Most of the resorts and budget accommodation is located on the Cliff overlooking the Varkala beach
[#train]The cheapest and most convenient way to reach Varkala from Bangalore is by train.
A few express trains from Bangalore stop at Varkala. Trains take about 14 hrs from Bangalore to Varkala.
[#1]Take the overnight Kanyakumari Express (Train no:16526) from Bangalore. Get down at Varkala (VAK). This train is the best direct option to travel from Bangalore to Varkala.
[#2]If you are traveling on mondays, take the Trivandrum Express ( Train No:16526) from Krishnarajapuram (KJM)
Option 3: Take the Kochuveli Express (Daily). Get down at Kollam Jn. Take the next connection train to Varkala (30min journey)
Option 4: Or, explore any train to Ernakulam (Cochin) from Bangalore. There are frequent trains to Varkala (in every 1 or 2 hours and 3 hours journey )
Station Codes : KSR Bengaluru (SBC), Bengaluru Cantonment (BNC), Krishnarajapurm (KJM), Whitefield (WFD), Varkala (VAK), Kollam Jn (QLN)
There are other weekly & bi weekly train from Bangalore on this route.
[#tip]Many express trains do not stop at Varkala. Search from train from Bangalore or Krishnarajapuram (KJM) to Thiruvananthapuram Central (TVC) or Kollam Jn (QLN), you'll see many choices than searching directly to Varkala. You can get down at Kollam Jn, a main station before Varkala and take the next local/express train that stops at Varkala. Kollam to Varkala is about 30 min by train.
Flight to Varkala
[#flight] Fly to Trivandrum (TRV) from Bangalore. Take a cab from airport to Varkala ( 40km, 1Hr+ drive).
Bus to Varkala
[#bus] Board any bus that goes towards Thiruvananthapuram on NH66 ( via Kollam). Get down at Kallambalam on the NH66. Varkala is a short local bus or auto rickshaw ride (11km) .
KSRTC (Karnataka) operates a AIRAVAT CLUB CLASS on this route. In KSRTC.in , book ticket to AATINGAL, a town just ahead of Kallambalam. Request conductor to drop you at Kallambalam.
On KSRTC (Kerala) keralartc.com, book a ticket to TRIVANDRUM on any bus that travels via Alappuzha (ALP) & Kollam (KLM). Request a drop at Kallambalam.
On the Redbus portal, search for any bus services via ATTINGAL. Get down at Kallambalam.
Some private bus services offer direct booking to Varkala ( with complementary AC cab services to Varkala from the Kallambalam drop point)
[#road] There are two major route to Varkala from Bangalore. Select option 2 is you want to drive leisurely. Go for option 1, which is mostly through the busy towns of Kerala.
[#1]Option 1 (680km, ~15Hr) : Bangalore (take NH44) - Salem (take NH544) - Coimbatore - Ernakulam (take NH66)- Alappuzha - Kollam - Kallambalam - Varkala.
Super fast highway till Coimbatore (4/6 lanes). Relatively fast highway from Coimbatore to Ernakulam. Busy highway from Ernakulam to Kallambalam. Then take the local road (20min).
[#2]Option 2 (710km, ~15Hr) : Bangalore (take NH44) - Salem - Dindigul - Madurai (take NH744) - Tenkasi - Thenmala (exit NH744) - kallambalam - Varkala.
Fast highway till Madurai bypass (4/6 lanes). Less busy 2 lane highway till Thenmala . Leave NH744 and take the Ghat road to cross Kerala border (scenic route through western Ghats). State highway & local roads till Varkala.
Freq. | Train Name (Train No) | Stations in Bangalore | Get down at |
---|---|---|---|
Daily | Kanyakumari Express (16526) | SBC, BNC , KJM , WFD | Varkala (VAK) |
Mondays | Trivandrum Express (16331) | KJM | Varkala (VAK) |
Daily | Kochuveli Express (16315) | SBC, BNC , KJM , WFD | Getdown at Kollam and get a connection to Varkala |
Two major Rail Routes for traveling to north and south Kerala from Bangalore.
Rail route to Varkala
Flight & Rail routes to Varkala from Bangalore
Kochuveli Express ( Train Number 16315/16316 ) connects central and south Kerala towns with Mysore via Bangalore.