Finally made some decisions!

brad_kelly

Hi,
I am flying into Mumbai 3rd October, then heading to Thailand around mid November. Was unsure what the best itenary was without backtracking. Have since decided I am going to stick to South India to make the most of things. So from Mumbai to Goa - Bangalore - Mysore - Kannur - Kochi - Thiruva Nanthapurem then across Mudurai - Tiruchenirappalli - Pondicherry - Madras than back to Bangalore to fly out. Now im a bit ocnfused as to which trains and how lond I should stay in each place. Also any other advice or adjustments to itenary would be greatly appreciated! thanks

Jean-Philipe

Sounds like a reasonable itinerary for six weeks in the south. You have time to stay at least three or four days in each of your listed places.

Go to http://www.indianrail.gov.in/index.html
Select "Trains between important stations"
This will give you info on the major routes.

Also see the Southern Railway site, http://www.srailway.com

Some of the station codes for your route are:
CSTM Mumbai CST
MAO Madgaon
VSG Vasco da Gama
YPR Yesvantpur (Bangalore)
SBC Bangalore City
MYS Mysore
MAQ Mangalore
CAN Kannur
ERN Ernakulam Town (North)
ERS Ernakulam Junction (South)
VAK Varkala
TVC Trivandrum
MDU Madurai
TPJ Trichy Junction
PDY Pondicherry
MS Chennai Egmore
MAS Chennai Central


Mumbai to Goa: several trains daily on this route. For example,

#0103, Mandavi Express, lv Mumbai CST at 06:55, ar Madgaon 20:10.

If you prefer an overnight train, either

#0105, Dadar Madgaon Special, lv Dadar 00:35, ar Madgaon 15:00;

or #0111, Konkan Kanyakumari Express, lv Mumbai CST 23:00, ar Madgaon 12:30.


Goa to Bangalore:

#7310, Yesvantpur Express, lv Vasco da Gama 20:45 (Mon & Sat only), ar Yesvantpur 11:00;

or #7312, Vasco Chennai Express, lv Vasco da Gama 14:30 (Thu only), ar Yesvantpur 05:45.


Bangalore to Mysore: several trains daily.


Mysore to Kannur: you'll have to do this leg by bus.


Kannur to Kochi: too many trains to list. At least thirty a day.


Kochi to Trivandrum: again, lots of trains to choose from. On this leg, consider the Alleppey/Quilon backwater boat trip, and stopping in Varkala.


Trivandrum to Madurai:

#6124, Anantapuri Express, lv Trivandrum 16:20, ar Madurai 23:00; or

#728, Madurai Passenger, lv Trivandrum 20:15, ar Madurai 05:15.


Madurai to Trichy: at least a dozen trains daily.


Trichy to Pondicherry: no direct train. Easier to take the bus.


Pondicherry to Chennai: again, bus is easier and faster. But there are a couple of trains a day. If you have time, stop in Mamallapuram for a couple of days.


Chennai to Bangalore: several trains daily. For example,

#2657, Bangalore Mail, lv Chennai 23:15, ar Bangalore 05:30.

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