Thiruvananthapuram, also known as Trivandrum, was the erstwhile capital of Travancore and is the State Capital today. This sprawling city is built on seven hills, and it is known better for its famous beach resort, at Kovalam (11km. away), recognised to be amongst the ten best in the world. Thiruvananthapuram, 'the place of the sacred serpent' takes its name from the idol of God Vishnu in the magnificent Padmanabhaswamy temple as he reclines on the world - supporting serpent, 'Anantha' or 'Adisesha'. Today, its splendid past is to be seen in its old buildings, most of them built in wood in the Kerala style, with tiled roofs and carved gables, in its botanical garden and Zoo with its quaint museum; in its wide roads and public buildings; and in its lively intellectual life. Some of kerala's leading film makers, poets and writers live here. Trivandrum has an international airport, good shopping areas and a variety of comfortable and reasonably priced hotels.

Air : Trivandrum Airport (International) is linked by flights to Cochin, Madras, Delhi, Goa and Bombay. International flights also operate to Colombo, Mali, Dubai, Abudhabi and Kuwait.
Rail : Trivandrum Central Railway Station. 
Road : It is connected by road with important cities in the country.