India GOKochi airport (COK) to the city
Cochin International Airport (COK) is at Nedumbassery, north-east of the city: about 30 km to Ernakulam and 37–40 km to Fort Kochi, an hour to an hour and a half by road. It is Kerala's main gateway, with direct flights from the Gulf and across southern India. Into town, the choice is a prepaid taxi, an app cab, or a bus to Aluva and then the metro.
Cochin International (COK), Nedumbassery
Kerala's main gateway, with direct flights from the Gulf and all of southern India. It is about 30 km to Ernakulam and 37–40 to Fort Kochi, an hour to an hour and a half on the road.
Best option
In the June–September monsoon heavy rain interrupts the ferries and the Water Metro, so keep a land route in reserve.
From the airport to the city
Prices are approximate and change; the prepaid counter fixes yours before you leave the building.
- CIAL prepaid taxi (~1–1.5 h)
The counter works around the clock and charges by zone, so the fare is settled indoors: about ₹900–1,100 to Fort Kochi. The simplest option with luggage or after a late flight.
- Uber or Ola (~1–1.5 h)
Both pick up at the airport and, outside peak hours, usually come out ₹200–500 cheaper than the prepaid taxi.
- Bus to Aluva, then the metro (~1.5–2 h)
About 15 km by bus to Aluva metro station (Kochi Metro runs feeder buses from the airport), then the Blue Line straight into the city. The feeder bus costs approximately ₹80 and runs about every 20–30 minutes; with the metro on top it comes to roughly ₹100–150, a fraction of the taxi, and the traffic no longer matters on the second half.
Ernakulam or Fort Kochi: the last leg
The metro is one line of 25 stations from Aluva to Tripunithura and serves the mainland, so it is the natural route to Ernakulam. Fort Kochi is reached over the water: the Water Metro runs from High Court to Fort Kochi in about 20 minutes for ₹40, from 7:00 to 20:00, and the old state ferry crosses from Ernakulam in about 20 minutes for ₹6 until around 21:10. The metro and the Water Metro meet at High Court and Vyttila.
If you land in the evening and are staying in Fort Kochi, the boats may already have stopped by the time you reach Ernakulam; a taxi straight from the airport is then the easier choice. More on the metro and on getting around Kochi.
In the monsoon, keep a land route
From June to September heavy rain interrupts the ferries and the Water Metro. Arriving in those months with a Fort Kochi booking, plan on the road: taxi or app cab all the way.
Terminals
COK has three passenger terminals: T1 for domestic flights, T3 for international flights and T2, a small executive terminal. Check which one is on your ticket before the taxi leaves you. In 2015 COK became the first airport in the world to run entirely on solar power.
Coming by train instead
Kochi has two main stations, both called Ernakulam: Junction (South), the busier one and closer to the centre, and Town (North). The name on the ticket matters. See the railway station page and how to get to Kochi.
FAQ
In which state is Cochin International Airport?
Kerala. It is at Nedumbassery in Ernakulam district, north-east of Kochi.
Which airport do you fly to for Kerala?
Most visitors use Cochin International (COK), Kerala's main gateway and its busiest airport, with direct flights from the Gulf and across southern India.
How far is Kochi airport from Fort Kochi?
About 37–40 km, an hour to an hour and a half by road. Ernakulam is about 30 km.
How much is a taxi from Kochi airport to Fort Kochi?
The prepaid taxi costs about ₹900–1,100; Uber and Ola are often ₹200–500 cheaper outside peak hours.
Is there a metro to Kochi airport?
Not to the terminal. The nearest station is Aluva, about 15 km away, reached by bus; from there the Blue Line runs into the city.
What is the cheapest way from the airport to the city?
The bus to Aluva and then the metro, roughly ₹100–150 for the whole way.
Sources (2)
Facts checked: 15 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.
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