Kochi formerly Cochin, is a major port city on the west coast of India by the Arabian Sea. Kochi is part of the district of Ernakulam in the state of Kerala. Kochi is often called by the name Ernakulam, which refers to the eastern part of the mainland Kochi. The civic body that governs the city is the Corporation of Cochin, which was constituted in the year 1967, and the statutory bodies that oversee its development are the Greater Cochin Development Authority and the Goshree Islands Development Authority. The city of Kochi is Kerala's second largest city and is part of an extended metropolitan region, which is the largest urban agglomeration in Kerala. It is the most densely populated city in the state. Kochi city is also a part of Greater Cochin region and is classified as a B-1 grade city by the Government of India, making it the highest graded city in the state. Kochi ranks first in the total number of international and domestic tourists in Kerala.Kochi has been ranked the sixth best tourist destination in India according to a survey conducted by the Nielsen Company on behalf of the Outlook Traveller magazine.

The Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) is located at a distance of 22Km from the city of Cochin. The airport offers daily flight service to various international as well as domestic destinations.

ROAD
Cochin is well connected to all important cities in India through a wide network of Highways and roads. NH 17 and NH 47 passes through the city. KSRTC and private buses ply to different parts of the state and to other major cities in South India.

RAIL
Cochin has three main railroad stations: Ernakulam Town Station, Ernakulam Junction Station and the Cochin Harbor terminus. Regular train services are available to almost all Indian Cities.