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The Award-Winning Tour Specialist with 14 Consecutive TripAdvisor Awards

Customsied Kerala Tours For travelers from United Kingdom

Kerala Tour Packages from UK

Private, fully customised Kerala holidays with a dedicated car and driver, hand-picked hotels, and a trip designer who works in UK hours. Fly from London or a regional airport, land in Kochi, and escape the British winter with backwaters, tea hills and quiet beaches.

★★★★★ 4.9/5 from 90 British guests London · Nottinghamshire · Wolverhampton · Harrogate · Manchester
Flight time
About 10 to 15 hours into Kochi (COK)
Direct or one-stop, depending on airline and season
Visa
India e-Tourist Visa
Apply online before flying **[VERIFY UK is still on the e-Visa list
Best time
November to March
Monsoon is June to September
Time difference
4.5 to 5.5 hours behind Kerala
4.5 hours in British Summer Time, 5.5 in winter
Trips from
₹14,300 pp
Quoted in GBP on request

Is Kerala good for British travellers?

Kerala for British travellers, in short

Kerala is one of the easiest and most rewarding places in India for a first visit from the UK. It is green, calm and English-friendly, with tea hills in Munnar, wildlife in Thekkady, private houseboats on the Alleppey backwaters, and quiet beaches at Varkala and Marari. It is also warm and sunny from November to March, when Britain is cold and grey.

Many British guests enjoy Kerala's history as much as its scenery. Munnar's tea estates were first planted by British planters in the 1800s, and Fort Kochi's Dutch, Portuguese and British buildings sit beside Chinese fishing nets and spice markets. Most British guests plan 10 to 14 nights, so they can combine a houseboat, a hill stay, wildlife and a beach.

Every Iris Holidays trip is private. You get an air-conditioned car, an English-speaking driver, hotels approved by you before booking, and a named trip designer. We are a Government of India-approved tour operator based in Kochi, so the person planning your trip lives in Kerala, not at a call centre abroad.

Popular with British travellers

Kerala tour packages for travellers from UK and London

Every package can be customised: add Varkala beach days, swap a hotel, add a tea-estate stay in Munnar, or extend into Tamil Nadu. Prices are per person, twin share, and exclude international flights. Tell us your dates and we will send a free itinerary.

Most booked Awesome Kerala

Awesome Kerala

9 days / 8 nights 5.0 (40 reviews)
Alleppey · Kovalam · Kumarakom · Munnar · Thekkady
From₹36,500
View Details →

Getting there

Flights to Kerala from London and other UK airports

Fly into Kochi (COK) for Munnar, Thekkady and the backwaters. Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) suits trips that start in the south at Kovalam or Varkala. Some London flights to Kochi are direct, and regional airports usually connect once.

Routings, schedules and airlines change by season, so check current options before you book flights.
London (LHR or LGW)Direct on some airlines, otherwise one stop in Mumbai, Delhi or a Gulf hubRoughly 10 to 15 hours
Manchester (MAN)One stop in the Gulf, Mumbai or DelhiRoughly 12 to 17 hours
Birmingham (BHX)One stop in the Gulf, Mumbai or DelhiRoughly 12 to 17 hours
Edinburgh or Glasgow (EDI, GLA)One stop in the Gulf or LondonRoughly 13 to 19 hours

Flight tips for British travellers

  • Many connections reach Kochi late at night or early morning. Our drivers meet flights at any hour and track delays.
  • Keep the first day light, or spend a night in Fort Kochi before driving to Munnar.
  • Check your passport validity and the UK government's travel advice before you book flights.
  • We can quote combined trips with Sri Lanka, the Maldives or Tamil Nadu.

Entry requirements

India e-Visa for British citizens: 4 steps

British passport holders need a visa for India. Most apply for the online e-Tourist Visa, and only through the official Government of India website. Always confirm current rules on the official portal before you apply.

  1. Check your passport

    It should be valid for your whole stay, with blank pages for stamps.

  2. Apply online

    Use the official Government of India e-Visa portal and choose the e-Tourist Visa. Avoid look-alike sites that charge extra fees

  3. Apply early

    Apply 3 to 4 weeks before you fly so there is room for questions or delays

  4. Carry the approval

    Print the e-Visa approval and keep it with your passport. You will need it at the airport and on arrival

When to go

Best time to visit Kerala from the UK

Kerala is best from November to March, when it is dry, sunny and warm, which is why it suits a UK winter escape. UK school holiday months are marked because flights and hotels cost more then. The monsoon, June to September, is green, quiet and good for Ayurveda.

