Alappuzha to Kottayam ride from Boat Jetty Kerala
We went on a really cheap Alappuzha to Kottayam boat ride from boat jetty in kerala. traveled on a transport bus to Allapuzha. We asked the conductor to drop us at the bus stop which is a walking distance to the beach. He agreed and so we got down.
As it was drizzling we took an Auto for Rs 50. Auto drivers will give you offers of arranging affordable boathouse trips and sightseeing, but remember you came here to go on a boating trip like the locals and to observe the vibes of the countryside.
Alappuzha Beach
We thought the beach would be empty as there were dark clouds looming and there were predictions of heavy rains. Much to our surprise the beach had tourists enjoying at their fullest and also fishermen returning from the deep sea. If the people entered troubled waters, there were coast guards to warn them.
Seafood Lunch
After spending some time on the beach, we had a seafood lunch. Whether the food is costly or affordable depends on the kind of food you order.
Luckily we met our neighbor in Kerala who came to Alappuzha for some work and decided to spend some time on the beach. They offered to drop us off at the boat jetty. So we saved Rs 50 Auto Fare.
Alappuzha Boat Jetty Kerala
Boat jetty in Alappuzha is near the Transport bus stand, so you can directly get down at the main Alappuzha bus stand and walk to the boat jetty. A jetty is a ‘wide stone wall or wooden platform where boats stop to let people get on or off, or to load or unload goods’. And it is pronounced as /ˈdʒet.i/.
Like trains and flights, the boat service also has specific routes and timings. The public boat service from Alappuzha to Kottayam takes two and a half hours and will take you through several canals by the backwaters. The price is around Rs 30 per person.
Breathtaking countryside view
You can go through the villages and see the countryside. The journey is worth much more than the money. The route was very slow, which we could have covered in one hour by bus, but we decided to explore the backwaters of Kerala at a slow pace.
This state run public transport system is for the residents in the water logged areas, for whom waterway is the only means of transportation. These boats have no comparison to the luxury houseboats. The boat reminds of the tiny boats we used to buy from festival fares.
The boat stops patiently at 40 points between Alappuzha and Kottayam, picking up people and dropping them. The people are experts in jumping in and out of the boats. Water, paddy fields, palm groves, people doing their daily chores, houseboats, children diving into the water are some real life vibes that you can observe. The large number of houseboats and resorts throughout the 2 hours journey shows the recovering tourism industry after the pandemic.
Kottayam Boat Jetty Kerala
There were few passengers and by the time you reached Kottayam the boat had hardly 10 passengers. And as construction is going on at Kottayam, the trip ends 7 kms away from Kottayam. From there, there are plenty of private and government buses to kottayam. Always keep three of four options ready and keep the mobile data active. In case the boat service cancels, you can always take a transport bus, taxi or a houseboat to Kottayam.
So that’s all folk. We had three wonderful trips to the rivers, backwaters and beaches in Kerala. The trips were pocket friendly and we decided the pace of the journey. The weather was in our favor. Though it was the rainy season, it only drizzled in the mornings to cool the air and our trip was never dampened. Thank you, friends. Start dreaming and plan your next trip to kerala.
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