Ashtamudi ('eight-armed') Lake is Kerala's second-largest backwater, and Kollam was the original departure point for canal boats long before Alleppey became the houseboat capital. The state ferry runs the eight-hour Kollam–Alleppey backwater route for the price of a bus ticket — the cheapest way in India to see the full length of these canals, palm groves and paddy fields. The town itself, a working port for cashew and coir, has real streets rather than a tourist strip.
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When to go
November to February is clearest for the ferry ride. The monsoon backwaters are green and full but the ferry can be suspended in very heavy rain — check before you travel.
Kollam right now and the next 7 days
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Kollam, planned for you
A satellite map for every day with each stop pinned in order, photos of the places, timings, what each part costs, where to sleep and eat, and a checklist. One PDF that works offline: print it, or send it to everyone going.
- Day 1 Arrive in Kollam · Kollam–Alleppey backwater ferry
- TravelBus: Thiruvananthapuram / Kochi → Kollam₹100
- 11:00Kollam–Alleppey backwater ferry₹400
- Day 2 Munroe Island canoe trip
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Kollam on the map
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The area
Getting there
Places to see
Kollam & Ashtamudi · Open in Google Maps ↗
Map by Google. Places are found by name, so check the exact spot in Google Maps before you go.
Step 3 of 11Next: Cost↓What your trip costs
Change anything and the numbers update. Every price is what the bus, room or ticket itself costs. We take no commission and sell no packages, so this is what you pay booking each piece yourself.
Ballpark ranges, not live quotes. Prices last updated 6 October 2026. Prices move with season and demand, so check live fares before you book. Spot a wrong price? Tell us and we fix it.
On the ground: stay, food, local travel and tickets. Pick a route above to add the journey.
Kollam & Ashtamudi in 2 days: a day-by-day plan
Our suggested plan, in a sensible order with times. Move things between days, remove them or add more. It saves on this device, and you can share it.
- 11:00Kollam–Alleppey backwater ferry8 h · ₹400 each · The single best-value backwater experience in Kerala — the same canals as an expensive houseboat, on a public boat.
- Lunch on the way
- 08:00Munroe Island canoe trip3 h · ₹500 each · A network of small islands and canals, quieter than Alleppey or Kumarakom.
- 11:30Kollam beach & Mahatma Gandhi Park1 h · free · An easy evening walk in town.
- 13:00Lunch break
How to get to Kollam
One-way prices per person. The cheapest sensible option is marked. Each button opens live times and fares for the date you picked above.
Getting around once you're there
On foot
FreeThe jetty, market and old town are walkable.
State ferry to Alleppey
₹400An eight-hour public backwater cruise — book at the jetty counter, arrive early for a window seat.
Local ferry to Munroe Island
₹20A short hop to a set of islands formed by a 19th-century canal-cutting project.
Where to stay in Kollam
Price per night for the room. The buttons open live availability for your dates.
Budget
₹800/nightPlain but functional, close to the ferry.
Homestay
₹1,400/nightIsland homestays with canoe trips through the canals.
Mid
₹2,200/nightA few reliable mid-range options near the beach and lake.
What to eat, and what it costs
Kerala meals
₹90Everyday meals houses in the town centre.
Karimeen and prawn dishes
₹200Lake fish is the local specialty.
Cashew snacks
₹50Kollam is India's cashew-processing capital — buy roasted cashews fresh from a local shop.
Places to visit and things to do in Kollam
Tap “Add to my plan” and it goes into your day-by-day plan above.
Kollam–Alleppey backwater ferry
₹400The single best-value backwater experience in Kerala — the same canals as an expensive houseboat, on a public boat.
Munroe Island canoe trip
₹500A network of small islands and canals, quieter than Alleppey or Kumarakom.
Thangassery Lighthouse & beach
₹20A colonial-era lighthouse and old Portuguese fort ruins by the sea.
Kollam beach & Mahatma Gandhi Park
FreeAn easy evening walk in town.
Palaruvi Falls
₹100A tall waterfall about 75 km inland, near the Tamil Nadu border.
Day trips and next stops
Alleppey
₹400Bus or state ferry
Varkala
₹50Bus or train
Thiruvananthapuram
₹80Train or bus
Bus via Tenkasi
Know before you go
Mistakes to avoid
- The Kollam–Alleppey ferry runs once a day and can be suspended in very heavy weather — confirm it is running before you plan your day around it.
- Book the ferry ticket early for a window seat; it fills up in season.
- The eight hours are worth it for the backwaters, but there is little to do once you commit — bring water, snacks and sun protection.
Ways to spend less
- Take the state ferry instead of a private houseboat — the same scenery for a fraction of the price.
- Munroe Island is a quieter, cheaper alternative to Alleppey's more commercial canals.
- Buy cashews direct from a Kollam processing shop — they're fresher and cheaper than anywhere else in Kerala.
Say it in Malayalam
A few words go a long way, especially when you ask a price.
English is widely understood across Kerala.
The pronunciation is a simple guide, not a native recording. Spot a mistake? Tell us.
Before-you-go checklist
Kollam in pictures
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Step 11 of 11Next: FAQ↓Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Kollam & Ashtamudi?
On our month-by-month scores, the best months are Jan–Feb, Nov–Dec. November to February is clearest for the ferry ride. The monsoon backwaters are green and full but the ferry can be suspended in very heavy rain — check before you travel.
How do I reach Kollam & Ashtamudi?
Train: Thiruvananthapuram / Ernakulam → Kollam Junction, 1–2 h, about ₹150 one way. Bus: Thiruvananthapuram / Kochi → Kollam, 1–2 h, about ₹100 one way. Flight + road: → Thiruvananthapuram (TRV), then 1 h, 1 h + 1 h, about ₹5,500 one way.
How much does a 2-day trip to Kollam & Ashtamudi cost?
On the ground (stay, food, local travel and tickets), one person spends about ₹1,800 on a shoestring, ₹3,400 mid-range or ₹6,800 in comfort over 2 days. Add the journey: the cheapest sensible option is bus (Thiruvananthapuram / Kochi → Kollam) at about ₹100 each way.
How many days do you need in Kollam & Ashtamudi?
2 days is right for most people. That covers Kollam–Alleppey backwater ferry, Munroe Island canoe trip, Kollam beach & Mahatma Gandhi Park without rushing.
Is Kollam & Ashtamudi good for families or solo travellers?
Out of 5 on our scores: solo 4, couples 4, families 4, groups 4. It works well for families. It is easy to do on your own.
Is vegetarian food easy to find in Kollam & Ashtamudi?
Easy. Meals houses and Kerala vegetarian food are everywhere in the town.
Will my phone and cards work in Kollam & Ashtamudi?
Phone signal: Good. Cards and UPI: Mid hotels. Cash: Ferry counter, market, small eateries.
Guides for Kollam & Ashtamudi
Longer reads from our blog that cover this trip.
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Make the plan yours
Set your dates and group at the top, shape the days, then book each piece directly.
Back to the planner ↑Costs are indicative ballparks for doing it yourself and change with season and demand. Always check live fares, rates and opening rules before you book. Trip Under is not a travel agency: we don't sell packages or bookings, we take no commission, and we link to maps and official sites, never to booking sites. Every guide is free; our only paid products are optional downloadable trip plans and itineraries. Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences; see credits.
By Gokul · Updated 6 October 2026 · Photo: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author. I would · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves . Feel free to use my photos, but please mention me as the author. I would · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Akhilan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · source · Photo: Surajram Kumaravel · CC BY 2.0 · source · Photo: Akhilsunnithan at Malayalam Wikipedia . · Public domain · source
