Kochi Water Metro: A Cat's guide with routes, timings, tips

Dear Cats Of Kochi readers, Welcome back! I am yours truly, Bandit, and today we are interviewing Luna. Let's listen to her as she shares her purr-fect knowledge about the Kochi Water Metro.

Luna, welcome to the Ask Me Anything of Cats of Kochi! Hope you liked the fish moli we served in the lobby while you were waiting. It's one of my favorites. Now, let's get started! I've been hearing a lot about a certain new thing in town called The Water Metro... I mean, humans have been using the metro on land for a while, how did they bring it to water as well? Can you tell me more about this? How did you come across it?

Meow! Thank you, Bandit, for inviting me. The fish moli was very yummy. The other day, I felt the mood to explore and somehow ended up at the Fort Kochi Water Metro Terminal. When I went there and asked if I could take a ride inside the weird looking machine, they were speechless! And can you believe they told me they would have to check with the manager? How astounding and disrespectful. But I secretly hitched a ride anyway, do not listen to these humans!

The Kochi Water Metro is basically the same as the land metro humans are talking about, except it's on water. It's the first time in India where such a concept has been introduced. A network of electric boats that will help in connecting Kochi's mainland to other islands. As a cat who appreciates both efficiency and scenic beauty, I find it the purr-fect way to travel without getting my paws wet. Historically, water as a public transport has always been popular in our city, where there are water bodies everywhere.

Oh wow! I didn't know that. Which routes are currently operational, Luna?

As someone who has explored the city through the water metro, I'll tell you, Bandit!

• High Court - Vypin (short and sweet, plenty of birds)
• High Court - Fort Kochi (crowded and popular, plenty of humans)
• Vyttila to Kakkanad (great for our fellow techie cats)
• High Court to South Chittoor via Bolgatty and Mulavukad North (scenic route!)
• South Chittoor to Cheranelloor via Eloor (less crowded, perfect for naps)

I love making maps, so I have drawn the routes for your readers. Here you go.

This is so cool, Luna! You are awesome! Can you tell us the operating hours?

They are pretty punctual. The Water Metro is operational roughly between 8AM and 7PM. Even if there is no passenger on the boat, it will still depart and arrive on time. Boats arrive every 15-20 minutes during peak hours (8-10 AM and 5-7 PM) and every 30 minutes during off-peak times. The timings also depend on our baby humans' school vacations. I prefer traveling during the slow hours – more space to stretch! Please note that these timings do change at times, so do check on their website if you wish to plan ahead. I have made a quick timetable of the High Court/Fort Kochi route.

Thank you again for making this timetable. It's so handy. I am going to download this as an image and keep it for the future. Are there any passes or bulk ticket options on the Water Metro? How do humans purchase tickets?

There are Weekly, Monthly, and Quarterly pass options for frequent travellers. The Staff at Customer Care are super friendly and will help you find the right one for your needs. As a local cat, I've observed that the Kochi One Metro Card is the most convenient option for regular travelers. It works across both the Water Metro and the regular Metro. Unfortunately, they don't offer feline discounts yet, despite my formal complaints. For travelers who may not be able to get the Metro Card due to regulations, Cash/Card purchase is another option.

Orrr, you can use the Kochi1 App on your pawphone! With this app, you can also book tickets for the land metro. A lifesaver for my natural feline punctuality.

The passes are based on the number of trips you can take. A Weekly pass can give you 12 trips for 180INR, the Monthly pass provides 50 trips for just 600INR! And the Quarterly one gives you 150 trips in total which will be valid for 90 days at 1500INR! I truly pity the humans to have to deal with money, me and you can just walk in and enjoy the ride. Ah, what a luxury.

Oooh, so organized. Does the Water Metro get crowded, Luna? How should travelers handle peak times?

Ah, an excellent question about personal space – something I take very seriously! I would love to curl up on the seat and have a peaceful rest, but alas, yes, the Water Metro can get quite crowded during certain times and on specific routes. The High Court - Fort Kochi route is particularly busy during weekends and holidays when tourists flock to the historic and popular areas.

During December-January (peak tourist season) and April-May (summer holidays), all routes experience higher passenger volumes. I've seen the boats reach full capacity and long queues.

For a more pleasant journey, I recommend that you travel early, before 9AM , to avoid the morning rush. Mid-day journeys (12PM- 3PM) are wonderfully quiet. Avoid weekends on the Fort Kochi route if you dislike crowds like me and long waiting times. And from my recent adventure, the last boat that departs from Fort Kochi to High Court has too many humans!

The good news is that even when crowded, the boats are air-conditioned and the journeys are relatively short (25-35 minutes on most routes). The staff are also quite efficient at managing boarding and alighting to minimize chaos – something I, as a cat who values order, greatly appreciate. They are also very friendly and give nice pets.

Paw-some! This Water Metro has me wishing for an Air Metro now! Also, what's your recommended itinerary for first-time visitors to Kochi?

For a purr-fect day in Kochi, I recommend starting at High Court Terminal and taking the Water Metro to Fort Kochi. See the Chinese Fishing Nets (excellent fish-watching spots) and explore historic sites like St. Francis Church, Jew Town, and the Dutch Cemetery. Watch some humans put their paws (is it called legs?) in the water. (Ew.) Lick an ice cream or two. After walking around, return to the terminal by evening to catch the sunset over the backwaters – it's a meow-gical sight, and go back to the High Court.

Any special experiences that shouldn't be missed?

The Backwater Sunset Experience is not to be missed, of course! The golden light on the water is simply magical – perfect for contemplation or, in my case, planning my next meal.

For the adventurous, I recommend the two-day island hopping adventure. Spend day one exploring Bolgatty Island and Mulavukad, then day two visiting Kakkanad and South Chittoor. The peaceful backwater villages are perfect for those seeking tranquility – something we cats value greatly.

Even if you miss the sunset, the night rides on the metro are also very pretty!

Wow, those are beautiful pictures! Well done. Also, is there connectivity between the Water Metro Station and the Land Metro Stations?

Yes. Electric AC Feeder Buses connect you between water and land metro stations along with some other limited stops. Buses are available every 15-20 minutes starting daily. On the High Court side, the stops are MG Road Metro, Maharajas Metro, General Hospital, Boat Jetty, Menaka & High Court junction. I have another map for you!

From the Kakkanad/Vytilla connectivity, there are feeders to Infopark and Kalamassery Metro station as well! You just have to wait right outside the terminal and wait for them to pick you up.

Another Map! You are a godsend. Now tell me, how environmentally friendly is the Water Metro?

Very! As a cat who plans to use all nine lives on this planet, I appreciate their commitment to sustainability. The electric-hybrid vessels significantly reduce carbon emissions. The terminals have solar panels, rainwater harvesting systems, and waste management protocols to protect the backwater ecosystem. The boats are also designed to create minimal wake, reducing shoreline erosion.

Do send a picture of you when you finally go get the Water Metro experience! Also, before you go, you can check out the timings of the other terminals here!

Looking at that picture, even I want to take a nap. Here I go!

Luna gets ready to curl into a ball and then promptly falls asleep on her jute cushion, dreaming of her next Fort Kochi adventure.