Key hubs
Palakkad airport and railway station
- Airport
- Coimbatore International Airport (CJB) is the nearest, about 62 km away; Cochin (COK) and Calicut (CCJ) airports also serve the city
- Railway station
- Palakkad Junction (Olavakkode, about 4 km from the municipal bus stand) on the Jolarpettai–Shoranur line; Palakkad Town station is in the city centre
- Getting around
- Autos and taxis in town; a hired car is the practical way to reach Malampuzha, Nelliampathy and the forest areas
How to reach Palakkad by air
Coimbatore International Airport (CJB) is the nearest, about 62 km away. Cochin International (COK) and Calicut International (CCJ) airports also serve the city and are farther by road.
How to reach Palakkad by train
Palakkad Junction at Olavakkode, about 4 km from the municipal bus stand, is on the Jolarpettai–Shoranur line and the Palakkad–Pollachi line. Palakkad Town station in the city centre is the secondary station. Shoranur Junction is a nearby hub.
How to reach Palakkad by road
The city is on the national highway corridor through the Palakkad Gap towards Coimbatore, about 50 km away, and is roughly 66 km from Thrissur and 144 km from Kochi. State and private buses link it with the main towns of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
Getting around Palakkad
Autos and taxis work in town. For Malampuzha, Nelliampathy and the forest areas, hire a car with a driver for the day.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Palakkad
- Hire a car with a driver for Malampuzha, Nelliampathy and the forest areas; local buses will cost you time and comfort.
- The Nelliampathy road climbs through hairpin bends. If anyone gets car-sick, take medication beforehand and keep stops frequent.
- 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.