Thiruvananthapuram is the main transport hub for traffic along the coast and cross-country. Towns within a couple of hours of the capital - such as Varkala and Kollam - are most quickly and conveniently reached by
bus . For longer hauls though, you're better off travelling by
train as both the private and state (KSRTC) buses tend to hurtle along the recently upgraded coastal highway at terrifying speeds; they're also more crowded.
For an overview of travel services to and from Thiruvananthapuram, see Kerala Travel Details
By air
Thiruvananthapuram's
airport sees daily Jet Airways' and Indian Airlines' flights to
Chennai, Cochin and
Bangalore . Indian Airlines also fly daily to
Mumbai and twice daily to
Delhi . Air India has departures to Mumbai seven days a week to connect with international flights. Indian Airlines fly five times a week to
Malι in the
Maldives and Air Maldives flies the same route daily with additional flights on Fridays and Sundays. Indian Airlines (2 weekly) and Air Lanka (6 weekly) both fly to
Colombo in Sri Lanka.
Indian Airlines have offices at Air Centre, Mascot Jctn (tel 0471/316870), and the airport (tel 0471/451537) while Jet Airways is at Akshaya Towers, 1st Floor, Sasthamangalam Jctn (tel 0471/321018). Air India is at Museum Road, Vellayambalam Circle (tel 0471/310310 or 501205), and the airport (tel 0471/501426), while Air Lanka is based at Spencer Bldg, Palayam, MG Road (tel 0471/322309) and has an office at the airport (tel 0471/501147). Gulf Air, which operates regular flights to various Gulf states, is across town in Vellayambalam (tel 0471/328003 or 501205); and Air Maldives is also on Spencer Road (tel 0471/463531) with an office at the airport (tel 0471/501344). Other Middle East airlines include Saudi Arabian Airlines at Baker Junction (tel 0471/321321) and Oman Airways at Sasthamangalam (tel 0471/328137). British Airways is at Vellayambalam (tel 0471/326604) and KLM at Spencer Junction (tel 0471/463531)
By bus
From the long-distance KSRTC Thampanoor bus stand (tel 0471/323886), frequent services run north through Kerala to Kollam and Ernakulam/Kochi via Alappuzha (3hr 15min). Three buses a day go up to Kumily for the Periyar Wildlife Reserve and there is one bus hourly to Kanniyakumari. Most buses running east and south are operated by the Tamil Nadu State Road Transport Corporation (TNSRTC); these include regular services to Madurai and Chennai. Tickets for all the services we've listed may be booked in advance at the reservations hatch on the main bus stand concourse; note that TNSRTC have their own counter.
By train
Kerala's capital is well connected by train with other towns and cities in the country, although getting seats at short notice on long-haul journeys can be a problem. Reservations should be made as far in advance as possible from the efficient computerized booking office at the station (Mon-Sat 8am-2pm & 2.15-8pm, Sun 8am-2pm). Sleepers are sold throughout Kerala on a first-come, first-served basis, not on local stations' quotas.
