A journey from Thekkady to Kovalam takes you from the verdant forested hills of the Western Ghats to the serene beaches of the Malabar Coast. This 216 km distance from Thekkady to Kovalam can be covered in 5 hours by car, taxi, bus, train, and flight and is easy to plan on a limited budget! This blog highlights the various means of travel available, the estimated cost of each, and tips for ensuring a smooth journey!
Thekkady to Kovalam distance and route
The distance between Thekkady and Kovalam is around 216 km and the journey takes about 5–6 hours by road depending on traffic.
The best route from Thekkady to Kovalam is via Vandiperiyar, Kottayam, Kollam, and Thiruvananthapuram along NH183 and NH66 across scenic Western Ghats routes passing through scenic Western Ghats landscapes with views of spice plantations, towns, and coastal scenery on a 216-km journey ending at Kerala’s famous crescent-shaped beaches.
Read on to learn how to plan your Thekkady to Kovalam trip!
Why visit Kovalam from Thekkady
While Thekkady is famous for its thick jungles, wildlife, spice plantations, and boating opportunities, Kovalam offers a refreshing contrast with its golden shores, turquoise waters, beach markets, seafood, and hippie culture!
Kovalam, with its hip and happening crescent-shaped beaches and laid-back vibe, is the ideal getaway to detoxify the mind, body, and soul!
ALSO SEE – Best Time To Visit Kovalam, Kerala’s Favorite Beach Town
It’s the perfect place to visit after exploring Thekkady’s adventure-packed forests, Periyar River, and exotic wildlife!
When in Kovalam, you can explore top attractions like the Lighthouse Beach and Padmanabhapuram Palace, indulge in water sports like swimming, parasailing, and snorkeling, get a massage or two at any of its Ayurvedic wellness centers, and gorge on local Kerala cuisine and fresh seafood at beach shacks and seaside restaurants.
How to reach Kovalam from Thekkady
The distance between Thekkady and Kovalam is 216 km and takes about 5-6 hours to cover by road in less to moderate-level traffic conditions.
There are several modes of transport available for this journey, and we have provided the details for all of them so you can compare and pick the one that best suits your budget, time availability, and convenience.
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1. Thekkady to Kovalam by car
Whether you drive from Thekkady to Kovalam or take a taxi, you’ll end up having the most comfortable journey where you can ride at your own pace and explore your choice of cities and attractions en route.
You can either book a Thekkady to Kovalam taxi in Thekkady itself or book a prepaid cab online before embarking on your trip. The latter allows you to choose the type of car as per your convenience.
Thekkady to Kovalam car travel estimated cost: INR 1,800/- to INR 2,500/- one-way
(depending on fuel cost and places you explore en route)
Thekkady to Kovalam taxi estimated cost: INR 4,000/- to INR 7,500/- one-way
(depending on car type)
The preferred route for Thekkady Kovalam travel is via NH 66 which takes you through Vandiperiyar and Trivandrum before your final stop in Kovalam. The roads are smooth with minimal tolls and heavy traffic only in Trivandrum.
The whole journey will take you about 5-6 hours and you can explore places like the Alleppey backwaters (with a little detour), Trivandrum beaches, and Padmanabhaswamy Temple en route.
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Thekkady to Kovalam by bus
Public and private buses plying from Thekkady to Kovalam offer a comfortable budget-friendly means of commute. KSRTC connects all cities and towns of Kerala with a reliable and regular bus service that operates on a timely schedule.
There are no direct public and privately operated buses from Thekkady to Kovalam.
You’ll need to take a bus from Kumily Bus Stand in Thekkady to the Thiruvananthapuram KSRTC Bus Terminal. From there, you can take another bus, taxi, or a tuk-tuk to Kovalam located 12 km (25 minutes) away.
A Thekkady to Kovalam bus journey will take you around 8-9 hours depending on traffic and stops along the way.
Thekkady to Kovalam KSRTC bus fare INR 200/- to INR 600/- one-way
(depending on the type of bus – ordinary, fast, deluxe, super deluxe)
Thekkady to Kovalam private bus fare: INR 550/- to INR 1,000/- one-way
Thekkady to Kovalam by train
Kottayam Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Thekkady, located 110 km (2.5 hours) away. Likewise, Thiruvananthapuram Central is the nearest railway station to Kovalam 16 km (45 minutes) away.
This too is a scenic, economical, and laidback travel option for this route. You will need to take a taxi or bus to reach Kottayam station from Thekkady, and Kovalam town from Trivandrum Railhead.
Trains like Veraval Trivandrum Express, Nagercoil Express, Malabar Express, Vanchinad Express, Kanyakumari Express, Trivandrum Mail ply between Kottayam Railway Station and Thiruvananthapuram Central on a daily and weekly basis.
Thekkady to Kovalam train journey would take about 4-5 hours (excluding the travel time between Thekkady-Kottayam and Trivandrum-Kovalam).
Thekkady to Kovalam train fare: INR 100/- to INR 500/-
(second-class ticket for a one-way trip)
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Thekkady to Kovalam by flight
Cochin International Airport is the nearest airport to Thekkady located 145 km (4 hours) away, and you can reach it by taxi or bus.
Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest airport to Kovalam located 13 km (25 minutes). You’ll find several options like taxis, prepaid cabs, buses, and tuk-tuks at Trivandrum Airport to reach Kovalam with ease.
The flight time between these two airports is just one hour. Most find the constant switching of transport involved here to be tiring and frustrating, making it an unnecessarily expensive option for people traveling on a budget, or with kids and senior citizens.
Thekkady to Kovalam flight ticket cost: INR 4,000/- to INR 10,000/- one-way
(for peak season)
Thekkady to Kovalam travel tips
- If you’re traveling by road, begin your journey early in the morning to avoid traffic.
- Don’t forget to pack essentials like water bottles, light snacks, mosquito repellent, flashlights, and a first aid kit.
- Keep a tab on weather updates and traffic conditions via GPS.
- The best time to travel to Kovalam from Thekkady is October to March when the weather is comfortably cool and pleasant and ideal for exploring.
- Carry an umbrella and raincoat as the weather in Kerala can be unpredictable.
- Make a list of rest stops and restaurants along the way in addition to the local attractions you can explore.
- Book your taxis and buses well in advance to avoid last-minute hassles and price hikes, especially in the peak season.
ALSO SEE – How To Travel From Kovalam To Alleppey- Distance, Taxi Fare, Bus & Train
Questions from customers about Thekkady to Kovalam distance
How far is Kovalam from Thekkady?
The distance between Thekkady and Kovalam is around 216 km.
What is the fastest way to travel from Thekkady to Kovalam?
The fastest way is by car or taxi via NH66.
Is there a direct bus from Thekkady to Kovalam?
No, travelers usually change buses at Thiruvananthapuram.
Courtesy of multiple budget-friendly transport options at your disposal, it is super easy to travel from Thekkady to Kovalam and experience a delightful transition from Kerala’s lush hills to its golden coastline! All you have to do is reach out to our team to create the perfect Kerala holiday that lets you enjoy this thrilling journey! Happy tripping!
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