Angamaly railway station, closest to Kochi airport
Angamaly railway station (code AFK), signed "Angamaly for Kalady", is an NSG-4 station in the Thiruvananthapuram division of the Southern Railway. It serves Angamaly, a major suburb of Kochi in Ernakulam district, on the Shoranur–Cochin Harbour section. It is the nearest railway station to Cochin International Airport, about 5 km away, and it is part of the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme.
Where it sits
Angamaly is about 10 km north of Aluva and 26 km from Ernakulam Town (Ernakulam North). Around 48 trains halt here, including express trains and all passenger trains, and roughly 10,000 passengers use it each day. It is also the railhead for Kalady, birthplace of Adi Shankaracharya, about 7–9 km away, home to the Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit and the Sringeri Math's Janmabhoomi shrine.
Layout and facilities
- 3 passenger platforms and 2 cargo platforms, linked by one foot overbridge
- A full-rake goods yard, plus private sidings for the Food Corporation of India and TELK
- Cooled drinking water, parking in the railway compound and private pay-and-park
- Round-the-clock autos and taxis, KSRTC buses in front and a private bus stand nearby
- Lifts have been sanctioned for platforms 1, 2 and 3
The Sabarimala line
The proposed Angamaly–Erumeli (Sabarimala) railway starts here, heading to Erumeli in Kottayam district, a major base for Ayyappa pilgrims. Delays have pushed its estimated cost from ₹517 crore when first planned to about ₹3,810 crore as of November 2025.
Nearby
Places within reach include Malayattoor Church (16 km), Athirappilly waterfalls (35 km), Cherai Beach (27 km) and Thattekad Bird Sanctuary (45 km).
Frequently asked questions
Which railway station is nearest to Cochin airport?
Angamaly (AFK), about 5 km from Cochin International Airport.
Why is it called Angamaly for Kalady?
Because it is the railhead for Kalady, the pilgrimage town a few kilometres away.
See trains on our train schedule page.