Munnar to Devikulam Distance & How to Reach

Munnar to Devikulam distance and drive time

The short answer most people want: Devikulam is about 7 to 8 km from Munnar town by road. Because the route climbs and curves through tea estates, the driving distance reads a little longer than the point-to-point figure, so some map tools show anything up to roughly 11 km. Either way it is a quick hop. Allow 15 to 20 minutes in normal conditions, and closer to half an hour on busy weekends when the Munnar stretch clogs up.

A couple of older travel guides quote 16 km. That usually measures from a different reference point (the wider Devikulam panchayat or the RTO office), not the lake and viewpoint most visitors mean. For the town and Devikulam Lake, plan around the 7 to 8 km, 15 to 20 minute drive.

You do not need to pre-book anything for such a short trip. Autos wait near Munnar town, taxis are easy to flag, and the state and private buses heading toward Kanthalloor and the Kundala side pass close to Devikulam.

Distance to Devikulam at a glance

Here is the full cluster of origins in one place, all measured by road. Distances round to the nearest few kilometres and drive times assume daytime traffic.

Fares are indicative and move with fuel prices and season. Confirm the day rate with your driver before you set off, and note that most Munnar cabs quote a round trip with waiting time rather than a one-way drop for short hops like Devikulam.

How to reach Devikulam from Munnar

This is the trip almost everyone makes, and it is genuinely easy. Three ways to cover the 7 to 8 km:

By auto or taxi is the simplest. An auto-rickshaw drop costs somewhere around Rs 300 to Rs 500 depending on your bargaining and the season; if you want the driver to wait while you spend an hour at the lake, expect a round-trip rate closer to Rs 700 to Rs 1,000. Taxis are the comfortable option for families and older travellers, and any hotel desk in Munnar will arrange one.

By local bus is the cheapest by far. State and private buses running from Munnar toward Kundala, Mattupetty and the Top Station side pass the Devikulam junction, and the fare is only in the Rs 10 to Rs 20 band. Buses are frequent through the day but thin out after dark, so plan your return before evening.

By self-drive works well if you already have a car or a rented two-wheeler. The road is narrow and hilly with a few sharp bends, but it is well surfaced. Fuel up in Munnar first, because there are no pumps once you leave town.

Whichever you pick, our Kerala desk suggests going in the morning. The tea-covered slopes on the Munnar to Devikulam road hold light better before noon, and the afternoon mist rolls in fast at this altitude.

Where Devikulam sits in Kerala

Devikulam is a small hill town in Idukki district, tucked into the high tea country just south of Munnar. It centres on a quiet freshwater lake ringed by tea gardens and eucalyptus, and it draws visitors who want the Munnar scenery without the Munnar crowds. Because it is so close to Munnar, most people fold it into a wider Munnar trip rather than making it a standalone destination. If you are planning what to see once you arrive, our Devikulam travel guide covers the lake, viewpoints and the surrounding attractions in detail.

How to reach Devikulam from Kochi

Kochi is the usual gateway, since it has the nearest airport and the main railway junctions. The drive is about 130 km and takes 4 to 5 hours.

The best route runs via NH85 through Kothamangalam and Adimali, then up the ghat road into Munnar, with Devikulam a short hop beyond. The highway is in good shape and the climb through Adimali is one of the prettier drives in the state, with waterfalls and tea slopes along the way.

For getting there you have three sensible choices. A booked taxi or cab is the most comfortable, and the right call for a family or anyone carrying luggage. Self-drive gives you the freedom to stop at the viewpoints on the ghat, which is worth it if you are not in a rush. Shared cabs and buses to Munnar are the budget route; take one to Munnar, then a short local hop to Devikulam.

How to reach Devikulam by flight

The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport (COK), about 130 km away, which works out to a 4 to 5 hour drive. It has good domestic connectivity and several international routes, so it is the natural arrival point.

From the airport, a pre-booked taxi is the easiest door-to-door option and lets you go straight through to Devikulam without changing vehicles. If you would rather split the journey, take a taxi or bus to Munnar and cover the last few kilometres locally. Self-drive rentals are available at the airport, but the ghat section demands a confident driver, so it is best for those used to hill roads.

