white and blue tent on gray sand during daytime

Kochi (Cochin)

Kochi is a historic port on Kerala's coast and a common first stop for travelers to the state. Fort Kochi has Chinese fishing nets and old churches, and harbor ferries link it to the mainland.

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Kochi, also called Cochin, is a port city on the Arabian Sea coast of Kerala, in southwestern India. Fort Kochi and Mattancherry hold churches, merchant houses and spice warehouses from the Portuguese, Dutch and British periods. Chinese fishing nets line the shore in Fort Kochi, worked by hand at the water's edge. Ernakulam, on the mainland, is the modern side of the city, with the main railway station and busier shops. Harbor ferries link the two sides.

Kochi suits a first trip to Kerala or a stop between the backwaters and the hill stations. Two to three days covers Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and a harbor ferry ride. Kathakali, the Keralan dance-drama, is staged for visitors in the evenings. November to February is the most comfortable time to walk the old streets, and the monsoon from June to September brings heavy rain.

Kochi (Cochin) in five

Base in Fort Kochi for a first visitThe old port packs the nets, St Francis Church, galleries and homestays into walkable lanes. Ernakulam is better only for early trains or a business hotel.Where to stay in Kochi
Use ferries and the Water MetroState ferries and the Kochi Water Metro link Ernakulam with Fort Kochi and the islands, often faster than road traffic over the bridges. Check the operators' current routes and hours.Kochi in 2 days
Allow half a day for Mattancherry and Jew TownThe Dutch Palace, the synagogue and the spice and antiques lanes sit close together. Some sights close one day a week, so check opening days before you walk over.
Book an evening Kathakali or Kalaripayattu showShort performances run in Fort Kochi, and some theaters let you watch the make-up beforehand. Choose one venue and arrive early for a good seat.
Go between November and FebruaryDry, sunny days are the easiest for walking, ferries and the backwaters. From June to September the monsoon brings heavy rain, though prices and crowds drop.Kerala guide

Things to do in Kochi (Cochin)

See all attractions in Kochi (Cochin)

A large white building with a fence around it

Synagogue · Kochi (Cochin)Paradesi Synagogue

Museum · Kochi (Cochin)Mattancherry PalaceTake off your shoes before going in. Photography is allowed without flash, camera use is free, and video recording costs extra.

a large white church with a clock on it's side

Church · Kochi (Cochin)Santa Cruz Roman Catholic Cathedral Basilica Church

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

Need to know

Airport: Cochin International (COK), roughly 40 km from Fort Kochi
Getting there: Flights from Indian cities; trains to Ernakulam Junction or Town
Getting around: Ferries, Water Metro, Kochi Metro, app cabs and auto-rickshaws
Best base: Fort Kochi; Ernakulam for transport and shopping
Time needed: 2 days, or 3 with the backwaters or the tea hills

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear6 rainy daysHigh31°Low24°Dry, sunny
FebruaryClear7 rainy daysHigh32°Low24°Dry, hot
MarchRain14 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Hot, humid
AprilRain24 rainy daysHigh32°Low27°Pre-monsoon
MayRain29 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Rain begins
JuneRain30 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Heavy monsoon
JulyRain30 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Heavy monsoon
AugustRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Monsoon, Onam
SeptemberRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Easing rain
OctoberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Northeast rains
NovemberRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry, pleasant
DecemberClear10 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Dry, busy

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

Right now in Kochi (Cochin)

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

Feels like: 28°
Humidity: 91%
Wind: 7 km/h
Chance of rain: 37%

Kochi (Cochin)

04:08 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today30°25°37%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 37%.
Wed30°25°47%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 47%.
Thu30°25°80%Thursday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 80%.
Fri30°25°94%Friday: Rain. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 94%.
Sat30°25°84%Saturday: Rain. High 30°, Low 25°. Chance of rain 84%.
Sun30°24°92%Sunday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 92%.
Mon30°24°63%Monday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 63%.

Updated 03:46 AM 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

What's on in Kochi (Cochin)

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Every year

JanMakaravilakkuKerala, a day trip
Aug–SepOnamKerala, a day trip

Day trips by train

Alappuzha (Alleppey)about 1.5 to 2 hours by roadHouseboats, canoe canals and paddy fields; best as an overnight, not a rush.Read the guide
Munnarabout 4 hours by winding roadTea estates and cool air; stay two nights rather than make a day of it.Read the guide
Athirappilly Fallsabout 2 to 3 hours by roadA wide waterfall inland, fullest after the monsoon rains.

Before you go to Kochi (Cochin)

Fort Kochi heritage walksSpice, church and food walksCompare day tours

Fort Kochi heritage staysRestored houses and homestaysCheck availability

eSIM for KeralaData for ferries and app cabsRead the guide

Cover for monsoon travelDelays, medical care, cancellationsRead the guide

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Rules for Kochi (Cochin), checked

Most foreign visitors need a visa or e-Visa for India. Check your eligibility and apply only through the official portal, indianvisaonline.gov.in.
Remove your shoes at temples, mosques and churches, and cover your shoulders and knees. Some sites in Fort Kochi also ask women to cover their heads.
Kerala observes dry days when bars and liquor shops close. Check the state excise department notices before planning a night out.
Ask staff before taking photos inside museums, synagogues and palaces, where rules vary.

All Kochi (Cochin) guides

Head to headKochi to Alleppey or Munnar: backwaters or tea hills first?Checked Oct 3, 2026

ItineraryKochi in 2 days: Fort Kochi, Jew Town and the water routesChecked Oct 3, 2026

Where to stayWhere to stay in Kochi: Fort Kochi, Mattancherry or ErnakulamChecked Oct 1, 2026

Plan around Kochi (Cochin)

All of India

Entry rules, regions and trip planning

Read the guide Alappuzha (Alleppey)

Houseboats and canals, about two hours south

Read the guide Munnar

Tea estates and cool hills inland

Read the guide

Kochi (Cochin) FAQ

How many days do you need in Kochi?

Two days cover Fort Kochi, Mattancherry and an evening show at an easy pace. Add a third day if you want a backwater day trip. Kochi works well as the first or last stop of a Kerala route.

Should I stay in Fort Kochi or Ernakulam?

Fort Kochi for atmosphere, walking and homestays. Ernakulam if you have an early train, need a large hotel or plan business errands. The ferry between them takes a short ride and avoids bridge traffic.

Is Kochi worth visiting?

Yes for a slow port town of churches, markets and food, especially as an easy start to Kerala. It is smaller on big monuments than Rajasthan or Delhi, so treat it as an atmosphere stop, not a checklist.

How do you get from Kochi to Alleppey?

By road about 1.5 to 2 hours, or by train from Ernakulam to Alappuzha in roughly an hour. Houseboats leave around midday, so plan to arrive before then and check the rail timetable on the day.

When is the best time to visit Kochi?

November to February is dry and sunny and the easiest for ferries and the backwaters. The June to September monsoon is wet but quiet and green; the Kochi-Muziris Biennale runs in some winters, so check its dates.