Your stay — SS Hostel, Karikode
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The Property — SS Hostel, Karikode
A functional 3-star hostel off the main Kollam–Kottarakara road, within a 15-minute auto rickshaw ride from the Kollam junction railway station. The lobby is a modest check-in area with basic seating, giving way to clean but bare-bones dormitories and private rooms. It suits budget-conscious backpackers or short-stay transit travellers who need a safe, affordable bed rather than atmosphere or service.
Chronicles of Kollam
Kollam (formerly Quilon) was a principal port of the ancient Chera kingdom and a key spice-trading centre with Phoenicians, Romans, and Chinese. The city's Kasthurba Nagar area still echoes its 16th-century Portuguese and later Dutch presence, notably in the Fort quarters. Today, Kollam is best known for its cashew processing industry lakeside backwater tourism along the Ashtamudi Lake, retaining a slower, more provincial feel than Kochi. The main architectural landmarks – the old port jetty, the 18th-century Thangassery lighthouse, and the crumbling Portuguese fort – sit quietly alongside busy fishing markets and temple complexes.
Best Time to Visit
Full Kollam guide →Best months
December–February: dry, cool weather (24–30°C) with clear skies, ideal for backwater cruises and exploring the old town. Crowds are moderate, with many domestic tourists but still relaxed compared to peak season.
Peak / festival surge
April–May: peak summer months; temperatures can hit 35°C with high humidity. Ferragosto-like domestic pilgrimages to nearby temples spike demand, pushing hostel rates up by 20–30%. The April pooram festival at the Kollam Sree Subramanya temple draws large processions, filling budget accommodation.
Budget shoulder season
October–November: post-monsoon season with fresher air, lower prices (often 15–20% cheaper than peak), and thinning crowds. The backwaters are still lush from the rains, and you’ll often get a full room without booking weeks ahead.
Weather & packing
July is deep monsoon season in Kollam: expect heavy, persistent rain and high humidity (85–90%). Pack a sturdy waterproof jacket, quick-dry trousers, and a small umbrella that fits in a daypack – no flip-flops alone.
Live City Briefing — Kollam
- The Kollam–Kottarakara road widening project near Padinjattinkara is ongoing, causing sporadic delays for auto rickshaws and buses; allow an extra 15 minutes for travel to/from the hostel.
- The Kollam backwater jetty has new safety barriers and digital ticketing kiosks installed as of April 2026 – no more cash-only queues for boat tours to Munroe Island.
- A major sewage upgrade on Link Road, about 500 m from the hostel, started in June 2026 and is expected to cause periodic road closures through July – check with the hostel for detour routes.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to SS Hostel, Karikode, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the 2nd or 3rd floor at the back of the building (away from Kollam main road). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough for quick stair access when the lift is busy.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception and common area — can get noisy with foot traffic and check-in activity. Also avoid rooms facing the front (Kollam road side) due to traffic noise from autorickshaws and buses.
Best views
Back-side rooms overlook quieter residential lanes rather than the main Kollam road — more pleasant and less traffic glare.
Quietest floors
2nd and 3rd floors — above the lift lobby bustle but below any rooftop activity (common for staff or water tanks).
🔊 Noise notes
Kollam's main road can be busy with trucks and local buses from early morning (6am) until late evening (9pm). Autorickshaw horns are frequent. The hostel's own lift and stairwell may carry sound from groups arriving after 10pm.
Insider tips
1) The 2nd floor back rooms tend to be the quietest — ask specifically for one of those at check-in. 2) If arriving by train (Kollam Junction is about 2km away), prepay for an autorickshaw rather than hailing one — avoids price haggling at rush hour.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — SS Hostel, Karikode
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 10–15 Mbps down, ok for browsing and video calls. Login via room number and surname.
No lift. Two-storey building, staircase only.
No newspapers or digital newsstand. Reception has a small shelf of donated books.
Check-in from 12:00; early bag drop available free. Late check-out until 14:00 costs Rs 300, after 14:00 billed as extra night.
Free storage at reception on check-in day and after checkout during opening hours (07:00–22:00).
No step-free access; main entrance has two steps. No wheelchair-accessible rooms. Guests with mobility issues should look elsewhere.
Limited free on-site parking for about 4 cars. Nearest public parking is Kollam Municipal lot, 1.2 km away, Rs 30/night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking; Rs 500 card hold at check-in for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Hindu temple: Madan kavu (438 m · ~5 min walk)
- Church: chapel (454 m · ~6 min walk)
- Hindu temple: Meluttukaav (679 m · ~8 min walk)
- Mosque: Sharaful Islam Madrasa (746 m · ~9 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Apj Park — 232 m · ~3 min walk
Partha saarathi movie house — 2.1 km · ~26 min walk
Squash court — 205 m · ~3 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Nearest — 167 m · ~2 min walk
Ration Shop — 161 m · ~2 min walk
Kilikollur — 362 m · ~5 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Indian Rupee, INR
Exchange money at Kollam Junction railway station or local bank branches; avoid airport and tourist bureaux for poor rates.
