Kerala holiday planner: when to go and how long to stay
Everything we tell guests on their first call: the seasons, how many nights you need, and how far places are from each other.
Kerala by season
Oct – Feb
Peak season
Cool, dry and clear. Best for everything; book hotels and houseboats 4–6 weeks ahead, more for Christmas–New Year.
Mar – May
Summer
Hot on the coast, pleasant in Munnar and Thekkady. Good hill-station deals; Eravikulam may close until April.
Jun – Sep
Monsoon
Green and quiet, with the lowest prices. The best time for Ayurveda. Onam falls in August or September.
How many nights do you need?
| Time you have | Suggested package | Route |
|---|---|---|
| 3 nights | Kerala Express: Munnar & Alleppey houseboat | Kochi – Munnar – Alleppey |
| 4 nights | Kerala Classic: Munnar, Thekkady & Alleppey | Kochi – Munnar – Thekkady – Alleppey |
| 5 nights | Kerala family tour: Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady & Alleppey | Kochi – Munnar – Thekkady – Alleppey |
| 6 nights | Kerala Grand: Kochi to Kovalam | Kochi – Munnar – Thekkady – Alleppey – Kovalam |
| 9 nights | Complete Kerala with Kanyakumari | Kochi – Munnar – Thekkady – Kumarakom – Alleppey – Varkala – Kovalam – Kanyakumari |
Driving distances in Kerala
Hill roads are slow. Plan on about 30–35 km an hour in the hills and 40–45 km an hour on the plains.
| From | To | Distance | Drive time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kochi | Munnar | 130 km | 4 h |
| Munnar | Thekkady | 90 km | 3 h |
| Thekkady | Alleppey | 140 km | 4 h |
| Alleppey | Kochi | 55 km | 1.5 h |
| Alleppey | Kovalam | 160 km | 4 h |
| Kovalam | Kanyakumari | 85 km | 2.5 h |
| Alleppey | Varkala | 110 km | 3 h |
Planning questions
Which is better for a first trip, Kerala in winter or monsoon?
Winter (October–February) is easier for a first trip, with reliable weather everywhere. Monsoon suits travellers who want fewer crowds, lower prices or Ayurveda.
Kochi or Trivandrum: which airport should I fly into?
Fly into Kochi for Munnar, Thekkady and Alleppey. Fly out of Trivandrum if you end at Kovalam, Varkala or Kanyakumari, so you don't drive back north.