Kerala · Backwaters · Houseboats
Alleppey
Alleppey (Alappuzha) is the gateway to Kerala’s backwaters, a network of canals, rivers and lakes around Vembanad Lake. It is about 470 km from Mysuru, about 10.5 hours by road. Most visitors plan 1–2 days. September to March is the usual best time for Alleppey's backwaters, with December to February the driest and most comfortable.
Why travellers go
A night on a houseboat or a day of canal cruising past paddy fields and villages is the classic Kerala experience.
- Suggested time
- 1–2 days
- State
- Kerala
- Good for
- Backwaters, Houseboats
Best-known sights in Alleppey
- Houseboat cruise: Houseboats, rented with a driver and cook for 12 hours to several days, cruise the canals and lakes for a day or overnight. Houseboats in Alappuzha are not allowed to move at night and stay docked with guests on board.
- Vembanad Lake: Kerala's large backwater lake, at the heart of the canal network around Alappuzha.
- Punnamada Lake: The lake near Alappuzha town where the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held each August.
- Kuttanad: A low-lying farming region of canals and paddy fields known as the rice bowl of Kerala.
- Alappuzha Beach: The town beach on the western edge of Alappuzha, with free entry. Swimming is not advised because the water is deep and currents are strong.
- Alappuzha Lighthouse: A lighthouse beside Alappuzha Beach.
- Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Swamy Temple: A 15th-century Krishna temple south of Alappuzha, known for its paal payasam offering. Paal payasam is given out daily at noon only to those who booked in advance at the stall outside.
- Krishnapuram Palace: An 18th-century palace about 47 km south of Alappuzha, with murals and a museum of antiques and sculptures.
- Marari Beach: A quiet beach at Mararikulam, about 16 km north of Alappuzha town.
- St Andrew's Basilica, Arthunkal: A basilica at Arthunkal in Alappuzha district.
How many days do you need in Alleppey?
Plans for one, two or three days. A starting point only, not a Travel Trendzz package.
One day
- Houseboat day cruise on the backwaters
- Canoe ride through village canals
- Alappuzha Beach and lighthouse at sunset
Two days
- Day 1: Overnight houseboat cruise, Vembanad Lake, Kuttanad paddy fields
- Day 2: Canoe ride through village canals, Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha Beach and lighthouse
Three days
- Day 1: Overnight houseboat cruise, Vembanad Lake, Kuttanad paddy fields
- Day 2: Canoe ride through village canals, Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha Beach and lighthouse
- Day 3: Ambalappuzha Sree Krishna Temple, Krishnapuram Palace
How to reach Alleppey from Mysuru and Bengaluru
From Mysuru
- By road
- About 470 km, about 10.5 hours. Routes through Bandipur (NH 766 towards Wayanad, or NH 67 towards Ooty) are closed to traffic at night, from about 9 pm to 6 am, so plan to cross the forest in daylight.
- By train
- Yes. A daily direct train, the Mysuru-Thiruvananthapuram North Express (16315/16316), runs from Mysuru via Bengaluru, Palakkad and Ernakulam and stops at Alappuzha. Alappuzha station is about 4 km from the town centre. Check current timings on IRCTC.
- By bus
- Bus services run to Alappuzha from Mysuru and Bengaluru; KSRTC (Kerala) buses connect Alappuzha with Kochi in about 1 hour 45 minutes. Check current operators and timings before booking.
- By air
- Cochin International Airport, about 78 km north of Alappuzha.
From Bengaluru
- By road
- About 560 km by road. Check driving time on a live map.
- By train
- Yes. The same daily Mysuru-Thiruvananthapuram North Express runs from Bengaluru to Alappuzha; other trains also link Bengaluru with Alappuzha. Check current trains and timings on IRCTC.
- By bus
- Bus services run between Bengaluru and Alappuzha. Check KSRTC (Kerala), KSRTC (Karnataka) and private operators for current schedules.
- By air
- Cochin International Airport, about 78 km north of Alappuzha.
Road times are approximate; check current timings for trains and buses before you travel.
Best time to visit Alleppey
September to March is the usual best time for Alleppey's backwaters, with December to February the driest and most comfortable. June to August brings heavy monsoon rain, and the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held on Punnamada Lake in August.
| Month | Weather and what to know |
|---|---|
| Jan | Warm and dry, about 23-33°C Dry season. |
| Feb | Warm and mostly dry, about 24-33°C |
| Mar | Hot and humid, about 25-34°C |
| Apr | Hot and humid with showers, about 25-34°C |
| May | Hot with pre-monsoon rain, about 25-33°C |
| Jun | Very wet and windy, about 24-30°C Wettest month; southwest monsoon. |
| Jul | Wet, about 23-29°C Monsoon. |
| Aug | Rainy, about 24-30°C Nehru Trophy Boat Race on Punnamada Lake (22 August in 2026). |
| Sep | Warm with showers, about 24-31°C Backwater season begins. |
| Oct | Warm and rainy, about 24-31°C Northeast monsoon rain. |
| Nov | Warm with some rain, about 24-32°C |
| Dec | Warm and mostly dry, about 23-33°C Dry season. |
Tips for visiting Alleppey
- Houseboats do not cruise at night; they dock in the evening and start again in the morning. Plan sightseeing for the daytime part of the cruise and confirm timings with the operator.
- Book houseboats through reputable operators rather than touts, and book early for the high season.
- Do not swim at Alappuzha Beach unless you are a strong swimmer; the water is deep and currents are strong.
- If you want to see the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, plan for August and check the date announced by the Alappuzha district administration.
- The direct train from Mysuru stops at Alappuzha station, about 4 km from the town centre, so it avoids the night forest-road closure on the drive.
Photos
Travel Trendzz packages that include Alleppey
Prices are given on request; the team sends a quote for your dates and group.
Questions about Alleppey
What is the best time to visit Alleppey?
September to March is the usual best time, and December to February is the driest and most comfortable, at about 23-33°C. June to August brings heavy monsoon rain, though the backwaters are green and quiet. The Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held on Punnamada Lake in August.
How many days are enough for Alleppey?
One to two days suit most visitors. One day allows a houseboat day cruise, a canoe ride and sunset at Alappuzha Beach. Two days allow an overnight houseboat stay on Vembanad Lake and Kuttanad. Add a third day for Ambalappuzha temple and Krishnapuram Palace, or combine Alleppey with Kumarakom or Kochi.
How far is Alleppey from Mysuru and Bengaluru?
Alleppey is about 470 km from Mysuru, about 10.5 hours by road. From Bengaluru it is about 560 km by road. A daily direct train from Mysuru and Bengaluru stops at Alappuzha station, about 4 km from the town centre. Cochin airport is about 78 km away.
Is Alleppey good for families and couples?
Yes. A houseboat with its own crew and cook suits families and small groups, and couples often choose an overnight cruise for the quiet backwater views. Children need supervision on open decks and at the beach, where swimming is not advised. Houseboats stay docked at night, so evenings are calm.
Does Travel Trendzz have a package for Alleppey?
Yes. Munnar & Alleppey Backwater Retreat (3 Nights / 4 Days), Munnar, Thekkady & Alleppey Discovery (4 Nights / 5 Days), Cochin, Munnar, Thekkady & Alleppey (5 Nights / 6 Days) are published Travel Trendzz packages.
Places near Alleppey
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Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources in November 2026. Rules such as entry passes, timings and road closures change, so check before you travel.
Plan your Alleppey trip
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