Useful tips for Kochi bus groups with ‘what to see’ and ‘what to do’ items and ‘bus- friendly’ or must see tourist sites in Kochi. Check our list of attractions before planning your bus tour with a stop or departure in Kochi. Let us know if your favourite attraction or ‘bus-stop’ is not there and you think we should add it to our list of Kochi highlights.
If you"ve come from elsewhere in India you"ll find Kochi"s streets very manageable in terms of traffic. If you"ve landed directly from Europe then you"ll still get a gentle sense of the craziness on Indian roads. Taxis are a convenient mode of travel in Kochi and you won"t encounter the same amount of scams found elsewhere in India. There are 3 types.
Taxis in Kochi are hard to distinguish. They don"t have taxi markings or signs, or follow one set colour. Pre booked taxis are usually more modern vehicles but you still shouldn"t always expect something that would pass a roadworthy test in Europe. If you demand a good quality vehicle then you should consider car with driver hire in Kochi.
These taxis are pre booked and follow set tariffs usually around €1for the first 3kms and 15cents a km after. Most taxis and taxi services will also offer half day or full day hire on an ad hoc basis. Kumar Taxis in Mattancherry, Taxi Car Kerala on Ravipuram Road, and Ernakulam South Pre-Paid taxi service in S Railway Station Rd, are reliable local taxi companies.
In Kochi taxis don"t have a clear sign so it"s hard to know what is a licensed taxi or not. If somebody offers you a lift you should ask to see his license to confirm it"s a taxi. To take a regular taxi you are best finding a taxi stand or waiting outside a large hotel. They will charge a similar price as a pre-booked taxi, and there is less ripping off foreign passengers in Kochi as there is in the rest of India.
These are much easier to distinguish. Tiny scooter engine, check. Smiling driver with moustache, check. Hardly enough space for any passengers, check. Yep, you"ve found a tuctuc or auto rickshaw. For €1 you can go about 7-8kms and your driver will make sure it"s an adventure as he swerves around cows, accelerates (up to 20kph) between taxis, and generally makes you feel like you"re in a computer game. These are best for short journeys.
As taxis are not easily distinguished in Kochi random cars may stop and offer you a lift. To confirm it"s a taxi ask to see the driver"s registration or at the very least his fare card.
Although this isn"t as commonplace as Mumbai or Delhi you will still need to negotiate for some of your taxi journeys. If you"re carrying luggage or look new to the city the driver will not use the standard fare, as he knows you"re unsure about the real prices. You can pre book a taxi to pick you up at the airport and train station, and ask the driver about real prices that will help you in future negotiations.
Kochi shuts down at night and it"s rare to see people out on the streets once you go outside the main tourist area of the Fort. For this reason we recommend pre booking a taxi when travelling after dark.
When taking a taxi in Kochi it is best to go to a taxi stand. You will find designated taxi stands at Kochi Railway Station, Cochin International Airport (COK), beside the boat jetties, and in front of the main hotels.
Cab services are one way to get around Kochi. If you are looking for other ways to travel around Kochi, take a look at car rentals with driver in Kochi or mini bus hire in Kochioptions. For more information and tips about Kerala, visit the travel services page. Get ideas for trips in and around Kochi on the transport in Kerala page.
Requesting quotes is free! Start comparing cab services in Kochi today by using our form.
Cab services are one way to get around Kochi. If you are looking for other ways to travel around Kochi, take a look at car rentals with driver in Kochi or mini bus hire in Kochi options. For more information and tips about India, visit the travel services page. Get ideas for trips in and around Kochi on the transport in Kerala page.
Requesting quotes is free! Start comparing cab services in Kochi today by using our form.
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