Means of transport South India

Better known as Victoria Terminus, Mumbai Main Station is a masterpiece of Indo-Setacenic architecture. It is also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Renamed in 1998 the name of the founder of the Marian Empire, the Mumbaikars continue to use his old name, much shorter and easy to remember. The station is one of the most popular in the world and the chaos inside it is a spectacle in itself. If you have a train to take, come a little ahead, time to find the departure dock.

It has a computerized reservation office and, above all, a desk reserved for foreigners. From here you will be able to enjoy tickets on the "tourist" quota and will be more likely to get a ticket on the desired train. The tourist booking office is located outside the station in an annex court on the first floor. It's a little hard to find. So don't believe the people who tell you that he's closed… keep looking. To book a ticket at the foreign tourist window, you will need to have your passport, as well as the foreign currency exchange receipt or withdrawal ticket. As in the other booking offices, you will need to fill out a form in advance, which is obtained at the desk.

Why shouldauto-rickshaw drivers be the preserve of men? The NGO SPEED (Slum People Education & Economic Development) Trust has set up in the Gandhi Nagar slum in Chennai, in front of the central railway station. It trains women in difficulty in driving and enables them to acquire a vehicle. One call is all it takes to reserve an auto-rickshaw. Speed Trust can also reserve a car for trips around Chennai. The NGO has also opened a home for girls at risk or orphans.

The airport is located in Nedumbassery, about 30 km northeast of Ernakulam. There is a pre-paid cab counter inside the arrivals hall. It takes about 2 hours to reach Fort Kochi, as traffic in Ernakulam is very heavy. The journey is much shorter at night when traffic is lighter. The airport allows you to reach the major cities of the country. It is also connected to the international market, especially with the Gulf countries, Sri Lanka...

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.

Bangalore, also known as Bengaluru, is a dynamic city in southern India. Known for its booming technology industry, Bangalore also offers many tourist attractions. Visitors can explore the magnificent Bangalore Palace, an impressive example of Indian architecture. Bannerghatta National Park is another popular spot, offering visitors the chance to see wild animals in their natural habitat. For shoppers, the Brigade Road shopping street is a must, packed with boutiques, restaurants and cafés. Bangalore also offers a lively nightlife, with numerous bars and clubs to enjoy the evening.

BENGALURU - GoAir is an Indian air ticket agency located at Kempegowda International Airport in Devanahalli, Bengaluru, in the state of Karnataka. Travelers can purchase airline tickets and obtain information on current flights. GoAir's other offices in India are located in cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Goa and many others.

Jet Airways, India's most popular airline, is preparing to take to the skies again. Founded in 1993, Jet Airways has become synonymous with premium air travel for discerning travellers in India. It served over 65 destinations in India and worldwide, including Europe, the Middle East, Southeast Asia and North America, with hubs in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and gateways in Amsterdam, Paris, London and Abu Dhabi. Jet Airways stands out for its warm service, discreet elegance and efficiency. The company is looking for people who understand that little things make a big difference, and who follow the golden rule: do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Jet Airways is an airline that values responsibility, responsiveness, respect and courtesy.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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 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.

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.