Aluva, a bustling town in the Ernakulam district of Kerala, serves as the primary rail gateway to the enchanting hill station of Munnar. If you're embarking on a rail journey to Kerala, and you plan to head Munnar first, it's advisable to disembark at Aluva station. Situated at a distance of approximately 110 kilometres from Munnar, Aluva is the nearest railway station to Munnar and offers a more convenient and time-saving option compared to getting off at Ernakulam Junction.
Contrary to popular belief, Aluva is not only the closest railway station to Munnar but also to Cochin International Airport. However, Angamaly railway station, located about 10 kilometres from the airport, is a smaller station with limited long-distance train services. Therefore, Aluva, with its larger station and more frequent train connections, becomes the preferred choice for travellers seeking convenience.
Additionally, Aluva is the nearest railway station to Thekkady, another popular tourist destination in Kerala. Although the journey time from Aluva to Thekkady is relatively longer than to Munnar, the convenience of having both the railway station and bus station in Aluva within walking distance makes it an ideal transit point. Frequent bus services operate from Aluva to Munnar and Kumily (the gateway to Thekkady).
As a Kerala-based tour operator with extensive experience in organising customised itineraries, we highly recommend our guests to alight at Aluva railway station if they are heading to Munnar or Thekkady. This strategic choice not only saves time but also minimises the hassle of multiple transfers, allowing for a seamless continuation of your journey.
For Maddie & Party, our guests who recently did a rail journey from Mumbai to Kochi, it took hardly five minutes to get out of Aluva railway station, get into the car and they easily moved out on the road to Munnar in a very short time.
For those planning to visit Ernakulam or Fort Kochi, getting down at Ernakulam Town or Ernakulam Junction stations works best. The Aluva station works only when you intend to travel to Munnar immediately upon arrival in Kochi.
Check out our popular - Customisable Five days Kerala tour program which is a brief program which allows you to see the best of Kerala within a short span of time.