Advice for Chennai to Mamallapuram ?

cm2k1 · Aug 26th, 2009, 00:59

Hullo - Lonely planet mentions that Chennai to Mamallapuram is fairly simple by bus, but I'm wondering if it's better to take a car, given they also say that the road there is dotted with cool villages.

I'm only able to give a weekend to Chennai & Mamallapuram - what are opinions - should I take the bus (less hassle) or drive (more options) ?

sharan_travelcrazy · Aug 26th, 2009, 01:02

Its a fairly simple 50 km drive along the coast. I would recommend you to take a car if possible.

Nick-H · Aug 26th, 2009, 01:08

The Hop-on-Hop-Off tourist bus runs hourly and drops off and picks up at the main attractions.

Car, of course, gives you complete freedom.

Yuri_S · Aug 28th, 2009, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by cm2k1

I'm only able to give a weekend to Chennai & Mamallapuram - what are opinions - should I take the bus (less hassle) or drive (more options) ?

Apart from the Crocodile Bank, there is nothing special on the route. So, take a bus (Koyambedu has more ones, Adyar Bus stand is closer) and got Mahab in 1 hr (and some 15 minutes). You will be surprised, but by the car it will take the same time...

Pintz · Aug 28th, 2009, 17:16

What Nick says is true. The Hop-on-Hop-off bus is really good. You can buy a round-trip ticket and do it in a day. Besides the Crocodile bank, you may like to visit The Dakshina Chitra, an artists village where they promote local crafts. Besides, it's a beautiful, aesthetic place and much to see. You can also see a local puppet show there which is quite interesting. And you can shop for some unique handicrafts there. I especially liked the crafts produced from the palmyrah leaves and the stone ware. You may contact Tamilnadu Tourism @ 044-25383333/25384444. They have offices at : #4, EVR Sallai, (opposite Central Railway Station) or #2, Wallajah Road, (Near Kalaivanar Arangam). They work 24x7!
They also have a conducted trip to Mamallapuram and back and cover Kancheepuram, mamallapuram, Muttukadu Boating Park and the VGP Golden Beach. If you are a foreigner, you may be charged extra entry fee for Mamallapuram. AC fare is Rs. 470/ per person which includes breakfast, lunch and boating. I did this trip and liked it, since I was travelling alone.

Their website is: www.tamilnadutourism.org and online booking can be done at: www.ttdconline.com

Hope this information serves your purpose.

ENJOY!

Yuri_S · Aug 28th, 2009, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pintz

If you are a foreigner, you may be charged extra entry fee for Mamallapuram

I'm a foreigner, and during more then 7 years stay here never was asked for such 'entry fee'

Well, if you came by a car - your CAR will be charged by some fee, 10 Rs or something like this.

Nick-H · Aug 28th, 2009, 18:31

Yes, there is a toll for cars!

There is also a ridiculously large "foreign" entrance fee to one of the main monuments (250, I think, plus camera fee, no doubt)

Yuri_S · Aug 28th, 2009, 19:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Yes, there is a toll for cars!

There is also a ridiculously large "foreign" entrance fee to one of the main monuments (250, I think, plus camera fee, no doubt)

I don't remember exactly, but I feel it was somewhere about 500 Rs... not sure. The only 'good news' is that one is valid for both 'payed' sites.

cm2k1 · Aug 28th, 2009, 19:37

Thanks all - especially Pintz - this is some really, really great info (Note that http://www.tamilnadutourism.com looks like it's being domain squatted as of 2008-09-25 by some guy in Vegas according to http://www.whois.net/whois/tamilnadutourism.com)

Even if there is foreigner fees for entry everything in India is so cheap & amazing it's easy to overlook this stuff in the grand scheme ...

You folks are wunderful. Again, thanks!

Yuri_S · Aug 28th, 2009, 20:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by cm2k1

... everything in India is so cheap

I'm not going to by this - 'everything'

It's not so, unfortunately... Sometimes the same things much more costlier in India.

Pintz · Aug 29th, 2009, 00:22

[quote=cm2k1;802830]Thanks all - especially Pintz - this is some really, really great info (Note that http://www.tamilnadutourism.com looks like it's being domain squatted as of 2008-09-25 by some guy in Vegas according to http://www.whois.net/whois/tamilnadutourism.com)

Hey cm...SORRY about that! Everything is so .com these days that it happened atomatically. It is: www.tamilnadutourism.org

I should have checked before posting it! Thanks for pointing it out.

Enjoy yr trip.

penuga82k · Aug 29th, 2009, 02:27

It'll take 1hr from Adyar to Mamallapuram if u drive by car..

If its ur first visit, its better to hire a cab so that you can stop in between.

