Working at Infopark Kakkanad, Living in Kalamassery: Worth It?

Key facts

Infopark Kochi in Kakkanad was set up by the Government of Kerala in 2004 and covers about 323 acres across two developed phases.
Infopark housed about 582 companies employing roughly 72,000 professionals as of 2025, including TCS, Wipro, Cognizant and IBM.
The Seaport–Airport Road links Kalamassery’s HMT Junction with Kakkanad; the 2-km Infopark Expressway connects it to the Infopark campus.
The Kochi Metro Pink Line from JLN Stadium to Infopark (about 11.2 km) was under construction in 2026; in September 2026 KMRL was targeting full opening by August 2027.
Kalamassery has two Kochi Metro Blue Line stations, Kalamassery and Cochin University.

Kalamassery metro station above NH 544. Photo: Gnoeee / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0

The short answer

Living in Kalamassery and working at Infopark makes sense if three things are true: you have your own two-wheeler or a company cab, your shift is not timed into the worst Kakkanad traffic, and you want to save on rent or need to be near something else in Kalamassery (a course at CUSAT, family, a second job). If you will rely on buses alone, or you start at 9 a.m. sharp, living in Kakkanad itself may be less tiring. Our Kakkanad or Kalamassery? comparison looks at the bigger picture; this page is about the commute.

Infopark, Kakkanad, Kochi. Open in Google Maps · Directions from Ashraf Gents Hostel

The routes

By road: Seaport–Airport Road

From HMT Junction, the Seaport–Airport Road runs south-east towards Kakkanad, and the four-lane Infopark Expressway branches off it to the campus. This is the route most commuters use. Expect congestion near Kakkanad and the Collectorate side at peak hours. The Seaport–Airport Road guide explains the junctions. Use a map app at your actual shift time to see real travel time – it varies a lot between 7 a.m. and 9.30 a.m.

By metro plus bus or cab

Today there is no metro to Infopark. You could take the Blue Line from Kalamassery or Cochin University station south and change to a feeder bus or cab, but for most people the direct road is quicker. The metro Pink Line from JLN Stadium (Kaloor) to Infopark is under construction; after delays, KMRL said in September 2026 that it was targeting full opening by August 2027. When it opens, a Blue Line–Pink Line change at JLN Stadium will become a real option.

By Water Metro

Kochi Water Metro runs between Vyttila and Kakkanad, which helps people living near Vyttila, but not Kalamassery residents. See Water Metro from Kalamassery.

Doing the sums

The commute costs you fuel (or cab fares) and time; living in Kalamassery may save rent and gives you the metro for weekends in the city. A simple way to decide:

Get a real quote for a shared room near Infopark and one in Kalamassery.
Estimate your monthly fuel or cab spend for the round trip, five or six days a week.
Put a value on the extra time per day – some people use it for calls or podcasts, others find it draining.
Remember the monsoon: four months of rain changes how pleasant a two-wheeler commute is.

Our monthly budget guide helps with the rest of the numbers.

What changes the answer

Night or US-shift teams. Roads are clear late at night, so the ride from Kalamassery is easier – but check that your room allows late entry. The night-shift guide helps.
Hybrid work. If you are in the office only two or three days a week, the commute matters much less and lower rent wins.
No two-wheeler. Relying on autos and cabs every day is expensive; see autos, taxis and ride-hailing tips for typical options, and think about living in Kakkanad until you buy a bike.
A second reason to be in Kalamassery – a CUSAT course, a partner’s job, a family member at the Medical College – often settles it.

Where Ashraf Gents Hostel fits for an Infopark commuter

Ashraf Gents Hostel is a boys’ hostel / PG at Ashraf house, NAD Road, at the signal in Kalamassery, for students, staff and working men. Its public profile lists the Seaport–Airport Road among places within about 3 km – that is your road to Kakkanad. The indicative rate is about ₹2,000–3,000 per head per month, negotiable, with one month’s advance, confirmed on the call.

IT staff should ask on the call to +91 90746 23855 about Wi-Fi (for work-from-home days) and entry timings for late shifts – these are not listed publicly. See the rooms in the photo gallery.

Frequently asked questions

How do I get from Kalamassery to Infopark?

Most people take the Seaport–Airport Road from HMT Junction towards Kakkanad and then the Infopark Expressway, by two-wheeler, cab or company transport.

Is there a metro from Kalamassery to Infopark?

Not yet. The Pink Line from JLN Stadium to Infopark is under construction; in September 2026 KMRL was targeting full opening by August 2027.

Is it cheaper to live in Kalamassery than Kakkanad?

Often, especially for shared rooms, but compare real quotes and add your commute cost before deciding.

Does the Seaport–Airport Road go all the way to the airport?

Not yet. A gap remains between HMT and NAD, where second-phase work was being tendered in 2026; for the airport most people still use NH 544.

Sources

Facts about Ashraf Gents Hostel come from the hostel’s own profile and photos; rates are indicative and confirmed on the call. Last reviewed 7 October 2026. How we write these guides: editorial notes. Map embeds © Google.