Trouble finding driver for Madurai to Kerala

wishfullthinking · Jan 11th, 2008, 20:16

Hello all!

I will be in Madurai in February and have 6 nights before heading home, which I want to spend exploring Kerala.
I was thinking of something along the lines of Madurai > Kochi > Alleppey > Varkala > Madurai Airport.

I'm having trouble finding a driver for this, as many emails have gone unanswered or the few that have answered, have wanted upfront payments which I'm not too keen to do before even seeing the car and driver.
I was hoping some of you could suggest travel agencies/companies I could through to find a driver.

Also, quotes I'm getting for this trip are averaging around US$550, is this reasonable?

Thanks in advance!

Jorge Reverter · Jan 11th, 2008, 22:10

Price is quite expensive. For a round trip like this one 300 - 350 US$ should be the price. A normal price all over India is around 1700 rupees per day for no more than an average of 200 km/per day, that means 270-300 US$.

Do it in Madurai. In any case you have several trains to Varkala, the best one is probably train number 727 23.15 - 08.02
no delays because this train starts in Madurai and early in the morning you are already in Varkala.

Jorge

docgirl2005 · Jan 11th, 2008, 22:46

You can ask the front desk of the hotel/lodge you are staying in?

As a last resort, try the Madurai airport for travel services/car hire.

Dont pay beforehand, its not practical to book such services in a small town like Madurai via email, no you must go to Madurai and do it. Unless of course you book via a big hotel.

crvlvr · Jan 11th, 2008, 23:33

Anyone you find on the net will usually come at a premium. Make your arrangments after you get there.

anubisgrau · Jan 12th, 2008, 00:08

it's absolutely impossible that you don't find a driver in india at any place. most of the time in 5-10 minutes max.

fwiw, i took a reverse trip 3 years ago, from kerala to madurai. we took a boat from allapey and went as far as we could. then we hopped off the boat, took a car in 1 minute and 4 hours later we were in madurai. it's really easy.

snrajan77 · Jan 12th, 2008, 10:35

Nothing to worry mr.
wishfulthinking, Getting Taxi/Car driver in Madurai ver easy, for this don't break your head. at any cost don't do any booking thro' net its all waste and costlier than the actuls. As soon as you get down at Madurai, tell you hotel people or enquire in near by travels (min 3-4 travels) and get the cheapest one, this can be done within half an hour. Take always young drivers advantages are, they speak little english, they will cooperate/adjust with you very faster and friendly in nature.

dhans · Jan 12th, 2008, 17:14

Contact Mrs. Faith Pandian from Window to the World. (www.tourism-southindia.com No 4, Annai Avenue, Vasanth Nagar Extn, Kollidakarai, Srirangam Trichy - 620 006, Tamil Nadu (INDIA) Tel No. :+(91)-(431)-2433372/2437183/2435219 email : info@tourism-southindia.com). Faith reacted very promptly to our emails and did not need any payment up-front. She arranged a brand new ambassador car with AC and a brilliant driver for us. We paid 875 euros for 25 days unlimited mileage (and unlimited service) which is a bit more than you would probably pay if you arrange it in India.

You'll certainly do better then the $ 550,00 for 6 days!

Hans

wishfullthinking · Jan 12th, 2008, 19:12

Wow thanks so much for the help!
Everyone here is so friendly and helpful, it's very much appreciated!
Now that I'm reassured I'd have no problems finding one while I'm there, I think I will leave it to then to organise.
Thanks again everyone!

