chikmagalur : Information Required

I head a lot about chikmagalur and would love to visit the place. Can someone give their suggest on the following:

• Easy mode of transport from Hyderabad?
• Which train takes us to chikmagalur,
• travel time
• Any good budget hotel for couple ( Max Rs 1000 per day)
• Do we need to have a advance booking and
• Any option of online booking (for budget hotels.

Thanks for your help in advance!!!
Streetcat

* Transport: Best would be on your own. Next best would be by bus. Hyd->Bangalore->Chikmagalur
* No trains to chikamagalur. Practically, you could come to Bangalore by train & take a bus to chikmagalur. Would take 6 hours approximately from Bangalore to Chikmagalur.
* Budget hotels: There are no great hotels (5 star ones) in Chikmagalur. You do have Taj & Serai which would be expensive. Otherwise, you have normal boarding places. You do have hotels with 1k / night - krishna residency etc. I am not sure of their quality. Many people go to Chikmagalur to experience the Homestay concept - live in a normal home within some coffee estate & experience that kind of life for a day or two.
* Check online or with your travel agent. Google for them. Thats the best.

have a look at few places i found...
http://www.texresorts.co.in/resort.html
http://www.eagleeyeholidays.com
these places look good had some good reviews..has anyone stayed in these places earlier

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Velu

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