Houseboat vs. Shikara Ride: Which is Best for Your Kerala Trip?
It is the most common question we get on WhatsApp: “Should we take a houseboat or a shikara in Alleppey?” The honest answer is that they are completely different experiences. One is a floating hotel and the other is a sightseeing boat. Here is how to decide, based on what you want from your trip, your budget and your time.
The Short Answer
- Choose a shikara if you want to see the backwaters: narrow village canals, paddy fields, birdlife and local life up close, in 2–4 hours, on any budget.
- Choose a houseboat if you want to stay on the backwaters: a private bedroom, home-cooked meals and a quiet night anchored on the lake.
- Do both if you have a night to spare. Stay on a houseboat and add a sunrise or sunset shikara ride for the canals.
What Is a Kerala Houseboat?
A kettuvallam houseboat is a converted rice barge, now fitted with one to four (or more) air-conditioned bedrooms, bathrooms, a lounge, a kitchen and a crew of two to three. A typical 1 night / 2 days trip checks in around noon, cruises until evening, anchors overnight and checks out by 9 AM. All meals are cooked on board.
Houseboat pros
- A unique overnight stay: wake up on the water
- Fresh Kerala meals cooked on board
- Privacy and space for families and groups
- Good for slow, relaxing days
Houseboat cons
- Cannot enter narrow canals. Houseboats stay on Vembanad Lake and the wider channels.
- Much higher cost (from about ₹7,500 for 1 bedroom, 1 night)
- Busy routes in peak season, with hundreds of boats on the same main channels
- Cruising stops by around 6 PM by regulation, so most of the stay is spent anchored
What Is a Shikara Ride?
A shikara is a smaller, canopied passenger boat with cushioned seats, run by a single boatman. In Alleppey they are typically booked for two to four hours. Because they are narrow and shallow, they can turn off the main channels into the tiny canals of Kuttanad, where village life happens right at the water’s edge.
Shikara pros
- Goes deep into narrow, hidden canals that houseboats cannot reach
- Close-up views of village homes, paddy fields below sea level and birds
- Affordable: private rides from about ₹2,500 per boat
- Flexible timing: sunrise, midday or sunset
- Fits easily into a day trip from Kochi or Kumarakom
Shikara cons
- No overnight stay
- Meals are not cooked on board (lunch cruises stop at a toddy shop instead)
- Less space than a houseboat for very large groups (bigger shikaras are available)
Houseboat vs. Shikara: Side-by-Side
| Shikara ride | Houseboat | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical duration | 2–4 hours | 1 night / 2 days (or a day cruise) |
| Starting price | ~₹2,500 per boat (3 hrs) | ~₹7,500 per night (1 bedroom) |
| Narrow village canals | ✅ Yes | ❌ No, main channels only |
| Paddy fields below sea level | ✅ Up close | Partly, from a distance |
| Birdwatching | ✅ Excellent (quiet, close) | Good on open water |
| Meals | Toddy shop stop (lunch cruise) | All meals cooked on board |
| Overnight stay | ❌ | ✅ |
| Best for | Sightseeing, photography, couples, short trips | Relaxation, families, special occasions |
Cost Compared
For two people seeing the backwaters for a day:
- Shikara: a 3-hour private ride from ₹2,500, plus about ₹700 for a toddy shop lunch for two. That’s roughly ₹3,200 in total.
- Houseboat: a 1-bedroom Deluxe from ₹7,500, including all meals and an overnight stay.
See our full houseboat tariff for 1–4 bedrooms across Deluxe, Premium and Luxury.
Which Should You Choose?
Choose a shikara if…
- You have one day or less in Alleppey
- You want to see real village life and narrow canals, not just the lake
- You are a photographer or birdwatcher. The sunrise cruise is made for you.
- You are on a budget or travelling as a couple. Try the sunset cruise.
- You are staying at a hotel or resort and just want a few hours on the water
Choose a houseboat if…
- You want a unique overnight stay and can spare a night
- You are a family or group who would enjoy a private floating home
- You want slow, lazy hours with all meals taken care of
- You are celebrating a honeymoon, anniversary or birthday
The Best of Both: Our Recommended Combo
You don’t have to choose. Here’s the plan we suggest to most guests with a night to spare:
- Day 1, 6:00 AM: Sunrise shikara cruise through the narrow canals
- Day 1, 12:00 PM: Check in to your houseboat, enjoy lunch on board and cruise Vembanad Lake
- Day 1, evening: Sunset from the houseboat deck, then dinner anchored in a quiet spot
- Day 2, 9:00 AM: Check out, then visit Alleppey Beach or head to Kumarakom
This gives you the narrow canals, which the houseboat misses, plus the overnight experience, which the shikara can’t offer.
What About Kumarakom?
Kumarakom, across Vembanad Lake, follows the same rule: houseboats for overnight stays, shikaras for canals and birdlife. A Kumarakom boat ride along the bird sanctuary at dawn is one of the most peaceful experiences in Kerala.
Book a Shikara RideFrequently Asked Questions
Is a shikara ride better than a houseboat?
For sightseeing, yes. A shikara enters the narrow village canals that houseboats cannot, and costs far less. For an overnight stay with meals on the water, a houseboat is better. Many travellers do both.
How much cheaper is a shikara than a houseboat?
A 3-hour private shikara ride starts from about ₹2,500 per boat, while a 1-bedroom houseboat for one night starts from about ₹7,500. A shikara is roughly a third of the price for a day of sightseeing.
Can a houseboat go into small canals?
No. Houseboats are large and stay on Vembanad Lake and the wider main channels. Only small boats like shikaras, canoes and kayaks can enter the narrow village canals.