Vehicles

1. ഓട്ടോ

   otto

   Auto rickshaw

   Usage

   The three-wheeler that dominates short city trips. Meters are relatively well observed in Kerala

2. ബസ്

   bas

   Bus

   Usage

   City and suburban buses. Private ones are known for loud decoration and music

3. കെ.എസ്.ആർ.ടി.സി.

   ke.es.aar.ṭi.si.

   KSRTC (state bus)

   Usage

   Kerala's state buses, the backbone of intercity travel and more reliable than private services

4. ബോട്ട്

   bott

   Boat

   Usage

   The backwater ferry — an everyday means of transport on the canals of Alappuzha and Kollam

5. ഹൗസ്ബോട്ട്

   hausbott

   Houseboat

   Usage

   A boat you sleep on — the centrepiece of Alappuzha backwater tourism

6. വള്ളം

   vallam

   Small boat / Canoe

   Usage

   A paddled craft for the narrow canals, used on small-waterway tours

7. ചുണ്ടൻ വള്ളം

   chundan vallam

   Snake boat

   Usage

   The long racing craft rowed at post-monsoon festivals such as the Nehru Trophy

8. ജങ്കാർ

   jankaar

   Jankar (vehicle ferry)

   Usage

   A flat ferry that carries cars and bikes across, a shortcut where there is no bridge

9. ഫെറി

   pheri

   Ferry

   Usage

   Links Fort Kochi and Ernakulam among others — cheap and free of traffic

10. ട്രെയിൻ

    trein

    Train

    Usage

    The coastal line is scenic and handy for travel within the state. Book in advance

11. മെട്രോ

    metro

    Metro

    Usage

    Kochi Metro. Air-conditioned and free of traffic

12. ടാക്സി

    taaksi

    Taxi

    Usage

    Includes app cabs. At airports use the official counter

13. കാർ

    kaar

    Car

    Usage

    The word for a passenger car, useful when specifying a ride

14. വണ്ടി

    vandi

    Vehicle

    Usage

    A broad word for a vehicle; add a specific word when it matters

15. ബൈക്ക്

    baikk

    Motorcycle

    Usage

    When renting, always have a helmet and an international licence

16. സ്കൂട്ടർ

    skoottar

    Scooter

    Usage

    Easy to handle and widely rented in tourist areas

17. സൈക്കിൾ

    saikkil

    Bicycle

    Usage

    Well suited to the flat coast and paddy country

18. വിമാനം

    vimaanam

    Airplane

    Usage

    The airport is "vimaanathaavalam"; Kochi, Trivandrum and Kozhikode have international ones

19. ആംബുലൻസ്

    aambulans

    Ambulance

    Usage

    The nationwide number is 108. This word alone gets the message across

20. ലോറി

    lori

    Lorry / Truck

    Usage

    In south India this English-derived word is the usual one; "truck" is understood too

21. ടെമ്പോ

    tempo

    Tempo (small van)

    Usage

    A small goods-and-people carrier, often used for moving luggage

22. കാളവണ്ടി

    kaalavandi

    Bullock cart

    Usage

    The traditional village cart, now mostly seen at festivals and in the fields

23. വാടക കാർ

    vaadaka kaar

    Rental car

    Usage

    In India it is usually hired with a driver — "draivarodukoodi"

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