Best weather Good, getting hot Monsoon Holidays

Guest reviews

What British guests from UK say about Iris Holidays

4.9
★★★★★ 90 reviews from British guests

Stephan Robinson

London · Solo Travellers · Nov 2026

★★★★★

Perfect 4 Days in Kerala

We had the best 4 days (3 nights) in Kerela thanks to Anthony and Iris Tours. We saw waterfalls, beaches, Fort Kochi and stayed on a houseboat, with Anthony always there to advise and safely drive us about. He reccomended optional shopping, restaurants, and pointed out interesting things along the way. The houseboat…

Helen Mary Cunningham

Helen Mary Cunningham

London · Senior Citizens · Oct 2026

★★★★★

Personalised Itinerary and Excellent Hospitality

We wholly recommend Iris Holidays. We had an idea of where we wanted to visit in Kerala and Arun helped us work out the best itinerary and found us various hotels to choose from. He was very patient. He checked in with us everyday of our trip.But what really made this trip special was our driver Antony, who was kind…

Yvonne Turbull

London · Private Groups · May 2026

★★★★★

Outstanding Holiday Experience

An absolutely outstanding holiday, highly recommended!From the very first pick-up to the final drop-off, Iris Holidays delivered a truly exceptional experience. The holiday was brilliantly planned from start to finish, with a fantastic variety of activities and locations that kept things fresh and interesting…

Radia W

Radia W

Paignton · Private Groups · May 2026

★★★★★

Golden Triangle Tour Experience

After a successful Kerala tour with Iris, we decided to book with them again for a Golden Triangle tour. Although we only gave our contact and planner, Akshay, a few days’ notice, he once again provided excellent service and arranged a tailored tour to fit our flight timings.Our driver, Sanjay (from subcontractor…

Abizar Aladin &Family

Nottinghamshire · Families with Kids · Apr 2026

★★★★★

Exceptional Kerala Family Holiday

We had an amazing family holiday in Kerala with Iris Holidays. George Joseph planned everything perfectly and was always quick to respond and very helpful throughout. Our driver, Mr. Shajar, was excellent—friendly, knowledgeable, and always ready to help. He went the extra mile to make our trip special, from…

Owen King

Owen King

London · Honeymooners & Couples · Feb 2026

★★★★★

A Perfect 4 Day Kerala Tour

This was a must do experience, when visiting Kerala. From pick-up at any point around Kochi, the travel to Munnar is a long drive on bustling roads, but a must do to see what Kerala is all about. Monesh, our driver, made this even better by showing us various sites and stops on the way, including brilliant food…

Peterson Andrew Corker

Peterson Andrew Corker

London · Honeymooners & Couples · Feb 2026

★★★★★

Wonderful 6 day Kochi, Munnar and Thekkady Tour

We had a wonderful 6 day tour starting from Kochi, spent 3 nights in Munnar and 2 nights in Thekkady.Arun organised the tour and was so efficient in helping tailor it to meet our needs in terms of pace and places we wanted to visit. We really wanted to relax and take our time and this was achieved.I would…

Avril Kathleen Carlton

Avril Kathleen Carlton

London · Friends & Groups · Feb 2026

★★★★★

10 Day Kerala Tour Review

As a mother and daughter meeting in Kerala we booked a private 10 day tour to experience Kerala before joining a yoga retreat. We can’t recommend Iris Holidays enough from the start of organising through to delivery. Communication was perfect and our extra requests handled without fuss.Our driver, Arjun, who we…

Will Rymer Holmes

Will Rymer Holmes

London · Friends & Groups · Feb 2026

★★★★★

Kerala 8 Nights Tour Review

We had a really wonderful time in Kerala over 8 nights. From the very beginning and organising the trip with Saranya, everything was very smooth and simple and we had great communication. Saranya was open to making amends as we asked for them to make the trip perfect for us. We decided to have 2 nights Kochi, 2 nights…

Carol Oakley

Carol Oakley

London · Solo Travellers · Jan 2026

★★★★★

Unforgettable trip to Kerala

I booked a 5 day tour- Kochi to Munnar, Thetkady and Kumarakom with Iris Holidays. Firstly, the communication was fantastic. George was very responsive and flexible with my requests. The itinerary he suggested was perfect. Every part of the itinerary was fulfilled. More than I imagined.