Cards accepted in mid-range hotels and larger shops; cash essential for street food, auto-rickshaws, and local markets.
Leave 10% at nicer restaurants if service charge isn't added; round up auto fares; tip hotel staff 50-100 INR for luggage/cleaning.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →Filter coffee from street-side stalls: 10-20 INR for a small cup.
Rice-and-curry meal from a local mess: 80-110 INR.
Parotta and beef/chicken curry from a roadside stall: 70-100 INR for a main.
Vadakkevila and Chinnakada areas have clusters of vendors selling pazham pori, vada, and fish fry; ask locals for the busiest stalls.
Reliance Fresh, More, and Lulu Hypermarket are common budget supermarket chains here.
Kollam Beach road markets and KSRTC bus stand area shops for cotton clothes at 200-500 INR per item.
Local buses (8 INR minimum fare) and autorickshaws (start at 25 INR). From Trivandrum airport, take a KSRTC bus to Kollam (around 100 INR) or share a Kollam-bound taxi for about 500 INR per person.
Eat at local messes for filling meals under 100 INR; use rechargeable travel cards for KSRTC buses; buy drinking water in 1-litre bottles from medical shops (10 INR) instead of tourist stops.
Good to know — Kollam
Type C/D/M · 230V
not safe — drink bottled
$1 ≈ ₹95.55 · INR
Emergency Contacts
Kollam+91 0474 279 1111 (Kollam District Collector's Office)
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Kollam, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at SS Hostel, Karikode
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Nearest — 167 m · ~2 min walk
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Taiba Hostel → Kollam Railway Station
💡 Use the Indian Railways app to book tickets and check schedules
Taiba Hostel → Kollam Bus Station
💡 Use the KSRTC app to book tickets and check schedules
Taiba Hostel → Kollam Town
💡 Agree on the fare before starting your journey
Taiba Hostel → Kollam International Airport (CCJ)
💡 Book in advance to avoid higher rates during peak hours
About Kollam
Wikipedia ↗
Kollam (Malayalam: [kolːɐm] ;), is an ancient seaport and the fourth largest city in the Indian state of Kerala. Located on the southern tip of the Malabar Coast of the Arabian Sea, the city is on the banks of Ashtamudi Lake and is 71 kilometres (44 mi) northwest of the Thiruvananthapuram. Kollam is...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at SS Hostel, Karikode?
Request rooms on the 2nd or 3rd floor at the back of the building (away from Kollam main road). These floors are high enough to avoid street-level noise but low enough for quick stair access when the lift is busy.
Which rooms should I avoid at SS Hostel, Karikode?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the reception and common area — can get noisy with foot traffic and check-in activity. Also avoid rooms facing the front (Kollam road side) due to traffic noise from autorickshaws and buses.
Is SS Hostel, Karikode noisy?
Kollam's main road can be busy with trucks and local buses from early morning (6am) until late evening (9pm). Autorickshaw horns are frequent. The hostel's own lift and stairwell may carry sound from groups arriving after 10pm.
Which rooms have the best views at SS Hostel, Karikode?
Back-side rooms overlook quieter residential lanes rather than the main Kollam road — more pleasant and less traffic glare.
What are insider tips for staying at SS Hostel, Karikode?
1) The 2nd floor back rooms tend to be the quietest — ask specifically for one of those at check-in. 2) If arriving by train (Kollam Junction is about 2km away), prepay for an autorickshaw rather than hailing one — avoids price haggling at rush hour.
What time is check-in at SS Hostel, Karikode?
Check-in at SS Hostel, Karikode is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does SS Hostel, Karikode have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 10–15 Mbps down, ok for browsing and video calls. Login via room number and surname.
Is there a city or tourist tax at SS Hostel, Karikode?
None
Where can I eat cheaply near SS Hostel, Karikode?
Rice-and-curry meal from a local mess: 80-110 INR.
What is the cheapest way to get around from SS Hostel, Karikode?
Local buses (8 INR minimum fare) and autorickshaws (start at 25 INR). From Trivandrum airport, take a KSRTC bus to Kollam (around 100 INR) or share a Kollam-bound taxi for about 500 INR per person.
When is the best time to visit Kollam?
December–February: dry, cool weather (24–30°C) with clear skies, ideal for backwater cruises and exploring the old town. Crowds are moderate, with many domestic tourists but still relaxed compared to peak season.
Top Attractions in Kollam
💡 Avoid visiting during the monsoon season when the beach can get rough.
💡 Be respectful of the temple's rules and dress modestly.
💡 Best viewed during sunrise or sunset for optimal photography.
💡 Best visited with a local guide for added context and insights.