Palani - Kodaikanal (Kodai)

Palani - Kodaikanal (Kodai) journey is said to be a very scenic one.
Which side of the bus to sit to have good views?

Someone suggested left side for Kodairoad - Kodaikanal journey.

From Madurai to Kodai (up the mountain), the left side of the bus gives the best view. From Palani to Kodai, since you are already in the mountains and the road twists and turns, I don't think it matters where you sit.

If you have long legs I suggest you sit by the driver and put one of your feet on the brake pedal.

Sorry, I'm just cheesed off that my train from Dindigul to Palani was cancelled and I missed the journey.

However I did learn how friendly a complete stranger could be, a local man (who should have been really pissed off as he wanted the same train to Coimbatore) took us by rickshaw (he paid) to the bus station, found our bus, told the driver to look after us, then ordered a policeman to look after us till the bus departed.

Hmmmm..... how long is this bus ride? Is there a train from Madurai to Kodai, and if so, how many hours is the ride? Can I train it back to Chennai after Kodai?

sorry if these are dumb questions, but just planning a 13 day itinerary for March....

thanks!

Between 2 and 3 hours depanding on where you get the bus from.

No train to Kodai, you can get a train to either Madurai, Kodaikanal Road, Palani or Dindigul train stations, then get a bus.

The bus route from Palani is said to be awesome, though the routes from Madurai and Dindigul are also good.

The best train connections to Chennai are from Madurai, either a short (about 6 hours) overnight train or a choice of many daytime trains.

Actually there are 2 routes to Kodai....The bus usually takes more wider road route (via Vattalagundu town) to Kodai while the car drivers (taxi) prefer to go via Palani route. The Palani-Kodai route is a bit narrow and shorter.

While returning from Kodai it is better to take train either from Kodai Road station or from Madurai.

You can also reach Chennai from Kodai. Kodai to Palani by bus- From Palani to Coimbatore by bus.There are number of trains from Coimbatore to Chennai.

What is best route to Kodaikanal from Karur, bypassing Dindigul?
TIA

I did Palani to Kodai by bus on 18th April. Sit on the right side, behind the driver.

yogagal, i took the direct bus from Kodai to Chennai by KPN Travels on 20th April [high season fare rs 410][Govt bus fare rs 230... but the bus is a rattletrap] The bus started at 18:30 and reached Chennai at 07:00 the next morning. It also stops just outside the airport, en route the city... so you can catch a flight at 08:30 if you wish to.... and it passed by the KYM school... [Tambaram locality?] i remember reading some signboard....

The KPN Travels main office is just outside the "private buses bus stand" at one corner of the lake.

I thought it a pain to change to bus then train then rickshaw and so on.... so i just took the bus.

For those going to Bangalore, there is an Aircon bus by Mayura travels... same timings.... i asked for aircon to Chennai, but nothing as of now.

AVID! I NEEDED THIS INFO BACK IN FEBRUARY!!

but I will keep your info for next time!!

KYM is in RK Nagar, not Tambarum. The train I took from Rameswaram came into Tambarum, and it was an hour's rickshaw ride to Mylapore....

and you should have stopped to see Ramaswami while in Chennai

I did not know this in Feb [1st time to Kodai on 19th April 2006]

Very fast fast trip. Chennai just happened to be a transit point this time where i took a bath and all at a friend's house.... before boarding the Mumbai flight. Had i known the darn bus stops at the airport, i wud have taken an 8 am flight. They have facilities for you to have a bath and all at the airport... which i discovered later

Hi,

I am starting from Bangalore by Tuiticorin express and planning to go to Palani and then to Kodai. Please advice if my plan is good or can be better refined.

Get down in Dindigul and take a cab/train/bus (Suggestion required) to reach Palani.

From Palani Take a cab/bus to reach Kodai

Regards,
Pavan

If you plan to visit Kodai then don't get off at Dindigul, instead continue your journey to Kodai Road and take a bus or a taxi if you can afford it.
But if you need to visit Palani (famous temple), then your plan will work.

Thanks Rangerboy. I have two more questions

Q1)
Now what is the best way to go from Kodai to Munnar Bus/Cab/Train? looking for
1) Price of Bus/Cab/Train
2) How long will it take as it is Ghat area?

Q2)
What is the best way to go from Munnar to Madurai Bus/Cab/Train? looking for
1) Price of Bus/Cab/Train
2) How long will it take ?

hi muppalla,

there were 2 ways from kodaikkanal to munnar.

1.kodaikkanal-periyakulam-theni-bodi-bodimettu(hills)-munnar.
(around 225 kms)
2.kodaikkanal-palani-udumalpet-munnar.
(around 190kms)
the second one is best way to munnar and also bodi-munnar roads were vigourously damaged on last month.still now the roads are not cleared fully.

palani-udumalpet-munnar road is non-traffic and good condition.

there are no train from kodaikkanal to munnar or palani to munnar or any other ways.

you will not take any direct bus from kodaikkanal to munnar.if,you want to travel in bus,you must need to change 2 or 3 buses from kodaikkanal.kodaikkanal to palani or udumalpet and then to munnar.so bus will also very bouring.

so,cab is very best.dont think of little more budget. if you feel that your budget is minimum,you will take a bus to udumalpet or palani and then take a cab to munnar.

and also my personel suggestion is first you go to munnar and then to kodaikkanal and to madurai.

this is the best way to minimise your travel.or you will travel morethan 100 kms as per your plan.

the route from munnar to madurai is :

munnar-bodi(hills 85kms)-periyakulam-vathalagundu-kodairoad-madurai.

but at present the road from munnar to bodi road is damaged.i dont know the present condition.

where from you start your trip? from madurai or dindigul?

do post your travel plans and days.. i will plan for you.

suresh babu.