Are Alleppey and Alappuzha the Same Place?

Last updated: September 2026

Yes, Alleppey and Alappuzha are the same place. Alappuzha is the official Malayalam name of the town and district in Kerala. Alleppey is the older, anglicised name from British times. You will see both on maps, train tickets, booking sites and road signs, and both mean exactly the same town. Here is why there are two names, and what else is useful to know when you plan a trip.

Why are there two names?

During colonial times many Indian towns got English spellings that were easier for British officials to say and write, and Alappuzha became Alleppey. After independence, and especially from the 1990s, Kerala went back to the Malayalam names in official use. But “Alleppey” stuck, especially with travellers, tour operators and houseboat companies. Today locals use both names, often in the same sentence, and so do we.

Other Kerala places with two names

Alleppey isn’t unusual. Several Kerala towns have an older English name and an official Malayalam one:

Town vs district

“Alappuzha” can mean two things: the town, and the wider district around it. The district stretches along the coast and inland across the backwaters. It includes:

• Alappuzha town: the beach, the pier, the canals, the boat jetty and the railway station.
• Punnamada: the lake just north of town, where houseboats gather and the Nehru Trophy boat race is held. Our homestay is here.
• Kuttanad: the rice bowl of Kerala, with paddy grown below sea level.
• Mararikulam: home to Marari Beach.
• Ambalappuzha: famous for its Sri Krishna Temple.
• Cherthala, Haripad and Kayamkulam: towns in the north and south of the district.

“Venice of the East”

Alleppey is often called the “Venice of the East” because of its canals and waterways, and the way daily life moves by boat. You will see the nickname in travel guides and on signs around town.

Searching and booking

• Maps and booking sites understand both names.
• Trains: the station is Alappuzha, code ALLP.
• Buses: KSRTC boards usually show Alappuzha, and conductors understand both.
• Searching online: try both names. Some businesses use one, some the other.

Is Kumarakom the same as Alleppey?

No. Kumarakom is a different place on the opposite shore of Vembanad Lake, in Kottayam district. See Alleppey or Kumarakom: which is better?.

Is Alleppey the same as Kochi?

No. Kochi (Cochin) is a larger city to the north, and it has the nearest international airport. Most visitors fly into Kochi and travel down to Alleppey by road or rail.

Is Alleppey the same as Kuttanad?

Not quite. Kuttanad is a farming region within Alappuzha district, south and east of the town. Many people visit it on a boat trip from Alleppey. See our Kuttanad page.

Frequently asked questions

Should I search for Alleppey or Alappuzha when booking?

Either works. Most booking sites and maps understand both names.

Is Alappuzha railway station the same as Alleppey station?

Yes, it is the same station. Its code is ALLP.

Which name do locals use?

Both. Alappuzha is used officially and in Malayalam, and Alleppey is common in English and in tourism.

Why is Alleppey called the Venice of the East?

Because of its many canals and waterways, and the way everyday life moves by boat.

How many days should I spend in Alleppey?

Two days suits most people. See how many days are enough for Alleppey.

Planning a stay? Read where to stay in Alleppey, or see our rooms and prices.