Kochi Metro: Stations, Fares, Kochi1 Card and Water Metro
The Kochi Metro is Kerala’s first metro and one of the most interesting transit systems in India, largely because it does not stop at rail. Run by Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), it connects with an electric ferry network across the backwaters, and a single card works on both. This guide covers the full station list, timings, fares, the Kochi1 card, the Water Metro link, and what is coming next.
Phase 1 is now complete. The line runs from Aluva to Thrippunithura Terminal across 25 stations, the final station having opened in March 2024. Phase 2 towards Kakkanad is under construction.
All 25 Stations, Aluva to Thrippunithura
| 1. Aluva | 10. Changampuzha Park | 19. Elamkulam |
| 2. Pulinchodu | 11. Palarivattom | 20. Vytila |
| 3. Companypady | 12. JLN Stadium | 21. Thaikoodam |
| 4. Ambattukavu | 13. Kaloor | 22. Petta |
| 5. Muttom | 14. Town Hall | 23. Vadakkekotta |
| 6. Kalamassery | 15. MG Road | 24. SN Junction |
| 7. Cochin University | 16. Maharaja’s College | 25. Thrippunithura Terminal |
| 8. Pathadipalam | 17. Ernakulam South | |
| 9. Edapally | 18. Kadavanthra |
Town Hall was formerly called Lissie, renamed with state government approval in 2020.
The Stations That Matter Most
- Vytila is the best-connected point in the city, linking the metro with the Vytila Mobility Hub, KSRTC and private long-distance buses, city buses and the Water Metro.
- Aluva is the northern terminus and the closest station to Cochin International Airport, roughly 4 km away.
- MG Road and Maharaja’s College serve the commercial heart of Ernakulam.
- Edapally connects to NH 66 and the surrounding retail belt.
Timings
Services generally run from around 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, with trains every few minutes at peak and longer gaps off-peak. First and last train times differ slightly by station, so check the KMRL site or the Kochi1 app for your specific stop.
Fares and the Kochi1 Card
Fares are distance based, running from about ₹10 to ₹60 for a single journey. A ticket is valid for exit at the destination gate up to 90 minutes after you enter.
Kochi1 Card
The Kochi1 card is where the real savings sit, and it is one of the most versatile transit cards in the country.
Weekday and weekend passes are also available. The card requires a deposit plus a minimum balance, bought at any metro station.
Trip Passes
A trip pass is loaded onto your Kochi1 card and covers travel between two fixed stations chosen when you buy it, deducting a trip rather than a fare. Two versions exist:
- 30 trips, valid 30 days from issue, at a 25% discount.
- 60 trips, valid 60 days from issue, at a 33% discount.
Both can be renewed with the same pass type before the last trip or the validity expires, whichever comes first. Remaining trips carry over and the validity resets from the renewal date.
WhatsApp Ticketing
KMRL offers ticket booking over WhatsApp, which carries its own discount and deeper reductions during off-peak hours. Tickets can also be bought through the Kochi1 app, at station counters, and at machines accepting UPI.
Please confirm current rates: Fares, pass prices and discount percentages are revised from time to time. Check the amount shown when you buy, or the official KMRL site, rather than relying on figures published elsewhere.
Kochi Water Metro
This is what makes Kochi unusual. KMRL also runs the Water Metro, a network of electric ferries connecting the city to the islands and shoreside communities across the backwaters. It was the first system of its kind in India.
- Routes connect High Court with Vypin, Fort Kochi and South Chittoor, along with South Chittoor to Cheranallur and Vytila to Kakkanad.
- Fares run roughly ₹20 to ₹40, with weekly and monthly passes available.
- The same Kochi1 card works on both metro and ferry.
- Terminals sit close to metro stations, so the two are designed to be used together.
For visitors, combining the metro with a ferry ride is one of the better ways to see the city. See our Water Metro guide.
Phase 2: The Pink Line to Kakkanad
Construction began in September 2024 on an 11.2 km extension from JLN Stadium to Infopark via Kakkanad, serving the city’s IT corridor. It will add 11 stations: Palarivattom Junction, Palarivattom Signal, Chembumukku, Vazhakkala, Kunnumpuram, Kakkanad Junction, Kochi Special Economic Zone, Chittethukara, Rajagiri, Infopark I and Infopark II.
The original completion target has slipped, partly because of delays in securing external funding for the project. Current indications point to 2027 for completion and safety certification. Treat any published opening date as provisional.
Phase 3: Towards the Airport
KMRL has proposed a further extension from Aluva to Cochin International Airport, running roughly 14 km with around 11 stations. The proposal sits with the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs awaiting approval, so there is no timeline yet.
Getting to the Airport Now
The metro does not reach the airport. Aluva is the nearest station, about 4 km away, and you complete the journey by bus, auto or taxi.
Things Kochi Metro Did First
- The first metro in India to use CBTC signalling, which allows closer, more automated train operation.
- The first metro in India to employ transgender persons as station staff, with several stations run largely by women.
- Built in around four years, among the fastest metro projects completed in the country.
- The first Indian city to pair a metro with an integrated electric ferry network.
Parking and Last Mile
KMRL operates paid parking at several stations for two wheelers and cars, charged by duration. Feeder buses, autorickshaws and app-based cabs cover the last mile from most stations. Confirm current parking rates at the station, since they are revised periodically.
Customer service and emergency number: 1800 419 4477.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many stations does the Kochi Metro have?
25, running from Aluva to Thrippunithura Terminal. Phase 1 was completed when Thrippunithura opened in March 2024.
What is the Kochi Metro fare?
Distance based, roughly ₹10 to ₹60 for a single journey, with a 20% discount for Kochi1 card holders.
Does the Kochi Metro go to the airport?
Not yet. Aluva is the nearest station, about 4 km from Cochin International Airport. A Phase 3 airport extension has been proposed but not approved.
Can I use the same card on the Water Metro?
Yes. The Kochi1 card works on the metro, the Water Metro ferries, select buses and participating autorickshaws and merchants.
What is a trip pass?
A pass loaded onto your Kochi1 card covering travel between two fixed stations, available as 30 trips over 30 days at 25% off, or 60 trips over 60 days at 33% off.
When will the Kakkanad extension open?
Phase 2 is under construction with indications pointing to 2027, after earlier deadlines slipped. Check KMRL for the current position.
What are the Kochi Metro timings?
Roughly 6:00 am to 10:00 pm, with exact first and last trains varying by station.
Quick Summary
| Operator | Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL) |
| Opened | June 2017, Phase 1 completed March 2024 |
| Route | Aluva to Thrippunithura Terminal |
| Stations | 25 |
| Fare | About ₹10 to ₹60 |
| Smart card | Kochi1, 20% off every ride, also valid on Water Metro |
| Phase 2 | JLN Stadium to Infopark, 11.2 km, 11 stations, under construction |
| Airport | Not connected, nearest station Aluva |
Kochi Metro is worth using even as a visitor, not least because the Kochi1 card opens up the ferry network across the backwaters on the same balance. Buy the card rather than tokens if you are staying more than a day. For more, see our guides on the Water Metro, metro railways in India, and Chennai local trains.
Have you travelled on the Kochi Metro and Water Metro together? Tell us about it in the comments, since readers often ask how well the two connect.