Kochi Airport is India’s first fully solar-powered airport and the primary gateway to Kerala. It’s fairly efficient as Indian airports go, with three terminals laid out in a straightforward manner. Despite being one of the busiest airports in India for international passenger traffic, it’s generally easy to move through with a little know-how.
Navigating Kochi Airport
It’s helpful to know going in that Kochi Airport is located a ways from the city of Kochi itself and from the popular tourist area of Fort Kochi. You should count on at least an hour to get to and from depending on traffic conditions, and most journeys will be by car or taxi.
As you approach, keep an eye out for the massive solar power plant just adjacent - it’s a nice thing to witness. You’ll be headed to Terminal 1 (domestic) or Terminal 3 (international), which aren’t far from each other. Terminal 2 exists as the Business Jet Terminal for private flights and charter operations.
You’ll face the usual Indian airport procedure of lining up to enter the terminal with your ID and boarding pass. I always recommend printing documents in case the digital version hits a snag, though in theory everything on your phone works fine.
A note on security
Airport security in India is meticulous and Kochi is no exception. You should plan to remove literally everything electronic from your bag including chargers. I’ve had all kinds of things scrutinized and confiscated, including seemingly innocuous things like electrical tape. Go in with plenty of time, take a few deep breaths and just be patient.
A unique aesthetic
Although the terminals look less modern and flashy than your typical airport, I’ve always kind of enjoyed the unique look Kochi has going. The airport employs a “heritage” aesthetic drawing on local architecture and some sections use quite a bit of wood. Another personal favorite feature of mine: if passing through the international Terminal 3, don’t miss the collection of life-size elephant statues, a nod to the local Thrissur Pooram festival.
Coming upgrades and terminal expansion
Kochi Airport has a series of improvement projects and expansion works underway under its “Flying into Tomorrow” initiative, so you may arrive to find some construction ongoing, especially at Terminal 3 where Phase 1 of the expansion has commenced. The works include new apron space on the northern flank of Terminal 3 with additional aircraft bays and aerobridges, so they shouldn’t be an issue.
DigiYatra and facial recognition
If you travel through Indian airports you may notice lanes marked “DigiYatra” at the various checkpoints. This is a facial recognition system that speeds up the process and is operational at the domestic terminal.
Kochi has also launched Fast-Track Immigration (FTI-TTP) e-gates for international processing available to Indian citizens and OCI cardholders. So if you plan to fly quite a bit around India, watch this space!
Getting to and from Kochi Airport
Getting between the airport and Kochi city usually means taking a taxi - it’s the most straightforward option and the cost isn’t exorbitant. That’s what I do. Public transport options exist if you want to avoid traffic, which in India can always get bad and unpredictable.
Taxi
The airport has pre-paid taxis and ride-hailing options including Uber. I almost always call an Uber as it’s cheap and straightforward, though pre-paid taxis bookable in the arrivals hall work fine - they’re just a bit more expensive. Ubers can also be booked for longer distance travel.
Bus
There are KSRTC public bus services connecting the airport to various city points (check the timings at the airport to be sure). The state-run KSRTC operates these services to different areas of the city.
Shuttle to metro
There’s currently no metro connection directly to Kochi Airport but you can catch a feeder service (called Pavandoot) operated by KMRL to the Aluva Metro station. Look for signs at arrivals for the shuttle schedule. Another option, if you don’t want to wait for the shuttle, would be to take a taxi to the metro and then onward into the city. But honestly, I’d only really recommend the metro option if traffic is really bad.
Airlines & destinations
Kochi has quite a few flights every day, most of them fanning out to points around India in addition to several flights to the Gulf hubs like Doha and Dubai, plus flights to Southeast Asia including Thai Airways and Lion Air to Bangkok, and VietJet to Ho Chi Minh City. The airport has also added London services among its international destinations.
There’s also a good amount of service from low-cost airlines in Asia, which makes getting to and from here affordable and easy if you’re putting together a combined trip with Thailand or Vietnam especially. Note that low-cost carrier IndiGo also serves most of the major Middle Eastern airports from here, which can be another money saver. They offer a basic service but it tends to work well and on time.
Lounges
Kochi has two lounges where all passengers can access them for a fee, one in the domestic Terminal 1 and one in the international Terminal 3. They are both called Earth Lounge, and while they’re nothing special, they’re a bit calmer than the main terminal and offer some decent amenities. Plus, kids under seven get in free. Priority Pass cardholders can also access these.
Airport Wi-Fi
Free Wi-Fi is available, though like at many Indian airports, the authentication process can be tricky for international visitors who don't have an local phone number. I’ve had luck asking someone at the help desk to receive the password for me, though you never know. Cut out the uncertainty by having an eSIM installed with a local data package.
What to do on a layover
Heading into Kochi makes sense only if you have pretty much a full day to work with - the charming city is typically 45 to 90 minutes away from the airport depending on traffic.
If you do have a full day and you don’t feel like an urban experience, consider the Athirapally Waterfalls. These are roughly an hour away by car depending on traffic, but in the opposite direction in the mountains and they’re very beautiful. It could be worth the drive for a jungle experience if you’re looking for a nature escape.
For something closer, head to Kalady, about 10 to 15 minutes away depending on traffic. It’s a temple, gallery and ashram that will give you a good dose of culture without a long trip.
Airport hotels
Kochi Airport offers a good selection of airport hotels that are convenient to reach from the terminals. A number are within a reasonable walking distance (though it does require walking along Indian roads so some may prefer a shuttle, but it’s nice to have the option). And there is one within the airport itself.
Within the airport complex itself, you’ll find the new Taj Cochin International Airport hotel which opened recently, and the 0484 Luxury Aero Lounge for transit accommodation. These make a sensible option for pure convenience. There are also several hotels within a reasonable distance of the airport, though my favorite is the Courtyard by Marriott, a little further down the road – it’s the most comfortable option in my opinion.
The viewing gallery
If you find yourself with time to kill before going through security or perhaps while waiting for an incoming passenger, there is a “viewers gallery” here from which you can have a nice view of the ramp and runway. Unfortunately, they charge for entry, whereas at most airports in the world observation decks like this are usually free. However, it’s not a huge amount, and it’s a nice little spot especially if you appreciate some light planespotting.
This KAYAK-commissioned article is presented as-is, for general informational purposes only, and may not be up-to-date. The opinions contained in the article are original to the author and reflect their authentic experience, which may vary significantly from the experience of others.
