Trivandrum to Kanyakumari by Road – Distance, Time and Useful Travel Information

At a distance of less than 100 km from the city of Trivandrum, lies the southernmost tip of the Indian mainland. Sitting on the edge of the southern coast of Tamil Nadu, Kanyakumari is often called The Land’s End. The town attracts tourists for its mythological legends, as well as the most exquisite seascape.

Table of Contents

Why travel from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari?

Overlooking the Indian Ocean, the Arabian Sea, and the Bay of Bengal, Kanyakumari offers incredible views of sunrise, sunset, and moonrise on the ocean, among other natural wonders like waterfalls and scenic beaches. The only way to do justice to this unique and incredibly scenic place is to make a journey equally worthwhile. That’s why the best way to travel to Kanyakumari is to take a road trip from the nearest city of Trivandrum. When you book a cab from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari with Savaari Car Rentals, you get to avail a completely customizable trip that suits your budget and your needs, and turn a simple drive into a great journey.

Best time to visit KanyaKumari

Travelling from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari by car

The road to Kanyakumari goes through the remote suburbs of Trivandrum and passes through small towns and villages of south Kerala’s hinterlands. This is one of the most popular routes in the state for a road trip and you can enjoy the same when you avail of a car rental from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari. Along the way, you will pass towns like Neyyattinkara, Thuckalay, Nagercoil, and Kottaram. With your Trivandrum to Kanyakumari tour package, you can stop at any of these places and visit their popular tourist sites, or just stop for quick photos or to grab a bite.

Trivandrum to Kanyakumari cabs

Best time to visit

Kanyakumari weather is classic of a coastal region. Summers are hot and humid and winters are cool and sometimes chilly. Monsoon period receives very heavy rainfalls and thunderstorms. The best time to visit would be in the colder months or in autumn when the temperature of Kanyakumari is comfortable to travel. Also, starting in November, the town hosts many local festivals and makes for a good time to experience the place. Book Trivandrum taxi service and visit all the popular places.

Trivandrum to Kanyakumari roadtrip

Popular Routes from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari

Route 1: Distance and time taken from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari via Panvel – Kochi – Kanyakumari Hwy

This is the shortest and the best route to travel from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari and may have some tolls on the way. It is the most popular route among travelers, and the fastest because the Trivandrum to Kanyakumari traffic on this route is regular and you can avoid road closures. The distance between Trivandrum and Kanyakumari on this route is somewhere around 90 KM and takes roughly three hours. Always check live maps and instant traffic updates for the latest information on the road conditions from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari.

Here’s the basic route map from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari:

Trivandrum — Neyyattinkara — Marthandam — Nagercoil — Kanyakumari
Trivandrum to Kanyakumari via NH 66

Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:

  • Aruvippuram Shiva Temple, Neyyattinkara – Scenic riverside on a shallow waterbody, surrounded by wooded areas, good for day picnics, or take a relaxing break. You can also visit the Neyyar Dam nearby.
  • Irattai Kulam, Valvachagostam – A local lake area surrounded by mangroves, coconut groves, and a concrete bank, good for a stopover or photo ops.
  • Padmanabhapuram Palace, Thuckalay – An ancient, historical palace with grand architecture, boasting carved rosewood interiors, a granite hall and an imposing main.
  • Nagaraja Temple, Nagercoil – An ancient Hindu temple complex with a huge pond and an ornate archway, known for housing snake statues and other religious shrines.
  • Sri Thanumalayan Swamy temple, Suchindram – Locally popular and prominent 17th-century temple, known for its musical pillars and intricate sculptures of Hindu deities on the façade.
 Padmanabhapuram Palace
Padmanabhapuram Palace

Places to eat along this route:

  • SPR Family Restaurant, Balaramapuram – Standard roadside diner serving local dishes and budget meals, good for big groups and families.
  • Irani Restaurant, Neyyattinkara – Popular highway side restaurant chain serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes, specializing in Arabic food.
  • Udupi International Restaurant, Kumaracoil – Casual eatery serving South Indian snacks and meals, and vegetarian Chinese dishes, good for families and kids.
  • Food Jallikattu Restaurant, Nagercoil – Casual family restaurant serving Indian and Arabic dishes, beverages, and confection, good for lunch and dinner.
  • Atiya House, Kottar – Local diner serving Indian, Chinese and Tandoori dishes in a casual setting, good for families and groups.

Trivandrum to Kanyakumari Road Condition via route 1:

The road conditions from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari on NH66 are good. It is the fastest route with light traffic, despite some tolls on the way, but there are no road closures.

Route 2: Distance and time taken from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari via Panvel – Kochi – Kanyakumari Hwy and NH 66

This is an alternative route for travelling from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari. But this route is a little longer than the previous route. This route also has tolls on the way. The distance from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari on this route is about 99.8 KM and takes around three hours. Always use live maps to check for road closures or check for other traffic updates while traveling on highways.

