NYC to Cochin

JjInCt

Hi Everone, My name is Jim from Connecticut, USA. This is my first post and Im sure there will be many afterwards. Iv been checking this site out since mid 2005 and have found it very helpfull as I plan on taking a first solo trip (one way) to India after our Thanksgiving in late November,
I have checked out several travel consolidators and one from Arlington, Virgina gave me a quote including taxes of $655 US from NYC to COCHIN with several stops which I don't mind as I have no time limit and hope to stay 3-4-5 months.
Now, before I go ahead and pay for this ticket, I guess I am asking for some reassurance if this sound like a pretty good deal.

Im a 44 year old male also looking to travel or meet up for friendly conversation with locals and tourist.

camelgirl

I'd be interested in the route you've been given by the consolidator and why you plan to go directly to Cochin. You say it's your first solo trip to India but is it your first actual trip to India? If it's your first trip to India why are you starting in Cochin? If you went directly from NYC to either Delhi or Mumbai, you might get a better airfare price, then work your way to Cochin by train--which would be a great way to meet locals and other travelers like yourself. Long distance trains are a great way to meet people.

Also, getting a cheaper round trip to either Delhi or Mumbai or Madras (Chennai) and then paying the $200 fee to change your ticket if you don't want to come back at a set time might actually be cheaper and a better flight.

We are going from Newark's Liberty Airport (NJ) to Delhi the end of October for 5 weeks and got a very good fare on Continental non-stop $1,200 with taxes round trip. If we wanted to change this ticket it would cost $200 but we don't intend to change it.

camelgirl

If Continental from Newark interests you at all, you have to book very soon as this particular flight goes up as it nears November and the beginning of the winter travel season. I have seen this flight as high as $1,750. It's pretty much a bargain right now. It's a new non-stop that started a year ago. I'm not looking forward to 14 hrs. in the air but it just means longer to be in India!

JjInCt

Yes, this is my first actual trip to India, I though by landing in a smaller city it be somewhat easier to get around since I would be traveling solo. Im pretty much open to landing anywhere and making my way around. I did a search for travel consolidators and have sent them what I wanted to do. The thing about the $200 US price to change is that I don't know if I would be leaving from the same place that I landed. I welcome even the smallest suggestions about this, and maybe I should wait abit and check out more Travel consolidators. If you can send me some to write or call, I welcome this.

camelgirl

We used travel consolidators for most of our India trips. The main thing was to use someone who specialized in India. In the Northeast US there are many Indians and so there are several consolidators who are based in Indian communities. we used one in Edison, NJ once who got us a great price. Probably the one in Arlington VA is like that. I don't know any to recommend now.

But we have found that sometimes we can now do better on our own with the internet, which is why we are using Continental for our upcoming trip. We did our own booking the beginning of this year directly with Singapore Airlines and got a fabulous online fare from JFK to Singapore to Sri Lanka. $1,000 round trip.

Singapore Airlines is currently running some great deals all over India from JFK. I think its $1,160 round trip and it probably stops once in Europe then again in Singapore.

We have also traveled one way to India (many years ago) when we didn't know when we'd be returning. At that time it was easy and cheap to go to a "bucket shop" and get a flight home. Not so sure about that anymore. Time and travel have changed alot since we did that 25 years ago.

You may find the idea of make a giant circle and returning to where you started is a fun idea and gives you an open traveling plan. You could also decide to arrive in the North (Delhi) and leave from the South (Madras). We've done that and it doesn't cost any more. If you use a regular International airline that goes to several cities in India, you can pay to make changes if it is necessary. Air India, Lufthansa, KLM I think go to several cities.

Starting in Cochin is a personal choice of course. It's a wonderful and almost remote town, very unique. Cochin is actually a bunch of islands, not one place. Nothing about India is really easy and the cities are totally overwhelming at first. But I love the cities, once I'm adjusted to their craziness.

A really laid back place to start would be Goa, the beach area. Which would mean flying into Mumbai.

You'll have plenty of time to sort things out and get into the swing of India. It's never easy, even for repeat visitors like me. Just come back to India Mike for tips and advice and you'll probably have an unforgettable trip.

JjInCt

I have given your sames idears alot of thought. If I bought a round trip ticket and decieded to change my date of return for the $200 US, could I also change the airport/city I want to leave from?

Pheta Ande

Last year I used my air miles to fly Boston to Mumbai. I usually fly out of NY. Six years ago I paid $1,000 round trip. Last year when my indian friends were going home in Dec all flights to Mumbai or Delhi were $1,500 and they have family in the travel Business. Cochin (fort cochin) is amazin! This is a great place to start your trip. If you decide to go up north you could always fly back down to Cochin on one of the budget airlines ( which sometimes can work out cheaper than the trains) I have flown on Singapore airlines from NY to Singapore before and it is an incredibly long flight especially if considering going onward to India from there. Flying London? Dubai/ Cochin is not so bad as you do not have to Back track.
Good Luck

Pheta Ande

I forgot to mention that it is a good idea to go from south to the north and not the other way around as it starts to get hot in the south at the end of Feb. This is a good time to head north.

anar

stay in fort cochin (i just got back from there this evening, and it was mesmerising, despite the high humidity - it's monsoon here). the sights and smells - it's like no other indian city i've been to!
get in touch with edgar of raintree lodge (www.fortcochin.com) - he goes out of his way to help, the friendliest, nicest person.

JjInCt

I really, really appreciate your posts and I hope to meet alot of people like yourselfs. I have given Camelgirls remarks alot of thought too but I don't think I would care to fly into a big city after traveling for a couple days.
I think for $655 US one way, including taxes. I probably could not go wrong by flyiong into cochin, arrive 6am and have enough time to find my way around. ]
I welcome all the advice you can give me on places to stay.

haritha

Yes cochin is lovely but it is only the tip of the iceberg you are trying to experience

camelgirl

Anar, Raintree looks wonderful but I couldn't find any prices. I guess this is the off season there but about how much is a room?

anar

raintree is rs1800 per night, the rooms (i think about five) are clean, with ensuite baths, in a quiet little street (the name comes from some giant raintrees growing on the street). edgar is really prompt with his replies so if you have any specific queries, do email him.
in varkala, i really liked my stay at villa jacaranda, another small but tastefully done place (www.villa-jacaranda.biz). very friendly owner, staff and quiet spot.
and finally, in munnar, try the olive brook - simpler rooms but the really friendly staff more than make up for any shortcomings in the look of the place (www.olivebrookmunnar.com).