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There are no luggage racks in most overnight trains of less than 1st class, so all bags have to be stowed under the seats which have a 12'" clearance. It is important to bring lightweight chains and locks to secure your bags to the loops under the seats, as with no doors on the compartments, baggage can disappear during the night. Porters will do their utmost to insist on carrying your bags to the train, so perhaps rucksacks are ideal so you can carry them yourself, although porters are very useful in locating the exact carriage if you have reserved seats. The porters of course, have a special rate for the unsuspecting non-Indian, so it is essential that you agree on a price before handing your bags over and even then, it will certainly be well in excess of what it should be or what is published, but then these guys have to earn a living I guess.
Most overnight trains have only 'Indian Toilets' (two places to put your feet and a hole in the floor) These take some getting used to in any circumstances, but on a train that moves violently from side to side, it is almost impossible for the inexperienced westerner. (Don’t forget it’s the left hand in India!)
Don’t worry about the odd derailment as the speed of the train is generally fairly steady
This section of our journey from Northern India to the South was probably the most painful, in that it seems to take forever from Goa to Trivandrum. We again boarded the Naverati Express around 22.00 hrs in Karmali (Old Goa) although it can often be as much as an hour late, and finally arrived at Trivandrum Central at 18.30 hrs the next evening, so it was almost a 24 hour journey. Getting from one platform to another in Old Goa station with luggage is certainly an experience as you have to jump down the four feet or so from the platform to the tracks, cross two lines in the dead of night not knowing if or when a train is due, then climb back up the next platform. It seems that no one including the railway staff, know which of the four platforms any particular train is due on until it almost arrives, which can be somewhat nerve wracking. There is plenty of food and drink brought round on the train day and night, which unlike 1st class Delhi - Mumbai is chargeable, but which originates from unknown sources so is only tackled by the brave.
Updated Dec 16, 2011
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Plenty of Taxis and auto rickshaws available, however most of the meters seem to be inop.
It is best to negotiate the fare before entering the vehicle, remember that the system is different from the UK, the taxi driver will take you to your destination and wait for your return at an inclusive price. Most taxi drivers appreciate tha you are tourests and try to help by being tour guides with sugestions of where to go and what to do, after all it gives them more work. We found the cost of a taxi by the day is about 1000 rupees which is about £12 (the cost of a 15 minute taxi ride in the UK), on this basis it is perhaps prudent to arrange your own trips to tourist destinations as oppose to taking an orgonised tour and having to run at the speed of the tour, its nice to do it at your own pace. The usual type of vehicle for a taxi is the 1950's Morris (see picture), these are not old cars but old design, they are still manufactured and sold at about £5000. They have no mod cons and are usually without air con, dont be put off by this as if you are in and out the car sightseeing you would tend to feel the heat uncomfortably if stepping out of a chilled car all the time. Rickshaws are a novel way to travel short distances and are fun but not for a long journey
Updated Oct 10, 2007
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An ambassador taxi will charge you 400 Rs ( To and Fro from East Fort, Trivandrum and 4 hours of waiting). You will have to pay for the parking ticket. Any extra hour that you spent has to be compensated ( 50/- per hour). Taxi's are easy to find in East fort taxi stands.
Updated May 1, 2007
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Be careful of the taxis and agree a price before you get in. Most are O.K. but one or two are a bit pricey. If you use an a/c taxi or a large car then they will charge more. Its best to shop around. If you want beer or spirits the cheapest and easiest way is to enlist the tuc tuc man who will purchase your stuff and bring it back with a receipt from the local liquer store
Updated Jan 7, 2005
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There is this route that takes you to the Hawa beach from the center of kovalam main street. It meanders thru a path filled with numerous trees and makes its way along the houses to the beach. I wish i would lost every once in a while in such a setting when im in the city.
Written Sep 2, 2003
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Kovalm is only 16km from Thiruvananthapuram.Bus it took only 20min.If you going by taxi have look of both sides.The roads are good.
Written Jul 6, 2004
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Kanyakumari, the last tip of India is about a 2 hour ride from kovalam. Great views enroute to kankaykumari. One of the many perks of having your own mode of transport.
Updated Sep 2, 2003
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