Coimbatore sits close to the border with Kerala, and the road to Kochi and Munnar is a familiar one for families, students and weekend travellers. Buses run from morning to night, and the journey is a pleasant mix of plains, palm groves and hills. The route to Kochi passes through Palakkad and Thrissur, while Munnar needs a turn into the hills. This guide covers how to plan a bus trip on both routes, the timing, the seats, the luggage and the little things that make a long road easier for a family.
The two routes
The road to Kochi runs through Palakkad and Thrissur and is a good highway for most of the way. The trip to Munnar usually goes through the hills and takes longer than the distance suggests, because the road climbs through tea and spice country. Plan to arrive in daylight if you can.
Some travellers take a bus to Kochi and then go on to Munnar by another bus or a hired vehicle. Others take a direct bus where one is available. Check the options on your date.
From Coimbatore the road goes through Walayar into Kerala, then through Palakkad and on to Thrissur and Kochi. It is a road that most people find easy, and the journey is a good one for a daytime trip because the landscape changes from dry plains to green hills and palm groves.
Day or night bus
For Kochi, both day and night buses are popular. A day bus lets you see the countryside, and a night bus saves a day. For Munnar, a day journey is more comfortable and more scenic.
If you are travelling with children or elders, choose a time that avoids the hottest part of the day.
A day bus leaves you the afternoon and the evening to explore Kochi, and a night bus puts you in the city early in the morning. If you plan to continue to Munnar the same day, an early start from Coimbatore is the only way to keep it comfortable.
Choosing a seat
On the hill road, the front seats are more comfortable for anyone who feels sick, and the window seats give the best views. If you are in a seater, choose a seat in the middle section, where the ride is smoother.
Check the seat map, and when you travel as a group, pick seats together.
If you are in a group, pick seats in the same row or on both sides of the aisle. Keep the children on the window side with an adult next to them. On the hill road, the middle seats are the smoothest.
Luggage and what to carry
Check the luggage allowance of the operator. Hill weather can be cool and wet, so carry a jacket and a light rain cover. Keep your documents, medicines and water within reach, and put large bags in the luggage space.
If you plan trekking or photography, carry a small bag that you can keep with you.
For short trips, a small cabin bag is easier to handle than a big suitcase. If you travel to Munnar for a night, you can leave the heavy luggage at your lodge in Coimbatore or Kochi.
Boarding and dropping points
In Coimbatore, buses may board from different points in the city. Choose the one closest to you. In Kochi, check whether the drop is at a central point or in a suburb, and in Munnar check how far it is from your stay.
The ticket shows the times and the addresses of each point, so read them before the day.
- Read the boarding and dropping points on the ticket
- Reach the boarding point early
- Keep the operator's number handy
- Carry a rain cover in the monsoon months
Season and booking
Long weekends and festival weeks are busy, and seats fill early. The monsoon can affect the hill road, so keep a margin in your plan. Check the cancellation terms before you pay.
You can compare buses, see seat maps and read the boarding and dropping points on Oray before booking.
If you are travelling in the festival weeks, expect crowded buses and plan the boarding in advance. Keep the booking details on your phone and arrive early at the boarding point.
Questions
Is there a direct bus from Coimbatore to Munnar?
Direct options depend on the day, and some travellers change buses on the way. Check the available buses for your date.
Which is better, a day or a night bus to Kochi?
A day bus lets you see the route, and a night bus saves a day. Choose by your plan.
How should I prepare for the hill road?
Sit near the front if you feel sick, carry water, and avoid a heavy meal before the journey.