Cochin airport - "prepaid taxi?"

CMS

Now that the petrol prices went down on Friday by Rs. 5 per litre, do you think they're going to lower the fares to reflect that? I sincerely doubt it!

jmendenhall

Yeah, no kidding. Taxi and tuk tuk drivers have been rejoicing across Asia.

CliveG

While the government is hoping that taxi and auto drivers reduce the prices it is unlikely. As there has been a 25% cancellation rate of tourists coming to India the drivers are finding it hard to earn a living. Here in Ernakulam it is not unusual to see 15 or more auto drivers in queue waiting for a fare Talking to one driver he said he was lucky to get 3 fares a day and had a good if he took Rs100 each day.

CMS

Interesting points. However as a frequent visitor to your fine city from Calicut, I continually have to haggle with the auto drivers to either use the meter or charge me what I know is correct (I'm NOT a tourist!). It happens to my Malayalee friends too so I'm not singled out apparently. Perhaps they need a change of mindset to adopt the methods of the Calicut auto drivers (where I live) and ALWAYS use the meter. Then perhaps they would have more trips when everyone didn't feel they were getting "ripped off" each time they paid up. Many people I've talked to in Cochin (and myself) choose to walk shorter distances to avoid the inevitable hassle! Last week when I was in Cochin I paid Rs. 70 from M.G. Road to the stadium area one way and on the return the driver wanted Rs. 120 (which I refused to pay)! And for that route I don't know what's fair. Probably neither!

CliveG

I agree about the meters it would remove a lot of the hassle and arguments. Fortunately I know most of the local fares so generally I give the driver what I think is correct without asking how much. If I ask the driver how much and he says 'you decide' as they often do then he gets the exact fare. If I ask and he tells me what I know is the correct fare then he gets a tip! Many of the drivers will try and rip off tourists and will turn down fares from locals in the hope of making a killing from a tourist. Technically we are tourists but as we stay in Ernakulam for 3 months each year many of the drivers know us and won't try it on.

CMS

You're lucky that many of the drivers know you after only 3 months per year in Ernakulum. I'm there each year for a cumulative total of a lot more than that, they still try to rip me off and it's only occasionally that I recognise one (or the other way around). Perhaps after I move there permanently later this month that will change. Cheers.

timeo

I seem to recall paying 400RP for a black car taxi from my hostel in Fort Cochin to the airport, but that was way back in February of this year, so my memory's a little hazy about the exact costs.

Wait, let me check the journal I kept at the time, nope, no luck sorry man. It could've also been 600, I just remember it was a solid x00 price.

ramsblore

Well, I read the previous posts. I am current residing in Kochi. So I think i could be of some help here. There is no bus service from the international airport to fort kochi as of now. You can get prepaid taxis from the airport counter which are authorised by the government of kerala at pre determined rates. Else if you have a hotel booking you could ask them to pick you up. The fare would be around 500 depending on the time of arrival. If it is before 7 in the morning and after 7pm then there is an additional surcharge.
Cheers, and Welcome to Gods own country
http://marinersdiary.blogspot.com

jan stanley

I took a pre-paid taxi from Cochin Airport to Fort Cochin on 12/12/08 at 12.30pm - it cost me Rs697 (incl tax). It seemed a huge amount at the time and I told them so, but in actual fact the airport is a very long way out and could almost justify that amount. I was lucky enough to find someone who was also going to Fort Kochi and we shared expenses. There are also two toll collections which have to be paid by the passenger (Rs10 each if I remember correctly).

Brisso

Looks like fares are up. I paid 475 to Ernakulum North Station last Feb. Fuel prices have risn sharply and then fallen sharply in that time.

vandy

As Jan has mentioned the Airport is a fair distance, I paid approx
800rps for a Midnight departure short while ago in October 08.

When I calculated the Taxi fare Back into Aussie Dollars it not
to bad really.

BTW, Welcome to IM Jan, allways good to see another sandgroper,
Did you enjoy your visit to Kerala and the rest of India for that
Matter ?

rgds

vandy

CliveG

THe Indian Government reduced petrol prices by only Rs5 a litre about a month ago but so far has not reduced the price further even though oil rices have fallen considerably. There is resentment in the transport business about this and the Government is considering a further price reduction. This is partly why taxis etc have not reduced their rates (even if they were inclined to do so!).

OutandAbout

I have booked at Durbar Residency
"located on DH Road adjacent to Jos Junction, 30 feet off M.G.Road, very close to the business quarters of the city and just 2 minutes walk to the South Railway Junction,5 minutes walk to the K.S.R.T.C Bus Station and 45 minutes drive to the Airport".
But I too would prefer to walk past the taxi drivers, and travel by bus or train to my hotel. Anybody care to list my options please
Thanks in advance
PS: Any reviews of this hotel also apprieciated

vandy

I have read good reviews about Durbar Residency.

Pretty Sure there is a review or 2 in the Hotels section.

vandy

jan stanley

Hello Vandy, thanks for your welcome. Loved Kerala, such a different gentle vibe - but I also love the chaos elsewhere that is so much a part of India.

Hope you are staying cool.
Jan