Dianne Hiles

Dianne Hiles

Birmingham · Solo Travellers · Jan 2026

★★★★★

A Well-Organized Kerala Tour

From the initial inquiry, all my interactions with Iris Holidays have been highly professional. Their responsiveness and attention to detail have been outstanding. Even though all the accommodation was excellent.

Nick Hodson

Nick Hodson

Glasgow · Honeymooners & Couples · Jan 2026

★★★★★

Great Support for Independent Travel in Kerala

We are independent travellers and already had some of trip to Kerala planned and just needed help with a driver and houseboat. Iris were able to help with our very specific requirements and the service from start to finish was excellent. The driver Sanju was fantastic, very safe, always on time and full of local…

Read Kerala tour package reviews

Good to know

Kerala trips from the UK: common questions

Do British citizens need a visa for Kerala?

Yes. British passport holders need a visa for India. Most apply online for the e-Tourist Visa through the official Government of India portal, ideally 3 to 4 weeks before travel. Rules can change, so confirm on the official site.

Are there direct flights from the UK to Kerala?

Some London flights to Kochi are direct, depending on the airline and season. From Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Glasgow you usually connect once, for example in the Gulf, Mumbai or Delhi. Check current schedules before booking.

How many days do I need for Kerala?

Plan at least 7 to 9 nights to see Munnar, Thekkady, a houseboat in Alleppey and a beach. Two weeks lets you add Varkala, Kumarakom, Fort Kochi or an Ayurveda stay, which suits the long flight from the UK.

What is the best month to visit Kerala from the UK?

November to March is dry, sunny and warm, which makes it a popular winter escape. December is the busiest and most expensive month. June to September is the monsoon: green, quiet and cheaper, and good for Ayurveda. April and May are hot and humid.

What does a Kerala trip cost?

Tours start from ₹14,300 per person, twin share, excluding international flights. Your quote shows the exact price for your dates, hotels and route.

Is Kerala safe for British travellers?

Kerala is one of India's most visited and relaxed states, and a private driver means you avoid crowded public transport. Take normal care with valuables, and check the latest Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) travel advice for India before you book.

What travel insurance and vaccinations do I need?

Buy travel insurance that covers medical care and evacuation before you fly. For vaccinations and health advice, check the NHS Fit for Travel or TravelHealthPro pages for India, or speak to your GP or travel clinic well before you go.

Can you arrange a tea-estate stay or a heritage walk?

Yes. We can add a tea-estate stay in Munnar, a spice-plantation visit near Thekkady, or a Fort Kochi heritage walk to any trip. Tell your trip designer what interests you.

Will someone meet me if my flight lands at night?

Yes. Our drivers meet arrivals at any hour and track your flight. We keep the first day light so you can rest after the long journey.

Travelling from somewhere else?

Page last updated: 11 November 2026

Plan My Kerala Trip

Our Trip Designers would love to create a Personalised package for you

Why book with Iris Holidays ?

We visit and verify all resorts in Kerala that we suggest to you so that guests like you can have a VERY warm & comfortable about an awesome holiday. We won’t suggest anywhere that we haven’t been to and tried ourselves. When you book online or call us, we share the kind of insider low-down we'd give to our best friends about destinations and hotels. Rest assured: when you book with us, every last detail is taken care

1
2500+ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reviews on TripAdvisor

Only Tour Company in Kerala with 2500+ ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Reviews on TripAdvisor over 14 years from multiple customers from multiple countries. Consistency Matters!

2
Approved by Govt:of India & Govt: of Kerala

We are approved after verification by Govt of India & Govt of Kerala

3
Private Vehicle - Only for you

Chauffeur driven vehicle for you 24X7

4
Customised Packages with the Best Hotels & Resorts

We handpick our hotels & houseboats

5
Authentic and Unique Experiences Crafted over 15 Years

Our award-winning, personalised private trips provide incredible insights and insider tips from last 15 years of experience of crafting tours in Kerala, passionately bringing alive unique and exclusive experiences for you.

6
12 Consecutive TripAdvisor Awards for Best Tour Operator

Certificate of Excellence Award for the past 13 Consecutive Years from 2014 to 2026

Our Awards

Our tours are consistently recognized by prestigious organizations across the travel industry and TripAdvisor. We have won the TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence from 2014 till 2022 consecutively for 9 consecutive years. We design our unique tours based on extensive knowledge of Kerala tourist destinations strives to offer personalized top-notch service.