Alleppey Houseboat Boarding Point
Every boat we operate boards at the Nehru Trophy Finishing Point, Punnamada — the finishing line of the snake-boat race, about 3 km north-east of Alappuzha town.
The address
Finishing Point Road, Punnamada
Alappuzha, Kerala 688006, India
9.4876, 76.3388
Open in Google MapsDo not confuse it with the town boat jetty
This is the single most common mistake, and it costs people an hour. Alappuzha has two very different places with similar names:
| Place | What leaves from it |
|---|---|
| Nehru Trophy Finishing Point, Punnamada | Private house boats, including every boat on this site |
| Alappuzha municipal boat jetty (in town) | Government passenger ferries to Kottayam and Kumarakom |
Tell your driver "Finishing Point, Punnamada". Saying "boat jetty" will often get you taken into town instead.
Getting there
- From Alappuzha railway station — about 4 km, ten to fifteen minutes by autorickshaw.
- From the KSRTC bus stand — about 3 km, ten minutes.
- From Cochin International Airport (COK) — roughly 85 km and about ninety minutes by road, longer in traffic. If you land the same morning, be on the ground by 9:30 AM.
- By car — informal paid parking is available near the boarding area and is fine overnight.
Full detail on trains, buses and flights is in how to get to Alleppey.
What happens when you arrive
- Message us on WhatsApp when you set off. We send the boat name and the crew's number.
- The captain meets you at the walkway. Several boats load at once, so do not follow anyone who approaches you offering to take you to your boat.
- The crew carry your bags aboard. Boarding is a short step across from a fixed jetty onto the deck.
- Balance payment and ID at check-in — passports for foreign nationals.
If anyone in your party is unsteady on their feet, tell us when booking rather than at the jetty — some boats sit lower and make the step easier. More in taking elderly parents on a houseboat.
Timings
- Overnight check-in — 12:00 PM, check-out 9:00 AM. Aim to arrive 11:30 AM.
- Day cruises — roughly 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM.
- Cruising stops at 5:00 PM by Kerala rule, and resumes at 7:00 AM.
Common questions
Where do Alleppey houseboats board?
Our boats board at the Nehru Trophy Finishing Point, Punnamada, Alappuzha, Kerala. It is the finishing line of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race, on Punnamada Lake, about 3 km north-east of Alappuzha town and roughly ten minutes by autorickshaw from the railway station.
What is the difference between the finishing point and the boat jetty?
They are different places. The Nehru Trophy Finishing Point at Punnamada is where private houseboats board. The municipal boat jetty in town is where the government passenger ferries to Kottayam and Kumarakom leave from. Tell your driver "Finishing Point, Punnamada" rather than "boat jetty" or you may be dropped at the wrong one.
What time should I arrive?
Aim for 11:30 AM for a noon check-in. The boat anchors at 5:00 PM by law whatever time you boarded, so arriving at 2:00 PM costs you cruising hours rather than delaying the return.
Is there parking at the boarding point?
Yes — informal paid parking is available near the boarding area and is generally fine for an overnight stay. Tell us in advance if you are leaving a car so the crew can point you at the right spot.
How do I find my boat once I arrive?
Message us on WhatsApp when you set off. Several boats load at once, so we send you the boat name and the crew contact, and the captain meets you at the walkway. Do not follow anyone who approaches you offering to take you to your boat.