Alappuzha Houseboat Travel Guide
Alappuzha : Alappuzha or Alleppey also known as Venice of the East is a picturesque town in South Kerala with backwaters, canals, lagoons and beaches.
House boats : House Boats or Kettuvalloms are large boats about 67 feet in length and 13 feet width (middle), made with wood (normally Anjili wood) using traditional ancient Kerala boat making principles.
House Boats were initially used for transportation of goods through water bodies in Kerala in ancient times. When new modes of transportation gained popularity house boats lost its importance as a good carrier and slowly entered in to a new arena as tourist carrier.
Today there are around 1000 houseboats in Alappuzha and Kumarakom which carries thousands of Indian and foreign tourists every day. Cruising near the picturesque paddy fields in Kuttanad (also known as rice bowl of Kerala) through backwaters and other water bodies in Kerala is a great experience one cannot forget for a lifetime.
How to Reach Alleppey
By Air : Nearest Airport is Kochi or Cochin (Nedumbassery) International Airport which is 65 km away and can reach by around 2 hours. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport is 160km away and can be reached in 4 hours.
By Train : Alleppey is well connected with many major Indian cities via Indian Railway. Some important trains terminate/passes through Alleppey are Chennai-Alleppey Express, Netravati Express, Ahalyagiri Express, Tata-Alleppey Express, Bangalore Exp, Shalimar Exp etc
By Bus : Since National Highway 47 passes through Alappuzha, it is easy to find a bus to nearest cities like Thiruvananthapuram or Kochi. Kerala State Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses are available to all nerby towns like Haripad, Kollam, Kottayam, Thakazhy, Cherthala, Kayamkulam etc. But If inter state buses are rare as most of the volvo luxury coaches from Chennai and other parts of Tamil Nadu terminates at Kochi or Thiruvananthapuram. Again you have to take a KSRTC bus to reach Alappuzha but luxury buses to Thiruvananthapuram from Bangalore passes through Alappuzha.
By Car : From South Part of Kerala and Tamil Nadu : Thiruvananthapuram – Kollam – Kayamkulam – Haripad – Ambalappuzha – Alappuzha. If you from North Kerala or other parts of Tamil Nadu or Karnataka then Kochi – Cherthala – alappuzha.
How to Hire a Houseboat : Houseboat can be hired/rent for day cruise or over night cruise.
Overnight Cruise : Normally starts around 11am, cruise through canals and backwaters and reach shore around 6pm, stay there till morning 6am and again cruise till 9am and check out. First day lunch, evening tea, dinner and next day break fast included with the package with traditional kerala vegetarian or non vegetarian food depends on tourist’s preference.
Day Cruise : People who doesnt have enough time to spend a night in Alleppey normally choose this package. 6 to 8 hours cruise through the water bodies.
Type of Houseboats : There are many types and varieties of house boats available in alleppey and kumarakom like with and without deck, a/c and not a/c house boats, singe bed room boats to 7 bed room super luxury house boats, budget/low cost/affordable boats to luxury boats.
Booking a House Boat Travel : If you are planning for a house boat travel in Alappuzha pleae mail us or contact for a customized package which suits your time, budget and other preference. contact us
