Chennai to Cochin and down to Varkala

aruna40 · Oct 28th, 2009, 23:21

First timer to India...coming from Portland OR...

Looking forward to landing in Chennai Nov 1st and traveling with a group to: Mamallapuram, Trichy, Tanjore, Chettinad, Madurai, Munnar, Thekkady region, Periyar National Park, Kottayam,to a backwater tour and ending in Cochin Nov 16th.

From there i'm taking off to the beach at Varkala. Trying to decide on taking the train to Varkala or just hiring a private car ride for the 3.5hour trip down to the beach.

Any suggestions?

rondel · Oct 29th, 2009, 01:29

Take the train. It's a nice trip, it's way cheaper, and it sounds like you may not be on a train for the first part of your trip - which is an absolute must to round out your excellent India vacation

aruna40 · Oct 29th, 2009, 05:35

hi, thank you for your reply...do you recommend Indiatravelite rail bookings?

wannameet · Oct 29th, 2009, 05:39

not sure if your credit card would work on any of these sites.....

aruna40 · Oct 29th, 2009, 05:42

hi there, i don't believe i need a credit card. they offer choices of payment on the web site and one is cash. i suppose its cash upon picking up my ticket at time of ride? possibly....do you have a better suggestion? i am most interested in the best train down to the beach that morning...

rondel · Oct 29th, 2009, 06:51

I don't know that site, so I can't say about booking through there. For shorter rides I usually don't book ahead. There will be a few different trains running to Trivandrum that you can grab - and get off at the Varkala station.

this link gives you an idea of the trains
http://www.erail.in/

there's a bunch of trains per day - get a sleeper class ticket and off you go..no need to go First Class. Or A/C for that matter - that's my opinion anyway.

Oct 28th, 2009, 23:21	#1
aruna40 Aruna40 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 3	Chennai to Cochin and down to Varkala First timer to India...coming from Portland OR... Looking forward to landing in Chennai Nov 1st and traveling with a group to: Mamallapuram, Trichy, Tanjore, Chettinad, Madurai, Munnar, Thekkady region, Periyar National Park, Kottayam,to a backwater tour and ending in Cochin Nov 16th. From there i'm taking off to the beach at Varkala. Trying to decide on taking the train to Varkala or just hiring a private car ride for the 3.5hour trip down to the beach. Any suggestions?

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Oct 29th, 2009, 01:29	#2
rondel Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 23	Take the train. It's a nice trip, it's way cheaper, and it sounds like you may not be on a train for the first part of your trip - which is an absolute must to round out your excellent India vacation

Oct 29th, 2009, 05:35	#3
aruna40 Aruna40 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 3	hi, thank you for your reply...do you recommend Indiatravelite rail bookings?

Oct 29th, 2009, 05:39	#4
wannameet Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 1	not sure if your credit card would work on any of these sites.....

Oct 29th, 2009, 05:42	#5
aruna40 Aruna40 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 3	hi there, i don't believe i need a credit card. they offer choices of payment on the web site and one is cash. i suppose its cash upon picking up my ticket at time of ride? possibly....do you have a better suggestion? i am most interested in the best train down to the beach that morning...

Oct 29th, 2009, 06:51	#6
rondel Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Vancouver Posts: 23	I don't know that site, so I can't say about booking through there. For shorter rides I usually don't book ahead. There will be a few different trains running to Trivandrum that you can grab - and get off at the Varkala station. this link gives you an idea of the trains http://www.erail.in/ there's a bunch of trains per day - get a sleeper class ticket and off you go..no need to go First Class. Or A/C for that matter - that's my opinion anyway.