Cochin to Wayanad Road
So it's Ernakulam --180km--> Calicut --60km--> Wayanad (Kalpetta).
Ernakulam to Sultan Battery (270km): Ernakulam --180km--> Calicut — 15km –> Kunnamangalam — 30km –> Thamarassery — 15km –> Adivaram — 12 km (Ghat section) –> Lakkidi — 5km –> Vythiri — 6km –> Kalpetta — 8km –> Kainatty — 23km –> Sultan Battery
There is a no direct train connection to Wayanad from Ernakulam. The nearset railway station for wayanad is at Calicut (Kozhikode). For reaching Wayanad by train from Ernakulam, take one of those northbound trains to Calicut. From Calicut take a taxi or bus.
The best public means to travel from Ernakulam to wayanad is by bus.
There are a reasonable number of long distance direct buses from Ernakulam to Mananthavady and Sulthan Bathery. Those Mysore bound KSRTC buses (both Kerala's & Karnataka's) goes via Mananthavady and Sulthan Bathery in Wayanad.
You can even do advance seat reservations (www.ksrtc.in)