Cochin and then Kanyakumari - is it worth it?

NowInBangalore · Jul 8th, 2008, 22:50

We will be in Kerala end of September - early Oct, going to Cochi, the backwaters and Marari Beach. I had always wanted to visit Kanyakumari, so thinking about taking the train from Ernakulam to Kanyakumari. The Kanyakumari express runs between these 2 stations - about 10 a.m. departure; arrival is about 6 p.m. I don't seem to find any mighttime trains between these 2 destinations. Would daytime train travel with 2 kids be more hectic? Is it worth making this trip? What do you do with 2 kids on the train all day? (At night, it is fine, everyone sleeps) How long can you stare out of the window? What would be a good class to travel in?

Thanks,
NIB

2cents · Jul 11th, 2008, 00:43

NIB, day time travel by train with kids shouldn't really be that taxing an experience. In fact, I generally find that kids enjoy train rides more than bus or car trips and flights.The frequent stops at stations, with the associated hustle and bustle, would provide them with plenty of interesting sights. Usually you'll find a few fellow travellers who would be happy to play with and keep them entertained for a while.An 8 hour journey is not likely to feel interminable.

In October it would be hot and humid during the day, so travelling by air-conditioned coaches - 2AC or 3AC- would be more comfortable.

Nick-H · Jul 11th, 2008, 10:56

Unless it is a train that has originated somewhere else the previous night, it is quite likely to be chairs rather than sleeping, but the railway sites will make that clear.

There's a great deal between Kochi and Kanyakumari that it seems a shame to miss. Where else in Kerala are you planning to visit? Are you planning to visit the backwaters around Kochi, or around Alleppey? Alleppey is already an hour or two further South than Kochi. Maybe you can make a stop or two on the way, or plan things to make the single train journey shorter.

NowInBangalore · Jul 11th, 2008, 23:21

I read the opinions on KanyaKumari in IM, and that did it for me. I hate crowded holy places, never thought of KK as a holy place. So, that is out.

We are taking the Kanyakumari express from bangalore, overnight to Ernakulam, stay in Fort Kochi (Raintree) for 3 nts, then take the train to Trivandrum, stay in Kovalam for 3 nts, take the train back to Kottayam and stay in the backwaters for 3 nts. Then take the train back to Bangalore. I hope this will give us a nice view of Kerala.
We wanted to do a "beach" stint, I can't believe Marari Beach Resort is now Rs 16K per couple/nt. Add the kids and that will be 20K! per night!! No way. And Cherai Beach Resort has awful reviews on tripadvisor. And I have always wanted to visit Kovalam, because Jacky Kennedy used to vacation there

Yeah....

We are travelling with 2 kids, and do not want to rush from place to place.

Thanks for you suggestions, 2-cents.

edwardseco · Jul 12th, 2008, 01:42

Sounds like good instincts to me as a parent..

Nick-H · Jul 12th, 2008, 02:00

That sounds like a very nice, unhurried trip, NIB.

Jul 8th, 2008, 22:50	#1
NowInBangalore Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 63	Cochin and then Kanyakumari - is it worth it? We will be in Kerala end of September - early Oct, going to Cochi, the backwaters and Marari Beach. I had always wanted to visit Kanyakumari, so thinking about taking the train from Ernakulam to Kanyakumari. The Kanyakumari express runs between these 2 stations - about 10 a.m. departure; arrival is about 6 p.m. I don't seem to find any mighttime trains between these 2 destinations. Would daytime train travel with 2 kids be more hectic? Is it worth making this trip? What do you do with 2 kids on the train all day? (At night, it is fine, everyone sleeps) How long can you stare out of the window? What would be a good class to travel in? Thanks, NIB

Jul 11th, 2008, 10:56	#3
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,773	Unless it is a train that has originated somewhere else the previous night, it is quite likely to be chairs rather than sleeping, but the railway sites will make that clear. There's a great deal between Kochi and Kanyakumari that it seems a shame to miss. Where else in Kerala are you planning to visit? Are you planning to visit the backwaters around Kochi, or around Alleppey? Alleppey is already an hour or two further South than Kochi. Maybe you can make a stop or two on the way, or plan things to make the single train journey shorter. __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Jul 11th, 2008, 23:21	#4
NowInBangalore Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Bangalore, India Posts: 63	Train to kanyakumari I read the opinions on KanyaKumari in IM, and that did it for me. I hate crowded holy places, never thought of KK as a holy place. So, that is out. We are taking the Kanyakumari express from bangalore, overnight to Ernakulam, stay in Fort Kochi (Raintree) for 3 nts, then take the train to Trivandrum, stay in Kovalam for 3 nts, take the train back to Kottayam and stay in the backwaters for 3 nts. Then take the train back to Bangalore. I hope this will give us a nice view of Kerala. We wanted to do a "beach" stint, I can't believe Marari Beach Resort is now Rs 16K per couple/nt. Add the kids and that will be 20K! per night!! No way. And Cherai Beach Resort has awful reviews on tripadvisor. And I have always wanted to visit Kovalam, because Jacky Kennedy used to vacation there Yeah.... We are travelling with 2 kids, and do not want to rush from place to place. Thanks for you suggestions, 2-cents.

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Jul 11th, 2008, 00:43	#2
2cents Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Kerala Posts: 344	NIB, day time travel by train with kids shouldn't really be that taxing an experience. In fact, I generally find that kids enjoy train rides more than bus or car trips and flights.The frequent stops at stations, with the associated hustle and bustle, would provide them with plenty of interesting sights. Usually you'll find a few fellow travellers who would be happy to play with and keep them entertained for a while.An 8 hour journey is not likely to feel interminable. In October it would be hot and humid during the day, so travelling by air-conditioned coaches - 2AC or 3AC- would be more comfortable.

Jul 12th, 2008, 01:42	#5
edwardseco Maha Guru Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Land that shakes and bakes. Posts: 3,911	Sounds like good instincts to me as a parent..

Jul 12th, 2008, 02:00	#6
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 26,773	That sounds like a very nice, unhurried trip, NIB.

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