Munnar to Alleppey Distance, Route & Time
By the Kerala Escapes team · updated July 2026
Distance
≈165–175 km
By road
4.5–5.5 hours
Munnar to Alleppey is about 165–175 km by road and takes roughly 4½–5½ hours to drive. The fastest route descends via Adimali on NH85, then runs through Kothamangalam and Muvattupuzha to the coast; a longer, scenic alternative (about 200 km) goes via Kattappana and Kottayam. We include this leg with a private cab as part of your Kerala trip.
The drive: Munnar to Alleppey
The usual, fastest road is the NH85 descent: Munnar → Adimali → Kothamangalam/Muvattupuzha → Chengannur → Alleppey. It's the shortest with the best surface — expect a winding ghat section for the first ~40 km out of Munnar, then easier roads down to the backwaters.
Alternate route: A longer, scenic route (~200 km, ~6 hours) loops via Pooppara, Kattappana and Kottayam — worth it only if you want extra hill scenery and have the time to spare.
How to make the journey
Private cab (what we arrange)
Indicatively ₹2,800–4,700 one-way (sedan to SUV, market rate). We run this leg with a private cab and driver as part of your trip — message us for our current all-in rate.
By bus
KSRTC and private buses also cover the route (around ₹270, ~5 hours), though they often connect via Ernakulam or Kottayam rather than going direct. Check KSRTC for current timings.
By train
There's no railway in Munnar. If you prefer rail, drive to Ernakulam/Aluva and take a train on to Alappuzha (~2 hours).
Best time to leave & where to stop
Leave Munnar early — around 7 am — to clear the ghat descent before midday and reach Alleppey in time for an afternoon houseboat check-in.
- Cheeyappara & Valara Waterfalls, about 40 km out of Munnar on NH85
- Adimali town for fuel and food
- Karadippara viewpoint on the descent
June–September brings heavy Western Ghats rain and the occasional landslide on the Munnar–Adimali ghat — drive it in daylight. October–February is the easiest driving window.
Local knowledge from our drivers
- Same houseboat rule our drivers follow on every backwater leg: leave Munnar early — by about 6:30–7am — so you reach Alleppey by noon, when private boats check in and cruise from around 12:30. (Shared-boat cruises only start about 1:30pm.)
- It's a long descent from the tea hills down to sea level, so we build in a proper lunch stop rather than pushing straight through.
Doing this route as part of a Kerala trip?
We plan the whole route — private cab, the right stays in Munnar and Alleppey, and everything in between — and quote real rates on WhatsApp. Planning is free.
Where to stay in Alleppey
A few Alleppey stays we can book for you — see them all on our Alleppey page.
Uday Backwater Resort
4.7 on Google
Ramada by Wyndham Alleppey
4.2 on Google
Sterling Lake Palace Alleppey
4.4 on Google
Munnar to Alleppey — FAQs
How far is Munnar from Alleppey?
About 165–175 km by the fastest road (via Adimali and Muvattupuzha) — a 4½–5½ hour drive depending on the ghat descent and traffic.
How long does the Munnar to Alleppey drive take?
Roughly 4½ to 5½ hours by car on the main route. Allow extra time in monsoon or if you stop at the waterfalls along NH85.
Is there a direct bus or train from Munnar to Alleppey?
Buses run (often via Ernakulam or Kottayam, ~5 hours), but there's no railway in Munnar. Most travellers do this leg by private cab, which we arrange as part of the trip.
What's the best stop between Munnar and Alleppey?
Cheeyappara and Valara Waterfalls, about 40 km out of Munnar on NH85, are the classic stop on the descent.