Overall4.9/10Harder to reach than about 55% of cities
Good to know
Good to Know
- No direct flights to Varkala; Trivandrum airport is the practical entry point (1-2 hours away by road or rail).
- Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station is only 2 km from the town center and beach—train arrival is convenient and economical.
- The Alleppey-Kollam ferry (December–March only) offers a scenic 8-hour backwater experience; factor in a connecting bus or train from Kollam to reach Varkala.
- Bus services run until 10 PM; avoid planning late-night departures from Varkala without pre-arranged transport.
- Local transport (auto-rickshaws, taxis) typically hikes prices for foreign-looking travelers—haggle or request the meter upfront.
- Ola and Uber operate from Trivandrum and nearby areas but availability may vary in smaller towns; pre-book during peak seasons.
- Scooter/bike rental (₹300/day) is popular among nomads and independent travelers for exploring nearby beaches and villages.
- KSRTC and private buses connect Varkala to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka; popular overnight options from distant cities.
Bus
- Location
- Opposite Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station
- Main Hub
- Varkala Bus Stand
- Amenities
- Air-conditioned low-floor buses available; basic seating
- Operating Hours
- 5:00 AM - 10:00 PM
Routes
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
- Cost
- ₹75
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Estimated Duration Hours
- 1.5
Kollam
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Estimated Duration Hours
- 1.5
Kochi (Cochin)
- Cost
- ₹250
- Frequency
- Several daily
- Estimated Duration Hours
- 4
Attingal
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Estimated Duration Hours
- 0.75
Alleppey (Alappuzha)
- Frequency
- Several daily
- Estimated Duration Hours
- 3
Operators
- KSRTC (Kerala State Road Transport Corporation)
- Private operators (Kallada, SBM Transport, VKV Travels, others)
Major Connections
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)
- Trains Available
- Multiple daily
- Estimated Duration Hours
- 1.5
Kollam
- Trains Available
- Multiple daily
- Estimated Duration Hours
- 1
Kochi (Cochin)
- Trains Available
- Several daily
- Estimated Duration Hours
- 4
Bangalore
- Trains Available
- Occasional
- Estimated Duration Hours
- 14
Chennai
- Trains Available
- Several weekly
- Estimated Duration Hours
- 8
Local Transport From Station
Auto-rickshaw
- To Beach
- 5-10 minutes
- Cost Estimate Range
- ₹50
Taxi
- To Beach
- 5-10 minutes
Local Bus
- Cost
- ₹10
Road
- Self Drive
- Well-maintained roads; scenic Kerala coastal/backwater views
- Taxi Rental
- Private cars available via Ola, Uber, and local taxi operators
Highway Connectivity
National Highway 66 (NH 66)
- Connects To
- Trivandrum, Kochi, Kollam
- Description
- Primary road artery connecting Varkala to major cities
National Highway 47 (NH 47)
- Connects To
- Airport to Varkala via alternate route
State Highway 64
- Connects To
- Kallambalam junction to Varkala
Airport
- Code
- TRV
- Name
- Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) International Airport
- Distance Km
- 40
- Travel Time Minutes
- 90
- Description
- Nearest airport serving Varkala with well-established connectivity to major Indian and international cities
Transport Options
Taxi/Prepaid Cab
- Cost
- ₹1,750
- Duration Minutes
- 70
- Notes
- Ola and Uber available; pre-booking recommended during peak seasons
Train From Trivandrum Central Railway Station
- Cost
- ₹300
- Duration Minutes
- 75
- Notes
- 6 km from airport; connects to Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station
Bus (KSRTC)
- Cost
- ₹150
- Duration Minutes
- 120
- Notes
- Budget option; less comfortable with luggage
Ferry Waterway
- Boat Destinations
- Possible arrivals via ship/yacht from Mumbai, Lakshadweep, Goa, Colombo, Male
- Varkala Waterway Connectivity
- Varkala connected to National Waterway 3 via Varkala Tunnel; primarily for scenic tourism rather than primary transport route
- Description
- Scenic backwater routes available via Kerala's waterway network
Alleppey (Alappuzha) to Kollam Ferry (Government Tourist Ferry)
- Cost
- ₹600
- Seasonality
- December to March only
- Travel time
- 8 hours
- Notes
- Food/beverages extra cost; scenic experience; then connect by train or bus from Kollam to Varkala
Local Transport Within Varkala
Auto-rickshaw
- Notes
- Widely available; negotiate fare or request meter; price hikes common for tourists
Taxi
- Notes
- More comfortable for longer trips or groups
Scooter/Bike Rental
- Cost Per Day
- ₹300
- Notes
- Budget-friendly way to explore beaches, temples, villages
Walking
- Notes
- Cliff area pedestrian-friendly with cafes, shops, yoga studios
Local Bus
- Cost Example
- ₹10
- Notes
- Erratic timings; not widely used by tourists due to language barriers
Description
Major railway station well-connected to cities across Kerala and South India
Key Details
- Platforms
- 3
- Trains Daily
- 54
- Station Category
- NSG-3
Main Station
Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station
Station Code
VAK
Notable Trains
Notable Trains
- Vanchinad Express
- Kerala Express
- Jan Shatabdi Express
- Rajdhani Express
Distance From Center Km
2
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this getting there & away research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
More About Varkala
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.