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This ferry is the shortest route to get to Fort Kochi from the Ernakulam. The jankar ferry operates like a shuttle service, with 20 min frequency, starting from 6.30am to 9.30pm.

If you're touring Kochi on car/bike make sure you take this thrilling & unique transport as one in your agenda for Kochi.You will not regret it!

Why take to Jankar Ferry to Fort Kochi?

[#1]First of all jankar Ferry point in Fort Kochi is right in the middle of Fort Kochi's tourism action area.You'll save a lot of time to reach Fort Kochi by ferry than by road from Ernakulam city or Vypin.

[#2]As a tourist to Kochi, this is a unique experience. This Kochi is one of the very few places in india Jankar Ferry operate for commuting people along with their vehicles. For those new to Kerala lifestyle, it's also a chance to see how the local population go about their daily commute.

[#3] Get panoramic view of the Kochi's Marine drive as you cross to Fort Kochi. You're essentially crossing the shipping channel at the mouth of the Vembanad lake joining the Arabian Sea. Chances are very high you'll see giant cargo ships, gently entering the port while on the Jankar. As you approach the shore, you'll get a panoramic view the Chinese fishing net, lined long the shore. If you're lucky, you'll spot Dolphins ( yes Dolphin!) playing around and jump up from the water.

The ferry works in a Roll-on-Roll-off mode (locally called Ro-Ro). You'll drive into the barge from one end and drive out from the other end, almost like crossing a bridge..., a moving one!

The ferry is 7 minutes ride in a jam packed with cars, bikes,trucks and mix of local & tourist crowd. There are two queues - one for the fourwheelers and other for the two wheelers. If you are on foot, go to the two wheeler queue, you'll find the ticket counter just at the tip of the jetty where the Jankar lands.

For cars, the long tail of the queue grows towards the road you took from Vypin/Ernakulam to the Jankar ferry point. Watchout for a queue of parked cars along the left side, just as you drive towards the Jankar Jetty. You can walk out and get ticket as you wait for the next ferry or pay inside to the ticket checker.

The staff will direct you to drive in. Gently drive your car on to the deck through the ramp. Once onside, switch off the engine, put the handbrake on and enjoy the weavy ride.

If you're on a bike, you'll easily squeeze in the the first or at the most second trip.

How to get the Vypin Jankar ferry point :

From MG Road or Marine Drive  to the Vypin Jankar Ferry is 15-20 min drive (8-10km).

From Cherai Beach to Vypin Jankar Ferry is 45 min drive (22km). Take the main road, head south. The ferry is almost at the southern tip of the atrial road in Cherai island.

Driving from MG Road side: Head to the north end of MG Road. At the T Junction turn left to Banerjee Road. At the High Court signal ( T junction) turn right into Shanmugham Road  ( Marine Drive Road) . At the major roundabout on Shanmugham Road, turn left for the Goshree Road. Stay on the  Goshree Road, the first bridge will take you to the Bolgatty Island. At the Bolgatti roundabout keep the same direction. The second bridge will take you to Vallarpadam island ( container terminals). Keep straight. The third bridge will land you in Vypin island. At the roundabout, turn left towards the ferry point ( almost at the dead end of the Vypin Island).

[#tailpeiece]

By the way there's a regular passenger ferry service too from Ernakulam to Fort Kochi. Ernakulam Boat Jetty is at the southern tip of Marine Drive.

Morning and evening are busy, you may need to waiting for the 2rd or 3rd trip of the Jankar till your trm come up ( up ( 30-45 minutes waining). Jankar takes about 10-12 cars each trip.

Fort Kochi → Jankar Ferry → rickshaw or local bus →  Cherai Beach  makes a good half day itinerary

Another longer itinerary option to explore the area is :  Marine Drive → Regular Ferry → Fort Kochi → Jankar Ferry → rickshaw or local bus→ Cherai Beach