The Kerala State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) will introduce direct air-conditioned bus services from Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi airports to Pampa to facilitate travel for Sabarimala pilgrims during the 2026–27 Mandala-Makaravilakku pilgrimage season.
The services are intended to help devotees arriving in Kerala by air reach Pampa without arranging separate road transport. Transport Minister C P John announced the initiative during the flag-off ceremony of wet-lease buses at the KSRTC Central Depot in Thiruvananthapuram. The plan was finalised following discussions between KSRTC officials and representatives of both airports.
Airport-to-Pampa Bus Timings
According to the proposed schedule, the bus from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport will depart for Pampa at 9.30 pm. The return service from Pampa is scheduled to reach the airport at 7 pm.
From Cochin International Airport at Nedumbassery, the direct service to Pampa will depart at 8.30 pm. The return service is also scheduled to reach the airport at 7 pm.
Special arrangements will be made at both airports for pilgrims arriving on different flights to wait, rest and perform virivaykkal before continuing their journey.
Online Booking and Group Travel Facilities
Pilgrims will be able to book tickets through the KSRTC online reservation platform as well as participating airline ticket-booking websites. Links to KSRTC’s booking portal will be made available on flight-booking platforms to help passengers plan their onward journeys.
The corporation will also provide chartered bus booking facilities for groups travelling to Sabarimala. In another coordination measure, real-time flight schedule information from both airports will be displayed at the Pampa bus station.
The new services are expected to provide an additional transport option for pilgrims arriving by air during the annual pilgrimage season, which begins on November 17.
