Kollam District - Transportation

Transportation

Kollam is well-connected to all parts of the state by bus and train service. It is also connected to neighboring states by frequent bus service operated by the Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) and Indian Railways. Kollam has no airport; the nearest airport is Trivandrum International Airport, about 65 kilometres (40 mi) away. The district has a good railway network, with 22 stations and about 132 kilometres (82 mi) of track.

The district is well-connected to other parts of Kerala and India by National Highways 47, 220 and 744. The state highway—Main Central Road (MC Road) and Punalur-Pathanamthitta-Muvattupuzha (Main Eastern Highway)—connects Kollam with other districts. Intrastate road transportation is served by the KSRTC, Tamilnadu State Transport and Karnataka State Transport Companies. Indian Railways also operates long distance and shuttle services between Kollam and the neighbouring districts of Thiruvananthapuram, Kottayam and Alappuzha. There is also a shuttle service between Kollam and Ernakulam. KSRTC Interstate bus service operates from the Kollam Transport and Kottarakkara Transport bus stations.

Kollam is connected by inland waterway to Alappuzha. The waterways are popular attractions and scenic tourist destinations in the area. The Kerala State Water Transport Department (KSWTD) has an operating centre near the KSRTC bus stand. Tourists may hire motorised country boats and Houseboats with amenities (kettavulam in Malayalam)to cruise along the waterways.