Getting Around State of Kerala

It's easy and cheap to get around town in Kerala. Auto rickshaws are everywhere. Always wise to negotiate and agree the price before setting off but have to say that I found the drivers here to be the fairest and least aggressive I've ever come across.

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You can rent a Kettuvallam (house boat) for a day or two around Kochi or Allapuzha, or rent it for several days, even use it as transportation to a destination in the backwaters. Have in mind you usually have to pay for the boat returning, even if you are not.

Agree on price, duration, and destination before you go.

We rented a small Kettuvallam with captain, mechanic and chef from Allapuzha to Kollam. We turned out to arrive at an other city some hours north of Kollam (Karunagappally?) But it was a beautiful journey in the Backwaters. I really recommend to take a houseboute instead of a "bus-boat"/public boat at least in parts of the backwaters. Public boat absolutely also has its charm, but it's another experience.

i have had wonderful service from http://www.indiatouristland.com/contactus.htm

you can mention that the doctor from cuba recommended them.. you can call them and talk to suresh or sunil.. all the best

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Go to Edakkad in Kannur, South India. You’ll love it!
I often take the train from Margao (Madgaon) in Goa to Kannur (Cannanore) in North Kerala. It really is the best way to reach North Kerala. Fly into Goa, spend a few days there, then take an evening train and arrive at Kannur around 7am the next morning.
If you like simplicity, Edakkad Beach Houses are in a beautiful location and staff from there can meet the train. If you prefer a hotel, The Royal Omar is close to the station. From there it is possible to get an auto rickshaw, a taxi or a bus to get closer to the beaches.

You need to buy the train tickets at Margao about three days before travel. Indian trains are well used and do get fully booked, especially at holidays and festivals.
Two tier Air Conditioned Sleeper tickets (2AC) shouldn't cost you more than 40 Euros each (return). Anyone over 60 can take advantage of the senior citizen fares.
A ticket application form has to be completed at the time of purchase. Information required: station of boarding, station of destination, train name, train number, carriage class, your name, sex and age.

When booking late, the tickets are issued with a waiting list number. This means that seats are not confirmed but I have been 50+ on the wait list and still been allocated a seat on the day of travel.
Before getting on the train, it is important to check the passenger list displayed at the station, especially if on the waiting list. This will give you your carriage and seat number.
The sleeper carriages provide sheets, pillow and blankets - all very clean and nicely folded.
Tea coffee and food are available on the train. Tea and coffee cost approx. Rs4 a paper cup.
Some food is actually cooked on the trains - very interesting to see if you go for a walk to that area. Some food is brought on to the train after orders were taken earlier in the journey. (No, I don't know how they do that.) It's India!

Kannur district has a lot to offer and is a wonderful place to explore. The famous Drive-in Beach of Muzhappilangad is in Kannur, close to Edakkad Beach Houses. This beautiful beach is 4 kilometres long and drivers sometimes practice on the beach or simply go there for fun to skim through the waves. Twenty minutes by car from the railway station, it is easy to get the train back to Goa.

aROUND COCHIN ITS GOOD TO HIRE A CAR TO DO THE SIGHT SEEING AS ITS HUMID YOU CAN GET AC CARS OR BUSES,HOWEVER TO TRAVEL TO OTHER PLACES LIKE ALLEPPY WHICH IS AN HOUUR AND HALF YOU CAN TAKR BUSED WE TRAVELLED TO PERIYAR SANCTUARY IN A LOCAL BUS WHICH WE TOOK FROM KOTTAYAM , TILL KUMLI .WE TRAVELLED BACK TO KOTTAYAM BY LOCAL BUS AND TOOK TRAIN TO vARKALA WHICH IS AROUND 3 HOUES BY TRAIN.fRM VARKALA WE HIRED TAXI TO TRIVANDRUN FROM WHERE WE TOOK OUR RETURN FLIGHT.

The history of Kerala State Road Transport Corporation began whilst the development of the it wasn't booming enough like today. The Travancore State Transport Department was constituted by the erstwhile Travancore Government with a view to reorganize the transport service of the state. Mr E.G. Salter, Assistant, Operating Supdt of London Passenger Transport Board was appointed as Supdt on 20.9.1937.
60 comet chassis fitted with Perkins diesel Engines were imported from England and the staff had built the body under the supervision of Mr Salter himself. The selection of operating staff remains as a model which has been followed by the present staff as well.

Today,the corporation has a fleet strength of 4704 - 2940 Leyland, 1562 Tata, 200 Eicher and 2 Volvos . Out of these 2124 buses ( 45.15% ) are aged more than 7 years of life.

The whole state is well connected with regular schedules. This is the best way to travel extensively throughout Kerala state, on a budget. Advance reservation system is also available in all major cities.

Kerala has three airports connecting the state to various international and domestic destinations. These airports also connects kerala to some of the international destinations (Mainly Middle East). The airports are located at Kozhikode (Calicut), Trivandrum and Cochin (Nedumaserry Airport). There are also flights connecting these airports. Most of the domestic carriers have their services to these locations and some International carriers like Emirates, Air India, Gulf Air and Qatar Airways also operate from these airports.

KSRTC Bus is the life line of kerala, there is no better way to travel when you are in kerala than by the KSRTC. The buses come in all forms, Luxury Volvo to the local buses which stops every where. KSRTC is costlier mode of transport compared to the railways, but then the reach is not comparable. The buses are comfortable during the non-office hours and clea