white and brown concrete building near body of water during night time

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

Kerala's capital, with a major Vishnu temple, a museum in an Indo-Saracenic building, and a short drive to the beaches of Kovalam.

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Thiruvananthapuram is the capital of Kerala, on the Arabian Sea coast in the far south of India. Older maps and many English-language sources call it Trivandrum. Its best-known site is Padmanabhaswamy Temple, a Vishnu temple inside the old fort area. Non-Hindus cannot enter the inner shrine, and dress rules apply at the gate, so read the signs before you go. The Napier Museum, housed in an Indo-Saracenic building, holds art, crafts and natural history collections.

The city works as a base for Kovalam, a beach area about 16 km south, or Varkala, a coastal town with cliffs to the north. Decide whether to sleep in the city for the temples or on the coast for the beaches. Plan one or two days in the capital before heading to the sea. The best season is roughly October through March, when the weather is cooler and drier. The monsoon from June to September brings heavy rain and rough seas.

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) in five

Check the Padmanabhaswamy temple rulesThe temple admits only Hindus and enforces a strict dress code. Non-Hindu visitors can still see the outside and the surrounding streets, so plan the day around other sights.Kerala travel guide
Use the airport as your gatewayThe airport is close to the city and handles flights from other Indian cities and the Gulf. It saves a long road leg if you are heading to Kovalam or Varkala.Kovalam travel guide
Stay on the coast, not in the centerThe city has museums and temples but the beaches are what most travelers come for. Kovalam is about 16 km south and Varkala about 50 km north.Varkala travel guide
Allow a half day for the Napier Museum areaThe museum, zoo and park cluster sits in one part of the city, and the Kuthiramalika palace museum is near the temple. Check opening days before you go.
Book trains from Thiruvananthapuram Central earlyServices run north along the Kerala coast to Kochi and beyond, and popular departures fill quickly in the winter season.Getting around India

Things to do in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

See all attractions in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

Museum · Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)Napier MuseumEach part of the complex, including the Natural History Museum, needs its own ticket, so decide what you want to see before you queue.

Theater · Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)Christ Church Centenary Hall

Gallery · Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)Raja Ravi Varma Paintings Art Gallery

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

Need to know

Getting there: Thiruvananthapuram airport, about 6 km from the center
Getting around: Auto rickshaws, taxis and app cabs; buses on main routes
Best base: Kovalam or Varkala for beaches; the city for a night
Time needed: 1 to 2 days in the city; longer on the coast
Temple rule: Padmanabhaswamy: Hindus only, with a dress code

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear8 rainy daysHigh31°Low23°Dry, warm
FebruaryClear4 rainy daysHigh32°Low23°Dry, sunny
MarchRain15 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Hot, humid
AprilRain23 rainy daysHigh32°Low26°Hot, humid
MayRain27 rainy daysHigh31°Low26°Pre-monsoon
JuneRain27 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Monsoon
JulyRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low25°Heavy rain
AugustRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Rain, humid
SeptemberRain23 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Rain easing
OctoberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Rain, thunder
NovemberRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Drier, humid
DecemberPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Dry, pleasant

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

Right now in Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

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

Feels like: 27°
Humidity: 93%
Wind: 5 km/h
Chance of rain: 66%

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

10:33 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today30°24°66%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 66%.
Wed32°24°89%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 89%.
Thu31°23°100%Thursday: Rain. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Fri30°23°100%Friday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sat29°23°100%Saturday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Sun29°22°100%Sunday: Rain. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
Mon30°22°97%Monday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 97%.

Updated 06:51 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 94.93 INR

Amount

Converted to

INR · Indian Rupee

Rates from Nov 3, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Kovalamabout 30 to 45 min by taxiCrescent beaches and a lighthouse headland; popular and busier in the dry season.Read the guide
Varkalaabout 1 to 1.5 hours by road or trainCliff-top cafes and a long beach, quieter than Kovalam outside winter.Read the guide
Kanyakumariabout 2 to 2.5 hours by roadThe southern tip of the Indian mainland, known for sunrise and sunset views.

Before you go to Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

City and coast toursTemples, museums and backwater tripsCompare tours

Stays in the capital and coastCity hotels and beach resortsCheck availability

eSIM for KeralaData from the airport onwardRead the guide

Cover for monsoon cancellationsDelays from June to SeptemberRead the guide

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Rules for Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum), checked

Most foreign visitors need an e-Visa or qualify for a visa-free rule. Check eligibility on the official Indian e-Visa portal before you book.Source
Non-Hindus cannot enter the inner shrine of Padmanabhaswamy Temple. Read the signs at the gate for the dress code and what to leave outside.
Dress modestly for temples. Men can wear a mundu or dhoti, and women a saree or long skirt. Shoes are usually removed before entering.
Photography and phones are restricted in several temple areas, so follow the signs at each entrance. The emergency number in India is 112.

Plan around Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum)

All of India

Visas, trains and seasons, country-wide

Read the guide Kerala travel guide

Backwaters, tea hills and beaches

Read the guide Kovalam travel guide

The nearest beach, about 16 km south

Read the guide Varkala travel guide

Cliff-top cafes above the Arabian Sea

Read the guide Tamil Nadu travel guide

Temples just across the state border

Read the guide India e-Visa guide

Apply online before you fly in

Read the guide

Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) FAQ

Is Thiruvananthapuram worth visiting?

As a gateway, yes. The temples and museums fill a day, and the airport and station connect to Kovalam, Varkala and the rest of Kerala. Most travelers sleep on the coast instead.

Is it Trivandrum or Thiruvananthapuram?

Both name the same city. Thiruvananthapuram is the official name, and Trivandrum is the older English form still used on some tickets and signs. Airport and rail codes use TRV and TVC.

How far is Kovalam from Thiruvananthapuram?

About 16 km, roughly 30 to 45 minutes by taxi or auto rickshaw depending on traffic. App cabs and prepaid airport taxis cover the route, and buses run on the main road.

Can non-Hindus enter the Padmanabhaswamy temple?

No. The temple admits only Hindus and requires traditional dress. Non-Hindu visitors can see the exterior and the streets around it, and should check local rules for other temples.

Where should I stay near Thiruvananthapuram?

Kovalam suits resort stays and easy beaches. Varkala suits a cliff-top, slower trip. The city itself works for one night before a flight or a morning train.