Arrival in Kerala

PLEASE BE AWARE THAT WIFI MAY NOT BE READILY AVAILABLE IN COCHI AIRPORT SO WE ADVISE TO SCREENSHOT THIS PAGE FOR YOUR INFORMATION

Immigration in to India has certain additional steps when compared to travelling to other countries. It is important you read over the information below before you fly, as the process becomes much longer if you miss out any steps.

  1. Fill out foreign passport form - depending on which airline, the cabin crew may provide you with a Foreign Passport Form. If they do not provide it on the aircraft, make sure you keep an eye out for staff in the airport who will be handing them out.

    Before you get to the immigration check point make sure you have filled out this form (pack a pen in your handbag to do this)

  2. e-Visa Immigration checkpoint - as you get to the security check, you will find the e-Visa section on the left hand side behind a glass wall. Wait in the queue to go through security.

    Here they will ask you certain questions/give you instructions and you will need to know the answers:

    • Reason for travel - attending a wedding

    • Name of accommodation - Backwater Ripples, Kumarakom (ideally have a print out on you)

    • Mobile number

    • Fingerprint scanning

  3. Baggage carousel - pass through security, down the escalators, through Duty Free you will find the baggage carousel

  4. Cash - don’t forget to exchange some currency at the foreign exchange counters

  5. Transport - if you are all taking similar flights then we can arrange a bus for when the majority of you to arrive. For people who are taking other flights, there is a taxi you can take from airport to Backwater Ripples.

    Once you have collected your luggage, you will pass through what looks like another security check but it is just the equivalent of ‘nothing to declare’ customs - walk straight through this. Just after this, there is a ‘pre-paid taxi’ counter on the right hand side. Let them know you want a taxi to Backwater Ripples and they will quote you a price - this is fixed and cannot be haggled. If there are a few of you and you have lots of luggage, let them know you will need a bigger taxi. They will ask for a mobile number, let them know you only have a UK number.

    They will give you a slip with your taxi reg number and direct you to Pillar number A9 outside where your taxi will meet you. Pillar A8 directly next to it has a help desk where you can make a free call if you run in to any trouble.

  6. Just a heads up - traffic works a lot differently in India so please don’t be scared by the driving style or the honking!