Introduction
As a family consisting of two adults, one child, and one grandparent, we visited Alleppey (Alappuzha) and rented a pair of bedroom premium houseboats (two-bedroom) in a private houseboat for one night in January. It is our fair and balanced review, the price/cons of the real world, and tips that we wish we knew prior to booking.
Summative opinion: the backwaters are both magical during sunrise and sunset, the Kerala on-board meals are very good and the slow cruise is popular among the kids.
The trade offs consist of the evening no-cruising rule (boats anchor after about 5:30 PM), night-time generator hum on certain boats, and the occasional mosquitoes when the wind ceases. When you choose the correct type and crew, it is an unforgettable low-speed voyage.
Getting There and Best Time
- Where: Alleppey/Alappuzha, Kerala–the entrance to Vembanad Lake and canals of Kuttanad.
- How to reach: Kochi Airport (COK) – Alleppey: 2.5-3 hrs by taxi ([?]3,000-4,200) or by bus using Vyttila hub.
Alleppey station Kochi city (Ernakulam Jn): 1-1.5 hrs by train; autos/taxis to Finishing Point Jetty. - Peak season: October-March (dry, pleasant). It is hot in the middle of the day in April-May, prepare AC cabins. June-Summer: Monsoon beauty with lots of rain and high gusts- cruise plans can be altered.
Quick Planner: Distance, Time and Typical Costs
| Private 1BR Deluxe (1N) | ₹8,000–12,000 | AC usually night only (9 PM–6 AM) |
| Private 2BR Premium (1N) | ₹12,000–18,000 | Better interiors, larger deck; AC policy varies |
| Luxury 2–3BR (1N) | ₹20,000–35,000+ | Hotel‑style rooms, 24×7 AC in cabins/salon |
| Shared day cruise seat | ₹900–1,500 per person | Lunch included on some boats |
| Shikara (small covered boat) | ₹1,000–1,500 per hour | Great for narrow canals; 3‑hr min common |
| Canoe village ride | ₹500–800 per hour | Early morning or late afternoon is best |
| Check‑in / Check‑out | 12:00–12:30 PM / 9:00–9:30 AM | Overnight anchor by ~5:30 PM per rules |
| Meals on board | Included (lunch, tea, dinner, breakfast) | Extra seafood at market‑price |
Houseboat Types and What You Get
| Type | Good For | What you’ll see/do |
|---|---|---|
| Deluxe (1–3 bedrooms) | Budget travelers, short stays | Core canals + Vembanad; simple rooms |
| Premium | Families wanting a bit more comfort | Wider deck, nicer dining area, better bedding |
| Luxury | Special occasions, seniors who need comfort | Hotel‑like cabins, larger view windows |
| Shikara (day) | Photos, narrow canals, flexible timing | Close‑up village life; mangroves |
| Canoe (guided) | Dawn birds, village stop‑ins | Quiet, human‑powered experience |
Tip from our trip: A two‑bedroom premium boat hit the sweet spot—clean cabins, bigger deck for the kid to move around, and better food/kitchen hygiene than the lowest tier.
Costs, Timings and Booking Tips
Timings that matter
- Cruising begins after cheque-in and lunch; the boats then arrive at around 5:30 PM and leave around 7:30-8:00 AM. Lunch stop 1-1.5 hrs in a village jetty.
What your base price should include
- Crewed private boat (captain + cook + helper), welcome drink, Kerala lunch, tea/ snack, dinner, breakfast, basic bottled water, night anchorage and normal fuel/ generator hours.
Common extras and how to handle them
- Additional seafood (karimeen/prawns/crab): charged per weight–make sure this is settled at the point of preparation.
- AC overtime (Deluxe): typically ₹300-600/hr–explain in writing.
- GST and holiday surcharge: inquire whether the quoted price is an all-inclusive price.
- Parking at Finishing Point Jetty: ₹50-200 of cars.
Pros and Cons (Our Family Take)
Pros
- The backwater perspective is a continuous live wallpaper, paddy fields, toddy shops, Chinese fishing gear, Kingfishers.
- The best feature was on-board meals: veg thali with sambar/avial, fish fry (additional) appam + stew breakfast fresh and plentiful.
- Crew members were good with our child; they allowed him to make the wheel a photo at the anchor.
- Premium deck space also implied that we could sit with eachother, read and watch sunset without crowding.
Cons
- Boats have to anchor early in the evening, and on this account nights are quiet–nothing by after-dark cruising.
- The sound of light generators was audible to the deck, within the bedroom it was imperceptible but light sleepers might hear.
- At dusk near paddy banks there were mosquitoes–coils and repulsive.
- Others are broad lake with such like scenes; the interest is greater in high places of narrow canals–take those which contain them.
2-Day Houseboat Itinerary (Relaxed but Complete)
Day 1: Board + Lakeside Sunset
- 12:00 PM: Finishing Point Boarding: welcome drink and boat briefing.
- 1:00 PM: Kerala lunch while moored.
- 2:30-5:15 PM: Drive through Kuttanad paddy fields, village, and Chinese nets, and visit a coir store (at own risk).
- 5:30 PM: Anchor near a quiet canal. Tea + banana fritters. Family card games; photo time.
- 8:00 PM: Dinner on board. Early evening; bedroom AC accordance to plan.
Day 2: Canal Morning + Check-Out
- 7:30-9:00 AM: Minor cruise in smaller canals to view the birds; most pictures of the journey.
- Breakfast: 9: 00-9. 30 AM (appam/idiyappam + curry). Check-out.
- 2-3 hour shikara tour of deeper canals (best with kids).
Food, Transport and Practical Tips
- Homestyle Kerala -rice, sambar, thoran, fish/chicken (on request), curd, pickles; breakfast is appam/dosa/idiyappam with stew or egg curry.
- Allergies/preferences: order ahead, our crew did a great job on a no-spice children dish.
- Even automobiles are hassle-free at the jetty; operators can be hired to get to Kochi airport.
- 4G/5G is mostly spotty around town; intermittent in canals. Boats are powered by generators in anchors-request charges points and timings of fans.
- Safety and comfort Life jackets on board (even children); height of rail may differ depending on boat–careful of toddlers. Mosquito repellent, light shawl in case of wind, and fast drying shoes.
Do’s and Don’ts for First-Timers
| Do | Don’t |
|---|---|
| Get an all‑inclusive quote in writing (AC hours, meals, taxes) | Assume AC runs 24×7 on Deluxe boats |
| Ask for a video of the actual boat you’ll board | Rely only on brochure photos |
| Cruise narrow canals at least once (shikara/canoe if needed) | Spend entire time only on the wide lake |
| Carry cash for seafood extras and tips | Buy fish without confirming total price/weight |
| Keep kids in life jackets on deck, especially near rail gaps | Leave children unattended while docking |
Conclusion
Would we do it again? Yes–in a boat, premium or luxury, narrow-canal passage, and in written inclusions which are clear. Our child was fond of seeing kingfishers; the elder liked to spend long mornings on the deck; all of us were mad about breakfast appams.
The concessions (evening anchor, generator hum, mosquitoes) can be dealt with the proper boat and at the proper time. In case you desire Kerala memory as a family in a unique way, an Alleppey houseboat still has your back.
