Indicative entry fees and opening hours for the ticketed and timed places in Thiruvananthapuram. These change — always confirm with the official operator before you go.
PlaceEntry feeTimingsBest time
Madavoorpara A current admission tariff has not been confirmed from the reviewed sources. Check any charge and current public access with staff.Choose daylight and check current hill, shrine and bridge access before setting out.Allow about an hour if the bridge and monument route are open.
Kovalam Beach is free to enter; the lighthouse charges a small entry ticket, around Rs 20 for Indians and Rs 50 for foreign visitors, children under 12 freeOpen beach, accessible at all hours, though daylight and early evening are safest and best; the Vizhinjam lighthouse keeps its own visiting hours, generally around 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 6pm daily except MondaysOctober to March for dry, sunny beach weather; avoid the June to September southwest monsoon when the sea is rough
Varkala No entry fee for the beach or cliff.The beach and cliff promenade are open-access public areas that can be visited through the day; the Janardanaswamy Temple keeps separate morning and evening darshan hours.Roughly November to March for calm seas and pleasant weather; avoid the rough southwest monsoon (about June–September) for swimming.
Sree Padmanabhaswamy Temple Check current darshan arrangements and any charges with the temple’s official visitor information or counter before travelling. Paid options, eligibility and queue arrangements must be confirmed; no current special-darshan price is verified here.Darshan runs in fixed slots, roughly 03:30–04:45 (Nirmalya), 06:30–07:00, 08:30–10:00, 11:45–12:00, 17:00–18:15 and 18:45–19:20.October to February for the coolest, driest weather; time it with the Painkuni or Alpashy festivals to catch the Arattu procession.
Napier Museum Nominal — roughly ₹12 per adult and about ₹10 for children, with a separate small charge for the Sree Chitra Art Gallery and additional parking fees for vehicles.Generally open around 10.00 a.m. to 4.45 p.m., with entry closing shortly before. Note the museum does not open on Wednesday mornings.October to February brings the coolest, driest weather and is the most pleasant time to wander the museum and its gardens. Late afternoon light is especially good for photographing the polychrome façade. Avoid the heavy monsoon spells of June to September if you plan to enjoy the grounds.
Thiruvananthapuram Zoo The department’s zoo ticket page, checked 4 October 2026, lists Indian adult admission (above 12) at ₹40, children aged 5–12 at ₹15, and foreign adult admission at ₹200. Museum, gallery, camera and battery-car charges are separate; check eligibility for any child or special-event concession.The department’s visitor page lists Tuesday–Sunday, 9:00 am–5:15 pm; Mondays are closed. Checked 4 October 2026. Check the current notice for exceptional closures and last admission.Year-round. Come early in the morning: the animals are active, the light is good under the old trees and the school groups have not yet arrived. October to February is the most comfortable time of year to walk the grounds.
Ponmudi Nominal Kerala Forest Department charges collected at the Kallar check-post — commonly around ₹20 per Indian adult and ₹10 per child, with higher rates (about ₹200 / ₹150) for foreign visitors; parking roughly ₹10 for two-wheelers/autos up to ₹50 for buses; still-camera fee around ₹25 and video-camera around ₹150. Guided treks (e.g. Varayadumotta) are separately ticketed and may need forest-department booking. Fees change with season and regulation.Generally open daily from around 8:00 am, with last entry up the ghat road in the afternoon (commonly cited between 4:00 and 5:00 pm) and visitors expected to descend by early evening. Early morning is best for clear views before the cloud builds.October to March offers the coolest, clearest weather. Avoid the June–September south-west monsoon when the hairpin road turns slippery, mist blocks views and leeches are common on forest trails; roads can occasionally close after heavy rain.
Agasthyakoodam trek A Forest Department trek fee applies per person, paid as part of the booking rather than at the gate.The trek runs only in a notified season and only on booked dates, with reporting at the base camp very early in the morning. It is not possible to turn up and walk.The season is notified by the Forest Department and has in recent years run from around mid-January to mid-March. Do not plan around generic months — check the current notice, because the dates move and the trek is simply closed outside them.
Neyyar trek A Forest Department trek fee and a guide charge apply, arranged at the sanctuary office at Neyyar Dam; carry cash.Daytime only, on Forest Department timings, with an early start and a return well before dusk.November to March. Trails are wet, leech-heavy and frequently closed through the southwest monsoon.
Peppara trek A Forest Department entry fee and, where required, a guide charge are collected at the sanctuary gate; carry cash.Daytime only, on Forest Department timings, with entry usually closing early in the afternoon so walkers are clear of the forest before dusk.October to March. The sanctuary sits in the Karamana catchment and the trails are wet, leech-heavy and often closed through the monsoon.
