Travelogue: Bangalore to Kolkata

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by akroy

My return journey timings are in this post
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/487441-post31.html (Travelogue: Bangalore to Kolkata)

Mine was a nonstop drive from bhubaneshwar, I stopped only at Reliance petrol pump at Ichchapuram for fuel and then at A1 Plaza, 30km before entering Vizag for lunch. My total driving time was 6 hours.

Abhi

I know that...I'd read your travelogue long back. Very impressive speeds indeed! Perhaps you should give Formula 1 a try

[akroy]

Originally Posted by vnabhi

I know that...I'd read your travelogue long back. Very impressive speeds indeed! Perhaps you should give Formula 1 a try

No Sir, it was simple 70-80kmph in 2 laned and 100-120kmph on 4laned.
Only thing was steadiness. No stopping but continuous nonstop driving was the key.
Thanks to wife who fed me with the snacks and water in regular intervals. Also hats off to car AC too.

Abhi

[BlackPearl]

Originally Posted by akroy

Ichchapuram - Sunakhala is not a bad stretch. it is a slow stretch with normal 2 lane traffic unlike GQ where we average out 90-100km in an hour.

I did Bhubaneshwar - Vizag in 6 hours during my return journey.

Abhi

Bhubaneshwar - Vizag in 6 hours is extremely good in an alto.

[vnabhi]

Originally Posted by BlackPearl

Bhubaneshwar - Vizag in 6 hours is extremely good in an alto.

I concur with this view in toto.

[suncity]

Taking your journey as the inspiration, I'm starting on my first long journey from Bangalore to my home town, Kakinada. Your travelogue has provided all the details from Bangalore - Rajahmundry.

Can you please help me with the details regarding toll-plazas in this route - where and how much toll to pay?

Did anyone cover the journey from Rajahmundry to Bangalore without overnight halts? If so, can you please let me know the journey details? I would be traveling alone during this return journey. So, I need few pointers on the same.

Thanks to all in advance.

[rkg]

Iam sure you can easily make it 6.00AM to 9.00 or 10.00 PM

Bangalore to Naidupet via tirupati 6.00 AM to 12 or 1 PM
Naidupet to viziawada 1 PM to 6 or 7PM

BZA to RJY 2-3 hours at the maximum on GQ

[akroy]

Originally Posted by suncity

Taking your journey as the inspiration, I'm starting on my first long journey from Bangalore to my home town, Kakinada. Your travelogue has provided all the details from Bangalore - Rajahmundry.

Thank you and Good Luck !! You will surely enjoy the drive

Originally Posted by suncity

Can you please help me with the details regarding toll-plazas in this route - where and how much toll to pay?

I dont exactly remember although I had the paper which contained the toll amount but somehow misplaced it. It is like 35, 55, 25. Dont worry on the amount it is something like 200-300 but the pleasure you get in return is priceless.

Originally Posted by suncity

Did anyone cover the journey from Rajahmundry to Bangalore without overnight halts? If so, can you please let me know the journey details? I would be traveling alone during this return journey. So, I need few pointers on the same.
Thanks to all in advance.

Suggest you to do Rajahmundry - Bangalore without a overnight halts.
Start from RJH at 6AM. have breakfast at A1 Plaza near Nuzvid (30km before Vijayawada). With lunch and tea breaks you should be in bangalore by 8PM.

During my Kolkata return trip, I took a break as I was running fever otherwise I would have done Vizag - bangalore at a go. I already reached Nellore by 6PM (that too after taking a very long tea break at Ongole A1 Plaza).

Abhi

[AceVentura]

I am planning to drive to Kolkata from Bangalore. I have 3 days to complete the journey with evening/night halts; obvioulsy i will drive only until sunset or few hours after and begin my day at sunrise. My speed will not be more than 100 km/hr and my car will be a brand new Ford fiesta - Diesel.

I did read a wonderful post on the same route by another member but he spent 5 days driving so i am unable to plan the milestones for 3 days.

I need the safest route (first timer on this route), night halts at decent/clean hotels, food centers for breakfast/lunch, and any other places to visit whilst i complete the journey.

Finally i will be booked to stay at central Kolkata so please guide my entrance to the hotel from GQ.

Thanks.
AceVentura

[smsrini]

Ace,

I did Bangalore-Vizag about 2 weeks back.

Started Bangalore 6:30am. Naidupeta 10:30-11:00am. Hit the GQ around 11:30am. Reached Vijayawada 3:30pm. Overnight at Vijayawada. Suggest Hotel Quality Inn Manohar or Fortune Murali on MG Road. There are cheaper options also not listed on the net.

Alternate stopover at Rajahmundry. Not many hotels in this place. Hotel Anand Regency is the only good place. Must book in advance. Rs 2500/- plus taxes for a night.

started Vijayawada 7:00am Eluru:8:00am. Started Eluru: 10:00am and recahed Vizag 3:00pm ( this was a leisurely drive taking in the scenery around ). It should take you around 5 hrs for the Vijayawada - Vizag stretch. There will be some traffic on this stretch upto Tanuku, after which it is pretty thin traffic.

Watch out for vehicles using the wrong side of the road all along the GQ. Stick to the middle lane to avoid these..

You can reach vizag in about 12 to 14hrs if you want to.

Sightseeing :

Vijaywada: Prakasam Barrage, Kanaka Durga Temple.

Rajahmundry: Iskon Temple, Godavari cruise. If you have a day to spare, then go for the godavari cruise at either Rajahmundry or Razole. Details on the APTDC site.

Vizag: Ramakrishna Beach, Kailasagiri, Submarine Museum, Venkateswara temple on the hill, Simhachalam temple, Harbor cruise.

cheers!
Srini

[AceVentura]

Thanks Srini. My original plan was to complete the Bangalore Kolkata route in 2 days with a night halt at Vizag. I thought Vizag would be 18 hours of continous driving hence a stopover at Vijaywada. I will be the only driver in the car. My assistant drives but lacks high way driving skills. Do you think it is feasible?

[smsrini]

With an avg speed of 100kph, you should be able to reach vizag in 14 to 16hrs.

Since the traffic after rajahmundry is less, you can take a break and let your companion drive.

Sincere advise is not to push your limits, if you are not used to driving for such long hours. Driving safely is more important.

[AceVentura]

Srini, I think you are right - safety is important. Can you give me 2 night halts in ths route so that i make it to Kolkata in 3 days with an avearge speed of 65 km/hr.

[shuvd]

@ Ace, where are you putting up? If you give us the name, the route (GQ-hotel) will be easier to suggest

[AceVentura]

Shuvd, I will be checking into Grand Hotel - Oberoi. I am planning to do this trip in 3 days from bangalore so i need to determine my night halt hotels, lunch/snack halts and the approach route into central kolkata. I guess i need to divide the journey into 3 phases but being a new comer in this route, i am unable to set the milestones.

Thanks

[smsrini]

Ace,

1st night halt: Vijayawada - Fortune Murali / The Gateway / Quality Hotel Manohar.

2nd night hald Visakhapatnam - The Park / GreenPark / Taj / Welcomhotel.
Comfort Inn Daspalla


Use Mapmyindia.com to get a good roadmap of how to get into Kolkatta and the directions.

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