Alleppey Houseboat Stay in Kerala Price, Types & Booking Guide

An overnight Alleppey houseboat usually costs about Rs 8,000 to 12,000 per couple for a deluxe boat, Rs 15,000 to 20,000 for premium and Rs 25,000 or more for luxury, including lunch, dinner and breakfast. Check in is around noon, the boat cruises until about 5:30 PM when it must anchor as per local rules, and check out is the next morning around 9 AM.

A night on a houseboat in Alleppey (Alappuzha) is the most famous experience in Kerala. These floating homes, called kettuvallams, were once used to carry rice and spices along the backwaters. Today, they are comfortable cruise boats with bedrooms, a sun deck and an onboard chef, gliding past coconut palms, paddy fields and village life.

In this guide, our team at The Travelit explains everything about an Alleppey houseboat stay in Kerala: types of boats, prices, routes, timings, what is included, how to book and tips to get the best experience on the Kerala backwaters.

What Is a Kerala Houseboat?

A traditional kettuvallam is made of wooden planks tied together with coir rope, without a single nail, and the roof is made of bamboo and palm leaves. Modern houseboats keep this traditional look but add air conditioned bedrooms, attached bathrooms, a living area, a kitchen and a sun deck. A crew of usually three people, a captain, a chef and a helper, takes care of you during the cruise.

A houseboat stay in Kerala is unlike any hotel. You cruise slowly through narrow canals and wide lakes, watch fishermen cast their nets, see ducks paddling in the water and enjoy freshly cooked Kerala meals on board.

Types of Alleppey Houseboats

Deluxe Houseboats

Deluxe houseboats are the most popular choice. They have basic air conditioned bedrooms with attached bathrooms, a small living area and a shaded deck. In many deluxe boats, AC runs only at night, usually from about 9 PM to 6 AM.

Premium Houseboats

Premium boats have better interiors, larger windows, full time or longer AC hours, better furniture and often an upper deck. Food and service are usually a step above deluxe boats.

Luxury Houseboats

Luxury boats offer hotel style rooms, glass walls for panoramic views, full AC, a large upper deck and sometimes jacuzzis. They are perfect for honeymooners and special occasions.

Sharing Houseboats

Sharing houseboats let you book a single room on a bigger boat, sharing the common area with other guests. They are good for budget travellers and solo travellers.

Day Cruise

If you do not want to stay overnight, a day cruise of about 4 to 8 hours includes lunch and lets you see the backwaters during the day.

Alleppey Houseboat Price Guide

Here is an approximate Alleppey houseboat price guide for an overnight cruise for 2 people, including lunch, evening snacks, dinner and breakfast. Prices vary with season, boat category and demand.

Important: Prices usually rise by 15 to 50 percent on weekends and holidays, and can double between Christmas and New Year. GST is often extra, so always ask for the all inclusive price during houseboat booking.

What Is Included in a Houseboat Stay?

• A private bedroom with attached bathroom (or rooms for your group).
• Welcome drink on arrival.
• Kerala style lunch with fish curry, vegetables, rice and payasam.
• Evening tea and snacks like banana fritters (pazham pori).
• Dinner, often with fresh fish or chicken, or a full vegetarian spread.
• Breakfast the next morning, usually appam, puttu or idli with curry.
• Cruise through the backwaters with a captain and crew.

Ask the chef if you have dietary needs. Most boats can prepare pure vegetarian, Jain or less spicy food on request.

Alleppey Houseboat Timings and Rules

Out of a roughly 21 hour stay, the boat actually moves for about 6 to 7 hours. Houseboats must anchor by sunset to allow fishermen to work at night and to protect the environment, so the evening and night are spent relaxing on the anchored boat.

A Typical Day on an Alleppey Houseboat

• 11:30 AM to 12 PM: Reach the jetty at Alleppey (Punnamada or Finishing Point) and board your boat. The crew welcomes you with a fresh drink.
• 12:30 PM: The cruise begins through the main canals. Relax on the deck as the boat moves past palm lined banks.
• 1:30 PM: Lunch is served on board, usually with Kerala rice, sambar, avial, thoran, fish fry or fish curry and payasam.
• 3 PM: The boat stops at a small village where you can walk, see coir making or buy fresh fish or prawns for dinner.
• 4:30 PM: Tea and banana fritters on the deck as the sun gets lower.
• 5:30 PM: The boat anchors for the night near a quiet village bank. Enjoy the sunset.
• 8 PM: Dinner by candle light or under the stars on the deck.
• Next morning: Wake up to bird calls, enjoy breakfast and a short morning cruise before check out at about 9 AM.

Kerala Backwaters: More Than Just a Boat Ride

The Kerala backwaters are a network of more than 900 km of lakes, rivers, canals and lagoons running parallel to the Arabian Sea coast. Entire villages live along these waters, using small canoes to go to school, work and the market. Paddy fields in Kuttanad lie below sea level, protected by dykes, which is rare anywhere in the world. A houseboat stay lets you see this unique way of life up close, slowly and peacefully.

For a more local experience, add a shikara or canoe ride into the narrow canals where big houseboats cannot go. These small boats take you past homes, temples and churches and give you a closer look at daily life. Ask about this during your houseboat booking.

