Ashtamudi Lake is Kerala's quieter backwater: a shared day cruise from Rs 400, a day houseboat with meals from Rs 1,550, and no need to pay Alleppey overnight prices unless sleeping on the water is the point.
For a backwater day out, Kollam is cheaper and quieter than Alleppey. A shared Ashtamudi day cruise costs Rs 400 to Rs 500 per person on the state water transport boat, or from Rs 1,550 per person on a private-style day houseboat with meals. A private overnight houseboat is Alleppey's product: Kollam has far fewer overnight boats, and no current published Kollam overnight tariff could be verified, so this guide does not invent one. Want a bedroom night on the water? Book Alleppey. Want a calm lake, a long day cruise, and a lower bill? Go to Kollam.
Ashtamudi Lake, in Kollam district, is Kerala's second-largest lake. Its name refers to eight braids, or channels, from the main lake, and it is a Ramsar-listed wetland. Boats move between open lake water, narrow canals, and island stops such as Munroe Island and Sambranikodi, instead of one busy canal corridor. Alleppey has more boats and choice; Kollam has fewer boats, wider views, and a slower pace.
Kollam also suits a south Kerala route: it sits between Alleppey and Trivandrum, so it pairs with Varkala or Trivandrum, while Alleppey pairs with Kochi and Kumarakom. Pick one water experience per day.
Do not confuse the three day products when comparing prices: a shared boat, a private-style day houseboat, and a DTPC format differ in what food and seating they include.
| Option | Timings | Price verified October 2026 | What is included |
|---|---|---|---|
| See Ashtamudi shared boat (SWTD) | Day cruise, as listed by Kerala Tourism | Rs 400 lower deck, Rs 500 upper deck | 90-person double-decker boat, Ashtamudi cruise with Sambranikodi mangrove visit |
| JK Royal Cruise day houseboat | 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, 7 hours, 52 km | From Rs 1,550 per person (operator price range) | AC lower deck, open deck, brunch, lunch, desserts, evening tea |
| DTPC Kollam round-trip cruise | 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM | Confirm tariff with DTPC before booking | Full-day Ashtamudi islands cruise; no current tariff on the DTPC page read |
| DTPC Munroe Island country craft cruise | 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM and 2:00 PM to 6:30 PM | Confirm tariff with DTPC before booking | Country craft village cruise; older online fares not used, as they are out of date |
Optional island stops on the JK Royal day cruise cost extra: Munroe Island Rs 100 and Sambranikodi Island Rs 150. That operator does not offer overnight stays. If a listing promises a Kollam overnight on the same boat, ask for the boat name and boarding time in writing.
This is where the comparison turns in Alleppey's favour. Alleppey has hundreds of private houseboats in Deluxe, Premium, and Luxury classes, with check-in at noon and check-out at 9:00 AM, all meals included, and a 5 to 6 hour cruise on day one plus a short morning cruise. Kerala tariff lists commonly quote a 1-bedroom Deluxe overnight from about Rs 8,500 and a 2-bedroom Deluxe from about Rs 12,500, before GST. Our Alleppey group guide puts a 3-bedroom boat for 6 at Rs 18,000 to Rs 21,000 a night in Deluxe, Rs 26,000 to Rs 27,000 in Premium, and Rs 36,000 to Rs 42,000 in Luxury, all meals included.
| Choice | Best for | Cost picture | Trade-off |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kollam day cruise | Day trippers, families, first-time backwater visitors on a budget | Rs 400 to Rs 500 shared boat; from Rs 1,550 private-style day houseboat with meals | No bedroom night on the water on the main bookable boats |
| Alleppey private overnight | Couples, families, and anyone who wants to sleep on the water | From about Rs 8,500 for a 1-bedroom Deluxe; Rs 18,000 to Rs 21,000 for a 3-bedroom Deluxe for 6 | Busier canals near town, earlier booking needed in peak season |
| Kollam to Alleppey cruise | Travellers moving north who want the journey to be the day | Confirm price with DTPC or the operator; format is a full day and night stay | One-way logistics: you end in a different town from where you started |
The practical rule is simple. If sleeping on a houseboat is the point, pay Alleppey prices and book early. If the point is a backwater day and lunch on the water, Kollam gives you that for a fraction of the overnight price, and you sleep in a Kollam hotel that night.
The Kollam to Alappuzha cruise is the longest classic backwater journey in Kerala, at about 8 hours on the water, passing villages, paddy edges, and coir-making hamlets. DTPC Kollam lists it as a one-way trip with a full day and night stay, and also lists a 2-day, 2-night Kollam to Alleppey to Kochi option. You board in Kollam and finish in Alleppey, so you need a hotel in Alleppey that night. DTPC also lists two Kollam overnight formats: See and Sleep, 2:00 PM to 8:00 AM, and Star Night, 5:00 PM to 8:00 AM. Their current tariff was not published on the page read for this post, so get price, meals, and AC hours in writing before paying.
Kollam is easier from Trivandrum than from Kochi. From Trivandrum it is about 70 km, about 1 hour by train and about 2 hours by road. From Kochi it is about 142 to 146 km, and the train is the sensible choice.
| Route | Distance | Time | Cost indication |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kochi to Kollam by train | About 142 km | Fastest about 2 hours 25 minutes | From about Rs 100 in listings; check IRCTC for your train |
| Kochi to Kollam by bus | About 142 km | Fastest about 2 hours 10 minutes in listings | From about Rs 150 in listings; fares vary by service |
| Kochi to Kollam by Uber Intercity | About 146 km | About 5 hours | Go Rs 3,803, Sedan Rs 4,331, XL Rs 5,982 in the Uber Intercity listing |
| Trivandrum to Kollam by train | About 70 km | About 1 hour | Check IRCTC; route guides list train as best on this leg |
For a day cruise, arrive the night before or take an early train: a 10:00 AM or 11:00 AM boarding leaves no room for a late Kochi departure. Kollam Junction is the railhead; take a taxi or auto to the boat jetty area on Link Road.
Best time to visit is October to April, when the lake is calmest and the heat is easier than in summer. Carry water and sunscreen, and keep phones in a dry bag on small country craft.
Related planning: Alleppey houseboat cost for 1 night for 2 people, Alleppey day cruise vs overnight houseboat, Kochi to Trivandrum train vs flight vs car, and Trivandrum 2 day itinerary.
For a day trip, yes: shared Rs 400 to Rs 500, private-style day houseboat from Rs 1,550 with meals, both well below a private overnight. For a bedroom night, Alleppey has published tariffs from about Rs 8,500 for a 1-bedroom Deluxe.
DTPC lists See and Sleep and Star Night formats, but no current tariff was on the page read, so confirm price before booking. The main private day operator does not offer overnight stays.
About 8 hours, one way, with a full day and night stay in the DTPC format. Plan a hotel in Alleppey that night.
For a calm, lower-cost day, Ashtamudi is often easier, with wide lake views and island stops. To sleep on the boat, Alleppey has far more bedroom boats.
Yes in peak season and on weekends, especially for a day houseboat. Shared boats can also fill, so reserve where offered.
Last updated: October 2026
Keralam Travels