Tucked away from the coastline of Kerala lies a gorgeous village full of misty hills, waterfalls, and perpetual greenery. Vagamon (also spelt Wagamon) is a quaint little hill town in the Idukki district of Kerala. Full of lush green meadows and tea estates, Vagamon also doubles as one of the coolest hubs for paragliding in South India.

A truly underrated travel destination of South India, it sees the bare minimum of tourists. Hence, if you stumble across this small village, you’re likely to revel in Nature’s lap, away from the city hustle and even the usual crowd of tourists.

How to reach Vagamon Blog Contents:

1. Things to do in Vagamon

2. Zostel Vagamon

3. Cheapest route to Vagamon for backpackers & travellers

4. The fastest route to Vagamon

5. Chennai to Vagamon

6. Bangalore to Vagamon

7. Kochi to Vagamon

8. Alleppey to Vagamon

9. Coimbatore to Vagamon

10. Trivandrum to Vagamon

11. Madurai to Vagamon

12. Vagamon routes for Bike/Car trip to South India

13. Cities near Vagamon for travellers to explore

14. About Zostel

Things to do in Vagamon

Like many other unexplored places, Vagamon is very generous in its offerings. For starters, you can enjoy one of your most memorable paragliding experiences in this town. Imagine gliding over a landscape full of lush green hills decorated with mist, flowers, and tea plantations!

In addition to paragliding in Vagamon, the village has plenty of hikes, treks, and camping experiences in store for you. It also makes for a great place to enjoy stargazing. And hey, if you’re someone who gets high on adventure, you should also try ziplining and off-roading when in Vagamon.

Now that we’ve established the fact that Vagamon is indeed a backpacker’s haven for adventure, nature, and exploration, let’s get to the details. Since it's not a very popular tourist attraction, you won’t be getting direct buses to the town, even from major cities like Bengaluru or Chennai. And if you’re a traveller reading this blog and dreaming of your next getaway, you already know by now that the best places come far from easy.

So, I’ve done the math for you. Now all you have to do is pick a city and follow the instructions. But before that, I want to get you in on the cheapest and quickest itineraries to Vagamon. Which brings me to a definite travel tip/philosophy: time and money are inversely proportional, so have either one on your hands whenever you’re hitting the road!

Zostel Vagamon

Great news first! We have just come up with a Zostel in Vagamon, surrounded by tea estates and green hills and nothing else. You can check it out here!

The Cheapest Way to Reach Vagamon

If you’re backpacking on a low budget and are wondering what the cheapest way is to reach Vagamon, we’ve got you covered! The route includes switching buses, but when you’ve got beautiful views all along the way, what’s the hassle?

1. Reach Kottayam from wherever you are.

2. Take a bus from Kottayam to Vagamon. The distance is 65km and should be covered within 2.5 hours.

3. Get down at Vazhikadavu Bus Stop in Vagamon, from where Zostel Vagamon is at a walkable distance.

4. In case you do not get a direct bus from Kottayam to Vagamon, take a bus to Erattupetta/ Pala:

-Regular buses available to Vagamon from Erattupetta. (First bus at 5:15 AM. Last bus at 7:00 pm). Get down at Vazhikadavu Bus Stop (Kurishumala Ashram Junction) in Vagamon, from where Zostel Vagamon is at a walkable distance of 700 meters (Auto charge Rs 50).

-Bus timings to Vagamon from Pala: 9:15 am, 10:15 am, 11:15 am, 2:30 pm, 4:15 pm, 4:50 pm. Get down at Vazhikadavu Bus Stop (Kurishumala Ashram Junction) in Vagamon, from where the hostel is at a walkable distance of 700 meters (Auto charge Rs 50). (Approx Tot. Travel Time: 4.5 hrs).

If you’re taking the above-mentioned route, you’ll reach Vagamon from Kottayam in under 100 INR!

The fastest way to reach Vagamon

If you’re low on time and would like to cover as many places as possible on your holiday, you might want to keep things simple. Here’s how you do it.

The Cochin International Airport (COK, Kochi) is the nearest airport to Vagamon. So, this is how you go about the shortest route to Vagamon:

1. Fly down to Kochi (COK).

2. Take a direct taxi from Kochi to Vagamon. The total distance is 97km and should take no more than 3 hours to cover on the road.

ALL the ways to reach Vagamon from nearby South Indian cities

If you’re living in one of the nearby cities in South India, pick the respective city and explore your options below.

To check the bus routes, I found this website very helpful.

