Varkala · How to Reach

Varkala sits on the main coastal transport corridor of southern Kerala, which makes it easy to reach despite being a small town. The great advantage here is the railway: Varkala has its own station on the busy Thiruvananthapuram–Kollam line, so for most Indian travellers the train is both the simplest and the most scenic way in.

By train. The town's station is Varkala Sivagiri (station code VAK), on the Thiruvananthapuram–Kollam–Ernakulam trunk route. It is a genuinely busy stop — reportedly among the highest-traffic stations in Thiruvananthapuram district — and a steady stream of passenger, express and superfast trains running up and down the Kerala coast call here, putting Varkala within easy reach of Kollam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi and beyond. The station sits a few kilometres inland from the cliff, so you finish the journey with a short auto-rickshaw or taxi ride down to the beach. One thing to plan around: while VAK handles a large number of trains, the biggest long-distance and premium services are more reliably caught at the major regional railheads — Thiruvananthapuram Central (TVC), about 40–50 kilometres south, and Kollam Junction (QLN), roughly 25 kilometres north. If a particular long-distance train doesn't stop at Varkala, book to Trivandrum or Kollam and connect onward by a short local train, bus or taxi. Because live timetables and seat availability change constantly, check current trains and fares in the search box on this page rather than relying on a fixed schedule.

By road. Varkala lies a little west of National Highway 66 (the coastal highway), and is well linked by road to the rest of the state. Kerala's state buses and private buses connect the town to Thiruvananthapuram (roughly 1 to 1.5 hours) and Kollam (under an hour), and taxis and app cabs run readily from both cities. From Thiruvananthapuram the drive is about 40–50 kilometres depending on your start point; from Kollam, around 25 kilometres. The roads are good but narrow and winding in places, as coastal Kerala roads tend to be, so allow a little more time than the distance suggests.

By air. The nearest airport is Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (Trivandrum, code TRV), roughly 50 kilometres to the south — around an hour to an hour and a half by road depending on city traffic. It is a well-connected airport with domestic flights to the major Indian metros and a good spread of international services, particularly to the Gulf. From the airport, a pre-booked taxi or app cab is the most comfortable way to Varkala; alternatively, take a taxi or train to Thiruvananthapuram Central and continue by rail. Kochi (Cochin) International Airport (COK), about 180 kilometres north, is the larger hub and a fallback if it offers a better connection, but for Varkala the Trivandrum airport is far more convenient. Always confirm current routes and timings before planning around a specific flight.

Getting around once you arrive. Varkala is small and walkable where it matters — the North Cliff promenade is pedestrian-only in stretches, and you explore it on foot. For the short hops between the cliff, Papanasam Beach, the railway station, the Janardanaswamy Temple and Sivagiri, auto-rickshaws are the standard ride; agree a fare before you set off, or use an app where available. Many travellers hire a scooter or motorbike for a day or two to reach Kappil, Anjengo and the quieter southern beaches at their own pace. For day trips further afield — Kollam, Ponmudi, Thiruvananthapuram — hiring a car with a driver is the simplest option and lets you combine stops.