Goa to Kerala via Bangalore

angelyn

Hi as the regulars know, I am planning a trip to India in Feb, I am staying in Mumbai, then flying to Goa and then I need to get to Kerala. On my required dates, there is only one flight to Kerala from Goa on Kingfisher airlines.
The flight is via Bangalore and we will be waiting at Bangalore for a few hours(i think around 3-4).

Just wondering:
1. IS there another cheap airline which flies direct- Goa to Kerala?
2. Actually Kingfisher isnt that cheap - working out to £87-50 each one way - so is there a cheaper flight than that? Even if its via Bangalore or somewhere?

3. Is there anything to see or do around Bangalore airport??
4. I am staying in Kovalam when i get to kerala, What if i get a flight from goa to cochin - how do i then get to kovalam and how long will it take??

Thank you!

Angelyn

matt_the_hat_82

Hey there.

You can get a train from Ernakulam (Cochin) to Kovalam - they're pretty frequent and tickets can be bought on the day.

Why are you travelling by Air at all? Why not take a train from Goa (where in Goa are you gonna be??) to Cochin, take a day in Cochin, then head down to Kovalam?

matt_the_hat_82

Cochin > Kovalam is only a few hours - maybe someone else can be more specific but i think it takes 2-3 hours?

Nick-H

You can get a train from Kochi to Trivandrum, Kovalam is a short drive from there.

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angelyn

Mat the hat - Im flying because I have v little time in India and feel it would be quicker. I only have 5 days in kerala.. unfortunately.

Thanks for the info, we are considering spending time in Cochin, so this is a good option.. I am a bit scared about taking a train though ..! I just have visions of trying to hold onto the side of a train while its speeding along tracks!! Is it possible to get first class seats which are comfortable?

Silmaril

Why not check out the Indian Railways section of the forum? From all I've heard, the rail travel can be very comfortable, and a lot cheaper than flying. Moreover, on medium length journeys, how much time will flying save you, allowing for getting to airport, check in, waiting around, and getting out of the airport at the other end. Railways tend to be central to cities, no check in, etc.

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vandy

Hi angelyn, you should consider catching the train from goa down
to kerala, the trains are pretty good, 2a/c sleeper is recommended

IndiaMike member steven_ber is the train guru and will give you
sound advice along with schedules.

BTW, my friend in Trivandrum confirmed that Kollam is the nearest
place to Trivandrum for houseboat cruises, train takes 1 hour
from Trivandrum.

Rgds - vandy

Sadanand Kamath

Indian has got a direct flight from Goa to Kochi (Cochin) on Tue and Sun.
Flight No. IC576 Leaves Goa @ 08.20 and reaches Kochi @09.30. Check out at http://indian-airlines.nic.in/home.asp

The fastest train from Madgaon(Goa) to Trivandram is 2432 Rajdhani Express which leaves Madgaon on Mon and Wed @12.35 hrs and reaches Trivandrum on Tue and Thu @ 05.25 hrs. This train has First AC class also.

For Ernakulam (Kochi), the most convenient train is No.2618 which leaves Madgaon @ 19.35 hrs daily and reaches Ernakulam @ 10.00 hrs the next day. It has 2AC,3AC and Sleeper Class.

Sadanand

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angelyn

wow - thanks everyone - you have given me alot of food for thought.. Im def gonna check out the flight from goa to kochin and then train from kochin to trivandrum thanks everyone

angelyn

Hi

I am trying to work out the quickest way to Kerala from Goa. I think i would like to take a flight from Goa to Cochin and then perhaps a train to Kovalam - i know this probably isnt possible, in which case, a train from Cochin to Trivandrum? any advice, times, booking tickets, journey times etc?? thanks so much

steven_ber

Sadanand has given great advice for getting from Goa to Kerala, the following trains are the best options for getting from Cochin to Trivandrum.

Train 6341 Ernakulam Junction 05:50, Trivandrum Central 10:10
Train 6303 Ernakulam Junction 06:05, Trivandrum Central 10:35
Train 6350 Ernakulam Town 13:30, Trivandrum Central 18:25
Train 6301 Ernakulam Town 16:40, Trivandrum Central 22:10
Train 2075 Ernakulam Junction 17:25, Trivandrum Central 20:55

Note, there are 2 stations in Ernakulam (and a seperate one in Cochin that's no use to you).

All the above trains have air con Chair Class (CC), you should be able to book a few days in advance from Goa.

There is a pre-paid booth (for Rickshaws) outside Trivandrum Central station, use it, the rickshaw drivers will try to put you off using it, but they only wan't to charge you twice the price.

Tell the pre-paid booth where you're going in Kovalam, pay the fair to the booth (& a small service charge), then go to the rickshaw indicated on the receipt (should be number plate), tell the driver where you want to go, but don't give him the receipt till you get to your destination, he then takes the receipt back and collects his money.

To send private messages, copy the user's name, then scroll to the top of the page and look at the box on the right, then click on 'private message' and follow the instructions.

An easier way it to click on a user's name, a drop-down box will appear, just click on the box that says "send this member a private message".

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Train information.

angelyn

thanks very much Steve. The info is very very useful. This website is a godsend! much appreciated

Nick-H

Steven is and always will be an India Mike Legend.

And that's even before we start on his extensive knowledge of trains and travel within India

Generally, however, it is better to ask questions in open forum, rather than by PM to an individual member.

People like Steven can, some days, be snowed under by PM enquiries, which is not fair on them ---or on our several other members who have a huge knowledge of Indian railways.

They can also take holidays, be busy with work or family, or whatever, and your enquiry may not get answered as soon as you might wish --- or as soon as it might have been if others had had the chance to see it.

Angelyn, this is not personal! Just seemed like a good opportunity to make the point

steven_ber

I've noticed over the last few months that we have many members who have a great knowledge of the railways, it's very re-assuring, I find myself short of time, then see another few posts where i can maybe offer some help, I click on the thread and find it's already been answered with great info.

For this reason, I do find it a little embarrassing when my name pops up, I know it's well meant, but I feel it kind of misses out on all the great info offered by others.

Sadanand Kamath

Yes. But what makes you stand apart vis-a-vis others (including me), is that you endeavour to give information to the minutest details taking into account the possible supplementary querries from OPs. This requires a lot of patience and endurances which you have.

More strength to your elbows, steven_ber.

Sadanand