The nearest airport to Periyar and Thekkady is Madurai in Tamil Nadu, roughly 136 to 141 km by road depending on the source. Kochi (Cochin International Airport) is the main alternative at about 185 to 190 km, and usually has more flight options. Both need a road transfer of several hours, since Thekkady has no airport or railway station of its own.
Updated October 2026 · HappyFares
Periyar Tiger Reserve sits in the Western Ghats near the town of Kumily, and most visitors arrive by air and then drive up into the hills. This guide compares the two airports that make sense, explains the transfer, and covers when the reserve is at its best.
Which is the nearest airport to Periyar and Thekkady?
Madurai is the closest airport by road. Travel guides put it at roughly 136 to 141 km from Thekkady, and the figure differs a little between sources, so treat it as a ballpark. The airport lies about 12 km south of Madurai city centre, which means the drive to the hills begins fairly quickly after you land.
Kochi, officially Cochin International Airport, is the main alternative. Guides quote roughly 185 to 190 km from the airport to Thekkady. Wikipedia describes the reserve as 147 km southeast of Kochi city, so the number you see depends on whether the starting point is the city or the airport and on which route is measured. Plan for a longer drive from Kochi than from Madurai.
Thiruvananthapuram (Trivandrum) is also in the wider region. Road distance to Thekkady varies by route, so compare actual drive times on a map before choosing it.
Madurai or Kochi: which airport should you fly into?
The better choice is usually the one with a convenient flight from your home city at a sensible fare, because the road distance difference is not enormous compared with the total journey.
- Madurai: shorter drive. As of January 2026, Wikipedia lists Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and SpiceJet on domestic routes, with destinations including Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Delhi and Hyderabad. The list is limited, so check whether your city has a direct or one-stop option.
- Kochi: longer drive, wider network. Wikipedia lists domestic services by Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air, Alliance Air, Fly91, IndiGo and SpiceJet, plus many international airlines.
If you are connecting from abroad, Kochi is the likelier gateway. If you are coming from a city with a direct Madurai flight, that airport can save you driving time. Compare both on the same dates before you decide.
One aviation detail worth knowing: Cochin International Airport became the world’s first fully solar powered airport in 2015, according to its Wikipedia entry.
How do you get from the airport to Thekkady?
You will usually take a taxi or a bus. Travel guides note that from either airport you can find a bus or a private cab heading to Thekkady. A pre-arranged taxi is generally easier if you land late or travel with luggage, while buses suit travellers with flexible timing.
Thekkady has no railway station. Kottayam is commonly named as the nearest railhead, around 110 to 114 km away according to travel guides. Kumily is the town most people use as a base, and the park itself is about 4 km from Kumily.
The road climbs through hills and bends, so the clock time is often longer than the kilometre count suggests. Avoid booking a tight onward connection on the same day, and do not plan a late-night arrival into the hills if you can avoid it.
When is the best time to visit Periyar?
Climate figures on Wikipedia show temperatures around 15 degrees Celsius in December and January, rising to about 31 degrees Celsius in April and May. Most of the rain falls during the southwest monsoon from June to September, and the northeast monsoon adds more rain from October to December. Cooler months are generally more comfortable for walking and boating, while the monsoon brings heavy rain to the hills.
The reserve has a long protection history. The forests were first protected in 1934 as Nellikkampatty Reserve, became a wildlife sanctuary in 1950 and a tiger reserve in 1978, and the core area was notified as a national park in 1982. The lake at its centre was formed when the Mullaperiyar Dam was built in 1895.
What can you do once you reach Thekkady?
Kerala Tourism describes a boat ride on the lake as the ideal way to see animals such as gaur and sambar, and says elephants come to the water to drink and cool off. Sightings are never guaranteed, so go with relaxed expectations.
Kerala Tourism also points visitors to the Forest Information Centre in Thekkady, where watch tower reservations can be made. Activities and timings are set by the forest authorities and can change, so confirm locally on arrival and book official activities only through official channels.
Common Questions
Is there an airport in Thekkady?
No. Thekkady has no airport or railway station. Visitors fly into Madurai or Kochi and continue by road.
Which is closer to Periyar, Madurai or Kochi?
Madurai is closer by road, at roughly 136 to 141 km, against about 190 km from Kochi, according to travel guides.
Is there a train to Thekkady?
No. Kottayam is commonly named as the nearest railway station, about 110 to 114 km away, followed by a road transfer.
How far is Thekkady from Kumily?
Wikipedia gives the distance from Periyar National Park to Kumily as about 4 km.
Does the monsoon affect a visit?
Most rain falls from June to September, with more from the northeast monsoon between October and December, so expect wet weather in the hills then. Check conditions before you travel.
Can I request wheelchair help at the airport?
Yes, but ask the airline you are flying with when you book. Airlines handle special assistance requests.
Comparing Madurai and Kochi for your Periyar trip? Search both on HappyFares, set a price alert, and ask Meera, our AI assistant, to help. Domestic bookings carry zero convenience fee, and our price-match guarantee and travel insurance are there if you want them.
Airline routes, fees and rules change. Verify current specifics with the airline, DGCA, the airport or the Periyar Tiger Reserve authorities before you travel.
