Kerala · Backwaters · Coast
Kollam
Kollam is an old port town in southern Kerala on Ashtamudi Lake, one of the state’s largest backwater lakes. It is about 560 km from Mysuru, about 12.5 hours by road. Most visitors plan 1–2 days. December to March is the driest time in Kollam, and Kerala Tourism names October to March as the best time for Ashtamudi Lake.
Why travellers go
Visitors use it for Ashtamudi backwater trips and the canal journey towards Alappuzha.
- Suggested time
- 1–2 days
- State
- Kerala
- Good for
- Backwaters, Coast
Best-known sights in Kollam
- Ashtamudi Lake: A backwater lake of about 170 sq km with eight arms, often called the gateway to Kerala's backwaters; houseboat, motorboat and canoe trips run on it.
- Kollam to Alappuzha cruise: An eight-hour backwater cruise of about 55 km through Ashtamudi Lake and canals to Alappuzha. It takes a full day, so plan it as a one-way trip.
- Munroe Island: A group of eight small islets where Ashtamudi Lake meets the Kallada River, about 25 km from Kollam, known for village life, coir work and canoe tours.
- Thangassery Lighthouse: A lighthouse in the old Christian quarter of Thangassery that visitors can climb.
- St Thomas Fort (Thangassery Fort): The limited standing ruins of a colonial fort at Thangassery. The grounds are overgrown; watch for snakes.
- Kollam Beach: The city's main beach, with a children's park nearby. Wikivoyage advises against swimming here.
- Jatayu Earth's Center: A rock-top nature park at Chadayamangalam, about 38 km from Kollam, with a bird sculpture 200 ft long; reached by cable car or an 826-step walkway.
- Sasthamkotta Lake: Described as the largest freshwater lake in Kerala, a Ramsar wetland about 25 km from Kollam, named after an old Sastha temple on its bank.
- Palaruvi Falls: A waterfall about 91 m high at Aryankavu in Kollam district.
- Infant Jesus Cathedral: A Portuguese-era church in Kollam, established in 1614.
How many days do you need in Kollam?
Plans for one, two or three days. A starting point only, not a Travel Trendzz package.
One day
- Boat ride on Ashtamudi Lake
- Thangassery Lighthouse and St Thomas Fort ruins
- Infant Jesus Cathedral
- Sunset at Kollam Beach
Two days
- Day 1: Canoe ride through Munroe Island, Thangassery Lighthouse, Sunset at Kollam Beach
- Day 2: Jatayu Earth's Center, Chadayamangalam, Sasthamkotta Lake
Three days
- Day 1: Canoe ride through Munroe Island, Thangassery Lighthouse and St Thomas Fort ruins, Sunset at Kollam Beach
- Day 2: Jatayu Earth's Center, Chadayamangalam, Sasthamkotta Lake
- Day 3: Day-long backwater cruise from Kollam to Alappuzha
How to reach Kollam from Mysuru and Bengaluru
From Mysuru
- By road
- About 470 km, about 7-8 hours of driving, usually via Coimbatore or via Wayanad and Kochi. Night traffic through Bandipur forest is restricted from 9pm to 6am.
- By train
- The daily Mysuru-Thiruvananthapuram North Express (16315/16316) runs direct from Mysuru Junction to Kollam Junction via Bengaluru, Salem, Coimbatore, Ernakulam and Alappuzha; the trip takes about 18 hours.
- By bus
- No direct bus listed; one option is a bus to Coimbatore and another on to Kollam, about 13 hours in all.
- By air
- Fly from Bengaluru to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 56-70 km from Kollam, and continue by road or train.
From Bengaluru
- By road
- About 665 km, about 10 hours of driving, via Salem, Coimbatore, Palakkad, Thrissur, Kochi and Alappuzha.
- By train
- The daily Mysuru-Thiruvananthapuram North Express (16315) stops at KSR Bengaluru and Bengaluru Cantonment and runs to Kollam Junction;lists the trip from Bengaluru Cantonment at about 14 hours.
