Kerala is famous for its diverse topography and you’d regret not exploring every bit of it! Traveling from Calicut to Munnar is one way of doing just that! This exciting journey lets you experience the tropical bliss of Kerala’s beaches and the cool mountain breeze of the Western Ghats in a single trip! Intriguing, isn’t it? See how to plan it!

Calicut to Munnar distance is 264 KMs and it will take approximately 7 hours through NH 85

In this mini guide, we’ve highlighted the various means of travel you can use to go from Calicut to Munnar, the best routes to take by road, the estimated cost of each of these modes, and some travel tips that may come in handy while planning a trip.

Why travel from Calicut to Munnar ?

Connected by a smooth road network with a total distance of 270 km that takes about 7.5 hours to cover, Calicut (Kozhikode) and Munnar are two of the most idyllic and beautiful destinations in Kerala.

ALSO SEE – Munnar Temperature, Weather, Season and Climate

Munnar is a tranquil hill station in Kerala known for its undulating pastures, rolling tea gardens, misty green valleys, vivid fruit orchards, and cascading waterfalls.

Some of the main reasons travelers love to visit Munnar from Calicut include:

• The gradual yet visually appealing transition of Kerala’s landscapes from beaches to hills takes you through an assortment of landscapes studded with swaying palms, paddy fields, rustic villages, waterfalls, winding roads, and more!
• The chance to escape the humid weather and tropical heat of Calicut for the pleasing embrace of Munnar’s cool climate and chilly mountain breeze!
• Refreshing nature walks amid Munnar’s sprawling tea estates, spice gardens, and cardamom plantations that are unlike anywhere else.
• Thrilling adventure activities like forest camping, trekking, wildlife safaris, boating in lakes, and paragliding.
• The chance to visit wonderful places like Eravikulam National Park, Top Station, and even Athirappilly Waterfalls!

If these aren’t enough reasons to include a trip from Kozhikode to Munnar in your itinerary, we don’t know what is!

How to reach Munnar from Calicut?

Calicut to Munnar is 270 km apart. It takes about 7 hours and 30 minutes to cover this distance by road in normal traffic conditions.

Whether traveling from Calicut to Munnar or from Munnar to Calicut, you’ll find plenty of travel options either way.

ALSO SEE – Munnar Distance Chart-A Traveler’s Guide to Other Places from Munnar

Calicut to Munnar By car and taxi

Travelers mostly prefer to drive from Calicut to Munnar to enjoy the scenic beauty of Kerala along the way. Also, it allows more flexibility in terms of travel time, the route you take, and the places you visit along the way.

Instead of driving, you can also hire a taxi in Calicut or book a prepaid cab online in advance. The latter also allows you to opt for a vehicle as per your convenience, budget, and number of people traveling.

You can choose from either of these two popular routes:

• ROUTE 1: Via NH 66 and NH 544
  
  

Calicut → Thrissur → Adimali → Munnar

Distance: 271 km
Travel time: 7 hours 44 minutes
Road condition: Smooth road network with minimal highways, no closures, moderate traffic levels in all places except Thrissur, and winding roads with hairpin bends Adimali onwards.
Places to visit en route: Vadakkunnathan Temple, Guruvayur Temple, Athirappilly Waterfalls, Cheeyappara Waterfalls

• ROUTE 2: Via NH 966 and SH 17
  
  

Calicut → Nilambur → Gudalur → Ooty → Munnar

Distance: 380 km
Travel time: 10 hours 40 minutes
Road condition: Scenic yet lengthy route with smooth roads, minimal highways, fewer road closures, high traffic near Ooty, light traffic in all other places, and steep roads with hairpin bends in the Nilgiri mountains.
Places to visit en route: Nilambur Teak Museum, Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary, Ooty Botanical Garden, Connolly’s Plot, Needle Rock Viewpoint, Pykara Waterfalls, Lakkam Waterfalls, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary

Estimated Calicut to Munnar taxi fare: Between INR 3,000/- to INR 7,000/- (one-way)

ALSO SEE – Gap Road Munnar- Photos of the Most Scenic Drive in Kerala

Calicut to Munnar  By bus

For a more economical Calicut Munnar road trip, consider taking a bus!

