Kochi to Athirapally by Cab
The day trip, the falls, and who to call for the car.
Athirapally is Kerala's biggest waterfall, about 66 km by road from Kochi. A cab takes about 2 hours through Angamaly and Chalakudy. With Vazhachal Falls about 5 km further up the same road, it makes an easy day trip.
- Distance 66 km
- Drive time ~2h
- From the airport 37 km
Road distance from Ernakulam Junction station to Athirapally Falls. Traffic through Angamaly can add 30 minutes in the morning rush.
What to see at Athirapally
Waterfalls in the forest of the Chalakudy river, a few kilometres apart.
Athirapally Falls
The Chalakudy river drops about 25 m over a wide rock face. A path leads to the top, and a steeper one down to the viewpoint below. Open about 08:00 to 17:00, with a forest department ticket.
Vazhachal Falls
Wide cascades over rocks about 5 km further up the road, inside the forest. Most listings say the Athirapally ticket covers it too.
Charpa Falls
A roadside waterfall between Athirapally and Vazhachal that runs strong in the monsoon and dries up in summer.
Thumboormuzhi
A small dam on the Chalakudy river on the drive in, with a garden and a hanging bridge across the water.
The drive: day trip or onward
Most people go and come back the same day. Some go on to Munnar.
There and back from Kochi
~132 km round trip · about 4 h driving
Leave Kochi at about 08:00 to reach the falls soon after they open, see Vazhachal too, and be back by late afternoon.
On to Munnar
~116 km more · about 4 h · via Angamaly & Kothamangalam
There is no direct road from the falls to Munnar, so the cab comes back towards Angamaly and climbs to Munnar on NH85. Leave Athirapally by noon to finish the hill road before dark.
Cab from Kochi to Athirapally
Call or message a local Kochi operator. Tell them your pickup point, dates and whether you need a one-way drop or a round trip, and they send a price for the car and driver.
Kera Cabs
Visit website ↗Pickup from Kochi, Alleppey, Munnar, Thekkady, Kumarakom, Kovalam, Varkala, Kollam, Trivandrum, Thiruvananthapuram, Guruvayur, Triprayar, Cherai
Common questions
How long does the drive from Kochi to Athirapally take?
About 2 hours for the 66 km from Ernakulam. From Kochi airport it is only about 37 km.
What are the timings of Athirapally Falls?
About 08:00 to 17:00, and the ticket counter can close earlier. Listings vary, so check with the forest department before you go.
Can I swim at Athirapally?
No. Bathing in the river is not allowed at the falls, and the rocks are slippery. Stay on the paths and behind the railings.
When is the best time to see the falls?
From the monsoon to about January, when the river is full. In April and May the falls are much thinner.
Can I combine Athirapally with Munnar?
Yes, on the way. It adds about 56 km and two hours of driving to the Kochi to Munnar trip, so leave early.