Kochi (കൊച്ചി), Kerala

Kochi, India


Kochi (Malayalam: കൊച്ചി), formerly known as Cochin, is the second biggest city in the state of Kerala in southern India. A major seaport for India, Kochi has a metropolitan population of 1.5 million people. It is the biggest city in India without a Hindu majority.

Jain Temple, Kochi


The history of Kochi goes back at least to AD 1102, when it was the seat of the Kingdom of Cochin. Since then it has been an important spice trading port on the Arabian Sea. In 1503, Kochi fell to the Portuguese, becoming the first European colonial settlement in India. It was later occupied by other forces, including the Dutch, the Mysore and the British.

The city is located on the northern end of a 19-kilometer peninsula that juts into the Arabian Sea. Kochi experiences a tropical monsoon climate. It has a uniform temperature with little seasonal variation, hovering around 26-30°C. The wettest months are between June and September, during the southwest monsoon.

Santa Cruz Basilica, Santa Cruz Basilica, Kochi, India

Planning your trip to Kochi

The Cochin International Airport (COK) is the main gateway to Kochi. It is a major gateway to southern India, receiving most of its flights from Asia and the Middle East. Budget travelers can fly AirAsia from Kuala Lumpur.

You can take the bus or taxi from the airport to downtown Kochi. The Orange Bus goes to downtown Kochi as well as to Fort Cochin. The fare is Rs 60 and Rs 80 respectively. The bus stop is located near the departure gate of the international terminal.

Alternative to buses, you can also take the regular taxis and prepaid taxis. For the regular taxis, go to the taxi stand to the right of the departure gate of the international terminal. For the prepaid taxis, go to the taxi counter at the arrival hall of both the international or domestic terminal. A trip to downtown Kochi will cost you Rs 510 using the non-air-conditioned taxis and Rs 650 for the air-conditioned ones.

Chinese fishing nets, Kochi

Planning your travel within Kochi

As with most other Indian cities, Kochi has plentiful of auto rickshaws. There is a fixed starting rate of Rs 10 for the first 1.25 km and then Rs 6 for every subsequent kilometer, with a surcharge of 15% between 7:00 pm to 6:00 am.

Paradesi Synagogue, Kochi

Places of Interest in Kochi

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