Travel and transport agencies South India

An Internet break? For 40 Rs of the hour, do not deprive you! You can also digitize documents, phone abroad, make photocopies or babbling on Skype with a webcam.

This cyber café offers recent computers and a good 40 Rs connection of the Hour. It lies below the street.

Internet access costs 50 Rs per hour. You can chat on Yahoo Messenger. Five small orange boxes allow for confidentiality. The connection is fast and computers are new. You can also call locally or internationally. Prices are displayed in the telephone booth.

In the Ambassador of the Ambassador Hotel, on the first floor, 50 Rs of the hour for excellent connection and recent computers.

Aries Travel is an agency specializing in tailor-made programs and packages throughout South India, whether you are looking for comfort or adventure. Their drivers are multilingual and Aries was one of the forerunners of tourism in the Maldives, which you can easily reach from South India through their services. The packages include everything (transfers, full board), but can be reduced according to your budget. You will find Aries branches in the main cities of South India and in Mahé (Maldives).

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.

The French Consulate General in Bombay and the Mumbai Economic Mission are located in the same building. This office is also an embassy.

Also known as Ernakulam North, this station is located in the north of the city.

Opened to the public on December 9, 2018, it is Kerala's 4th international airport (after Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram). Flights to and from Abu Dhabi (U.A.E.) and Doha (Qatar).

Currency exchange.

This small boutique has several facets: travel agency (airline tickets, train, sightseeing tours throughout the region…), taxi reservation, currency exchange agency (at very interesting rates) and WLAN. 

This auto-rickshaw driver is the most famous guide in Fort Kochi. It will make you discover atypical places, such as the Ginger Warehouse, and you will be watering anecdotes.

Created in 2004, this office of solidarity tourism offers you an emotional walk in South India: Come experience a unique experience closest to the local population, discovering the small villages, meeting their inhabitants and sharing their traditions. Whatever your stay, he will mark you forever!

An agency highly recommended for lovers of green tourism, respectful of the environment.

These wooden and wicker riverboats offer the opportunity to explore the vast lakes and wetlands of the region and to share many aspects of the daily life of the local people who live on the banks of the backwaters. The houseboats are equipped with all modern comforts as well as a restaurant service that serves local and international specialties on board. Overnight cruises usually start at noon and end the next day at around 9am. Fishing is available along the canals.

It is located on Willingdon Island and is the main station of Cochin's port for freight transport.

Kochi is known for its rich cultural and historical heritage, as well as its magnificent coastal scenery. For travelers wishing to visit Kochi, Emirates airline offers flights to this destination.

Created in 1976, this company is a true icon of tourism. Explore the world of leisure is its leitmotiv. It offers tours through the different states, various types of accommodation ranging from bed and breakfast to luxury hotels, cruises, Ayurvedic cures, theme-based group or individual stays. Train/airplane ticketing, car rental with experienced drivers.... A safe address for a stay without unpleasant surprises!

Thiruvananthapuram, also known as Trivandrum, is the capital of the Indian state of Kerala. This coastal city offers a unique combination of natural beauty and cultural richness. Visitors can explore sites such as Padmanabhaswamy Temple, one of the world's richest temples, and Kuthiramalika Palace, a magnificent wooden palace. Thiruvananthapuram is also home to superb beaches, such as Kovalam and Varkala, where visitors can relax and soak up the sun. For nature lovers, Neyyar National Park offers hiking and wildlife-watching opportunities. As for transport, Jet Airways offers flights to Thiruvananthapuram.

KCTC is an agency specialized in holidays on backwaters. The headquarters are in Alappuzha, but there are also offices in Kochi, Mumbai and Bangalore. Their services are recommended for their good value for money. Tours throughout Kerala and South India are available.

Headquartered in Dubai, the Emirati airline is reputed to be one of the best in the world. Every year, it receives awards from its peers and the airline world, as well as from passengers. Long-haul flights offer 4 different comfort classes: Economy, Economy Premium, Business and First Class. The only drawbacks are time-consuming terminal changes in Dubai and aircraft that are not always in contact with each other. The airline also operates numerous routes to India.

