Up the coast highway
NH 66 runs north from Alappuzha through the coconut and coir country around Cherthala and crosses the backwaters on the long Aroor bridge into Kochi. At about 54 km, the drive takes an hour or two depending on traffic, and a household can usually be packed in the morning and unloaded by early afternoon.
Getting goods out from the canals
Many Alappuzha homes are reached across small footbridges or along canal paths where a truck can't go, and some in Kuttanad only by boat. Plan with the mover how goods will reach the truck, whether by hand, by a small vehicle or occasionally by boat, and allow extra time and crew for it.
Arriving in Kochi from the south
Over the Aroor bridge, the truck reaches Kumbalam, Kundannoor and Vyttila, Kochi's busy transport hub, first, with Panampilly Nagar, Kadavanthra and the Ernakulam mainland a short drive further. Kakkanad, Edappally and Aluva take longer through traffic, and Fort Kochi and Mattancherry are reached across the harbour bridges. Tell the mover the exact address and the floor.
Kochi apartments
Most Kochi apartment buildings ask for notice before a move-in, set moving hours and a booked lift. Ask the association a week before; our guide to society NOCs and lift bookings explains what to ask.
Floods and the monsoon
From about June to September, heavy rain falls on both ends, and Kuttanad and low-lying parts of Alappuzha flood in bad years. Ask about conditions before the date, ask for waterproof wrapping and a covered vehicle, and keep a back-up date.
December to February is usually the most comfortable window.
Boat races and tourist seasons
The Nehru Trophy boat race in August and the winter tourist season crowd Alappuzha, and Onam and Christmas keep crews busy at both ends. Choose a date clear of these if you can.
Coir, seafood and jobs
Many families on this route work in coir, seafood processing, tourism or Kochi's offices and port. If you're moving business stock or tools, keep them on a separate list with their own paperwork. If an employer is paying, ask what documents they need; every mover we work with provides a GST invoice.
Damp-proof packing
Homes near water are damp all year, so ask for wooden furniture to be dried and wrapped in blankets before plastic goes on, mattresses aired and covered, and electronics packed with padding and silica gel if available.
From a canal house to a flat
Alappuzha's older houses are often spread out on one or two floors, while Kochi flats are compact. Measure the new rooms and lift before packing, and decide which large pieces come.
Coir mats and heirloom pieces
Alappuzha homes often have coir mats, wooden chests and brass lamps made locally. Roll mats tightly and tie them, wrap chests in blankets, and take apart tall lamps so they travel flat in padded cartons.
Settling in
Find out how water and power backup work in the new home, keep good ventilation for the monsoon, and book internet as soon as you have the address. Malayalam is spoken at both ends; our guide to moving to Kochi covers the city's areas.