Popular Backwater Routes

• Punnamada Lake: The main starting point near Alleppey town and the venue of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race.
• Vembanad Lake: The largest lake in Kerala, with wide open water and sunset views.
• Kuttanad: The rice bowl of Kerala, where paddy fields lie below sea level and canals run between them.
• Pathiramanal Island: A small island in Vembanad Lake, known for birdwatching.
• Kainakary and Champakulam: Village canals with churches, temples and traditional life.

Sharing and deluxe boats usually stay around Punnamada and the main canals, while premium and luxury boats may go further into Vembanad and Kuttanad.

Houseboat Stay in Kerala for Different Travellers

Couples and honeymooners should choose a private premium or luxury Alleppey houseboat with an upper deck and full time AC. Ask for a candle light dinner and flower decoration in the room.

Families with kids can pick a two or three bedroom deluxe or premium boat. Children love watching ducks, fishing nets and the village life on the banks. Ask the crew for life jackets in kids’ sizes.

Groups of friends can book a four to six bedroom boat and enjoy the cruise together with music at a low volume and plenty of Kerala food.

Senior citizens should choose a boat with bedrooms on the lower deck, so there are no steep stairs to climb, and inform the operator in advance about any mobility needs.

Alleppey vs Kumarakom: Where to Board?

What Is the Best Time for an Alleppey Houseboat Stay in Kerala?

October to March is the best time for most travellers. The monsoon is beautiful and quiet, and the snake boat races in August are a spectacular cultural experience.

Smart Houseboat Booking Tips

• Book through a trusted travel agency or a well reviewed operator.
• Ask for recent photos of the actual boat, not catalogue photos.
• Confirm AC hours, meals, route and the number of bedrooms in writing.
• Choose a private boat for families and couples, rather than sharing.
• Ask whether the boat has Kerala Tourism approval or classification.
• Book early for weekends, Christmas, New Year and Onam.
• Do not book from touts at the jetty without seeing the boat first.

Tips for a Comfortable Cruise

• Carry mosquito repellent, as evenings on the water can attract mosquitoes.
• Pack light clothes, a cap and sunscreen for the daytime.
• Keep a power bank, as charging may be limited when the generator is off.
• Wear life jackets when moving around the deck, especially with kids.
• Avoid loud music to respect the local villages and other guests.
• Tip the crew if you are happy with their service.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Booking only on price without checking the boat’s condition and reviews.
• Expecting the boat to cruise all night; it anchors by sunset.
• Forgetting to ask about AC hours on deluxe boats.
• Arriving late at the jetty, which cuts into your cruising time.
• Not informing the chef about food preferences in advance.

Is an Alleppey Houseboat Worth It?

Yes. Even one night on the water gives you a slow, peaceful break from busy sightseeing, with home cooked food and views you will remember for years.

Plan Your Kerala Backwaters Trip with The Travelit

An overnight Alleppey houseboat is included in our Kerala tour package from Dehradun, along with Kochi, Munnar, Thekkady and Kovalam. We book licensed boats, confirm your meals and route, and can upgrade you to a premium or luxury boat on request. Before the backwaters, plan your hill days with our guide to the places to visit in Munnar.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Alleppey houseboat price?

An overnight Alleppey houseboat costs about Rs 8,000 to 12,000 per couple for deluxe, Rs 15,000 to 20,000 for premium and Rs 25,000 or more for luxury, including meals.

What is included in a houseboat stay in Kerala?

A houseboat stay in Kerala usually includes a private bedroom, welcome drink, lunch, evening snacks, dinner, breakfast and the backwater cruise with a crew.

What are the houseboat check in and check out times?

Check in is usually around 12 noon and check out around 9 AM the next day. The boat anchors by sunset as per local rules.

Is a houseboat safe for kids and senior citizens?

Yes. Licensed houseboats are stable, slow moving and provide life jackets. Keep an eye on young children on the deck.

Is AC available all night on deluxe houseboats?

On many deluxe houseboats, AC runs only at night, usually from about 9 PM to 6 AM. Premium and luxury boats usually offer longer or full time AC.

Which is better, Alleppey or Kumarakom?

Alleppey has more boats and a wider price range, while Kumarakom is quieter and more upscale. Both offer a beautiful backwater experience.

What is the best time for a houseboat in Alleppey?

October to March is the best time for pleasant weather. The monsoon offers lower prices and green views, and the Nehru Trophy Boat Race is held in August.

Conclusion

An Alleppey houseboat stay in Kerala is the perfect way to experience the calm beauty of the Kerala backwaters. Pick the right type of boat, confirm what is included, book through a trusted source and enjoy a slow day of cruising, Kerala food and sunsets over the water. To add a houseboat night to your Kerala holiday, call The Travelit at +91 76176 11115.

About The Travelit

The Travelit is a Dehradun based tour and travel agency with 12+ years of experience and 19,782+ happy clients. Our team plans customized domestic and international holidays, honeymoon tours and Char Dham Yatra packages. Call or WhatsApp us at +91 76176 11115 or email info@thetravelit.com.