Vagamon Route Map: Road Trip

Vagamon Route Map: Public Transport

How to reach: Chennai to Vagamon

Option 1 via Kochi: Flight + Taxi, 5 hrs, INR 5,708

• Madras Airport (MAA) - Kochi Airport (COK) by flight, 2 hrs, INR 3,900

• Kochi - Vagamon by taxi, 3 hrs, INR 1,800

Option 2 via Madurai: Flight + taxi, 7 hrs, INR 8,008

• Madras Airport (MAA) - Madurai Airport (IXM) by flight, 2 hrs, INR 4400

• Madurai - Vagamon by taxi, 4 hrs, INR 3600

Option 3: Bus + Taxi, 13 hrs, INR 2,616

• Chennai - Cumbum by bus, 12 hrs, INR 700

• Cumbum - Vagamon by taxi, 2 hrs, INR 1900

Option 4: Bus, 14 hrs, INR 1,565

• Chennai - Kuttikkanam by bus, 12 hrs, INR 700

Option 5: Train + Taxi, 15 hrs, INR 2,697

• Chennai Central (MAS) - Kottayam (KTYM) by train, 13 hrs, INR 1,500

• Kottayam (KTYM) - Vagamon by taxi, 2 hrs, INR 1,200

Option 6: Drive, 10 hrs, INR 5500

• Chennai - Vagamon by car, 691 km, INR 5500

Option 7: Taxi, 10 hrs, INR 11,000

• Chennai - Vagamon by taxi, 691 km, INR 11,000

Sounds like a plan? Book your getaway here!

How to reach: Bangalore to Vagamon

Option 1 via Kochi: Flight + Taxi, 5 hrs, INR 7,850

• Bengaluru Airport (BLR) - Kochi Airport (COK) by flight, 2 hrs, INR 6,000

• Kochi - Vagamon by taxi, 3 hrs, INR 1,800

Option 2 via Madurai: Flight + Taxi, 7 hrs, INR 12,150

• Bengaluru Airport (BLR) - Madurai Airport (IXM) by flight, 2 hrs, INR 8,500

• Madurai - Vagamon by taxi, 4 hrs, INR 3,600

Option 3: Bus (RedBus), 11 hrs, INR 1,553

• Bangalore - Kuttikkanam by bus, 10 hrs, INR 700

• Kuttikkanam – Vagamon by bus, 50 mins

Option 4: Bus Kerala State Road Transport Corporation, 14 hrs, INR 2,125

• Bangalore - Pala by bus, 12 hrs, INR 1,100

• Pala – Vagamon by taxi, 2 Hrs

Option 5: Train + Taxi, 15 hrs, INR 2,606

• Bangalore Cant (BNC) - Kottayam (KTYM) by train, 14 hrs, INR 1,400

• Kottayam (KTYM) - Vagamon by taxi, 2 hrs, INR 1,200

Option 6: Taxi, 11 hrs, INR 11,000

• Bengaluru - Vagamon by taxi, 553 km, INR 11,000

Option 7: Drive, 11 hrs, INR 4,900

• Bengaluru - Vagamon by car, 553 km, INR 4,900

Sounds like a plan? Book your getaway here!

How to reach: Kochi to Vagamon

Option 1: Taxi, 3 hrs, INR 1,800

• Kochi - Vagamon by taxi, 103 km, INR 1,800

Option 2: Drive, 3 hrs, INR 950

• Kochi - Vagamon by car, 103 km, INR 950

Option 3: Uber, 3 hrs, INR 2,100

• Kochi - Vagamon by Uber, 103 km, INR 2,100

Option 4: Bus, 4.5hrs, INR 150

• Vytilla Hub (Kochi) - Vagamon by Bus, 103 km, INR 150.

Sounds like a plan? Book your getaway here!

How to Reach: Alleppey to Vagamon

Option 1: Bus, 5 Hrs

Direct bus from Alleppey to Vagamon

Option 2: Drive, 3 hrs, INR 1,000

Alleppey – Vagamon by car, 100 km, INR 1,000

Sounds like a plan? Book your getaway here!

How to reach: Coimbatore to Vagamon

Option 1: Bus + Taxi, 7 hrs, INR 2,466

• Coimbatore - Ernakulam by bus, 6 hrs, INR 650

• Ernakulam - Vagamon by taxi, 3 hrs, INR 1,800

Option 2: Train + taxi, 8 hrs, INR 2,133

• Coimbatore Junction (CBE) - Kottayam (KTYM) by train, 6 hrs, INR 950

• Kottayam (KTYM) - Vagamon by taxi, 2 hrs, INR 1,200

Option 3: Night bus, 8 hrs, INR 1, 371

Coimbatore - Pala by night bus, 7 hrs, INR 650

Pala to Vagamon by taxi, 1.5 Hrs

Option 4: Taxi, 5 hrs, INR 4,800

Coimbatore - Vagamon by taxi, 240 km, INR 4,800

Option 5: Drive, 5 hrs, INR 2,600

Coimbatore - Vagamon by car, 240 km, INR 2,600

Sounds like a plan? Book your getaway here!