The Alliance Française de Trivandrum is a French language school located in Thiruvananthapuram. Recognized by the French Embassy, it is the only official center for teaching French and issuing diplomas and certifications such as DELF and TEF. The school offers French courses as well as private tutoring sessions.

With its experience, Meena will be able to respond with professionalism to all your expectations and questions to optimize your stay in Kochi or throughout Kerala. His office is located at the Old Courtyard Hotel on Princess Street.

The train station is located in the center of the city. It is served by the majority of trains along the coast.

For Ernakulam Junction (Kochi): about thirty trains a day, between 3 a. m. and 4 a. m., count between Rs 200 and 350 Rs depending on the category chosen.

Since 2014, Mumbai has had a world-class airport. 26 km north of the city, it takes an hour to an hour and a half to get there by taxi. Terminal 1 is dedicated to domestic flights. On site, exchange offices, ATM distributors, prepaid taxis. There is also a train booking desk at the airport, which can save you time if you plan to travel by rail. Try to book accommodation for your arrival, as most flights land late at night and hotels are usually full.

To leave the airport, several prepaid taxi stands are located in the corridor just before the exit, the most economical being the least attractive, the last on the right of the exit. The former domestic airport is in Santacruz, 26 km north of the city centre: it is now part of the international airport, it corresponds to Terminal 1. To leave, prefer Meru or Easycab taxis with a line 100 metres to the left of the exit. The wait is a little longer, but the service and cost are not commensurate with what is practiced by the cool blue cabs that grab travellers as they leave (count about 800 Rs to reach Colaba). If you are a low-budget traveller with little luggage, one of the alternative solutions is to take a pre-paid taxi to Vile Parle station, then take a local train to C.S.T. Station or Churchgate.

Remember to reconfirm your flight at least 72 hours before departure and arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before the scheduled departure time for domestic flights, 3 hours before for international flights. Be aware that Mumbai traffic is very dense in the evening (when international flights depart), so leave early to arrive on time.

Arafath rents Royal Enfield and Avenger scooters and motorcycles for city or coastal rides, at the right prices and with quality services. Be careful! Be careful!

This railway line was inaugurated in 1899 and classified by Unesco in 2005. This toy train covers a distance of 46 km between Ooty, Coonoor and Mettupalayam. Between Mettupalayam and Coonoor, the train is pushed by a steam locomotive using a rack and pinion system and from Coonoor to Ooty it is pulled by a diesel locomotive. The entire journey takes about 5 hours uphill and about 3.5 hours downhill. The Nilgiri Mountain traverses the beautiful landscape of the Western Ghats. Book your trip in advance!

The train station is 5 km from the city center, 100 meters from the sea. The computerized reservation office is located in the building before the entrance to the station, on the^first floor. It is open from Monday to Saturday from 8am to 6pm and from 8am to 2pm on Sundays.

Ernakulam Junction (Kochi). Many trains connect the two cities, count between one and two hours depending on the train.

Trivandrum. Regular trains, but often late... Allow about three hours for the trip.

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 station is located near the Bus Stand. The service is suspended during the monsoon season (from June to September). For those with a small budget, but not only, the ferry represents an interesting and inexpensive alternative to discover the backwaters. For the locals, it is the common means of transportation to move through the backwaters.

Kottayam: 7:30 am, 9:30 am, 11:30 am, 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm (2.5 hours trip).

Changanassery (near Kottayam): 10:00 am, 1:45 pm and 5:30 pm (3 hours of travel).

Kollam: only from November to March; departure at 10:30 am, arrival at 6:30 pm.

With extensive local knowledge and a wealth of resources, Travel XS agents provide a customized experience. Specializing in village tours, historical sites, sacred sites, hiking, sightseeing, cruises, culinary experiences, local markets, storytelling trails, classical and folded art forms and much more. The quality of the drivers is a real plus of the agency. The deep knowledge of the country allows us to offer complete tours at competitive rates.

The most important railway station in Kochi is also known as Ernakulam South. It is the most convenient station: it is located in the center of the city, close to the main boat jetty for ferrying to Fort Kochi. It is also a very popular destination and located on the busy lines, so it is advisable to book your ticket in advance to avoid any mishap. Make sure you check your ticket in order to get to the right station.

