Getting Around Palakkad
Palakkad is a compact, central-Kerala city that grew up around its fort, its railway division and the old trade route through the Palakkad Gap in the Western Ghats. For a visitor, that means most of the famous sights sit close together in the heart of town, while the transport hubs you arrive at are a short ride away. Malayalam is the official language, and the city's two rivers, the Kalpathi and the Kannadi, thread through it.
Orientation
Palakkad Fort, the 18th-century fort with sturdy battlements, a moat and a Hanuman temple on its grounds, stands right in the middle of the city. North along the Kalpathy River is the 15th-century Viswanatha Swamy Temple, the main venue of the Ratholsavam chariot festival. The city lies on the northern bank of the Bharathappuzha, and the largest dam in the district, Malampuzha, is a short drive out of town. Roads link Palakkad with Kochi, Coimbatore, Thrissur and Kozhikode via National Highways NH 544 and NH 966, with other state highways branching off toward Pollachi and the Tamil Nadu border.
Walking
Walking is a genuinely practical way to cover the central sights. The fort, the open-air auditorium known as "Rapadi", and the stadiums are all walkable from one another. If you base yourself near the centre, you can string together a good half-day on foot without needing a vehicle.
Buses
Palakkad is well networked by public bus transport. The state-run Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates services alongside many private operators. The KSRTC bus terminal sits in the centre of the city and offers both inter-state and inter-city services, with buses running to major cities and towns such as Thrissur, Kozhikode, Guruvayur, Coimbatore and Palani. The city also has private bus stands, including the Stadium Bus Stand, the Municipal Bus Stand and the Town Bus Stand. For getting around town and reaching nearby towns, buses are the default option.
Autorickshaws
Autorickshaws are a cheap way to move between attractions, and drivers here are generally polite compared with those in India's big cities. The one firm rule: agree on the fare before boarding, especially if you are a foreigner getting around on your own.
Taxis and Ride-Hailing
Local taxis are also available at cheap rates, but you will have to bargain over the price. Ride-hailing apps are not described in the available sources, so treat taxis and autorickshaws as the reliable on-demand options and settle the fare up front.
Rail
Palakkad is a railway divisional headquarters and is well connected by rail to major cities across India, including Hyderabad, Kozhikode, Mangalore, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. The city is served by two stations: Palakkad Junction, a broad-gauge junction at Olavakkode, and Palakkad Town railway station in the heart of the city. Palakkad Junction is a short ride from the Municipal Bus Stand, so arriving by train and continuing by bus or autorickshaw is straightforward. There is no metro or tram network in Palakkad; the railway is the only rail-based transport.
Getting In From the Airport
The nearest international airport is Coimbatore International Airport, roughly 62 kilometres away, and it is the most convenient arrival point for Palakkad. Cochin International Airport and Calicut International Airport also serve the city as alternatives. A proposal exists for a mini domestic airport at East Yakkara, but for now you should plan on landing at Coimbatore or one of the other international airports and continuing to Palakkad by road or rail.
Practical Tips
- Agree on autorickshaw and taxi fares before you set off, and expect to bargain with taxis.
- Use the KSRTC terminal in the city centre for inter-city and inter-state buses.
- Remember there are two railway stations: Palakkad Junction at Olavakkode and Palakkad Town in the city centre. Check which one your train uses.
- Base yourself centrally if you want to walk to the fort, Rapadi and the stadiums.
- Carry the local language basics or a translation app; Malayalam is the official language.
- Palakkad has a tropical wet and dry climate with heavy monsoon rain, so plan outdoor sightseeing around the weather.