Varkala to Munnar is one of the most popular journeys in Kerala as it caters to both beach bums and mountain lovers! This distance of 250 km between Varkala’s stunning cliffs and beaches and Munnar’s misty hills and tea plantations can be covered by various means including bus, taxi, and train.

In this blog, we have specified all the necessary details for planning this trip, including available modes of travel, the estimated budget of those, the routes you can take by road, and some useful tips to avoid hassles and make your journey smooth.

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Why to travel from Varkala to Munnar?

You don’t need a reason to visit Munnar from Varkala, two of the top travel destinations in Kerala. But we have listed a few nevertheless!

A journey from Varkala’s beaches to Munnar’s hills provides an exciting contrast of landscapes and weather as well as a refreshing change of scenery! It is just the detox you need! Also, Munnar’s cool and pleasant weather offers a respite from the tropical heat of Varkala.

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Munnar’s unique fauna and flora are worth exploring! The Nilgiri hills shelter a range of rare plants and trees along with a diverse array of animal and bird species.

You can visit the Eravikulam National Park and spot the endangered Nilgiri Tahr as well as a variety of wildflowers that bloom here.

Munnar has endless opportunities for adventure. From trekking and wildlife safaris in Eravikulam, camping in Top Station, glamping in several remote locations, boating in Mattupetty Dam, tea factory tours, and tea plantation walks, there’s a lot to do here!

Where Varkala relaxes you with the rhythm of crashing waves and breathtaking sunsets from atop its cliffs, Munnar enchants you with its fairytale landscapes of tranquil hills, mountain breeze, and misty valleys filled with tea gardens!

How to get from Varkala to Munnar ?

Varkala to Munnar distance is 250 km and takes about 6 to 8 hours to cover by road, depending on the means of transport and traffic conditions.

There are various modes of transport available to help you get from Varkala to Munnar without hassle. Take a look and decide which one works out for you in terms of your budget and convenience.

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Varkala to Munnar by car or taxi

People who love to drive, always opt for a road trip from Varkala to Munnar courtesy of the scenic route that changes every few hundred meters!

It’s the best way to experience the beauty of Kerala’s coast, villages, paddy fields, palm trees, backwaters, and hills!

You can either take the Varkala-Kollam-Munnar route or the Varkala-Kottayam-Munnar route, both of which are equally scenic and enjoyable!

Estimated cost of a self-drive trip from Varkala to Munnar: INR 2,500/- to INR 4,500 (considering fuel, toll, and miscellaneous expenses)

If you want to travel comfortably by taxi, you can easily book a prepaid cab online which gives you the option of selecting the type (AC/non-AC) and model of car as per your convenience.

You can also get a taxi from the airport or train station nearest to Varkala to take you to Munnar.

Estimated cost of a prepaid cab from Varkala to Munnar: INR 6,000/- to INR 15,000 (round trip for an average-sized AC vehicle).

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Varkala to Munnar by bus

Courtesy of Kerala’s widespread and reliable KSRTC bus service, you can ride to Munnar from Varkala in a public bus at nominal rates.

For a more comfortable and luxurious journey, you can also book a seat on a private bus or Volvo online.

KSRTC Super Fast Non AC buses connect Varkala and Munnar via Kollam and Thekkady. The bus service is regular and operates on a daily schedule.

It takes 8 to 10 hours to reach Munnar from Varkala on a KSRTC bus. The Varkala to Munnar bus fare is about INR 150/- to INR 400/- per person (for a public KSRTC bus).

Several private luxury buses, Volvos, and Tempos are also available at Varkala to take you to Munnar at semi-affordable rates. You can choose from AC/non-AC/sleeper/semi-sleeper buses.

Varkala to Munnar private bus fare is around INR 850/- to INR 1,500/- per person and the whole journey takes about 6 to 8 hours.

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Varkala to Munnar by train

The nearest railway station to Munnar is Aluva Railway Station 107 km away followed by Ernakulam Railway Station 122 km away. You can take a train from Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station to either of these two stations near Munnar.

