Inexpensive hotel in Fort Cochin + Travel from Cochin Airport

Hello. Previous Kerala travellers, I would like to have your advice on clean and friendly accommodations in Fort Cochin. I will stay here at least two nights.

I have heard that there are nice , inexpensive places around Princess Street.

Finally, what can I expect to pay for travel from Cochin Airport to K
I have received one quote of 600rupees. Is that too much?

Thanks for your input.

A few years ago we stayed at the Seagull on Calvathy road. Their restaurant is right by the water and you can eat your meals and take in the harbour view at the same time.

The downstairs rooms are a bit dark, damp and dingy but they have four spacious, clean rooms upstairs.

If you're in the Princess Street area check out the Elite Hotel and restaurant - it's an old travellers hangout from way back. Cheap and cheerful with old Bob Dylan tapes that have stretched from the amount of times they've been played!

My 2002 Footprint guide says 300 rupees for a pre-paid taxi from the airport to Fort Cochin. I would think there are buses running also.

A few weeks ago, we paid 410 rupees from the airport to Thevera which is not far from Fort Cochin. Surprisingly expensive but it was a pretty long ride. Ideally I would suggest trying to find a hotel that offers airport transfer. It seems to be difficult to bargain for taxi rides. My friend tried to go outside and ask for rates and the drivers told him to go inside to the prepaid desk!

A hotel quoted me 600rupees. I don't have anything to compare that price to so I thought I would ask around.

Thanks for the input.

I took a prepaid taxi from the airport to Fort Cochin in January. It was around 550 rupees. The driver asked us for another 10 rupees to go over a bridge toll.....

The Delight Tourist Resort in Fort Cochin can be highly recommended. Situated at a corner of the Old Parade Ground, this family-run Portuguese colonial building has a quiet secluded intimacy which draws me back year after year. Rooms start at about Rs. 450, and the congenial owner will be more than happy to fix all your travel requirements.

hmmm. There are a lot of good hotels in Princess street. You can try Hotel Park Avenue, Rs 450 - Rs 600 for Non Ac or Ac respectively.

There is one more place I have not seen but heard a lot of travellers talking about. It is the Vintage Inn, not in princess street but somewhere around the street.

Then there are 2-3 homestays opposite Park Avenue, nothing more than a bed and a shared bathroom.

If you book your airport pick up from a travel agency they will do the job for Rs 440.

How do they calculate ?
Rs 350 for airport to Cochin transfer
Rs 50 for Cochin to fort Kochi transfer (10 kms at Rs 5 per km).
Rs 30 toll at the airport
Rs 10 toll at the Mattancherry bridge on the way to Fort Kochi