Kottayam is well connected by rail, which is the most practical way to arrive. Regular trains run from Ernakulam (Kochi), about 60 km to the north — the journey takes around an hour and services run throughout the day. From Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) to the south, trains take two to three hours. The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery, about 85 km from Kottayam; from there, taxis and buses cover the distance in around two hours depending on traffic. Kottayam also has good bus connections to Kumarakom, Periyar, and the hill stations to the east.