How to Reach Varkala: Best Ways to Travel by Flight, Train, Bus & Road

Planning a trip to Varkala and wondering how to reach Varkala? Varkala is a popular coastal destination in Kerala, known for its dramatic cliffside views, beaches, cafes, and relaxed atmosphere. The good news is that there are several convenient ways to reach Varkala, whether you are travelling by flight, train, bus, or road.

For most travelers, the easiest option depends on where you are starting your journey, your budget, and how much time you have. If you are travelling by air, Trivandrum International Airport is the nearest airport to Varkala and is located around 40–45 km away. Varkala is also well connected by rail, with Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station serving as the main railway station for the town. For travelers coming from nearby cities, buses and road trips are also convenient options.

In this guide, we will cover how to reach Varkala by flight, train, bus, and road, along with the best routes and practical travel information. Whether you are travelling from Bangalore, Kochi, Chennai, or Thiruvananthapuram, this guide will help you choose the most suitable way to reach Varkala and start your solo trip with ease.

1. Which is the best ways to reach Varkala?

The best way to reach Varkala depends on where you are travelling from, your budget, and how much time you have. Varkala is well connected by train, flight, bus, and road, so you can choose the option that works best for your trip.

Mode	Best for	Approx. Time	Cost	Convenience
Flight	Long-distance travelers & saving time	Varies	High	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Train	Budget & long-distance travel	Varies	Low - Medium	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Bus	Travelers coming from nearby cities	Varies	Low - Medium	⭐⭐⭐⭐

Note: Travel time and cost may vary depending on your starting city, route, traffic, travel date, and transport provider.

Which option should you choose?

Flight: If you are travelling to Varkala from a distant city, especially from North India, flying can save a significant amount of travel time. You can fly to Trivandrum International Airport, the nearest airport to Varkala, and continue the rest of your journey by taxi, cab, or other local transport.

Train: For travelers coming from faraway destinations, including North India, trains can be a practical option if you have more time and want to keep your travel budget lower. Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station is well connected to several major cities, and the railway station is close to the main tourist areas of Varkala.

Bus: Buses are a convenient option if you are travelling from nearby cities in Kerala or surrounding areas. They can be particularly useful for short- or medium-distance journeys where you want a relatively affordable way to reach Varkala without having to plan multiple connections.

So, the best way to reach Varkala really depends on your starting point. For long-distance travel, flights can save time while trains can be a more budget-friendly option. For travelers coming from nearby cities, buses and road travel can be convenient choices.

2. How to reach Varkala by Flight

If you are travelling to Varkala from a distant city, flying can be one of the quickest ways to reach Varkala. Since Varkala does not have its own airport, the nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) in Thiruvananthapuram, located around 40–55 km from Varkala.

Trivandrum International Airport to Varkala

Once you arrive at Trivandrum International Airport, you have several options to reach Varkala:

Option	Approx. Time	Best for
Taxi/Cab	1-1.5 hours	Convenience
Bus	1-1.5 hours	Budget travel
Train	1-1.5 hours	Budget & public transport

Travel time can vary depending on traffic, connections, and your final destination in Varkala.

By Taxi or Cab

Taking a taxi from Trivandrum Airport to Varkala is the most convenient option, especially if you are carrying luggage or want to travel directly to your hostel or hotel. The journey usually takes around 1–1.5 hours, depending on traffic.

By Bus

For budget travelers, you can take a bus from Thiruvananthapuram towards Varkala. Depending on the service, you may need to travel via the city or a connecting point.

By Train

You can also travel from Trivandrum Airport to Thiruvananthapuram Central Railway Station and take a train to Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station. This can be a budget-friendly option, although it involves an additional transfer.

Which Option Should You Choose?

If saving time and convenience are your priorities, taking a taxi from the airport is the easiest option. If you are travelling on a budget, you can consider combining local transport with a train or bus to reach Varkala.

For travelers coming from North India or other distant parts of India, flying to Trivandrum and then travelling to Varkala can significantly reduce travel time compared with an entirely overland journey.

4. How to reach Varkala by Train

Travelling by train is one of the most convenient ways to reach Varkala, especially if you are looking for a comfortable journey without spending as much as you would on a flight. Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station is well connected to major cities across South India, North India, Western India, and Eastern India, with several express and superfast trains running regularly.

To make things easier, here are some popular train options from major cities covering all regions of India. The table includes the train name, train number, approximate journey distance, travel time, and running days so you can quickly find a suitable option.

Route	Train Name & Number	Approx. Distance	Travel Time	Runs on
Delhi → Varkala	Kerala SF Express - 12626	3,000 Kms	48 Hrs	Daily
	NZM TVC SF Express - 22654		42-44 Hrs	Mon
Kolkata → Varkala	Gurudev Express - 12660	2,485 Kms	42-43 Hrs	Wed
	Shalimar TVC SF Express - 22642		44 Hrs	Sun, Tue
Indore → Varkala	Ahilyanagari Express - 22645	2,250 Kms	42-43 Hrs	Mon
	INDB KCVL SF Express - 20932		42 Hrs	Tue
Ahmedabad → Varkala	Gandhidham NCJ Express - 16335	2,120 Kms	38-39 Hrs	Fri
	HAPA TEN SVDK SF Exp - 19578		38 Hrs	Fri, Sat
Mumbai → Varkala	Netravati Express - 16345	1,510 Kms	26-28 Hrs	Daily
	LTT Garib Rath - 12201		25 Hrs	Fri, Sat
Bengaluru → Varkala	Kanyakumari Express - 16526	830 Kms	16-17 Hrs	Daily
	SMVB TVCN SPL - 06555		16 Hrs	Fri
Chennai → Varkala	Ananthapuri SF Express - 20635	790 Kms	14-15 Hrs	Daily
	MAS TVC Mail - 12623		15 Hrs	Daily

Note: Some of the trains mentioned above are direct trains and other train reaches the nearest station like Kollam Junction and 30 min to Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station.

