If you are wondering how to reach Munnar from Mumbai or any other city to plan for a summer trip, well, you are at the right place. In this article, I have discussed how to reach Munnar by road, train, and air from various important cities so that you will have a well-planned summer trip. Keep reading the article and get to know how to reach Munnar from Mumbai and other cities by all possible modes of transport.
Table of Contents
How To Reach Munnar from Mumbai
By Air
If you are wondering how to reach Munnar from Mumbai, flying is the quickest option. A flight to Kochi, Coimbatore, or Madurai takes about two hours, followed by a taxi or bus ride to Munnar, making it convenient and efficient.
1. Flight to Kochi (Cochin)
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
- Next Step: From Kochi, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Munnar, which takes around 4-5 hours. This is one of the most convenient options as Kochi is well-connected with Mumbai and the onward journey to Munnar is relatively short.
2. Flight to Coimbatore
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
- Next Step: From Coimbatore, you can hire a taxi to Munnar, which takes around 6 hours. This route is also quite scenic and offers a pleasant drive through the Western Ghats.
3. Flight to Madurai
- Duration: Approximately 2 hours.
- Next Step: From Madurai, a taxi ride to Munnar takes about 6-7 hours. This option is less popular but still viable if you find a good flight deal.
By Train
For those asking how to reach Munnar from Mumbai by train, here is how you can plan your journey. You can travel to Aluva or Ernakulam, and then enjoy a picturesque drive to Munnar, immersing yourself in the beauty of Kerala along the way.
1. Train to Aluva
- Duration: Approximately 24-26 hours.
- Next Step: From Aluva, you can take a taxi or bus to Munnar, which takes around 4 hours. This is a good option if you enjoy long train journeys and want to experience the scenic beauty of Kerala.
2. Train to Ernakulam (Kochi)
- Duration: Approximately 24-26 hours.
- Next Step: From Ernakulam, you can hire a taxi or take a bus to Munnar, which takes around 4-5 hours. This route is similar to the flight option to Kochi but involves a longer travel time.
By Car
Here is how to reach Munnar from Mumbai by car. This thrilling journey covers approximately 1,463 km and takes about 21-22 hours. Driving through diverse landscapes, you will have the chance to explore scenic routes and make memorable stops along the way.
1. Self-Drive or Taxi
- Duration: Approximately 21-22 hours.
- Distance: Around 1,463 km.
- Route: Driving from Mumbai to Munnar can be a thrilling experience. The journey takes you through various states and offers a chance to explore different landscapes. Ensure you are well-prepared for a long drive with necessary stops and accommodations planned along the way
How To Reach Munnar From Other Cities
By Road
If you ask me how to reach Munnar in an easier way, well, the answer is by road. Although Munnar has an airport and railway stations far from its location, it is well-connected by road to major cities of Kerala and the neighboring states like Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka. Here are the details on how to reach Munnar from various cities.
- From Chennai: The road journey covers a distance of about 575 km via NH 38 and takes about 9 to 10 hours.
- From Bangalore: The distance is around 450 km and the travel takes 9 hours via NH 44 and NH 183.
- From Coimbatore: It is a short journey of about 160 km and takes about 3 to 4 hours via NH83.
- From Hyderabad: The journey is around 1050 km and can take around 19 hours via NH44.
- From Delhi: This is indeed a long journey covering over 2600 km and can take over 40 hours via NH44.
- From Trivandrum: The distance between Munnar and Trivandrum is about 280 km and takes around 7 hours to reach via NH 85.
By Train
The nearest railway station to Munnar is the Aluva station which is located about 110 km away from Munnar. It is the best way to get to Munnar if you are coming from neighboring states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and other outer states. Aluva railway station is a busy station in Kerala that gets a lot of train arrivals.
- From Chennai: You can take a train like the Chennai-Alappuzha Express to Aluva and then take a taxi or bus to Munnar.
- From Bangalore: Take trains like Bangalore-Kochuveli Express etc. to Aluva and then by road.
- From Coimbatore: There are a lot of trains that run to Aluva like Ernakulam SF Intercity Express, Vivek SF Express, and Trivandrum Mail SF Express. Take a train to Aluva and then take a taxi or bus to Munnar.
- From Hyderabad: Sabari Express runs daily between Hyderabad and Aluva. From there, you can take a bus or taxi to Munnar.
- From Delhi: Kerala Express (12626) runs from Delhi to Aluva and takes almost 2 days to reach here.
- From Trivandrum: There are trains like Trivandrum-Aluva Intercity Express. Take a road trip from Aluwa to Munnar.
By Air
The nearest airport to Munnar is Cochin International Airport at a distance of about 107 km. You may choose the Coimbatore International Airport which is about 170 km away from Munnar. Traveling from Coimbatore to Munnar is quite easy as there won’t be any travel difficulties and gives a unique experience.
| Departure City | Airline | Flight Time |
| Chennai | IndiGo | 1h 10m |
| Bangalore | IndiGo, Air India | 1h 05m |
| Coimbatore | IndiGo, Air India | 1h 05m |
| Hyderabad | IndiGo, Air India Express | 1h 35m |
| Delhi | Air India Express, IndiGo | 3h 15m |
| Trivandrum | IndiGo, Air India Express | 1h 00m |
Once you reach the Kochi Aiport, all you need is a local transport like bus or taxi to reach Munnar.
Buses: The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation runs buses from Ankamali near Kochi Airport to Munnar twice a day. The journey takes about 2 and a half hours to reach the destination.
Taxi: From Kochi Airport, you can also directly take a taxi to Munnar. It takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes and can cost between ₹2500 to reach Munnar.
Places to visit in Munnar
1. Tea-gardens
- Enjoy a beautiful walk through lush greenery and tea cultivation.
- Visit the Tata Tea Museum and learn about the history of tea in the region.
- Try tasting the pure and healthy tea varieties.
- Provide high-quality images that are perfect for photography.
2. Eravikulam National Park
- Get to see the Nilgiri tahar which is an endangered species and rare to spot around.
- Enjoy hiking and explore the beautiful ecosystem.
- Visit the Anamudi Peak, the highest peak in South India.
- Enjoy the beauty of the blue kurinji flowers that bloom once in 12 years.
3. Atukkad waterfalls
- Immerse yourself in nature photography with stunning waterfalls in the background.
- Take a dip in the falls and experience the natural waters.
- Have a picnic with family and friends.
- Explore the lush forest surroundings.
4. The Echo Point
- Go boating on a nearby lake.
- Trek around the areas and enjoy the scenery.
- See a variety of birds and enjoy birding.
- Relax by the pool and soak in the peaceful atmosphere.
5 Mattupetty Dam
- Take a speedboat to the dam’s reservoir.
- Visit a nearby dairy farm run by an Indo-Swiss ranching enterprise.
- Enjoy the view of the valley from the dam.
- Take a family picnic to the nearby areas.
- Try your hand at fishing the lakes.
Also read: Historical Tourist Places to Visit in Kerala
Also read: Jungle resorts in Munnar
