Kottayam is a city in the Indian state of Kerala and is the administrative capital of the Kottayam district. It is located in south-central Kerala and is approximately 70 km (43.5 mi) from the nearby port city of Kochi and 150 km (93.2 mi) from the state capital, Thiruvananthapuram. Kottayam has an estimated population of 60,725, according to the 2001 census.

The town is an important trading center of spices and commercial crops, especially rubber. Major Kerala print media such as Malayala Manorama, Deepika and Mangalam are headquartered in the city. Also a pioneering center of modern education in Kerala, the city became India's first municipality to achieve 100% literacy in 1989 and the district became the first tobacco free district in India[citation needed]. The city of Kottayam is also called as "Akshara Nagari" which means the "City of Letters" considering its contribution to print media and literature.

The best time to visit this place is during the months of August and March when the tropical climate is not so hot and humid. This makes traveling comfortable. Light winter sweaters and a shawl would be enough to meet the chill here.

By Air

Nearest Airport is Cochin 76 km. connected by Indian Airlines & East West Airlines with Mumbai (Bombay).

By Rail

Kottayam is well connected by rail with other cities in India.

By Road

Kottayam is connected by road with all important cities in South India. It is: 76 km from Cochin, 248 km from Madurai, 267 km from Kanyakumari, 114 km from Thekkady, 180 km from Thiruvananthapuram.

Bus Services

Kottayam is connected by buses to Cochin, Quilon, Thiruvananthapuram, Alleppey, Thekkady, Madurai, Trichur