- By bus
- Inter-state buses run between Bengaluru and Kollam; the trip is about 11-12 hours.
- By air
- Fly to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, about 56-70 km from Kollam.
Road times are approximate; check current timings for trains and buses before you travel.
Best time to visit Kollam
December to March is the driest time in Kollam, and Kerala Tourism names October to March as the best time for Ashtamudi Lake. June and July are the wettest months, and October and November still bring heavy showers.
| Month | Weather and what to know |
|---|---|
| Jan | Dry and warm, about 23-31°C Driest month, about 18 mm of rain. |
| Feb | Dry and warm, about 23-31°C |
| Mar | Hot and humid, about 25-32°C |
| Apr | Hot, first showers, about 26-32°C |
| May | Hot, pre-monsoon rain, about 25-31°C |
| Jun | Monsoon, wettest month, about 24-29°C About 518 mm of rain. |
| Jul | Monsoon rain, about 24-29°C About 381 mm of rain. |
| Aug | Rainy, about 24-29°C |
| Sep | Rainy spells, about 24-29°C |
| Oct | Heavy showers, about 24-30°C About 300 mm of rain. |
| Nov | Showers, about 24-29°C |
| Dec | Mostly dry, about 23-30°C |
Tips for visiting Kollam
- Do not swim at Kollam Beach; Wikivoyage warns that untreated sewage reaches the water.
- Kollam is a major cashew-processing centre, so it is a good place to buy cashews.
- Jatayu Earth's Center tickets are bought online; book before you go.
- The direct train from Mysuru and Bengaluru is the easiest way in; Kollam Junction is the nearest station for Ashtamudi Lake.
Photos
Travel Trendzz and Kollam
Travel Trendzz has no published package for Kollam yet. The team plans custom trips; ask for a quote with your dates and group. For a car with a driver from Mysuru, see taxi service in Mysore.
Questions about Kollam
What is the best time to visit Kollam?
December to March is the best time to visit Kollam, as these are the driest months. Kerala Tourism names October to March as the best season for Ashtamudi Lake. June and July are the wettest months, with heavy monsoon rain, and October still brings about 300 mm of rain.
How do I reach Kollam from Mysuru or Bengaluru?
The easiest way is the daily Mysuru-Thiruvananthapuram North Express, which runs direct to Kollam Junction from Mysuru and Bengaluru. By road, Kollam is about 665 km from Bengaluru and about 470 km from Mysuru, a long day's drive. The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram.
Can you take a backwater cruise from Kollam to Alappuzha?
Yes. A backwater cruise runs from Kollam to Alappuzha, taking about eight hours and covering about 55 km through Ashtamudi Lake and canals. It fills a whole day, so plan your stay in Alappuzha that night. Shorter canoe rides at Munroe Island are a good choice for families with small children.
Is Kollam good for families and couples?
Yes, Kollam suits both families and couples. Families can enjoy the Jatayu Earth's Center cable car, Thangassery Lighthouse and boat rides on Ashtamudi Lake. Couples often like canoe rides through Munroe Island and quiet evenings by the lake. Avoid swimming at Kollam Beach, and plan around the heavy June-July rain.
Does Travel Trendzz have a package for Kollam?
Not a published one. The team plans custom trips to Kollam on request.
Places near Kollam
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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.
- keralatourism.org › 426
- en.wikipedia.org › Kollam
- en.wikipedia.org › Munroe Island
- en.wikivoyage.org › Kollam
- en.wikipedia.org › Jatayu Earth's Center Nature Park
- en.wikipedia.org › Sasthamkotta Lake
- en.wikipedia.org › Palaruvi Falls
- cleartrip.com › bangalore to kollam route
- cleartrip.com › mysore to kollam route
- rome2rio.com › Kollam
- en.wikipedia.org › Mysuru–Thiruvananthapuram North Express
- holidify.com › how to reach
- en.wikipedia.org › Bandipur National Park
Plan your Kollam trip
Tell the trip planner your dates, group and budget. Nothing is booked until you confirm with the team.
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