Key hubs
Kollam airport and railway station
- Airport
- Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV), about 56 km by road via NH66; roughly 1.5 hours depending on traffic
- Railway station
- Kollam Junction (QLN) in the cantonment area; one of the larger stations in Kerala, with six platforms
- Getting around
- Autos and app taxis in the city; hire a car for Thenmala, Jatayu and Oachira; ferries and boats for Ashtamudi Lake
How to reach Kollam by air
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TRV) is about 56 km away by road, roughly 1.5 hours depending on traffic. Taxis and trains connect it to Kollam.
How to reach Kollam by train
Kollam Junction (QLN) in the cantonment area is the main station, with six platforms. It is on the main line between Thiruvananthapuram and the north, so long-distance trains stop here.
How to reach Kollam by road
Kollam is on NH66, the coastal highway connecting Thiruvananthapuram and Alappuzha. KSRTC and private buses run to nearby towns; the bus station is close to the boat jetty.
Getting around Kollam
Autos and app taxis work in the city. Hire a car with a driver for Thenmala, Jatayu and Oachira. Ferries and boats run from the KSWTD ferry terminal on Ashtamudi Lake.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Kollam
- Take the cable car, not the 826 steps, at Jatayu Earth's Center, and skip the lighthouse stairs if your knees complain.
- Hire a car with a driver for Thenmala, Palaruvi and Oachira; public transport to the hills is slow.
- Drink bottled or filtered water, carry a hat and plan a midday rest; the coast is humid even in winter.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.