Here’s the basic route map from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari along this route:

Thiruvananthapuram – Kovalam – Poovar – Puthukkadai – Colachel – Kanyakumari
Trivandrum to Kanyakumari via SH 179

Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:

  • Chowara Beach, Kottukal – A scenic local beach off the town of Kovalam, with clean sandy beaches and palm-lined shores, great for sunset views, swimming, or relaxing.
  • Poovar Backwaters, Poovar – Scenic backwater lagoons flanked by coconut groves and mangroves, good for a short tour on boat or photo ops.
  • Colachel Beach, Colachel – A beautiful clearwater beach with promenades and a pier, great for sunset views or to spend some quiet time. You can also visit the nearby Paraikal beach.
  • Ganapathipuram Beach, Ganapathipuram – Local beach overlooking the Arabian Sea with expansive sandy shores, lined with palm and casuarina.
Poovar Backwaters
Poovar Backwaters

Places to eat along this route:

  • SPR Family Restaurant, Balaramapuram – Standard roadside diner serving local dishes and budget meals, good for big groups and families.
  • Chilli’s Floating Restaurant, Poovar – Floating restaurant on the backwaters, serving Indian seafood dishes, good for dining with a scenic view.
  • Rappai’s Family Restaurant, Kulathoor – Local family restaurant serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals, good for families with kids.
  • Masha Café, Colachel – Locally popular café serving south Indian snacks and beverages, good for a quick stop and breakfasts.

Trivandrum to Kanyakumari Road Condition via route 2:

The road conditions on Panvel – Kochi – Kanyakumari Hwy and NH 66 from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari are also quite good. But it is a slightly longer route than the previous one, since it passes through remote areas.

Trivandrum to Kanyakumari Best Route

Both the above routes have interesting pit stops, each with scenic sightseeing and a variety of food options. So, both are good for traveling from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari. While the first route is shorter, the second route has multiple beach stops along the way where you can relax.

Savaari travel magazine

Other means of travelling from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari

By Train

You can also travel from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari by train. Kanyakumari Railway Station is also the end terminal to the largest train route in the country – from Kashmir to Kanyakumari. The fastest train from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari is Vivek Express (15906) and takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes to reach. After reaching, you can book a cab in Kanyakumari to reach your destination.

For all Kanyakumari train booking, you can visit any online travel portal or check the Indian Railways website to get the best deals. For the latest and most accurate information on Kanyakumari train timings, always check the timetables of IRCTC before you book.

By Flight

There is no airport in Kanyakumari. The nearest airport is at Trivandrum International Airport, about 100 KM away. Other airports near Kanyakumari are in Chennai and Madurai. So, the only way to travel from Trivandrum to Kanyakumari is by road. You can book an airport taxi to reach Trivandrum Domestic Airport.

Attractions in Kanyakumari for Sightseeing

Though a major pilgrimage destination, the coastal town of Kanyakumari is a site of geographical and historical significance. Kanyakumari sightseeing isn’t complete without taking a tour of the popular places of historical, religious, and natural wonders.

Check out some of the best tourist places in Kanyakumari on your trip

  • Kanyakumari Beach – The namesake beach of the town and the most popular one, this beach overlooks the meeting point of the seas and oceans.
  • Sanguthurai Beach – This is the calmest and cleanest beach of Kanyakumari. The water on these shores remains lukewarm all year round and perfect for swimming.
  • Sunset Point – Located near the Vivekananda Memorial, this beach is a famous viewing point where you can view sunrise and sunset at the same spot.
  • Sothavilai Beach – A lesser-known and visited beach in Kanyakumari, this is the most scenic part of the coastline, with white sands and coconut palms. This beach is perfect for relaxing, swimming, or staying at one of the beach-side cottages.
  • Vattakottai Fort – Spreading across 3.5 acres, this historical, “Circular” fort sits a few miles from the main town, overlooking the Arabian Sea. The fort premises offer stunning views of the sea at sunrise and sunset.
  • Thiruvalluvar Statue – This statue sits on a small island off the shores of the town and is dedicated to the legendary poet and philosopher, Thiruvalluvar.
  • Vivekananda Rock – Built off the southernmost tip of the mainland, this is a memorial built in honor of Swami Vivekananda who is believed to have achieved enlightenment at this site.
  • Kumari Amman Temple – The most popular and historical temple of Kanyakumari, this religious site sits across the Kanyakumari beach and also serves as a famous pilgrimage destination.
  • Triveni Sangam – The confluence of the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean, and the Bay of Bengal and an iconic geographical point with the distinct colors of each of the three water bodies clearly visible. The colors change with the season or the day’s weather.
  • Masoor Aqueduct – This 1 KM long bridge is the largest and highest trough bridge in the entire subcontinent. You can take a walk along the bridge or take a tour of the area.

Savaari Recommends – Popular Places to Eat in Kanyakumari

Although the town is primarily a religious destination, the food available here is quite varied and versatile to suit the tourist palate. Traditional dishes like Kothu, Appam, Pazha Sarbath, and Maravazhi Kilangu are some of the most famous foods of Kanyakumari.

Sample the local flavours of Kanyakumari at these top-rated restaurants –

  • The Curry, E-Car St
  • Meat And Eat Kanyakumari, Kovalam Rd
  • Arabian Nitz Restaurant, Vivekanandapuram
  • Scoops and Spices, Main Road
  • Wine & Dine Restaurant, Erumanayakkanpatti Beach Rd
  • Suchindrum Maruthi Hotel Pure Vegetarian, E-Car St

Hotels and Resorts in Kanyakumari

Hotel Name Address Phone Number
Annai Resort & Spa Beach Rd, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu 629702 094882 46666
The Seashore Hotel E Car St, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu 629702 04652 246 400
Ferdin Cottage P.B.4, Kottakkarai Road, Kovalam-Kanyakumari Rd, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu 629702 094892 48444
Sparsa 6/112 B, Beach Rd, near Sunset point, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu 629702 04652 247 041
Hotel Ocean Heritage 2, 11B, E Car St, opp. Hotel MAadhini, Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu 620702 094861 63959

Download our Savaari cab Booking app for exclusive offers on the Trivandrum to Kanyakumari route. Have a smooth and pleasant journey.