brown wooden boat on body of water near green palm trees during daytime

Alappuzha

Alappuzha is a town on Kerala's backwaters, where houseboats, canals and paddy fields suit a slow stay of a night or two on the water.

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Alappuzha, also called Alleppey, is a town on the Arabian Sea coast of Kerala, in southwestern India. Its canals, lagoons and rivers are part of the Kerala backwaters. Traditional rice barges, called kettuvallams, once carried cargo here. Many are now converted into houseboats. A typical cruise drifts past paddy fields, coconut groves and village houses. Coir, the fiber from coconut husks, is still spun into rope and mats in local workshops.

It suits slow trips, with couples, families and travelers who want a calm base in Kerala. The town also has a beach, so you can split days between water and sand. The best season is roughly November to February, when the weather is drier and cooler. The monsoon, from June to September, brings heavy rain. Plan at least two nights, so you have time for a full day on the water.

Alappuzha in five

Book a houseboat with the route in writingOvernight houseboats leave from the boat jetty in Alappuzha town, and boats differ in size, meals and route. Agree the cruise, meals and check-out time in writing before you pay.
Take the train from Ernakulam JunctionFly into Kochi, then take a taxi or the train from Ernakulam Junction to Alappuzha, which takes about 1 to 1.5 hours.Getting around
Carry rupees in small notesCard payment is limited on village boats, small stalls and many auto-rickshaws, so keep small rupee notes for boatmen, drivers and tea shops.
Pack a rain layer from June to SeptemberThe monsoon brings heavy, sudden showers that can soak an open boat deck. A light waterproof jacket and a dry bag for your phone cover most days.
Set up an eSIM before the backwatersMobile signal thins out on the lake and in the villages. Download offline maps for Alappuzha before you leave the town.Phones and eSIM

Things to do in Alappuzha

See all attractions in Alappuzha

Landmark · AlappuzhaAlleppey BeachGo at sunrise for a quieter beach, or between 4 and 6 pm for the local evening mood with hot tea and bhajjis.

brown wooden bench near palm trees during daytime

Landmark · AlappuzhaAlappuzha Light House

Temple · AlappuzhaKidangamparambu Sree Bhuvaneswari Temple

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to AlappuzhaPut the places you like in Alappuzha on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Currency: Indian rupee (INR)
Entry: e-Visa or visa for most passports; check the official Indian portal Read more
Emergency: 112 all emergencies, 100 police, 101 fire, 108 ambulance
Tipping: Not expected at most places; small tips for boat crew and drivers
Time: UTC+5:30, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear9 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Cool, dry
FebruaryClear7 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Cool, dry
MarchRain17 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Warming up
AprilRain26 rainy daysHigh31°Low27°Hot, humid
MayRain30 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°Hot, showers
JuneRain30 rainy daysHigh29°Low26°Monsoon rain
JulyRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Heavy rain
AugustRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Rain, boat race
SeptemberRain27 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Rain easing
OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Post-monsoon
NovemberRain22 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Clear, pleasant
DecemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Cool, dry

Average daily high and low in Alappuzha, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Alappuzha

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 29°
Humidity: 82%
Wind: 5 km/h
Chance of rain: 88%

Alappuzha

02:06 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today31°24°88%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 88%.
Wed31°24°76%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 76%.
Thu31°24°100%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Fri30°24°100%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sat30°24°100%Saturday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sun30°23°100%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.

Updated 11:10 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR

Amount

Converted to

INR · Indian Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Kochiabout 1 to 1.5 hours by train or roadFort Kochi and Mattancherry, with the Chinese fishing nets and the old Dutch quarter.
Kottayamabout 1 hour by roadNear the Kumarakom bird sanctuary and the Vembanad lake edge.
Ambalappuzhaabout 30 minutes by roadThe Sree Krishna temple, known for its rice pudding offering, palpayasam.

Before you go to Alappuzha

eSIM for KeralaMaps and ride apps on the lake routeRead the guide

Travel insurance for KeralaCover for boat trips and missed trainsRead the guide

Cash and cards in IndiaRupee cash for boats and small stallsRead the guide

Stays on the backwatersHouseboats, town hotels and guesthousesRead the guide

Rules for Alappuzha, checked

Most passports need an e-Visa or a visa for India. Apply on the official Indian e-Visa portal before you fly and keep the approval.Source
Kerala has dry days when bars and liquor shops close. Check the calendar before you plan a drink or a party on a houseboat.
Some temples in Kerala do not admit non-Hindus to the inner shrine. Dress modestly at temples and ask before you photograph people in villages.
Declare cash and goods on the arrival form if you carry more than the allowed amount. Check the current limits on the Indian customs website.

Plan around Alappuzha

All of India

Entry rules, transport and money for an India trip

Read the guide Kerala

Backwaters, beaches and temple towns across the state

Read the guide Getting around

Trains, buses and taxis from Kochi and the airports

Read the guide Visas and entry

Who needs an e-Visa and how to apply

Read the guide Where to stay

Houseboats, guesthouses and town hotels compared

Read the guide Festivals

Boat races and temple festivals in Kerala

Read the guide

Alappuzha FAQ

Is Alappuzha worth visiting?

Yes, for the backwaters, a houseboat night and a slow pace. Two nights gives you a dawn and a dusk on the lake, plus a midday cruise.

Is Alappuzha the same as Alleppey?

Yes. Alleppey is the older English spelling of the same town, and both names still appear on maps and booking sites.

How many days do you need in Alappuzha?

Two nights covers a houseboat overnight, a walk along the beach and a boat trip on the lake. Add a day for Ambalappuzha temple or a trip to Kottayam.

How do you get from Kochi to Alappuzha?

By taxi or bus from Kochi, or by train from Ernakulam Junction. Check timetables on the Indian Railways site before you travel.

When is the Nehru Trophy boat race?

It is held in August on Punnamada Lake, with teams racing long snake boats. Check the exact date with Kerala Tourism before you book a stay.

When is the best time to visit Alappuzha?

November to February for cool, dry weather and clear lake views. June to September brings monsoon rain.