INDIALINE
Complete India Travel Guide

Kollam Essential Information

Kollam Backwaters - Kerala

Tourist Information

There`s a District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) tourist information centre near the KSRTC bus stand (open daily 8 am to 7 pm), and at the train station.

You can cash travellers cheques at the Bank of Baroda, or at the DTPC tourist information centre, between 10 am and 2 pm

nternet facility is available at Net 4 You in Bishop Jerome Nagar Complex and also at the DTPC Automation Centre (in the tourist centre).

Getting There

By Air

The closest airport from Kollam is around 67 km away in Thiruvanantpuram. Pre paid taxis are available to fetch you to Kollam from Thiruvanantpuram.

By Rail

Kollam is 159 km south of Ernakulam and takes three to four hour trip. The Trivandrum Mail from Chennai goes through Kollam, as does the Mumbai-Kanyakumari Express and the Mangalore-Thiruvananthapuram coastal service.

The Quilon Mail between Kollam and Chennai (Egmore station) via Madurai in 20 hours.

By Road

Kollam is on the Thiruvananthapuram –Kollam –Alappuzha -Ernakulam bus route. The fast buses (reservations possible) take 1 ½ hours to Thiruvananthapuram; 1 ¾ hours to Alappuzha ; and 3 ½ hours to Ernakulam.

By Boat

There are public ferry services across Ashtamudi Lake to Guhanandapuram (one hour), Muthiraparam (2 ½ hours) or Perumon (2 ½ hours). There are daily ATDC and DTPC tourist boats to Alappuzha The tours either start by bus from the KSRTC bus stand or from one of the town jetties.