At Aluva/Ernakulam, you can easily find a taxi or KSRTC bus to take you to Munnar.

Varkala station to Aluva/Ernakulam train journey takes about 3-4 hours and the taxi ride from there to Munnar is an additional 3 hours.

Varkala to Munnar train fare is usually between INR 120/- to INR 600/- per seat (one way). You’ll find regular connectivity to Aluva/Ernakulam from Varkala via trains like Vanchinad Express and Jan Shatabdi Express.

Taxi fare from Aluva or Ernakulam train stations to Munnar costs between INR 2,000/- to INR 5,000/- depending on car capacity and number of people. Bus fares would be around INR 100/- to INR 350/- for the same route. Don’t forget to stop by Cheeyappara Falls and Valara Waterfalls en route.

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Varkala to Munnar by flights

Travelers find it to be the most inconvenient and expensive mode of travel. Trivandrum Airport is the nearest airport to Varkala and is about 41 km (1 hour) away. Cochin Airport is closest to Munnar and is 106 km (3 hours) away.

The flight time between these airports is 55 minutes, but the hassle of getting from Varkala to Trivandrum Airport and then from Cochin Airport to Munnar makes the journey tiring, unnecessarily long, and expensive.

KSRTC buses and taxis are available in Varkala to get you to Trivandrum Airport and at Cochin Airport to help you reach Munnar.

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While a Varkala-Trivandrum or Kochi-Munnar taxi ride will take between INR 2,000/- to INR 6,000/-, the bus fare for either of these will be a nominal INR 150/- to INR 400/-.

Varkala to Munnar- Best Routes

There are two primary routes you can opt for. Both of them are equally scenic and the distance too isn’t very different, but the cities and attractions you’ll get to experience will vary greatly!

Route 1: Via Varkala-Rd and Kollam

Varkala → Kollam → Adoor → Vandiperiyar → Thekkady → Munnar

Distance: 261 km
Travel Time: 7 hours 45 minutes

The Varkala-Kollam route to Munnar is smooth and well-maintained with minimal highways and tolls. The traffic conditions are moderate to high in areas like Kollam and Thekkady.

You will find sharp turns and uneven roads near Thekkady, but otherwise, the road condition is good throughout the journey. Don’t forget to visit Jatayu Earth Center, Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary, Ashtamudi Lake, and Gavi Forest en route.

Route 2: Via Varkala Rd and NH 183

Varkala → Kayamkulam → Kottayam → Thodupuzha → Munnar

Distance: 252 km
Travel Time: 7 hours 30 minutes

You’ll find roads in excellent condition with smoothly moving traffic, minimal highways, no road closures, and minimal tolls. You’ll only find somewhat uneven and narrow lanes in the last leg of the journey from Thodupuzha to Munnar owing to its mountainous terrain.

You must visit places like the Kumarakom Backwaters, Illikkal Kallu, Kayamkulam Lake, Malankara Dam, and Thommankuthu Waterfalls along the way.

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Varkala to Munnar travel tips

• Munnar is a year-round destination, while the best time to visit Varkala is between October to March.
• Avoid the monsoon season (July to September) when the mountainous terrain of Munnar is slushy, slippery, and prone to landslides.
• If you’re traveling by road, make a list of fuel stops, restaurants, and rest stops along the way in advance.
• Take regular breaks to stretch your legs and enjoy the scenery!
• Start your road trip early in the morning to avoid traffic in towns and cities.
• Carry at least two bottles of water, small snacks, mosquito repellent, umbrella, raincoat, photo ID, and cash.
• Keep a tab on weather updates and traffic conditions en route using GPS.
• Wear sturdy and waterproof trekking shoes in Munnar and carry a light jacket or shawl with you at all times.

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Taking you from coastal bliss to hilltop serenity, a trip from Varkala to Munnar is bound to be visually dramatic, exciting, and memorable! Still need help planning it? Browse our range of Munnar tour packages, pick the one that best suits your interests, and let us brew you an enjoyable vacation in God’s Own Country!