Transport: in and around kerala
There is absolutely no dearth of local transport in Kerala. You will have no problems in finding the most affordable and readily available means of transportation in Kerala round the clock. You can easily hire a vehicle and go around sight seeing the places. The roads in Kerala are also well built and traffic is not as maddening as it is in bigger cities. In Kerala, local transport can be availed to go to nearby towns and villages also. Read on further to have a general idea about the local transport in Kerala.
Taxis/Cabs
One can find taxis and cabs all over Kerala. You can either hire a taxi by contacting a reliable travel agent or you can ask the hotel you are staying in to arrange a cab for you. Not only taxis, one can also hire a self-driven vehicle and go around the city.
Auto rickshaws
Auto rickshaws are the three-wheelers that you can catch easily anywhere in Kerala. The minimum charge will be Rs 6 up to a distance of 1.5 km beyond which the rate per running kilometer will be Rs 3.50 or 14 paise for every 1/25th part of a kilometer, whichever is applicable. Do ensure to go by the meter only
Buses
The bus service in Kerala is pretty good. Most places are connected through local buses plying from one place to another. These buses are maintained by Kerala Transport Corporation. Apart from that, private owners also have buses that cater to the need of tourists.
Railways
Despite varied geographical features that include hills, backwaters and cliffs, Kerala has a decent service of railways. The total length covered by the railways is around 1050 kilometers. The railways connect important towns and cities with each other.
Airways
Kerala has three major airports namely, Trivandrum, Cochin and Calicut airport. The first two airports also cater to international flights, while the third one is a domestic airport. These three airports are located in strategic locations around the state so that they ca be reached easily.
Boats
Since Kerala is blessed with a long coastline, boats and ships have been used a means of local transport since old times. That tradition is still kept alive. Even today you will find people using boats to move from place to place on the coast as well as the backwaters.
Ports
As Kerala is a coastal state, people use boats and ferries for local transportation and fishing. Kochi is a major port and has been a great center of trade and commerce for centuries. There are some intermediate ports and minor ports in Kerala. Inland water transport system is available in Kollam, Alappuzha, Kottayam and Ernakulam districts.
