Kanyakumari is the southernmost point of mainland India, where the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean meet. It is one of the few places in India where you can watch both sunrise and sunset over the ocean, especially in winter months. The town is named after the goddess Kanya Kumari, who is worshipped at the Kanyakumari Temple. The temple is believed to be over 3,000 years old and is visited by devotees during Chaitra Purnima.
Kanyakumari is easily accessible from different cities and towns in South India, especially Tamil Nadu and Kerala, via varied means of transport.
Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest airport to Kanyakumari located about 90 km from it. Let us take a look at how it’ll help you travel to Kanyakumari conveniently and what are other nearby airports that you can fly to.
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Being the southernmost tip of India, Kanyakumari is surrounded by the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean on three sides. Kanyakumari is where the waters of the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal, and the Indian Ocean meet, making it a unique geographic location.
Nearest airport to Kanyakumari
Trivandrum International Airport located in Trivandrum, or Thiruvananthapuram, in the neighboring state of Kerala, is the nearest airport to Kanyakumari. Kanyakumari doesn’t have an airport of its own. Trivandrum was the first airport built in Kerala and the fifth international airport in India. It’s really close to Shankumugham Beach, making it the closest airport to the Arabian Sea in India
Trivandrum International Airport to Kanyakumari distance: 90 km
Travel time: 2.5 hours (by road)
Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) has a fully operational domestic as well as international terminal and is operated by Adani Group and is the 8th busiest airport in terms of passenger traffic.
Its domestic terminal is well-connected to major cities across India including Delhi, Chennai, Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore, Kolkata, and Kochi via leading airlines like Air India Express, IndiGo, Vistara, SpiceJet, and GoAir at affordable rates.
TVR’s international terminal services select destinations including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Singapore, Colombo, and Kuala Lumpur via major airlines like Emirates, Etihad, Air India, Qatar, SriLankan Airlines, and flydubai.
ALSO SEE – 4 Airports in Kerala- How to Choose for your holiday?
How to reach Kanyakumari from Trivandrum Airport
Several transport options are available at Trivandrum Airport to help you get to Kanyakumari.
By train
You can take a taxi to Trivandrum Central railway station from Trivandrum Airport, board a train, and comfortably ride through the captivating landscapes of South India to Kanyakumari.
Train travel is the most convenient, cost-effective, and scenic way of getting to Kanyakumari from the nearest airport to Kanyakumari – Trivandrum.
The journey usually takes about 1 hour to 2.5 hours.
Several trains ply on the Trivandrum-Kanyakumari route on a daily and weekly basis including Chennai Express (first train of the day at 4 AM), Ernad Express (last train of the day at 9 PM), Kanyakumari Express, and Parasuram Express.
ALSO SEE – Best Train Journeys In Kerala
By bus
Public KSRTC buses (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation) and private chartered buses run daily services to and from Trivandrum and Kanyakumari at set intervals.
All you have to do is book tickets online via the official website or app and take a taxi to the boarding point upon arrival at the Trivandrum Airport.
Average one-way fare for public buses: INR 250/- to INR 900/-
Average one-way fare for private buses: INR 1,000/- to INR 3,000/-
Buses take about 4-5 hours to reach Kanyakumari from Trivandrum owing to the number of stops and the scenic routes these buses usually take.
By car
You can take a taxi or rent a vehicle from Trivandrum Airport to Kanyakumari.
Trivandrum International Airport has plenty of cab rental services and cars on hire. You can either book a vehicle from the airport itself or the taxi’s website in advance.
Average one-way fare for private cabs: INR 1,500/- to INR 6,000/-
(The fare usually depends on the distance, facilities like AC/non-AC, and vehicle type)
Why Trivandrum Airport is the best airport for Kanyakumari
Other than the fact that it’s the closest airport to Kanyakumari, TVR offers a horde of benefits to travelers.
- WiFi access
- Baby care
- Forex & ATM services
- Medical facilities
- Mobility service for elderly passengers
- Tourist counter
- Taxi hire counters
In addition to flying to different places around the world, they also make it convenient for passengers to reach nearby cities from the airport itself.
Other major airports near Kanyakumari
While Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest major airport to Kanyakumari, there are a few other airports serving Kanyakumari that you can explore depending on your budget, starting destination, and proximity to the cities they’re located in.
Here are some alternate Kanyakumari airport options for a hassle-free and convenient trip.
Madurai Airport, Tamil Nadu
Madurai Airport is the nearest airport to Kanyakumari after Trivandrum. Madurai Airport, established in 1957, is one of the oldest airports in Tamil Nadu. The terminal building of Madurai Airport has a design inspired by the city’s rich cultural heritage, with elements reflecting the architecture of the Meenakshi Temple.
Madurai Airport to Kanyakumari distance: 241 km
Travel time: 3 hours 40 minutes
Cochin International Airport, Kerala
Kochi International Airport, also known as Cochin International Airport (CIAL), is the first airport in India developed under a public-private partnership model. Kochi Airport became the world’s first fully solar-powered airport, generating all of its electricity from solar panels. Like Trivandrum Airport, Cochin International Airport too provides abundant facilities to passengers, including car rental and taxi services. CIAL is often referred to as the “Gateway to Kerala,” Kochi Airport serves as the main entry point for tourists visiting the state, especially during the peak travel seasons.
Cochin International Airport to Kanyakumari distance: 331 km
Travel time: 6.5 hours
Coimbatore International Airport, Tamil Nadu
Coimbatore International Airport is the second-largest airport in Tamil Nadu, after Chennai International Airport, in terms of both passenger traffic and cargo. Compared to other airports near Kanyakumari, Coimbatore Airport is the farthest and least convenient option.
Coimbatore International Airport to Kanyakumari distance: 432.5 km
Travel time: 7.5 hours
You can reach Kanyakumari from these nearby airports via train, taxi, private bus, or state-operated public bus.
Tips for traveling to Kanyakumari
- Set up alerts on the above-mentioned airlines for deals, discounts, and fare drops.
- Book your flight at least 2 months in advance to avoid last-minute price hikes.
- If you’re unable to book your cab online in advance, you can book one directly at Trivandrum Airport.
- If you’re traveling in a group, consider renting a car rather than taking the bus.
- Keep a tab on the weather conditions in Kanyakumari and en route.
- Carry some cash. Not all shops and taxi vendors in Trivandrum accept online payment.
- Pack light. It’ll make switching transport options easier.
- Pick your Trivandrum-Kanyakumari mode of travel carefully. While trains are quicker and cheaper, a bus or car ride will grant you a more scenic journey.
We hope this information helps you plan a comfortable trip to Kanyakumari.
You must choose the most convenient airport option for yourself based on your budget, time duration, and convenience of travel.
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If you need more details on the nearest airport to Kanyakumari and the best travel options for your onward journey, send us your questions in the comments below. We, at Iris Holidays, would be happy to answer all your queries! Happy tripping!
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