Located on the coast of the Arabian Sea with Kottayam and Alappuzha districts in the south, Idukki in the east and Thrissur in the north, Ernakulam is a booming business metropolis. A fascinating mixture of the old and the new, the district comprises many interesting cities including Kochi (Cochin), the commercial capital of Kerala. One of the finest natural harbours in the world, Kochi, renowned as the ‘Queen of the Arabian Sea’, was once a major centre for commerce and trade. The British, Arabs, Chinese, Portuguese, Dutch etc., have all come to its shores in search of exotic spices and sandalwood. Even today, Ernakulam continues the tradition of welcoming visitors with its customary warmth and hospitality.

ACCESSIBILITY

Telephone access code: +91-484

Air: International Airport at Nedumbassery (32 km from the city) Airline offices: Air India, MG Road Ph: 2380700, 2351295 • Indian Airlines, DH Road Ph: 2371141 • Jet Airways, Atlantis, MG Road Ph: 2359334 • Oman Air (RL Travels), Atlantis, MG Road Ph: 2357093 • Cathay Pacific (Spencer & Co. Ltd.), MG Road Ph: 2362064 • Saudi Arabian Airlines (Arafat Travels), MG Road Ph: 2352689 • Singapore Airlines (Aviation Travels), MG Road Ph: 2358131 • Kuwait Airways, MG Road Ph: 2382576 • SriLankan Airlines Ph: 2361263 • Emirates Ph: 4084444 • Qatar Airways (Call Centre: 0124-4566000) • Jetlite Ph: 2611340 • Air Deccan Ph: 2610289 • Paramount Ph: 2610404

Rail: Ernakulam is well connected to all major cities in India • Ernakulam Junction Ph: 131 • Ernakulam Town Ph: 2395198 • Aluva Ph: 2624141

Road: The KSRTC Central Bus Station is near the Junction Railway Station Ph: 2372033 • Private buses operate from High Court Jn., Railway Station and Kaloor Jn. • Tamil Nadu Road Transport Bus Station Ph: 2372616. Inter-state private bus services to Bangalore, Coimbatore, Mangalore, Chennai and Madurai: • Indira Travels, near Jos Jn. Ph: 2360693 • Yesbee Travels, near Jos Jn. Ph: 2375080 • Princy Tours, Opp. Sealord Hotel Ph: 2354712 • Sharma Transports, Grand Hotel Ph: 2350712 • Ashirwad Travels, Jos Junction Ph: 2367709

Ferry services: There are two ferry stations in Ernakulam. The main Boat Jetty is 1 km from the Junction Railway Station and the other is near the High Court.
Ferry timings (From the main boat jetty):
Vypeen: Frequent services (1/2 hr journey)
Mattancherry: Daily 6 ferries (1/2 hr journey)
Fort Kochi: Daily 30 services (20 min. journey). First trip at 0600 hrs and the last at 2110 hrs
Willingdon Island: Frequent services (15 min. journey)

Tourist information offices:

• Office of the Joint Director, Department of Tourism, International Boat Jetty Complex, Ernakulam Ph: 2351015, Fax: 2355956
• Govt. Guest House, Dept. of Tourism Ph: 2360502
• Govt. of India Tourist Office, Willingdon Island Ph: 2668352/1913
• Airport Information Counter, Dept. of Tourism, Kerala Ph: 2611308
• Tourist Reception Centre - KTDC, Shanmughom Rd. Ph: 2353234 Fax: 2382199
• DTPC Tourist Information Centre, Old Collectorate Bldg., Park Avenue Telefax: 2367334, +91 484-2383988 Mobile: 09847332200,
  Email: info@dtpcernakulam.com, Website: www.dtpcernakulam.com