Note: We have mentioned only a few popular train options for each route to keep the table simple. There are usually other trains available between these cities and Varkala as well. The number of trains, timings, and running days can vary by date, so check the latest schedule before booking your ticket.

Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station

Most travelers arriving by train will get down at Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station (VAK), the town’s primary rail station. It is located close to the central parts of Varkala town and has good local transport connectivity. From Varkala Sivagiri Station, you can take an auto-rickshaw, taxi, or local bus to reach your hotel or the cliff area. The actual travel time will depend on where you are staying and the traffic at the time of arrival.

If you are planning your Varkala trip around a particular train, it is a good idea to check the train number and running days first. This makes it much easier to search for the train, check seat availability, and plan your journey.

Getting from Varkala Railway Station to Varkala Cliff

Once you land at Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station, reaching Varkala Cliff (North Cliff or South Cliff) is quick and straightforward, as the cliff area is located just 3 to 4 km away from the station.

• Auto-Rickshaw: This is the most popular and convenient option. You will find auto stands right outside the station exit. The ride takes around 10 to 15 minutes and usually costs between ₹100 and ₹150.

• Local Bus: If you are traveling on a budget, you can catch a local bus from near the station toward the Helipad / Temple Junction. From the Helipad stop, the cliff promenade is just a 2 to 3-minute walk.

• Taxi / Cab: Pre-booked taxis or private cabs are also available outside the station, which is a great option if you are carrying heavy luggage or traveling with family.

5. How to reach Varkala by Bus/Road

Travelling to Varkala by road is a convenient option, especially if you are coming from nearby cities in Kerala or from neighbouring states. Varkala is well connected by road to Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Kochi, Alappuzha and other major cities. Kerala Tourism also notes that Varkala is well connected by road to both Thiruvananthapuram and Kollam.

Along with these taking a road trip or riding a bus to Varkala is a wonderful choice if you want to enjoy the lush, scenic landscapes of coastal Kerala. National Highway 66 (NH 66) runs close to Varkala, making it seamlessly connected by road to major cities across South India.

To help you map out your drive or bus route, here are the popular driving routes and transport details to help you plan your journey effortlessly.

Popular Routes	Approx. Distance	Travel Time	Key Highway / Route
Trivandrum → Varkala	45 Kms	1.5 Hrs	NH 66 (via Kazhakkoottam & Attingal)
Kollam → Varkala	35 Kms	1 Hr	NH 66 or Coastal Road (via Paravur)
Kochi (Ernakulam) → Varkala	165 Kms	4 - 5 Hrs	NH 66 (via Alleppey & Kollam)
Kanyakumari → Varkala	130 Kms	3.5 - 4 Hrs	NH 66 (via Nagercoil & Trivandrum)
Bengaluru → Varkala	680 Kms	12 - 14 Hrs	NH 44 & NH 66 (via Salem, Madurai & Tirunelveli)
Chennai → Varkala	700 Kms	13 - 15 Hrs	NH 38 & NH 66 (via Trichy, Madurai & Tirunelveli)

Note: Driving times can vary based on local traffic conditions and weather. Always check live navigation maps before starting your trip.

Varkala by Bus

Taking a bus is one of the convenient ways to reach Varkala if you are travelling from a nearby city. KSRTC and private buses connect different parts of Kerala, with services available towards Varkala and nearby towns.

If you are travelling from Thiruvananthapuram, Kollam, Alappuzha or Kochi, you can check available bus services for Varkala based on your travel date and preferred timing.

For budget travelers, buses can be a practical choice, particularly for shorter journeys. Kerala also has bus services connecting the state with neighbouring cities such as Bangalore, Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai.

Conclusion

Whether you choose to fly into Trivandrum, catch an overnight train to Varkala Sivagiri, or embark on a scenic coastal drive along National Highway 66, reaching Varkala is completely hassle-free. Thanks to its excellent rail connectivity and proximity to the state capital, planning your getaway to this coastal town is simple regardless of your budget or starting point.

Pack your bags, pick the travel option that best fits your itinerary, and get ready to witness breathtaking sunsets and relax in the laid-back beach vibe of Varkala!

Frequenty Asked Questions (FAQ's)

1. What is the nearest airport to Varkala?

The nearest airport to Varkala is Trivandrum International Airport (TRV), located approximately 45 km away. From the airport, you can easily hire a prepaid taxi, book an app-based cab, or head to Trivandrum Central / Kochuveli Railway Station to catch a local train to Varkala.

2. Which is the main railway station in Varkala?

The primary railway station is Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station (Station Code: VAK). It is well connected with regular express and superfast trains running from cities across South, North, West, and East India.

3. How far is Varkala Cliff from Varkala Railway Station?

Varkala Cliff (North Cliff and South Cliff) is located just 3.5 to 4 km from Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station. A quick auto-rickshaw ride from the station exit takes around 10 to 15 minutes.

4. Can I get a direct bus to Varkala from major cities?

Yes, private sleeper and state-run (KSRTC) buses operate directly to Varkala or stop at Attingal (14–15 km away on NH 66). If dropped off at Attingal, you can quickly hop on a local KSRTC shuttle bus or an auto-rickshaw to reach Varkala Cliff.

5. Is it easy to get auto-rickshaws or taxis at Varkala Station?

Yes, auto-rickshaws and private taxis are readily available right outside the main exit gate of Varkala Sivagiri Railway Station round the clock.