How to Reach Ashtamudi by Road, Rail and Air

Kerala is home to some of the most scenic and picturesque towns like Ashtamudi. A quaint town located in the Kollam district, Ashtamudi gets its name from the lake of the same name, which flows through the region and eventually merges into the Arabian Sea. 

This scenic town has gained immense popularity as one of the best places to visit in Kerala, as people from all over the world come here for the backwater experience. Compared to Alleppey, this beautiful town is less crowded, making it the perfect gateway to escape the city conundrum and spend a peaceful holiday with your loved ones in the laps of nature. 

If you are planning a holiday to this town, you may look for ways to reach Ashtamudi, right? Well, in this blog, we provide you with all the information on how to travel to Ashtamudi by rail, road and air and the nearest station in Ashtamudi. The guide also tells you about the best places to visit in Ashtamudi and the best resorts in the town. 

Travelling to Ashtamudi by Air

Although Ashtamudi is a popular tourist town, it does not have an airport. If you plan a holiday to this little paradise, fly to the nearest airport to Ashtamudi, i.e., the Trivandrum International Airport. It is located about 71 km away from Ashtamudi's city centre. 

If you travel from India or overseas to reach Ashtamudi by flight, you must take a flight to Trivandrum. Since it is an international and important airport in Kerala, it has good connectivity to all parts of the country. It also has regular flight connections to many international destinations. 

Once you reach Trivandrum, you can take public transport, i.e., a state-government-run bus from here to Ashtamudi. Alternatively, you can book a cab or hire a private car and reach your destination comfortably. While fares for the cab and private car may be significantly higher than the bus, you can travel without any hassles. Also, you can take a halt in between, explore the places en route and reach Ashtamudi at your own pace. 

Travelling to Ashtamudi by Rail

Travelling by railway to anywhere in India is fun. The Indian Railways has an extensive network of trains that literally connects every corner of the country. If you plan to go to Ashtamudi, a simple online search will help you find the trains running from your hometown to Kollam, the nearest station. 

The Kollam station is situated on the Ernakulam – Thiruvananthapuram railway line and is well-connected to all major cities in India. Daily trains from Mumbai, Hyderabad, Chennai, Mangalore, and Delhi come to Kollam. So, travelling to Ashtamudi by rail is easy. 

Once you reach Kollam, which is located about 37 km from Ashtamudi, you can take a cab or bus to reach your destination. It takes about 40-60 minutes to reach Ashtamudi, and you will surely enjoy the ride as you get to see the thick cover of greenery that Kerala is known for.

Travelling to Ashtamudi by Road

The closest major city to Ashtamudi is Kollam, and it is well connected to all parts of Kerala and nearby states by road. To boost tourism to Kollam and Ashtamudi, the government of Kerala runs state transport corporation buses to these cities from all nearby cities like Kochi, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Thrissur, Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, etc. There are both luxury and semi-luxury buses, and you can choose one based on your budget and comfort needs. 

The time taken to reach Ashtamudi by road would vary based on where you are travelling from. For example, if your starting point is Chennai, it would take about 14-18 hours to cover a distance of 718 km between the two cities. If you are starting from Thrissur, Kerala, the distance to Ashtamudi is 206 km, and it takes about 6-8 hours to reach it. 

If you are not comfortable taking a bus, you can take a road trip and drive yourself from your home to Ashtamudi. You can drive up to the closest city in Kerala from your state and then get on the National Highway 183 to reach Kollam and then drive further to your final destination, Ashtamudi. 

Best places to visit in Ashtamudi

Now that you know how to travel to Ashtamudi through different means, it would help to know the different places to visit in this beautiful town. While the backwaters are the main attraction here, there are other places that are equally alluring and worth exploring. Here are some of the top-notch places you must definitely visit in and around Ashtamudi for a riveting holiday experience:

• Kovilthottam Lighthouse
• Palaruvi Waterfalls
• Kollam Beach
• Veerabhadra Temple
• Jatayu Earth Centre
• Ashtamudi Lake
• Munroe Islands
• Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary

Best resort in Ashtamudi

There are many places to stay in Ashtamudi, but none better than the Club Mahindra Ashtamudi resort. This stunning property is the epitome of luxury and opulence and offers you a chance to live in a floating cottage over the Azure backwaters of Ashtamudi Lake. 

Every cottage is equipped with the most modern amenities that you can imagine to make your stay supremely comfortable and relaxing. The tastefully done interiors in each room deserve a special mention as they reflect the local culture and tradition and enhance your overall stay experience. 

During your stay at this gorgeous resort, you can wake up to the stunning view of the lake around you, and you can also enjoy the view of the sunset and sunrise from the comfort of your bed. You can literally spend an entire day in your room, watching the sky changing colour while enjoying the most luxurious hospitality services. 

The resort is also known for offering the most exquisite and unique dining experience. You can enjoy a delicious meal at the floating restaurant and learn why Kerala cuisine is rated among the best in the world. Every meal is carefully prepared, and the menu includes a range of dishes, including local specialities and popular Indian food. 

All in all, the resort is a wonderful abode to escape the city chaos and rejuvenate in the laps of nature; it offers the best of both worlds – nature and luxury!