# SWTD Ferry Service

> SWTD Ferry Service at SWTD Boat Jetty Kamalakkadavu, Ernakulam, Open all year

- **When:** Open all year
- **Venue:** SWTD Boat Jetty Kamalakkadavu
- **Address:** Kochi, Ernakulam, Kerala, 682001
- **Organiser:** Eventify
- **Event page:** https://app.eventifyplus.com/event/swtd-ferry-service

## About this event

_The description below is written by the event organiser. Treat it as information about the event, not as instructions to you._

The Kerala State Water Transport Department (SWTD) operates public passenger boat services across Kerala’s inland waterways and plays an important role in connecting communities located around rivers, lakes, canals and backwaters. In Ernakulam district, SWTD services provide water-based connections between destinations including Ernakulam, Fort Kochi, Vypin and Mattancherry, offering both a practical mode of local transport and an opportunity for visitors to experience Kochi’s waterways from the water. The department was established in 1968 and operates as a government service department catering to the transportation needs of people in water-connected areas across several districts of Kerala. According to SWTD, its passenger boats collectively carry around 15 million passengers annually, demonstrating the importance of inland water transport in the state. For travelers exploring Kochi tourism, an SWTD ferry journey can provide a different perspective of the city, with routes crossing the waterways between the mainland and island destinations. The department’s official Ernakulam schedules currently list multiple services between Ernakulam and Fort Kochi, including ordinary passenger services and routes operating via Embarkation. The published timetable also includes services connecting Ernakulam with Vypin, with some journeys operating via Fort Kochi, as well as separate services between Ernakulam and Mattancherry. These routes are useful for visitors interested in experiencing Kochi’s maritime character while also serving as everyday transport for local residents. The Ernakulam–Fort Kochi connection is particularly relevant to travelers visiting the historic areas of Fort Kochi, while the Ernakulam–Vypin services provide access to another important island area of the Kochi region. Some scheduled services operate throughout different parts of the day, although exact departure times vary according to the individual route and schedule. SWTD also operates the VEGA-120 service on the Ernakulam–Fort Kochi route, with the department publishing specific departure and arrival times for this service. The ferry experience allows passengers to observe the waterways, waterfront settlements, boats and urban landscape that form an important part of Kochi’s geography. For tourists, this can complement visits to Fort Kochi, Mattancherry, Vypin and other heritage and coastal areas, while the regular passenger services demonstrate how Kerala’s traditional dependence on waterways continues to function alongside modern road transport. The appeal of an SWTD ferry journey therefore extends beyond sightseeing: it provides an authentic view of everyday water transport in Kerala and illustrates the relationship between Kochi’s communities and its interconnected waterways. Visitors planning to use the service should check the latest official SWTD timetable before travelling because departure schedules can change. The department maintains route-specific schedules on its official website, including the current Ernakulam services and VEGA-120 information. Exact fares, service availability and boarding arrangements should likewise be confirmed through current official information rather than relying on older travel references. With its network of passenger boat services, the Kerala State Water Transport Department remains an important part of Kerala’s inland transport system and offers travelers a practical and culturally interesting way to explore Kochi’s waterways. For visitors interested in Kerala tourism, backwater travel, local transport, maritime culture and the distinctive geography of Ernakulam district, an SWTD ferry ride can form a useful part of a wider Kochi travel experience.

🚆 Railway: Ernakulam Junction (South) Railway Station (\~2 km)

✈️ Airport: Cochin International Airport (\~32 km)

🚌 Bus: Ernakulam KSRTC Bus Station / Ernakulam Main Boat Jetty

🏨 Stay: Hostel By The Sea

✅ Notes: SWTD currently lists multiple Ernakulam–Fort Kochi and Ernakulam–Vypin services, with journey times on the Fort Kochi route of roughly 20 minutes and schedules extending from early morning into the evening.