This boat company, part of the Somatheeram Ayurveda Group, offers high quality services. Some of the houseboats have multiple pontoons to enjoy the scenery along the water. All rooms with bathroom are air-conditioned. They can accommodate 2 to 4 people. Different tours are proposed, around Alleppey, or from Alleppey to Kumarakom. Possibility of a cruise of several nights. The traditional Kerala meals prepared on the boats are excellent, and concocted with products of the day.

This agency makes you discover South India which it knows on the end of the fingers, in organized trips or a special Kerala of 8 to 10 days. In addition to customized and personalized itineraries, Pioneer also offers thematic tours. With its 5 branches present on the whole territory, this agency proposes to its customers quality services, selected accommodations, more than correct prices and makes the maximum to guarantee you a stay out of the common.

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.

This agency created about ten years ago has offices all over India. It has guides and local drivers in all regions. Organization of stays (thematic, cultural, business, package, à la carte...), ticketing, rentals... and especially extreme sports. Proposes very competitive prices. Good website where you can make your own estimate. The proposed destinations: India of course, but also Sri Lanka, Southeast Asia, etc. The agents are available 24 hours a day during the trip.

This small agency is located near Old Foot Bridge, behind the DTPC office. Houseboat cruises, canoeing, two-wheeler rentals... Antony, who knows the area like the back of his hand, can find everything for you at very attractive rates. The best part is the ecological walks along the canals where all the services are included. If you want to stay in the heart of the backwaters, he has a guesthouse isolated from the tourist circuits. You can also find him at Cafe Paradiso, his nice establishment very popular with tourists.

Modern boat moored at the Privacy Hotel. This 20m long boat is the first of the legendary houseboats to be totally ecological and therefore non-polluting. The traditional hull of this houseboat is blended with contemporary architecture, creating space for a fully air-conditioned suite with a double bedroom and a spacious dining room and bathroom. The rooftop of this boat will give you a front row seat to the surrounding area. Discovery has its own chef who will prepare delicious dishes for you. Exceptional.

Kochi's aerial metro was inaugurated on June 17, 2017, it only serves stations on the mainland at the moment. It is convenient for avoiding city traffic and getting to certain points in the city quickly. The latest phase of development aims to connect 10 different islands by boat, with a total of 15 "lines" over a total distance of 78 km: this is the Kochi Water Metro project. These stations were under construction at the time of our last visit in February 2023, in particular at the level of the Chinese tiles in Fort Kochi...

The small capital of Kerala is well connected to other major cities in India and to neighboring countries. The service is provided by domestic airlines like AirIndia, Indigo, SpiceJet... Cities in neighboring countries such as Colombo (Sri Lanka), Malé (Maldives), Singapore and cities in the Persian Gulf are served by international airlines. Direct flights from Europe (Paris, London, Brussels...) in high season.

Near the place where you buy the park entrance tickets, you will see a big sign offering jeep tours in the region. On the program: Sathram Jungle Border Safari (3h, Rs 2,500 per jeep), visits of sites in the region on the Kerala and Tamil Nadu side (4h, Rs 3,000), Jungle Safari at Anfamuzhi (from 5h30 to 17h, Rs 7,000), Jungle Safari at Gavi (from 5h30 to 16h, Rs 3,500), etc. The jeeps can accommodate several passengers and thus reduce the cost per traveler.

With 122 agencies throughout India and a presence abroad in 30 countries, this company will seduce you with the quality of its services and its availability (24 hours a day). Train/plane ticketing, travel insurance, tailor-made tours (local, national or world tour), car rental with drivers, organization of seminars, hotel reservations... We offer a wide range of tours in Kerala and South India but also in the whole country.

Creative and attentive to your needs, this agency creates tailor-made packages, whatever your budget and desires! Our motto is to personalize your stay with maximum quality. From tours all over India to yoga retreats, medical tourism and spiritual journeys, wedding planning and selected services, our aim is to offer you the very best! You arrive as a customer and leave as a friend. Train/plane ticketing, chauffeur-driven car hire. Excellent value for money: an address to remember!