madurai-rameshwaram

I am planning to visit Madurai, Rameshwaram and Kanyakumari this summer.
Any suggestion welcome !!!
Can i take a taxi from Madurai to Raemshwaram and how expensive it would be ?????
Any place to stay with kids!!!!

Hi Jaya Pandey,
Welcome to Indiamike, second only to being there,


Rameshwaram is an island, connected to India by a long railway bridge only, you can get a train there from Madurai.
Don't believe any taxi driver who says that he will take you,,,,,,,,,,

Trip in the South
From Mysore or Bangalore you catch a bus to Ooty (Udagamandalam) to cool down in the hills. With the Toy Train you go down to Coonoor or Mettupaliyam from which you catch a train to Coimbatore. From Coimbatore you catch a train via Podanur, Polachi (PARAMBIKULAM SANCTUARY), Palani (worth to visit the temple), Dindigul from which you can go by bus to Kodaikanal, visit Double Dutch in Athoor or head straight for Madurai (Minakshi Temple). From Madurai you can easily go to the East Coast Rameswaram or West Coast (Kaniyakumari, Kovalam etc.) Madurai to Rameswaram direct by train.

For Polachi see: http://www.journeymart.com/DExplorer...fe/parambi.asp
For Koadaiknal see: http://www.wilderness-explorer.com/

In Madurai you can stay at Hotel Sangam. Its very clean and despite being 5 star, it is quite economical compared to other hotels in urban centers in India. ALso there is Hotel Pandian and the Taj Madurai. Both good but Sangam is newly renovated and good. Taxi drivers from well known places should be alright. Train might be more convenient though...

hi,
as far as i know, there is only one passenger train that runs from madurai to rameshwaram. I think the best thing is to do by taxi.

good luck
dan

There is a big 2.2 Kms bridge now, We took a taxi and had a "picnic" on the bridge as there was not much of traffic.
We could see the train. I can just imagine how much fun it would be.. i wish i could take that train. Anyway, Taxi ride made life much easier.

You can always catch a bus to Ramashwarem from Maduri ,lot's of them ,but ,with kids ,your decision .Ther's not a great selection of accom. there,but the best is the Tamil Nadu hotel .Quite often full ,so better a call first . Sorry don't no the number , as it was full last time we were there. If still full , try the island star.Hope this helps.
P.S Rameshwaram, majic town

Jaya, was it anything like this? because, I too had a "Picnic" on the bridge:
http://www.irfca.org/photos/Ranganath

I went from madurai to Rameshwaram this morning. i reached
early in the morning. did not have a reservation, but got a free birth for the last 2 hours.
Lets put it simple: I had a terrible day, except for the 1 hour adamss bridge beachstay, which was lovely!
The place is crowded with pilgrims, the people were too nerving, the atmosphere shitty. taking a richsahw to adams bridge is a good idea, but they are overpriced...
i am glad to be back, as the train up to madurai was severely
packed with not so nice people. i really enjoyed the south so far, but today was so odd.
the best way to see this place i guess would be sharing a taxi with fellow travelers and enjoy the sites from ac perspective!

I read somewhere on indiamike today that there is a big festival on at the moment in Rameshwaram, maybe that's why it was so busy.

everyone's experience is different on each given day.

I loved rameswaram when I was there. two years ago I said I would never return to madurai, but returned there last month and loved it, in fact, I had my most wonderful days in madurai.

I would give anything to be at a festival in rameswaram right now.

oh dear oh dear. Rameswaram is now connected to Mainland by the pampan bridge which is a architechtural marvel. ping Google and you can see that for yourself.

Hi,
Madurai, remeshwaram and kk will be be relly hot during summers.
You can travel to rameshwaram from madurai by train( no really good), you have plenty of buses and best option would be to hire a car. The guy might charge you around 1880/= for a trip to rameshwaram. You have plenty of hotels in madurai to suit any budget. The most expensive one is hotel sangam tarrif around 8500/- plus taxes. If you can tell us how many days you want to spend in these places along with your budget, you will help you out with all the details.

Hello All

I have planned ten days holiday trip to madurai, kodai and nearby areas. Can anyone plan itenary for me and my family. I am looking for economically options/ budget hotels.

Thks

Have a look at these threads.. involves similar itinerary and places:

Tamil Nadu: Pilgrimage and Pleasure Trip

Madurai - Rameshwaram - Kodaikanal

Guide me on Chennai/Kanyakumari/Rameshwaram

For hotels: Kodaikanal & Madurai - April 10-14