Getting around by bus and coach India

From there, we can achieve: Madurai (6 hours), Coimbatore (6 hours), Kochi (5 hours drive), Kottayam (5 hours), Thiruvanthapuram (9 hours). Notice to sensitive persons: bus tours through the mountains can be hectic… It is better to take a car with driver.

Idgah is the most important bus station in Agra. It is located southwest of the old city of Tajganj and close to the Agra Cantt railway station. There are buses to and from Delhi, Jaipur, Mathura, Fatehpur Sikri, Gwalior, Lucknow, Jhansi and Chandigarh. We recommend you to be very careful, because here as elsewhere in Agra, scams are common. We have been told that several private companies easily deceive tourists about the level of comfort of the reserved buses.

Delhi's main bus station is often packed, so arrive early. There are other ISBTs in the city.

For Rajasthan, many buses leave from I.S.B.T. Sarai Kale Khan Bus Terminal, on Mahatma Gandhi Road, behind Nizamuddin station (Tel + 91 11 24 35 80 92).

Reservations can be made at the Bikaner House in New Delhi, south of India Gate. The building also houses the Rajasthan Tourist Board. Many Deluxe, Silver Line or Pink Line buses (air-conditioned).

DTC is Delhi's metropolitan bus company. It has countless routes and is the largest local bus company in the world. Tourists prefer to take the metro, auto-rickshaw or cab, which are easier to use. However, DTC also provides a 24-hour service between Terminals 1 and 3 at Delhi airport. The company has also introduced a women-only bus service on some routes.

Despite the noise and the crowd, the bus station is well organized and it is easy to find your bus. There is a locker to drop your luggage. Many buses are posted from Jaipur to cities in the state and neighboring states. You can choose between express and deluxe buses. The deluxe ones are much more comfortable, therefore much more expensive and with a lower frequency. Seats can be reserved at computerized ticket offices.

Buses frequently travel to Thrissur (1h30 journey, 30 Rs), Coimbatore (2 hours, 35 Rs), Kozhikode and Silent Valley. If you just want to stop in Palakkad to visit the fort, get off at the Fort Maidan stop.

Located on the NH 47 motorway, Alleppey is connected to all major cities in southern India. The bus station is opposite the main pier.

Kochi: every half-hour (1:45 a. m.).

Kottayam (1:15 a. m., departure every 45 minutes).

Thiruvananthapuram: frequent bus (3:30 a. m.).

Kollam: bus to Thiruvananthapuram via Kollam (2 hours ride, 65 Rs) and via Kallamballam (if you want to go to Varkala: 2:30 a. m., 80 Rs).

Bangalore (about 15 hours drive).

Coimbatore (7 hours).

The KSRTC bus stand is located in the heart of Ernakulam, halfway between the two railway stations. It is the terminus of many buses serving the whole state. Long-distance buses depart from the new Vyttila station, located 2 km east of Ernakulam Junction station. There you will find a 24-hour reservation office (✆ +91 484 230 6611). There are frequent buses to most cities in Kerala. You can book your seat in advance at the Reservation Counter (open from 9am to 5pm), or on the website.