How to reach: Trivandrum to Vagamon

Option 1: Train + Taxi, 5 hrs, INR 2,016

Thiruvananthapuram Central (TVC) - Kottayam (KTYM) by train, 4 hrs, INR 800

Kottayam (KTYM) - Vagamon by taxi, 2 hrs, INR 1,200

Option 2 via Kottayam: Bus + Taxi, 6 hrs, INR 1,526

Trivandrum - Kottayam by bus, 5 hrs, INR 330

Kottayam - Vagamon by taxi, 2 hrs, INR 1,200

Option 3 via Alleppey: Bus + Taxi, 6 hrs, INR 2,360

Trivandrum – Alappuzha (Alleppey) by bus, 5 hrs, INR 550

Alapuzha - Vagamon by taxi, 3 hrs, INR 1,800

Option 4: Taxi, 4 hrs, INR 3,100

Thiruvananthapuram - Vagamon by taxi, 186 km, INR 3,100

Option 5: Drive, 4 hrs, INR 1,700

Thiruvananthapuram - Vagamon by car, 186 km, INR 1700

Option 6: Flight + Taxi, 3 hrs, INR 5,331

Trivandrum Airport (TRV) - Kochi Airport (COK) by flight, 2 hrs, INR 3,400

Kochi - Vagamon by taxi, 3 hrs, INR 1,800

Sounds like a plan? Book your getaway here!

How to reach: Madurai to Vagamon

Option 1: Train + Taxi, 13 hrs, INR 2,349

• Madurai Junction (MDU) - Kottayam (KTYM) by train, 12 hrs, INR 1,100

• Kottayam (KTYM) - Vagamon by taxi, 2 hrs, INR 1,200

Option 2: Taxi, 5 hrs, INR 3,400

• Madurai - Vagamon by taxi, 186 km, INR 3,400

Option 3: Drive, 5 hrs, INR 1,700

• Madurai - Vagamon by car, 186 km, INR 1700

Sounds like a plan? Book your getaway here!

How to reach: Wayanad to Vagamon

1. Train + Bus

- Take a bus to Kozhikode. Regular trains are available from Kozhikode to Kottayam.

- Direct bus from Kottayam KSRTC Bus Stand available to Vagamon intermittently. Get down at Kurishumala Junction in Vagamon, from where the hostel is at walkable distance. (Approx travel time from Kottayam Bus Stand: 2.5 hrs). In case you do not get a direct bus to Vagamon from Kottayam, take a bus to Erattupetta/ Pala.

- Regular buses available to Vagamon from Erattupetta. (First bus at 5:15 AM. Last bus at 7:00 pm). Get down at Vazhikadavu Bus Stop in Vagamon, from where Zostel Vagamon is at a walkable distance of 700 meters (Auto charge Rs 50). (Approx Tot. Travel Time: 4.5 hrs).

- Bus timings to Vagamon from Pala: 9:15 am, 10:15 am, 11:15 am, 2:30 pm, 4:15 pm, 4:50 pm. Get down at Vazhikadavu Bus Stop in Vagamon, from where Zostel Vagamon is at a walkable distance of 700 meters (Auto charge Rs 50). (Total travel time: approx 4.5 hrs).

Taking a road trip to South India?

Here’s how you can include Vagamon in your bike/car trip to South India!

Chennai to Vagamon via Madurai- 13 hrs

Trivandrum to Vagamon via Adoor- short route- 5.5 hrs

Alleppey to Vagamon via Pala- 3 hrs

Kochi to Vagamon- 3 hrs

Bangalore to Vagamon via Salem- 11.5 hrs

Coimbatore To Vagamon via Munnar- 6 hrs

Kodaikanal to Vagamon- 5.5 hrs

And if you’re someone who would love to enjoy the most scenic views or explore more South Indian cities worth travelling to, we recommend these longer routes:

Trivandrum to Vagamon via Kollam- coastal route- 6.5 hrs

Bangalore to Vagamon via Kodaikanal- 14 hrs

Coimbatore to Vagamon via Thrissur- 6 hrs

Coimbatore to Vagamon via Kodaikanal- 10 hrs

Cities to travel to near Vagamon

If you’re planning to cover multiple cities at a time, here are the ones you shouldn’t miss for the world.

1. Kodaikanal

If you fancy marvelling at exquisite granite cliffs and forest valleys, you’ll LOVE Kodaikanal. Stop over for 3 or 4 days and spare 1 whole day for Vattakanal.

You can stay at Zostel Kodaikanal for a complete backpacking experience. Check out our home here!

2. Alleppey

Situated by the waters, Alappuzha is a must-visit if you want to experience the Keralan backwaters at their best. With ancient temples and beaches galore, Alleppey makes for an exciting backpacking destination in Kerala.

And hey, we’ve got a home here too. Check out our amazing place here!

3. Kochi

Coastal cities are mankind’s blessing to themselves and Cochin is no exception. Explore the old city area along with the Fort and all the beaches here.

You can stay at Zostel to experience the best of the city. Book here!

4. Ooty

If you fancy hill stations flooding with greenery, just like Vagamon in Kerala, there’s also Ooty in Tamil Nadu. Teeming with hiking and trekking routes along with waterfalls and exceptional flora, the hill town is a traveller’s delight.

We organise small hikes and help you explore Ooty the best way at Zostel. Check us out here!

I hope you found all the information you’re looking for as to how to reach Vagamon in the blog :)

About Zostel

Wondering what Zostel is? Well, we’re Asia’s largest backpacking hostel chain spread across India and Nepal with 34 backpackers’ hostels and counting. Know more about us on our website.

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Dasvidaniya Zostelers; ‘till next time!