🗺️ How to Reach Kollam

Complete guide to reaching Kollam by train, bus, air and boat — with distances, timings, and travel tips from major Indian cities

✈️ Air
🚂 Train
🚌 Bus
🚢 Boat
🚗 Road

Kollam is exceptionally well-connected — it sits on the main Thiruvananthapuram–Mumbai railway line, has multiple daily express buses from Thiruvananthapuram (74 km), and is just 70 km from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. The city is also linked by the famous backwater boat route to Alleppey.

🚌 Getting to Kollam

Airplane airport terminal Kerala flight arrival

✈️

By Air

Nearest Airport: Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) — 70 km from Kollam. Direct flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Dubai, Riyadh, and Singapore. From the airport, take a KSRTC bus (~₹60) or taxi (~₹1,200) to Kollam.

🚂

By Train

Kollam Junction (QLN) is a major railhead on the Thiruvananthapuram–Mumbai trunk line. Daily trains from Thiruvananthapuram (1.5 hrs), Ernakulam (3.5 hrs), Mumbai (36 hrs), and Delhi (48+ hrs). The Parasuram Express and Jan Shatabdi are popular services.

Bus station KSRTC Kerala long-distance bus travel

🚌

By Bus

KSRTC operates frequent AC and non-AC buses from Thiruvananthapuram (every 15–20 mins, ₹50–120), Alleppey (3 hrs), Kochi (4 hrs), and Bangalore (12 hrs overnight). Private Volvo sleeper buses from Bangalore and Kochi are also available.

Kerala backwater boat cruise Kollam Alleppey route

🚢

By Backwater Boat

The scenic ATDC Kollam–Alleppey boat cruise departs daily at 10:30 AM, arriving Alleppey at 6:30 PM (85 km, 8 hours). A unique and memorable way to “arrive” at or depart from Kollam through the legendary Kerala backwaters.

📏 Distance from Key Cities

From City	Distance	Train Duration	Road Duration
Thiruvananthapuram	74 km	1.5 hrs	1.5 hrs
Alleppey (Alappuzha)	85 km by boat	2.5 hrs	2 hrs
Kochi (Ernakulam)	151 km	3.5 hrs	3.5 hrs
Kottayam	100 km	2.5 hrs	2.5 hrs
Bangalore	520 km	12 hrs	9 hrs
Chennai	680 km	14 hrs	11 hrs
Mumbai	1,565 km	36 hrs	26 hrs

🚂 Travel Tips: The Jan Shatabdi Express (Thiruvananthapuram–Ernakulam) is the fastest train option. Book train tickets on IRCTC at least 60 days in advance for Onam season. Within Kollam, auto-rickshaws are the best way to get around (₹30–100 for most city routes). Uber and Ola are also available. The KSRTC bus station and railway station are less than 1 km apart.

🗺️ Ready to Visit Kollam?

Plan your complete trip with our guides on accommodation, attractions, and best times to visit

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