Nick-H · Aug 29th, 2009, 03:04

Please spell out your and you, and all those other possible SMS thingies! It makes for maximum understanding and minimum annoyance to our multi-national, multi-age membership...

Pintz · Aug 29th, 2009, 03:09

Hey Nicks,

Oops! Slipped there. Won't happen again.

Nick-H · Aug 29th, 2009, 03:15

I should have said "gentlemen," as it occurred in both previous posts!

Aug 26th, 2009, 00:59	#1
cm2k1 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 17	Advice for Chennai to Mamallapuram ? Hullo - Lonely planet mentions that Chennai to Mamallapuram is fairly simple by bus, but I'm wondering if it's better to take a car, given they also say that the road there is dotted with cool villages. I'm only able to give a weekend to Chennai & Mamallapuram - what are opinions - should I take the bus (less hassle) or drive (more options) ?

Aug 28th, 2009, 17:16	#5
Pintz Midnight Gypsy Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gujarat Posts: 257	What Nick says is true. The Hop-on-Hop-off bus is really good. You can buy a round-trip ticket and do it in a day. Besides the Crocodile bank, you may like to visit The Dakshina Chitra, an artists village where they promote local crafts. Besides, it's a beautiful, aesthetic place and much to see. You can also see a local puppet show there which is quite interesting. And you can shop for some unique handicrafts there. I especially liked the crafts produced from the palmyrah leaves and the stone ware. You may contact Tamilnadu Tourism @ 044-25383333/25384444. They have offices at : #4, EVR Sallai, (opposite Central Railway Station) or #2, Wallajah Road, (Near Kalaivanar Arangam). They work 24x7! They also have a conducted trip to Mamallapuram and back and cover Kancheepuram, mamallapuram, Muttukadu Boating Park and the VGP Golden Beach. If you are a foreigner, you may be charged extra entry fee for Mamallapuram. AC fare is Rs. 470/ per person which includes breakfast, lunch and boating. I did this trip and liked it, since I was travelling alone. Their website is: www.tamilnadutourism.org and online booking can be done at: www.ttdconline.com Hope this information serves your purpose. ENJOY! Last edited by Pintz : Aug 29th, 2009 at 00:27. Reason: vital correction

Aug 28th, 2009, 19:37	#9
cm2k1 Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Toronto Posts: 17	Thanks all - especially Pintz - this is some really, really great info (Note that http://www.tamilnadutourism.com looks like it's being domain squatted as of 2008-09-25 by some guy in Vegas according to http://www.whois.net/whois/tamilnadutourism.com) Even if there is foreigner fees for entry everything in India is so cheap & amazing it's easy to overlook this stuff in the grand scheme ... You folks are wunderful. Again, thanks! Last edited by cm2k1 : Aug 28th, 2009 at 19:43. Reason: tamilnadutourism.com flagged as squated

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Aug 26th, 2009, 01:02	#2
sharan_travelcrazy Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 194	Its a fairly simple 50 km drive along the coast. I would recommend you to take a car if possible. __________________ My travel tales

Aug 26th, 2009, 01:08	#3
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,197	The Hop-on-Hop-Off tourist bus runs hourly and drops off and picks up at the main attractions. Car, of course, gives you complete freedom.

Aug 28th, 2009, 18:31	#7
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,197	Yes, there is a toll for cars! There is also a ridiculously large "foreign" entrance fee to one of the main monuments (250, I think, plus camera fee, no doubt)

Aug 29th, 2009, 00:22	#11
Pintz Midnight Gypsy Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gujarat Posts: 257	[quote=cm2k1;802830]Thanks all - especially Pintz - this is some really, really great info (Note that http://www.tamilnadutourism.com looks like it's being domain squatted as of 2008-09-25 by some guy in Vegas according to http://www.whois.net/whois/tamilnadutourism.com) Hey cm...SORRY about that! Everything is so .com these days that it happened atomatically. It is: www.tamilnadutourism.org I should have checked before posting it! Thanks for pointing it out. Enjoy yr trip.

Aug 29th, 2009, 02:27	#12
penuga82k Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 8	It'll take 1hr from Adyar to Mamallapuram if u drive by car.. If its ur first visit, its better to hire a cab so that you can stop in between.

Aug 29th, 2009, 03:04	#13
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,197	Please spell out your and you, and all those other possible SMS thingies! It makes for maximum understanding and minimum annoyance to our multi-national, multi-age membership...

Aug 29th, 2009, 03:09	#14
Pintz Midnight Gypsy Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Gujarat Posts: 257	Hey Nicks, Oops! Slipped there. Won't happen again.

Aug 29th, 2009, 03:15	#15
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,197	I should have said "gentlemen," as it occurred in both previous posts!