Btw, I'm not staying at a hotel while I'm there, so is it best to go through a travel agent or something?

wishfullthinking · Jan 13th, 2008, 20:11

While I'm here, does anyone know the approximate time taken to get from Madurai to Kochi and Varkala to Madurai?

canoeberry · Jan 14th, 2008, 20:42

Hi Wishful,
We also used Faith Pandian's agency (recommended by DHans)and had an excellent experience. We used a car and driver arranged in advance for 1/2 the trip, then found cars adhoc for the other 1/2. It is no problem to find cars and drivers on the spot, but the cars were not in as good condition - no seat belts in the back seat, for instance, was the norm. The driver that Faith arranged for us was actually from Madurai - his name was Raja. He was an absolute sweatheart - spoke excellent English and he was a delight to be with. His car was in perfect condition, with all the seat belts!
Her agency is based in Trichy but I am quite sure they have an office in Madurai as well. You could always contact them once you are in Madurai.
Don't know how long that route would take, but Faith would be able to estimate it for you. It is hard to judge by looking at a map how long it will take to get from A to B in India as the roads in general are quite rough. It is wonderful to travel by car as you can stop and explore as you go through the countryside.
Have fun!

Scandojazzbuff · Jan 15th, 2008, 00:43

Here's the deal. I just returned from a 3 week road trip that brought me from Chennai through Madurai, and, then onto Kerala. You want to contact Mani, the owner of the car hire. His mobile is 91 94863 77106. He is based in Madurai. For a brand new Ambassador A/C, I paid 1700Rs per day. Mani is a very good guy and did me many favors like booking air tix and a hotel on the spot for me. My driver's name was Pandy. He is an excellent driver, knows the roads, sights, restaurants, etc. Completely trustworthy and attentive to any need. A very good man. I would not hesitate to hire him again. In fact, I would request him. Tell them Jeff from Bangkok gave you their number.

The route you will take will be from Madurai to Periyar. 3 hours or so. Bring a jacket, it's cold at night. Worth staying overnight. Periyar-Munnar is about 3-4 hours. Munnar is beautiful. Very high tea plantations. Munnar-Kochi is 3-4 hours.

Jan 11th, 2008, 20:16	#1
wishfullthinking Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 7	Trouble finding driver for Madurai to Kerala Hello all! I will be in Madurai in February and have 6 nights before heading home, which I want to spend exploring Kerala. I was thinking of something along the lines of Madurai > Kochi > Alleppey > Varkala > Madurai Airport. I'm having trouble finding a driver for this, as many emails have gone unanswered or the few that have answered, have wanted upfront payments which I'm not too keen to do before even seeing the car and driver. I was hoping some of you could suggest travel agencies/companies I could through to find a driver. Also, quotes I'm getting for this trip are averaging around US$550, is this reasonable? Thanks in advance!

Jan 12th, 2008, 17:14	#7
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,533	Contact Mrs. Faith Pandian from Window to the World. (www.tourism-southindia.com No 4, Annai Avenue, Vasanth Nagar Extn, Kollidakarai, Srirangam Trichy - 620 006, Tamil Nadu (INDIA) Tel No. :+(91)-(431)-2433372/2437183/2435219 email : info@tourism-southindia.com). Faith reacted very promptly to our emails and did not need any payment up-front. She arranged a brand new ambassador car with AC and a brilliant driver for us. We paid 875 euros for 25 days unlimited mileage (and unlimited service) which is a bit more than you would probably pay if you arrange it in India. You'll certainly do better then the $ 550,00 for 6 days! Hans __________________ Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids Stories about our travels in India: Journal Last edited by dhans : Jan 12th, 2008 at 17:15. Reason: taipo

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Jan 11th, 2008, 22:10	#2
Jorge Reverter Maha Guru Member Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Murcia - Spain Posts: 1,137	Price is quite expensive. For a round trip like this one 300 - 350 US$ should be the price. A normal price all over India is around 1700 rupees per day for no more than an average of 200 km/per day, that means 270-300 US$. Do it in Madurai. In any case you have several trains to Varkala, the best one is probably train number 727 23.15 - 08.02 no delays because this train starts in Madurai and early in the morning you are already in Varkala. Jorge

Jan 11th, 2008, 22:46	#3
docgirl2005 Member Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: usa Posts: 443	You can ask the front desk of the hotel/lodge you are staying in? As a last resort, try the Madurai airport for travel services/car hire. Dont pay beforehand, its not practical to book such services in a small town like Madurai via email, no you must go to Madurai and do it. Unless of course you book via a big hotel.