While there are several comfortable and luxurious private chartered buses plying on the Kozhikode-Munnar route, you can also opt for a KSRTC public bus for dirt-cheap rates!

Kerala State Road Transport Corporation runs a regular and timely bus service to and from every major city and town in Kerala. It facilitates excellent connectivity on a strict schedule and reasonable rates, which makes it easy for one to book a bus timing of their choice online!

You will need to take two buses to reach Munnar from Calicut as there aren’t any direct public or private buses between these cities:

• First bus: Kozhikode KSRTC Bus Terminal to Ernakulam/Aluva (6 hours)
• Second bus: Ernakulam/Aluva to Munnar town (4 hours)

Calicut to Munnar KSRTC bus fare: Starting at INR 250/- (one way)
Calicut to Munnar private bus fare: Starting at INR 600/- (one way)
*These Calicut to Munnar bus fares are an estimate based on average peak time bus fares and are applicable for both Calicut-Aluva and Aluva-Munnar routes during your connecting bus journey.

Calicut to Munnar By train

Aluva Railway Station is the nearest railway station to Munnar located 107 km away, followed by Ernakulam Railway Station 122 km away.

You can take a train from Kozhikode Railway and get down either at Ernakulam Station or Aluva Station. The Calicut to Munnar train time is typically 4 hours.

From there, you can take a taxi or bus to Munnar town and get there in roughly 3-4 hours. Maveli Express and Parasuram Express run frequently between Kozhikode and Aluva/Ernakulam.

Estimated Calicut to Munnar train fare: Starting at INR 200/-
*This fare is from Kozhikode Railway to Aluva/Ernakulam Railheads only.

Estimated Aluva/Ernakulam to Munnar taxi fare: Starting at INR 1,800/-
Estimated Aluva/Ernakulam to Munnar bus fare: Starting at INR 100/-

ALSO SEE – Nearest Railway Station to Munnar in Kerala

Calicut to Munnar  By flight

The quickest way to get from Kozhikode to Munnar is by flight.

You can fly from Calicut International Airport (CCJ) to Cochin International Airport (COK), which is closest to Munnar, and take a bus or taxi to Munnar from there.

ALSO SEE – Best Luxury Resorts in Munnar 

You can take a KSRTC bus or private bus from Angamaly Bus Terminal located 8 km from Cochin Airport to reach Munnar.

The flight time is less than an hour, and it takes 3 hours to get from Cochin to Munnar by road (a little more by bus).

Estimated Calicut to Munnar flight rates: Starting at INR 2,000/- (one way)
*These fares are for Calicut-Cochin and tend to be way higher around the peak season and festivals.

Estimated Cochin to Munnar taxi fare: Starting at INR 2,500/- (one way)
Estimated Cochin to Munnar bus fare: Starting at INR 150/- (one way)

Calicut to Munnar travel tips

• The best time to visit Munnar from Calicut is from October to March.
• Avoid the monsoon season between July and September when the mountainous terrain of Munnar is slushy, slippery, and prone to landslides.
• For road travel, make a list of fuel stops, restaurants, and rest stops along the way in advance.
• Take regular breaks during your road trip 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, an umbrella, a raincoat, a flashlight, a photo ID, and some cash.
• Keep a tab on weather updates and traffic conditions on your route using GPS.
• Wear sturdy and water-resistant trekking shoes in Munnar and carry a light jacket or shawl with you at all times.

ALSO SEE – 17 Best Things To Do In Munnar

Now that you know how you can plan your trip from Calicut to Munnar, when are you doing it? Better yet, reach out to our team and let them plan an adventure-packed holiday in Munnar for you while you sit back and relax! Happy tripping!