Ponmudi trek A nominal forest entry fee, and a guide charge where a guide is required, are collected at the check-post; carry cash.Daytime only, governed by Forest Department check-post timings — typically an early-morning start so walkers are back out well before dusk.October to March. The trails are on steep, root-bound ground and become genuinely hazardous in the monsoon, when leeches are also at their worst.
Poovar There is no entry fee for the village or waterfront. Reaching the golden beach requires a paid boat cruise; costs vary by boat type, duration, group size and season, with shared rides cheaper per head and private boats dearer.Poovar village and its waterfront are open-access at any time. The golden beach itself, however, is reached only by boat, so in practice access follows cruise operating hours; boating generally runs through the day from the morning onwards.Best from about November to February for pleasant, clear weather; the wider dry season roughly August to March is also good. Early morning cruises give the calmest water and best birdwatching, while late-afternoon cruises catch the sunset over the estuary. Avoid peak monsoon, when heavy rain can disrupt boating.
Attukal Bhagavathy Temple No entry fee for darshan; specific poojas, offerings and vazhipadu are charged as per the temple’s rates.Typically open early morning to around midday and again in the evening (commonly reported roughly 04:00–12:00 and 17:00–20:00), with special extended timings and darshan arrangements during festival days.Pleasant from roughly October to February. The Attukal Pongala (Kumbham, about February–March) is the peak spiritual highlight but brings immense crowds; for a quieter visit choose an ordinary day outside the festival.
Kuthiramalika Palace Buy a separate palace museum ticket. Confirm the current adult, child and camera charges with the museum; neighbouring temple access is separate.The museum’s website publishes 9:00 am–12:30 pm and 2:00 pm–4:45 pm. Confirm the opening session and weekly closure day with the museum before travelling.Choose a confirmed museum opening day. For a music-festival visit, check the announced programme and audience access separately.
Kanakakunnu Palace Confirm any event or interior admission charge at the venue.Grounds and interior access vary with the current cultural programme; confirm at the entrance.Allow a short grounds visit or longer for a scheduled programme.
Koyikkal Palace Confirm current museum admission and any camera charge at the counter.Confirm current museum opening, holiday closures and gallery access before the Nedumangad trip.Allow about one to two hours for the building and two collections when open.
Veli Tourist Village Kerala Tourism lists main-entrance admission at ₹20 for adults over 12, ₹5 for children aged 5–12 and ₹40 for two adults with two children. These are undated published rates checked 4 October 2026; confirm at the counter. Boat, train and other activity tickets are separate.Kerala Tourism lists main-entrance hours of 08:00–18:30 (undated page checked 4 October 2026). Confirm current admission and separate activity schedules before travelling.Allow a flexible family outing based on the attractions operating that day.
Vizhinjam Rock-Cut Cave Temple A current monument admission tariff has not been confirmed. Check any visitor charge and access condition at the ASI-protected cave before entering.Current public access to the ASI-protected cave should be checked locally; no fixed visiting timetable is established by the reviewed source.Daylight during permitted access; avoid a rushed stop at the end of the day.
Aazhimala Shiva Temple Generally free entry for darshan; a small charge to access the statue viewing area is reported by some visitorsTemple darshan is commonly reported as roughly 5.30 am–11.00 am and 5.00 pm–8.00 pm, with some sources noting it may be closed on Mondays; the statue and viewpoint are typically accessible during daylightOctober to March (cool, dry season); early mornings for quiet darshan and late afternoon to sunset for the best sea views
Thiruvallam Parasurama Temple FreeFree entry (dress code applies; charges apply for ancestral bali rituals).Indicative, confirm locally: early-morning to mid-day, busiest on new-moon (amavasi) and Karkidaka Vavu days.—
Anchuthengu Fort FreeFree (open heritage site).Indicative, confirm locally: open daytime; best in the morning or late afternoon.—
Aruvikkara Dam FreeFree to view; small charges may apply for any rides or boating.Indicative, confirm locally: open daytime; best after the monsoon when the river is full.—
Vellayani Lake FreeFree (open lake; boating where available is charged locally).Indicative, confirm locally: open-access, best at sunrise and sunset.—
Sarkaradevi Temple FreeFree entry (dress code applies).Indicative, confirm locally: roughly early-morning to mid-day and evening darshan with pooja gaps.—
Shanghumukham Beach FreeThe public beach has no admission ticket; parking and purchases are separate.Late afternoon is a good time for a shore walk. Follow any coastal closure or weather warning.Late afternoon in dry weather. Reconsider a shoreline walk during rough-sea or coastal weather warnings.