How to reach Devikulam by train

There is no railway station at Devikulam itself, so you travel to a railhead near Kochi and drive the rest.

The nearest useful stations are Aluva (about 120 km) and Ernakulam Junction (about 130 km). Both are well connected to Chennai, Bengaluru, Coimbatore and the rest of the country. From either station a taxi to Devikulam takes about 4 to 5 hours; the cheaper alternative is a bus to Munnar, which runs 5 to 6 hours, followed by a short local ride.

How to reach Devikulam from Bangalore, Chennai or Coimbatore

From the southern metros you have two broad options.

The flight-plus-road route is fastest. Fly into Kochi (or into Madurai, which is closer to the Munnar side from Tamil Nadu), then hire a taxi for the drive up. This saves the most time but costs the most.

The train-plus-road route is easier on the budget. Take a train to Aluva or Ernakulam, then continue by taxi or bus. It is slower but comfortable and cheap, and overnight trains from Bengaluru and Chennai land you in Kochi by morning.

If you enjoy a road trip, driving the whole way gives you the most flexibility to stop, though it is a long day at the wheel from any of the three cities. Coimbatore is the closest of the three by road.

How to reach Devikulam by road

The road network into the Munnar highlands is good, and Devikulam is reached through Munnar from every direction.

From Kochi, take NH85 through Adimali, about 130 km and 4 to 5 hours. From Munnar it is the short 7 to 8 km, 15 to 20 minute drive covered above. From Thekkady, route via Munnar for roughly 90 to 95 km and 3 to 4 hours, a scenic run if you are doing the wider Kerala hill circuit.

A few things worth knowing before you drive. The last stretch has sharp hairpin bends, so keep your speed down and stay alert for oncoming buses. Fill up in Munnar or Kochi, because fuel stations are scarce once you climb. And start early: daylight makes the hill driving far easier, and the views are better before the afternoon cloud sets in.

Devikulam Lake: how to reach

The lake is the reason most people come, and it sits about 1 to 2 km from the town centre. You can walk it in 15 to 20 minutes or take a short auto ride. The approach is a gentle downhill through tea gardens, pleasant on foot in the cool morning.

The lake is usually open through daylight hours, roughly 6 AM to 6 PM. Timings can change with the season and the weather, so check locally on the day, especially in the monsoon when access can be restricted.

Which travel option suits you

The right way to reach Devikulam depends on who you are travelling with.

Families are best off with a private taxi or cab from Munnar or Kochi. It is door-to-door, there is room for luggage, and you set the pace.

Couples often prefer a private cab or a self-drive rental, which gives you the freedom to stop at the tea-estate viewpoints along the way without watching a clock.

Budget travellers can do the whole thing cheaply: train to Kochi, bus to Munnar, then a local bus or shared jeep the last few kilometres to Devikulam.

Senior citizens will find a taxi or private cab by far the most comfortable and the safest on the hill roads, and it avoids the walk from the bus stop.

Travel tips for the Munnar to Devikulam trip

A handful of practical notes from travellers who have done this run.

• Mobile coverage is patchy in the hills. Download offline maps before you leave Munnar.

• Fuel is scarce past Munnar, so fill the tank in town or in Kochi before the climb.

• Carry a few snacks and water. Roadside stalls exist but thin out on the quieter stretches.

• Start in the morning for the best light and easier driving, and to be back before the evening mist.

• Keep some cash for the bus, autos and small stalls; card acceptance is limited up here.

• If you are pairing Devikulam with the rest of Munnar, see our full list of places to visit around Munnar to plan the day, or browse Munnar tour packages if you would rather have the transfers arranged for you.

Best time to travel to Devikulam

Devikulam is a year-round drive, but each season reads differently.

From October to February the air is cold and clear, and the hill views are at their sharpest. This is the most popular window and the best for photography.

March to May is cool and pleasant compared to the plains, with comfortable days for sightseeing and lighter crowds than peak winter.

The June to September monsoon turns the tea slopes an intense green and is beautiful, but the roads get slippery and visibility can drop on the ghat. If you travel then, check road conditions, keep an alternate route in mind, and do not rush the hairpins.

Last updated: September 2026 · Reviewed by the TravelTriangle Kerala desk

Edited by TravelTriangle