Direct Flights from the Gulf to Kochi

Kochi International has more traffic from the Gulf than from anywhere else, and the schedule is built around people going home rather than tourists arriving.

Most departures from Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi leave late and arrive before dawn, which is unglamorous and extremely efficient. A late-night flight puts you at the lake before breakfast.

Arrange the transfer in advance regardless of arrival time. The drive to Kumarakom takes ninety minutes and to Alleppey rather less, and neither is a journey to begin by negotiating at a taxi rank at four in the morning.

If you are travelling for treatment, build in a day at the start. Beginning panchakarma on the morning after a red-eye is possible and not advisable.