Peppara Dam FreeFree to view the reservoir; forest eco-tourism access is arranged through the sanctuary and charged.Indicative, confirm locally: daytime; forest access is regulated.—
Kallar Meenmutty Falls Confirm the current Kallar trek price, guide arrangement and booking method with the Forest Department.Trek access is managed through the Kallar ecotourism centre and depends on current forest and river conditions.Allow several hours for the current guided or managed route; published trail lengths differ.
Kappil Beach Beach access and any boat ride are separate; confirm current operator and fare locally.Public access depends on current paths, shore conditions and any temporary closure. Check signs on arrival.Weather, sea conditions and access change by day. Check current local warnings and festival notices rather than relying on a fixed season promise.
Pazhavangadi Ganapathy Temple FreeFree entry (dress code applies).Indicative, confirm locally: roughly early-morning to mid-day and evening with pooja gaps.—
Akkulam Lake FreeDTPC gate charge, widely quoted at around Rs 30 adult / Rs 20 child under 12; boating (roughly Rs 150-600 by craft and duration), the pools and the adventure activities are all ticketed separately. Neither DTPC nor Kerala Tourism publishes a current tariff online, so treat these as indicative and carry cash.Indicative, confirm locally: open daytime into the evening; the Air Force Museum inside the grounds may keep different hours.—
Karikkakom Chamundi Temple FreeFree entry (dress code applies).Indicative, confirm locally: roughly early-morning to mid-day and evening darshan with pooja gaps.—
Kerala Science and Technology Museum FreeSmall entry charge; the Priyadarshini Planetarium shows are ticketed separately.Indicative, confirm locally: roughly 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM; planetarium shows run to a daily schedule.—
Lighthouse Beach No beach ticket is listed. The lighthouse has separate admission; confirm its current charge.Public beach access varies with present shore conditions and local restrictions; check signs on arrival. Lighthouse visiting hours are separate.A dry-season visit can be easier for walking, but weather and sea conditions vary by day. Follow current warnings in every season.
Hawa Beach No beach ticket is listed. Parking, food and any paid activity are separate.Public beach access varies with present shore conditions and local restrictions; check signs on arrival.A dry-season visit can be easier for walking, but weather and sea conditions vary by day. Follow current warnings in every season.
Samudra Beach No beach ticket is listed. Parking, food and any paid activity are separate.Public beach access varies with present shore conditions and local restrictions; check signs on arrival.A dry-season visit can be easier for walking, but weather and sea conditions vary by day. Follow current warnings in every season.
Vizhinjam Free to walk the harbour and the town. The marine aquarium charges a small ticket.The harbour and the town are open at all times; the fish landing is busiest in the early morning. The rock-cut cave temple and the marine aquarium keep their own hours — see their own pages and confirm locally.October to March. Vizhinjam is a working port rather than a beach resort, so the monsoon affects the fishing rhythm more than the visit itself, though the sea wall is dangerous in heavy weather.
Varkala Cliff Check current local notices for any separately paid activity.Public access depends on current paths, shore conditions and any temporary closure. Check signs on arrival.Weather, sea conditions and access change by day. Check current local warnings and festival notices rather than relying on a fixed season promise.
Papanasam Beach Check current local notices for any separately paid activity.Public access depends on current paths, shore conditions and any temporary closure. Check signs on arrival.Weather, sea conditions and access change by day. Check current local warnings and festival notices rather than relying on a fixed season promise.
Janardanaswamy Temple Confirm any current offering or visitor charge at the temple.Worship and visitor access follow the temple’s current schedule; confirm directly before travelling.Weather, sea conditions and access change by day. Check current local warnings and festival notices rather than relying on a fixed season promise.
Ponmudi viewpoint Confirm the current entrance or vehicle charge with the Ponmudi ecotourism centre.Follow the Forest Department’s current Ponmudi access and road notices; weather can change entry or return arrangements.Allow about an hour at an open viewpoint plus the hill-road journey.
Golden Valley Confirm any current Kallar entry or activity charge at the site.Use the current Kallar visitor access; opening and river restrictions can change after rain.Allow about an hour for a permitted riverbank stop.
Poovar backwaters Agree the current boat route, price, duration and any landing charge before boarding.Boat and landing access depend on current operator and weather conditions; confirm before travel.Allow time for a daylight boat outing and a flexible return.
Poovar beach Agree the current boat route, price, duration and any landing charge before boarding.Boat and landing access depend on current operator and weather conditions; confirm before travel.Allow time for a daylight boat outing and a flexible return.
Neyyar Dam Confirm current entry, boating and separate activity charges with the operating authority.Confirm current Forest Department visitor hours, closures and permitted activities before travel.Allow a half day or more depending on currently open activities and travel from the city.
Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary Confirm current entry, boating and separate activity charges with the operating authority.Confirm current Forest Department visitor hours, closures and permitted activities before travel.Allow a half day or more depending on currently open activities and travel from the city.
