Calicut (or Kozhikode, in its restored vernacular name) is easily accessed by road, train and air. Just as medieval Calicut was on the main maritime route between Arab countries and South East Asia, Calicut today is the hub of air traffic with the Middle East. The Calicut International Airport is the seventh busiest airport in India and handles flights of more than 12 national and international airlines. It is around 30 kilometres from the city and pre-paid cabs operate from the airport. Many hotels offer pick-up services for guests.
Direct international flights operate almost daily to and from Sharjah, Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam, Kuwait, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Al Ain, Muscat, Doha and Ras al-Khaimah. Many operate more than a couple of flights daily to the same destination. Convenient connections to Asian, European and American destinations are offered by Emirates, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Jet Airways and Air India.
Domestic destinations served by Calicut airport include Kochi (Cochin), Chennai (Madras), Hyderabad, Mumbai (Bombay) and New Delhi.
Calicut is also well-connected by rail to Trivandrum, Chennai and Mangalore. There are fast trains operating from Calicut to Mumbai (20 hours) and New Delhi (36 hours) and excellent connections to destinations beyond.
Calicut can be accessed by road from Bangalore (350 kms.) This drive can be done in less than 7 hours through breathtaking forests of Wynad where one may have to wait for herds of wild elephants to cross the road (they have the right of way!). The ride to Mangalore (230 kms.) takes less than 5 hours following the coast line of Arabian Sea- at places the waves just a couple of metres from the road! The road to south takes one to Trissur (110 kms.) Kochi (180 kms.) Alleppey(230 kms.) and Trivandrum (380 kms.) and beyond to the land’s end at Kanyakumari (Cape Comorin) which is another 85 kms. from Trivandrum.