Traveling from Ernakulam to Munnar by bus – The comfortable way & the local way.
When it was time for us to leave Fort Cochin, we found out that there were only two options available to get to Munnar from Cochin; the AC bus or the local bus.
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Of course, Kerala is known to be one of the best areas in India for its beautiful and unique nature! Most people will start with Fort Cochin and then go for an epic Munnar trip!
In India, it can be quite challenging to get from a place to another especially if you are on a budget.
It’s quite simple; the websites providing information are sometimes outdated, or sometimes so complicated to understand that it’s easier to get out there and find the answers for yourself!
(Or you could simply consult these Kerala tourism packages!)
When it was time for us to leave Fort Cochin, we found out that there were only two options available to get to Munnar from Cochin; the AC bus or the local bus.
Ernakulam to Munnar by bus | AC Bus
In Fort Cochin, there is a direct AC bus that will bring you to Munnar for approximately INR 420 in 5 hours.
This bus departs daily at 7h30AM and leaves from the bus station in Fort Cochin.
Ernakulam to Munnar by bus | Local Bus
But there’s also a cheaper way to get to Munnar from Fort Cochin. I’d call it the local way which is, of course, likely to be interesting!
Step 1: Reach the ferry station. Of course, depending on the location of your hotel/hostel you might be able to walk to get there.
Then, you can hop on the ferry for INR 4 and it should be the second stop. The ferries leave every half hour or so, and it takes around 15-20 minutes to reach your destination; Ernakulam.
Step 2: Get a tuk-tuk to get to the bus station. As it’s a short 2 km drive, a fair price should be around INR 40.
Step 3: Find the right bus. There are many buses at the bus station.
The destinations are normally written on the front of the bus.
You could always ask a local to find it if you don’t feel like trying on your own. The buses in direction of Munnar depart every hour and take around 5 hours.
The Ernakulam to Munnar bus fare should be INR 99, which is super affordable!
Get ready for a windy bus ride as the bus doesn’t have any windows (or AC). I personally really enjoyed it, especially since the drive to get to Munnar is breathtaking.
There should be stops along the way including two stops of 10-15 minutes.
Where to stop in Munnar, Kerala
If you previously booked your accommodation, you should check where it is, as it might be outside of Munnar town, which could be either on the way there or further up.
You could then ask the driver to drop you earlier. You can also stop in Old Munnar or Munnar town where it should be quite easy to find a ride.
Note that the average price for 5 KM on a tuk-tuk should be around INR 100 or 7 KM for INR 150.
Where to stay in Munnar, Kerala
We had a lot of misadventures in Munnar. Our first night was absolutely perfect as we were staying at Kaivalyam Retreat.
Then, our second night was tricky as we booked the wrong room and we had to hop around hotels to find one that accepts foreigners for a decent price. We didn’t find any hostels around the town, but mostly dodgy guesthouses.
We ended up booking a cheap room just outside the town, but it was quite expensive considering the quality of what we got for our money.
I’d suggest you book your accommodation in advance to avoid wasting time walking around the town to find a “decent” place to stay.
