Private Houseboat in Alleppey vs Sharing
A private houseboat in Alleppey means the whole boat is yours: the bedrooms, the deck, the living area, the captain and the cook, for your group only. The alternative is a sharing houseboat, where you book one bedroom on a boat that other guests also stay on, like a room in a small floating hotel.
Both are real choices, and the right one depends on your budget and how much privacy you want. This page compares them honestly.
Side by side
Private vs sharing
- Private, 1 bedroom
- ₹9,000 per boat
- Sharing
- ₹5,500 per room
- Guests in the price
- 2 per bedroom on both
- Who else is on board
- Private: nobody · Sharing: other guests
- Deck and dining area
- Private: yours · Sharing: shared
- Booking
- 25% advance on both
Prices above are regular-season starting prices for one night. Weekend, festival and year-end dates are priced higher.
What private gets you
- The whole boat. No strangers at dinner, on the deck or in the next room.
- Your own crew. The captain and cook look after your group only.
- Choice of size and tier. From 1 to 5 bedrooms, on a Deluxe or Premium boat.
- Room for extras. Honeymoon cake and flower decoration can be arranged, and the Kumarakom round trip can be added.
A private houseboat suits couples on a special trip, families, and any group that wants the boat to feel like its own home for a night.
What sharing gets you
- A lower price for one couple. You pay for one room instead of a whole boat.
- Your own bedroom. The room is private; the rest of the boat is shared.
- The backwaters. You still see the lake and canals from the water.
Sharing suits couples and solo travellers on a budget who do not mind meeting other guests. See the sharing houseboat for photos and details.
The price gap, worked out
For a couple on a regular-season weekday, a private 1-bedroom houseboat is ₹9,000 and a sharing room is ₹5,500. The private boat costs ₹3,500 more for the night, and for that you get the whole boat and crew to yourselves.
For two couples, the gap closes: a private 2-bedroom houseboat is ₹13,000, and two sharing rooms are ₹11,000. For ₹2,000 more, both couples get a private boat together.
For three couples or more, a private boat is usually the obvious choice: a 3-bedroom boat is ₹18,000 against ₹16,500 for three sharing rooms.
Private houseboat rates
Every private boat is priced per boat and includes 2 guests per bedroom. See the Alleppey houseboat price guide for the full tariff, or the budget houseboat page for ways to pay less on a private boat.
How to book
Send your dates and group size on WhatsApp and tell us whether you want private or sharing. A 25% advance holds the booking; the balance is paid at check-in.
FAQ
Private houseboat questions, answered.
Are ythe houseboats we book private?
Yes, all except the sharing houseboat, where guests book individual rooms.
Is a sharing houseboat cheaper than a private one?
For one couple, yes: ₹5,500 per room against ₹9,000 for a private 1-bedroom boat, at regular-season weekday rates.
Do we get our own captain and cook on a private boat?
Yes. The crew is there for your group only.
Can a private houseboat be booked for just two people?
Yes. The 1-bedroom houseboat is built for couples.
Private or sharing — ask us.
Tell us your group and dates on WhatsApp and we will price both. 25% advance to book.