Kochi Airport (COK) Flights & Flight Status

Kochi Airport is the primary gateway to India’s vibrant Kerala, and as Indian airports go it is fairly efficient. As a bonus it’s fully solar powered. With two terminals (one domestic, one international) laid out in a straightforward manner, it’s generally easy to move through despite being the 4th largest airport in India. With a little bit of know-how, getting through and around this regional Indian airport should be no problem at all.

Navigating Kochi Airport

It’s helpful to know going in that Kochi Airport is located quite a distance from the city of Kochi itself, and from the popular tourist area of Fort Kochi. You should count on at least an hour to get to and from and most journeys will be by car/taxi.

As you approach the airport, keep an eye out for the massive solar power plant just adjacent, filled with the cells powering the airport. It’s a nice thing to witness. And then you’ll either be headed to Terminal 1 (domestic) or Terminal 3 (international), which are not far from each other. There is also a Terminal 2, in case you were wondering, but it’s for private flights and special charters.

Once you arrive you’ll face the usual Indian airport procedure of lining up to enter the terminal by showing your ID and boarding pass or ticket. I always recommend printing out whatever you can just in case the digital version hits a snag or the security agent doesn’t like it for whatever reason – however in theory you can have everything on your phone and it’s fine. Then it’s a pretty typical setup in both terminals for check in and security.

A note on security

Airport security in India is meticulous and Kochi is no exception. You should plan to remove literally everything electronic from your bag including chargers. I’ve had all kinds of things scrutinised as well as confiscated at security in India, including seemingly innocuous things like electrical tape. As with navigating most airports in India, it’s good to go in with plenty of time, take a few deep breaths, and just be patient.

A unique aesthetic

Although the terminals look less modern and flashy than your typical airport, I’ve always kind of enjoyed the unique look Kochi has going as it’s a nice change of pace. The airport employs a “heritage” aesthetic drawing on local architecture and some sections use quite a bit of wood. Another personal favourite feature of mine: if passing through the international terminal 3 don’t miss the collection of life-size elephant statues, a nod to the local Thrissur Pooram festival.

Coming upgrades and terminal expansion

Kochi Airport has a series of improvement projects and expansion works underway and/or planned, so you may arrive to find some construction ongoing, especially at Terminal 3 which is currently being expanded. However, most of the works are addressing infrastructure like ramp space so shouldn’t be an issue. However it’s good to know that it is in the process of expanding and in theory, improving its capability to handle a growing number of passengers.

DigiYatra and facial recognition

If you travel through Indian airports you may notice lanes marked “DigiYatra” at the various checkpoints. This is a facial recognition system that speeds up the process but is only open to holders of Indian identity cards at the moment. However they’re beginning to trial this for international flights and the goal is to expand it to those with foreign passports. So if you plan to fly quite a bit around India, watch this space!

The viewing gallery

If you find yourself with time to kill before going through security or perhaps while waiting for an incoming passenger, there is a “viewers gallery” here from which you can have a nice view of the ramp and runway. Unfortunately they charge for entry, whereas at most airports in the world observation decks like this are usually free. However, it’s not a huge amount, and it’s a nice little spot especially if you appreciate some light plane-spotting.

Airlines & destinations

Kochi has quite a few flights every day, most of them fanning out to points around India in addition to several flights to the Gulf hubs like Doha and Dubai, plus flights to Southeast Asia. There is currently one flight to Europe: Air India’s service to London Gatwick.

There’s also a good amount of service from low cost airlines in Asia, which makes getting to and from here affordable and easy if you’re putting together a combined trip with Thailand or Vietnam especially. Note that low cost carrier IndiGo also serves most of the major Middle Eastern airports from here, which can be another money saver. They offer a basic service but it tends to work well and on time.

Getting to and from Kochi Airport

In most cases getting to and from the airport and Kochi city will mean taking a taxi. It’s going to be the most straightforward way and the cost is not exorbitant. This is what I do. However, there are some public transport options if you’re feeling like doing something different and maybe avoiding traffic. Traffic in India can always get bad and it’s unpredictable, so it’s good to be aware of all your options.

Taxi

Kochi Airport features the usual mix of pre-paid taxis and ride-hailing options including Uber. As with everywhere else in India, I almost always just call an Uber as it’s cheap and straightforward, but the pre-paid taxis, bookable in the arrivals hall, are also a decent option. They do tend to be a little more expensive though. Ubers can also be booked for longer distance travel here.

Bus

There are air-conditioned buses travelling between the airport and city roughly every hour or so (but check the timings at the airport to be sure). These go to a handful of points in the city like Fort Kochi. The company running these is KSRTC, and you can also book bus tickets in advance online.

Shuttle to metro

There’s currently no metro connection to Kochi Airport but you can actually catch a bus over to the Aluva Metro station about a 15 minute ride away. The shuttle leaves every half hour – look for signs at arrivals. Another option, if you don’t want to wait for the shuttle, would be to take an Uber to the metro and then onward into the city. But honestly I’d only really recommend the metro option if traffic is really bad.

Lounges

Kochi has two lounges which can be accessed for a fee by all passengers, one in the domestic terminal and one in the international. They are both called Earth Lounge, and while they’re nothing special they are a bit calmer than the main terminal and offer some decent amenities. Plus kids under 7 get in free. These are also accessible to Priority Pass cardholders.

Airport Wi-Fi

Kochi Airport suffers from the same Wi-Fi problem as every other Indian airport in that there is free WiFi but you’ll need an Indian phone number to receive a one-time password on. However, I have had luck at Kochi asking someone at the help desk to receive said password for me. You never know, but this is a potential way to get connected. Or cut out the uncertainty and always have an eSim installed with a local data package – much easier.

What to do on a layover

Kochi itself is a charming city but because it’s at least an hour away, it only really makes sense to head into town if you have pretty much a full day of layover to work with.

If you do have a full day to work with and you don’t feel like an urban experience, consider the Athirapally Waterfalls. These are also close to an hour away, but in the opposite direction in the mountains and they are very beautiful. It could be worth the drive for a jungle experience if you’re looking for a nature escape.

For something closer, head to Kalady, fifteen minutes away. It’s a temple, gallery and ashram that will give you a good dose of culture without a long trip.

Airport hotels

Kochi Airport offers a good selection of airport hotels that are convenient to reach from the terminals. A number are within a reasonable walking distance (though it does require walking along Indian roads so some may prefer a shuttle, but it’s nice to have the option). And there is one within the airport itself.

To begin with, right in the domestic terminal you’ll find CIAL Guest House – it’s relatively basic but comfortable and not too expensive. For ease of use overall this is an option that makes a lot of sense.

Otherwise just facing the airport complex along the Airport Road, about a ten minute walk or three minute shuttle bus from the terminals, you have a number of options. For something a little more affordable I would recommend the Presidency Hotel. Though my favourite is the Courtyard by Marriott, a little further down the road – it’s the best overall for comfort in my opinion.