Jan 11th, 2008, 23:33	#4
crvlvr Guru Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Hollywood Posts: 4,474	Anyone you find on the net will usually come at a premium. Make your arrangments after you get there.

Jan 12th, 2008, 00:08	#5
anubisgrau Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Ser Posts: 122	it's absolutely impossible that you don't find a driver in india at any place. most of the time in 5-10 minutes max. fwiw, i took a reverse trip 3 years ago, from kerala to madurai. we took a boat from allapey and went as far as we could. then we hopped off the boat, took a car in 1 minute and 4 hours later we were in madurai. it's really easy.

Jan 12th, 2008, 10:35	#6
snrajan77 Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Chennai,South India, India Posts: 4	Nothing to worry mr. wishfulthinking, Getting Taxi/Car driver in Madurai ver easy, for this don't break your head. at any cost don't do any booking thro' net its all waste and costlier than the actuls. As soon as you get down at Madurai, tell you hotel people or enquire in near by travels (min 3-4 travels) and get the cheapest one, this can be done within half an hour. Take always young drivers advantages are, they speak little english, they will cooperate/adjust with you very faster and friendly in nature.

Jan 12th, 2008, 19:12	#8
wishfullthinking Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 7	Wow thanks so much for the help! Everyone here is so friendly and helpful, it's very much appreciated! Now that I'm reassured I'd have no problems finding one while I'm there, I think I will leave it to then to organise. Thanks again everyone! Btw, I'm not staying at a hotel while I'm there, so is it best to go through a travel agent or something?

Jan 13th, 2008, 20:11	#9
wishfullthinking Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Australia Posts: 7	While I'm here, does anyone know the approximate time taken to get from Madurai to Kochi and Varkala to Madurai?

Jan 14th, 2008, 20:42	#10
canoeberry Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Brooklyn NY US Posts: 27	Hi Wishful, We also used Faith Pandian's agency (recommended by DHans)and had an excellent experience. We used a car and driver arranged in advance for 1/2 the trip, then found cars adhoc for the other 1/2. It is no problem to find cars and drivers on the spot, but the cars were not in as good condition - no seat belts in the back seat, for instance, was the norm. The driver that Faith arranged for us was actually from Madurai - his name was Raja. He was an absolute sweatheart - spoke excellent English and he was a delight to be with. His car was in perfect condition, with all the seat belts! Her agency is based in Trichy but I am quite sure they have an office in Madurai as well. You could always contact them once you are in Madurai. Don't know how long that route would take, but Faith would be able to estimate it for you. It is hard to judge by looking at a map how long it will take to get from A to B in India as the roads in general are quite rough. It is wonderful to travel by car as you can stop and explore as you go through the countryside. Have fun!

Jan 15th, 2008, 00:43	#11
Scandojazzbuff Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Bangkok Posts: 405	Here's the deal. I just returned from a 3 week road trip that brought me from Chennai through Madurai, and, then onto Kerala. You want to contact Mani, the owner of the car hire. His mobile is 91 94863 77106. He is based in Madurai. For a brand new Ambassador A/C, I paid 1700Rs per day. Mani is a very good guy and did me many favors like booking air tix and a hotel on the spot for me. My driver's name was Pandy. He is an excellent driver, knows the roads, sights, restaurants, etc. Completely trustworthy and attentive to any need. A very good man. I would not hesitate to hire him again. In fact, I would request him. Tell them Jeff from Bangkok gave you their number. The route you will take will be from Madurai to Periyar. 3 hours or so. Bring a jacket, it's cold at night. Worth staying overnight. Periyar-Munnar is about 3-4 hours. Munnar is beautiful. Very high tea plantations. Munnar-Kochi is 3-4 hours.

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