Kerala from the UAE: planning a holiday around a family visit
A week at home and a few days in Munnar, Thekkady or on a houseboat: how to plan both in one trip.
Kerala is the biggest destination search from the UAE, and our most common request is simple: a week at home with family, plus a few days of real holiday that everyone will enjoy. With flights of about four hours from Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah to Kochi, Trivandrum, Calicut and Kannur, it's easy to do both in one trip.
Here's how to plan a short Kerala holiday around a family visit: where to go from each airport, when, and how to keep flights affordable.
Fit the holiday to the season
| Months | What it's like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| September to March | Dry, pleasant, green after the monsoon | Hill stations, beaches, houseboats |
| April to May | Hot and humid on the coast | Munnar and Wayanad's cooler hills |
| June to August | Monsoon: rain, lush green, fewer tourists | Ayurveda, waterfalls, quiet hotels, lower rates |
UAE summer school holidays (July and August) fall in the monsoon. Rather than a beach holiday, plan Ayurveda, waterfalls such as Athirappilly, and cosy hill-station stays.
Three or four days, near home
From Kochi
- Munnar (3–4 hours): tea estates, Eravikulam National Park and cool mountain air.
- Thekkady (4 hours): Periyar wildlife sanctuary, spice gardens and a bamboo-rafting trip.
- Fort Kochi: Chinese fishing nets, the Jew Town and Kathakali, often combined with arrival or departure.
From Trivandrum
- Kovalam and Varkala: beaches and cliff-top cafés.
- Poovar: backwater resorts where the river meets the sea.
- Ponmudi: a hill station within two hours.
From Calicut and Kannur
- Wayanad: hills, forests, waterfalls and wildlife, two to three hours away.
- Bekal: the fort and beach resorts in the far north.
- Kozhikode beach and its famous food.
The houseboat night
A private houseboat on the backwaters of Alleppey (Alappuzha) or Kumarakom is the classic Kerala experience and works for every age, from grandparents to toddlers. Boats range from one to five bedrooms, so they suit extended families. An overnight stay includes all meals cooked on board. Choose a day cruise if anyone is uncomfortable sleeping on water.
A sample week
- Days 1–4: home with family
- Days 5–6: Munnar
- Day 7: Alleppey houseboat
- Day 8: Kochi, then fly back to the UAE
We arrange a car and driver for the whole holiday, so nobody needs to drive the hill roads.
Ayurveda
Kerala is the home of Ayurveda, and the monsoon is the traditional season for treatment. Short wellness stays of three to five nights are popular with UAE residents; genuine treatment programmes need 14 days or more. We recommend resorts and centres with qualified doctors.
Bringing a non-Indian spouse or friend?
They'll need an Indian visa, usually an e-visa applied for online before travel. Some nationalities qualify for a visa on arrival. OCI cardholders don't need a visa. See India visa from the UAE.
Flights home
Fares to Kerala rise sharply around Onam, Christmas, Eid and the UAE school holidays. To save:
- Book eight to ten weeks ahead for peak periods.
- Compare all four airports: Kochi, Trivandrum, Calicut and Kannur often price differently.
- Fly mid-week where you can.
- Consider an open-jaw ticket, such as into Trivandrum and out of Kochi.
Read how to save on flights to Kerala.
Local help at both ends
Our UAE offices book the flights and our offices in Kochi, Trivandrum and Calicut plan the ground arrangements, so there's always someone local to call. See Kerala holidays and travel to India.
Questions, answered
What is the best time to visit Kerala from the UAE?
September to March for the best weather. The June to August monsoon is ideal for Ayurveda and quiet hill-station stays.
Can we take a houseboat with elderly parents and young children?
Yes. Houseboats suit every age. Choose a day cruise if anyone is uncomfortable sleeping on the water.
Which hill station is closest to Kochi airport?
Munnar, about three to four hours by road. Thekkady is about four hours.
Does my non-Indian spouse need a visa for India?
Yes, unless they hold an OCI card. Most nationalities can apply for an Indian e-visa online before travel.
Related
Published by Airtravel Enterprises · More articles and guides
