
The Cost of Living in Kochi
Shopping Streets
Check out Broadway Market, where you can find clothing, electronics, food, and furniture. If you love malls, Lulu Mall is the largest in South India.
Groceries and Other
A quart of milk is ₹38 and a dozen eggs costs ₹59.
Where to Eat in Kochi
To grab a yummy bite, head to Indraprastha Gujarati Food Court for thalis that cost only ₹50.