Munnar is about 130 kilometres east of Kochi by road — a journey of around four hours on winding mountain roads that rises from sea level to 1,500 metres. The drive is spectacular and is itself one of the attractions: the road passes through rubber plantations, spice gardens, waterfalls, and increasingly dense forest before arriving in the tea-covered hills.
Buses run regularly between Ernakulam (central Kochi) and Munnar and take four to five hours. Taxis and private cars can also be hired from Kochi. There is no rail connection to Munnar; the nearest railhead is at Aluva on the Kochi–Shoranur line. From Madurai in Tamil Nadu, Munnar is about 145 kilometres (four hours).