Ernakulam Junction Railway Station Code, Platforms, History, Popular Trains & Interesting Facts (2026)

Ernakulam Junction Railway Station, also known as Ernakulam South Railway Station, is one of the busiest railway stations in Kerala. Located in Kochi, it serves as a major rail hub connecting Kerala with major cities across India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kolkata. The station is an important gateway for tourists visiting Kochi, Munnar, Alleppey, Thekkady, and other destinations in Kerala.

Ernakulam Junction Overview

Particular	Details
Station Name	Ernakulam Junction Railway Station (Ernakulam South)
Station Code	ERS
Location	Ernakulam South, Kochi, Kerala
Railway Zone	Southern Railway (SR)
Division	Thiruvananthapuram Division
Number of Platforms	6
Number of Tracks	Multiple
Elevation	Around 3 meters
Type	Major Junction Railway Station
Daily Passengers	Over 60,000 (approx.)
Parking	Available
Waiting Rooms	Yes
Retiring Rooms	Yes
Escalators & Lifts	Available
Free Wi-Fi	Available
Nearby Airport	Cochin International Airport

History of Ernakulam Junction Railway Station

Ernakulam Junction was originally opened in 1932 as Ernakulam South when the metre-gauge railway line was extended towards Cochin Harbour. Initially, it was a relatively small station, but its importance increased significantly after the opening of the Ernakulam–Kottayam railway line in 1956, which made it a railway junction. It was then renamed Ernakulam Junction.

Over the years, the station has been modernized with:

• New station buildings
• Escalators and elevators
• Digital passenger information systems
• CCTV surveillance
• Improved waiting lounges
• Better accessibility for differently-abled passengers
• Ongoing redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme

A major redevelopment project worth nearly ₹300 crore is transforming the station with airport-style passenger facilities, skywalk connectivity to Kochi Metro, multi-level parking, and modern concourses.

Ernakulam Junction Railway Station Code

The railway station code for Ernakulam Junction is:

ERS

This station code is used while booking railway tickets through IRCTC, railway reservation counters, and railway travel apps.

Example:

• Chennai to Ernakulam Junction (ERS)
• Bengaluru to Ernakulam Junction (ERS)

Number of Platforms at Ernakulam Junction

Ernakulam Junction currently has 6 platforms that handle long-distance, superfast, express, and passenger trains. It is one of the busiest railway stations in Kerala and serves as the primary railway terminal for Kochi.

The platforms are connected through:

• Foot over bridges (FOBs)
• Escalators
• Elevators
• Digital display boards

The station has separate main and eastern entrances, making passenger movement more convenient.

Popular Trains from Ernakulam Junction

Ernakulam Junction is served by several premium, superfast, and express trains.

Some popular trains include:

• Vande Bharat Express
• Kerala Express
• Rajdhani Express
• Duronto Express
• Mangala Lakshadweep Express
• Netravati Express
• Ernakulam–Hazrat Nizamuddin Express
• Ernakulam–Bengaluru Intercity Express
• Parasuram Express
• Island Express

These trains connect Kochi with cities such as:

• Thiruvananthapuram
• Chennai
• Bengaluru
• Mumbai
• New Delhi
• Hyderabad
• Mangaluru
• Kozhikode
• Coimbatore
• Madurai
• Goa
• Kolkata

Facilities Available at Ernakulam Junction

Facility	Details
Free Wi-Fi	Complimentary Wi-Fi service is available throughout the station.
Waiting Rooms	Separate waiting halls are available for general, sleeper, and AC class passengers.
Retiring Rooms	Rooms and dormitories can be booked by passengers with valid railway tickets.
Food Courts	Restaurants, cafeterias, snack stalls, and packaged food outlets are available.
Cloak Room	Secure luggage storage facility is available for passengers.
Wheelchair Assistance	Available for senior citizens and differently-abled passengers.
Digital Information Boards	Real-time train arrival, departure, and platform information is displayed.
Parking	Dedicated parking facilities for two-wheelers and four-wheelers.
ATM & Banking	ATMs of major banks are available inside the station premises.
Medical Assistance	Emergency medical assistance and first-aid facilities are available.
Ticket Booking Counters	Reserved and unreserved ticket counters are available.
Automatic Ticket Vending Machines	ATVMs help passengers purchase unreserved tickets quickly.
Clean Washrooms	Well-maintained washrooms are available throughout the station.
CCTV Surveillance	The station is monitored round the clock for passenger security.

Ernakulam Junction Ticket Booking

Passengers can book train tickets through:

• IRCTC website
• IRCTC Rail Connect mobile app
• Railway reservation counters
• Authorized railway booking agents
• Automatic Ticket Vending Machines (ATVMs)

Both reserved and unreserved tickets are available.

How to Reach Ernakulam Junction

Ernakulam Junction is well connected by road, metro, and air.

By Road

Passengers can reach the station using:

• KSRTC and private buses
• Auto-rickshaws
• Taxis
• App-based cab services

By Metro

The station is located next to Ernakulam South Metro Station on the Kochi Metro, providing seamless connectivity to different parts of Kochi.

By Air

The nearest airport is Cochin International Airport, located approximately 30 km from the railway station.

Nearby Tourist Attractions

Attraction	Approx. Distance
Marine Drive Kochi	3 km
Fort Kochi	13 km
Mattancherry Palace	10 km
Jew Town	10 km
Kerala Folklore Museum	5 km
Mangalavanam Bird Sanctuary	4 km
Lulu Mall Kochi	8 km
Willingdon Island	7 km

Interesting Facts About Ernakulam Junction Railway Station

• Ernakulam Junction was opened in 1932 as Ernakulam South and became a junction after the opening of the Kottayam railway line in 1956.
• The station is classified as an A1 category railway station, one of the highest classifications awarded by Indian Railways based on passenger traffic and revenue.
• It was the first railway station in Kerala to install escalators, improving passenger convenience and setting a benchmark for other stations in the state.
• Ernakulam Junction serves as the main railway gateway to Kochi, one of India’s largest port cities and Kerala’s commercial capital, with trains connecting almost every major city in the country.
• A ₹300-crore redevelopment project is transforming the station with airport-like terminals, skywalks connecting to Kochi Metro, multi-level parking, additional lifts, escalators, and modern passenger amenities.
• The station plays a crucial role during Kerala’s peak tourist season, serving thousands of visitors traveling to destinations such as Fort Kochi, Munnar, Alleppey, Thekkady, and Kumarakom.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the station code of Ernakulam Junction Railway Station?

The station code of Ernakulam Junction Railway Station is ERS.

Is Ernakulam Junction the same as Ernakulam South?

Yes. Ernakulam Junction is also known as Ernakulam South Railway Station.

How many platforms are there at Ernakulam Junction?

Ernakulam Junction has 6 platforms.

Which railway zone manages Ernakulam Junction?

The station is managed by the Southern Railway (SR) under the Thiruvananthapuram Division.

Is free Wi-Fi available at Ernakulam Junction?

Yes, passengers can access free Wi-Fi throughout the station.

How far is Cochin International Airport from Ernakulam Junction?

The airport is approximately 30 km from the railway station.

Are retiring rooms available at Ernakulam Junction?

Yes, retiring rooms and dormitories are available for passengers with valid railway tickets.

Conclusion

Ernakulam Junction Railway Station is one of Kerala’s most important railway hubs and the primary rail gateway to Kochi. With excellent connectivity across India, direct access to the Kochi Metro, modern passenger amenities, and a major redevelopment project underway, the station continues to provide a comfortable and efficient travel experience for tourists, business travelers, and daily commuters alike.