India GOKochi railway station: which Ernakulam you need
Search the timetable for "Kochi" and you will find nothing useful: the city's trains stop at Ernakulam Junction (code ERS, also called Ernakulam South) or Ernakulam Town (ERN, the old Ernakulam North). Junction is the bigger and busier of the two; Town takes part of the long-distance traffic. Both sit on the mainland, and Fort Kochi is a ferry ride away.
By train
Two stations, both called Ernakulam: Junction (South) is the busier one and closer to the centre, Town (North) takes part of the long-distance traffic. The name on the ticket matters.
Long-distance buses
KSRTC comes in from Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Bengaluru; private sleepers use Kaloor and the Vyttila Hub, which is also where the metro and the Water Metro meet.
Two stations, one city
The name on the ticket matters more than the city name. Look for the station code before you go to the platform: ERS and ERN are separate stations in different parts of the city, and they are not interchangeable at the last minute.
Ernakulam Junction (ERS), also Ernakulam South
The main station of Kochi and one of the busiest in Kerala, run by Southern Railway's Thiruvananthapuram division. Six platforms and two entrances, the main one and the eastern one. Lines leave in four directions: north towards Palakkad, Bengaluru and Chennai and up the coast towards Kozhikode and Mumbai; south to Thiruvananthapuram via Alappuzha; east to Thiruvananthapuram via Kottayam; and south-west towards Willingdon Island. Many long-distance trains start here, among them the Vande Bharat to Bengaluru. Ernakulam South metro station on the Blue Line is right next to it.
Ernakulam Town (ERN), also Ernakulam North
The second station, in the north of the city between Kaloor and Kacheripady, with two platforms. It is the main Ernakulam stop for many trains running through on the Kottayam line, so check which of the two stations your train uses. The nearest metro station is Town Hall, on the same Blue Line.
The main routes from Ernakulam
Approximate journey times and fares; check the current timetable and fare on the Indian Railways booking site before you travel.
| Bengaluru, Vande Bharat | About 8 h 40 min in a chair car, six days a week; approx. ₹1,400–1,500. |
| Bengaluru, night trains | Island Express and other overnight trains, about 10–12 hours; from approx. ₹400 in sleeper class. |
| Thiruvananthapuram | Frequent expresses, the Vande Bharat among them, about 3.5–4.5 hours. |
| Alappuzha, Thrissur, Chengannur | The short regional hops for the backwaters, Thrissur and Aranmula leave from the Ernakulam stations; trains and buses to Alappuzha are the usual way to the Nehru Trophy boat race. |
From the station to Fort Kochi
Fort Kochi looks far on the map and is easy in practice: the harbour is the shortcut. Ernakulam's roads jam, and the boat often arrives first. See getting around Kochi for the whole network.
- Get to the waterfront
An auto-rickshaw takes you from the station to a jetty, from approx. ₹30; agree the fare before you get in.
- Water Metro from High Court
Air-conditioned electric boats from High Court to Fort Kochi in about 20 minutes for about ₹40, from 7:00 to 20:00, every 15 minutes at peak. The metro connects with the Water Metro at Vyttila.
- Or the state ferry
The old SWTD boats cross from the Ernakulam jetty to Fort Kochi in about 20 minutes for about ₹6, from around 6:00 to 21:10. Same water, no air conditioning, the wind in your face.
- With heavy luggage, a cab
Uber and Ola work normally, from approx. ₹150 for rides around Ernakulam; the drive to Fort Kochi goes round by the bridges and takes longer than the boat.
Metro, airport and bus stands
Metro: the Blue Line runs one route of 25 stations from Aluva to Tripunithura, approx. ₹10–60 a ride. Ernakulam South serves the Junction and Town Hall serves Ernakulam Town, so moving between the two railway stations is a short metro ride.
Airport: Cochin International (COK) is about 30 km from Ernakulam. The CIAL prepaid taxi counter works around the clock and charges by zone; the budget route is a bus to Aluva metro station (about 15 km) and the Blue Line from there, approx. ₹100 for the whole way and about 1.5–2 hours. More on the airport page.
Long-distance buses: KSRTC buses arrive from Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Bengaluru; private sleepers use Kaloor and the Vyttila Hub, where the metro and the Water Metro also meet.
Before you travel
- Book early for Onam and the holidays — Tickets go on sale 60 days ahead. Around Onam and from Christmas to New Year the Kerala corridors fill first, so lock the long-distance leg before the room.
- Keep a land route in the monsoon — From June to September heavy rain interrupts the ferries and the Water Metro; if a boat is cancelled, take the metro or a cab.
- Check the last boat — Arriving late in the evening, plan the crossing: the Water Metro stops around 20:00 and the state ferry around 21:10. After that it is a cab.
A wayside halt that became the hub
Ernakulam Junction opened in 1932 as Ernakulam South, a small stop on the way to Cochin Harbour Terminus on Willingdon Island, then the busier station because of the port. It became a junction when the Kottayam line opened in 1956 and grew into the main station of central Kerala after the coastal line to Alappuzha opened in 1989.
FAQ
What is the railway station code for Kochi?
There is no single Kochi code. The main station is Ernakulam Junction, ERS; the second is Ernakulam Town, ERN.
Is Kochi Junction the same as Ernakulam Junction?
In practice, yes: when people say Kochi or Cochin railway station they usually mean Ernakulam Junction (ERS). Check the code on your ticket, as some trains use Ernakulam Town (ERN) instead.
How do I get from Ernakulam South metro station to the railway station?
Ernakulam South metro station on the Blue Line is next to Ernakulam Junction, so it is the stop to use for the Junction. For Ernakulam Town, use Town Hall.
How do I get from Ernakulam Junction to Fort Kochi?
By water is quickest: an auto-rickshaw to the jetty, then the Water Metro from High Court (about 20 minutes, about ₹40) or the state ferry from the Ernakulam jetty (about 20 minutes, about ₹6). A cab works but goes round by road.
Where is the bus stand in Kochi?
Long-distance buses use several stands: KSRTC services arrive from Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode and Bengaluru, and private sleepers stop at Kaloor and the Vyttila Hub, which is also a metro and Water Metro interchange.
Sources (5)
Facts checked: 15 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.
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