SWTD Boats: Discover Kerala Backwaters Affordably

If you’re planning a trip to Kerala, and looking for a unique and relaxing way to explore its scenic beauty, taking a cruise on the backwaters with SWTD Boats is a must. State Water Transport Department (SWTD) is a government agency that operates ferry services along the backwaters for public transportation and tourism purposes.

Cruise Kerala Backwaters with SWTD Boats

Discover the picturesque waterways of Kerala through a variety of boat services, starting from different locations such as Alappuzha, Edathua, Kavalam, Muhamma, Nedumudy, Panavally, and Pulincunnu in the Alappuzha district. Additionally, boat services are available from Ernakulam, Changanacherry, Kottayam station, and Vaikkom in the Kottayam district, while Parassinikadavu and Payyannur in the Kannur district, and Ayitti in the Kasargode district also offer boat services. With an abundance of options, planning your itinerary to explore the most enchanting waterways of Kerala is made easy.

What’s great about SWTD Boats is that they offer an array of options for tourists who want to experience the backwaters. You can choose from different types of boats, such as motorboats, speedboats, luxury boats, and houseboats, and even pick a route that best fits your interests and preferences.

SWTD Boat Services in Alappuzha: Best Routes

Some of the most popular routes of SWTD Boat Services in Alleppey are:

Alappuzha to Kottayam: This route covers about 30 kilometers of the Vembanad Lake, the largest lake in Kerala and one of the largest in India. You can enjoy panoramic views of the lake and its islands, paddy fields, coconut groves, and villages along the banks. The journey takes about two hours and costs INR 80 per person.

Alappuzha to Kollam: This route covers about 85 kilometers of Ashtamudi Lake and its branches, forming the second-largest lake system in Kerala. You can see a variety of flora and fauna, such as mangroves, water lilies, birds, and fish. You can also visit some historical and cultural attractions along the way, such as temples, churches, forts, and palaces. The journey takes about eight hours and costs INR 400 per person.

Alappuzha to Kumarakom: This route covers about 16 kilometers of the Kuttanad region, known as the rice bowl of Kerala. You can witness the unique lifestyle of the people who live on reclaimed land below sea level and cultivate rice and other crops. You can also see some rare species of birds at the Kumarakom Bird Sanctuary. The journey takes about one hour and costs INR 50 per person.

Boat Schedules, Routes, Ticket Prices

There are 54 boat services from Alappuzha station and you can book your tickets online or at the SWTD boat jetty in Alappuzha. SWTD Boats operate daily except on Sundays and public holidays. For more information, you can contact them at +91-477-2252510 or swtd@kerala.gov.in. Visit this page to know more about the boat schedules of different regions.

Types of SWTD Boats

The Kerala State Water Transport Department offers a range of affordable inland water transport services for both tourists and commuters. These services encompass circular and tourist boat services, water taxis, and solar-powered vessels, providing passengers with scenic views of greenery and backwaters. Boats operate on various routes, with schedules available for timings. The services have helped to enhance tourism and cater to public transportation needs in the Alappuzha and Kollam districts. Some of the popular boats are:

See Kuttanad

The State Water Transport Department of Kerala offers a Passenger-cum-Tourist service called “See Kuttanadu” to provide inland water transport service at economical rates for tourists to enjoy the beauty of the greenery and backwaters of Kuttanadu. The circular service operates seven times a day, and a snack bar is available on the boat.

The service started on May 23, 2012, and interested passengers can contact 9400050325 or 9400050326 to book the See Kuttanad boats. The boat ride costs INR 120 for a 2-hour ride, with an additional charge of INR 60 for the upper deck and INR 23 or INR 16 for the lower deck, depending on the destination. The boat operates on various routes, with timings available on the schedule.

Water Taxi

The State Water Transport Department is launching a water taxi service in Alappuzha, Kerala, to meet the public’s transportation needs and boost tourism during the COVID-19 pandemic. The catamaran boats are designed for speed and safety, accommodating up to ten passengers at a time, and will be a crucial milestone for the department’s future operations. The taxi can be hired from any location in the Alappuzha district at a rate of INR 1,500 per hour and can accommodate up to 10 passengers. People can call 9400050325 or 9400050322 for water taxi services.

See Ashtamudi

See Ashtamudi is a tourist boat service that was inaugurated by the Finance Minister on March 10, 2023, in Kollam District. The service operates daily at 11:30 AM from Kollam and takes tourists on a pleasurable trip across the waves of Lake Ashtamudi, visiting scenic locations such as Sambranikkodi, Koyivila, Munroe Thuruth, Kannankaatt Kadav Bridge, Peringalam, Peruman Bridge, and Kaakkathuruthu, before returning to Sambranikkodi.

The tourists get an hour to spend on Sambranikodi Island and can enjoy traditional Kerala-style food served by the Kudumbasree Unit in the boat counters. The ferry ride lasts for 5 hours, and the ticket rates are INR 400/- for the lower deck and INR 500/- for the upper deck. For further inquiries and ticket booking, please contact 9400050390.

Vega-2

The journey of Vega-2 begins from Alappuzha Station at 11.30 a.m., connecting Punnamada – Vembanad backwater – Muhamma – Pathiramanal – Kumarakom – “R” Block – Marthandam – Chithira – “C” Block – Kuppapuram, and finally back at Alappuzha. The Vega-2 vessel has 40 seats in the A/C cabin and 80 seats in the non-A/C cabin, providing commuters with a comfortable four-hour journey. There is a 15-minute break at Pathiramanal, and Kudumbasree Mission coordinates tiny refreshments in the vessel. For booking Vega-2 boats, visitors can contact 9400050325 or 9400050326. The ticket fare is INR 600 for A/C (one side INR 300) and INR 400 for non-A/C (one side INR 200).

Aditya Solar Boat

“ADITYA” was inaugurated on Jan 2017 as India’s first solar-powered vessel for inland water transport. The vessel was launched by Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Kerala, and blessed by Shri. Piyush Goyal, the Hon’ble Minister of Petroleum, Govt. of India. The solar ferry has a seating capacity of 75 passengers and operates on the Vaikom-Thavanakadavu route, helping to reduce air and water pollution. The successful implementation of this solar-powered vessel is a significant milestone for the Department of Inland Water Transport in India.

Summary

The State Water Transport Department (SWTD) in Kerala operates ferry services for both public transportation and tourism. Their array of options, including different types of boats and routes such as Alleppey to Kottayam, Alleppey to Kollam, and Alleppey to Kumarakom, have helped to enhance tourism and cater to public transportation needs in the Alappuzha and Kollam districts. With affordable inland water transport services, SWTD Boat Services offer comfort, convenience, and scenic views of greenery and backwaters. Experience the charm and culture of Kerala’s waterways and create memories that will last a lifetime.