[smashnerd]

Hey,

A bunch of my college pals and me are planning to visit Velankanni on the 19th this month. We plan to leave on the 18th in the evening and return on the 20th. What would be the best way to get there; bus or train? Also, are there any other tourist spots worth visiting? Is it easy to find accommodation in Thanjavur?

Looking forward to your help.

[rajeev k]

Try the Trichy Express train from Ernakulam which now runs till Velankanni. It would be a lot convenient.

[smashnerd]

Originally Posted by rajeev k

Try the Trichy Express train from Ernakulam which now runs till Velankanni. It would be a lot convenient.

But it arrives at 1200, thats a bit late for our liking! Isn't there another way? Like train to some other place and bus from there.

[narayans80]

The railhead where you can get maximum number of trains from Kottayam is Erode. Velankanni is nearly 300 kms from there. You could take some evening train from Kottayam and reach Erode and try connecting with Mysore-Mayiladuthurai. But then MYS-MV is an in-demand train even during normal times. As Rajeev says, Tea Garden is probably the best in terms of connectivity. Guruvayur Express is all the more slower and worse it just get you to Trichy at best.

[smashnerd]

Originally Posted by narayans80

The railhead where you can get maximum number of trains from Kottayam is Erode. Velankanni is nearly 300 kms from there. You could take some evening train from Kottayam and reach Erode and try connecting with Mysore-Mayiladuthurai. But then MYS-MV is an in-demand train even during normal times. As Rajeev says, Tea Garden is probably the best in terms of connectivity. Guruvayur Express is all the more slower and worse it just get you to Trichy at best.

We aren't worried about getting seats. Anybody know about any buses to Velankanni from Erode?

[ampere]

Try finding a bus to Trichy. That may be more in number. Then from Trichy I guess there may be more day buses to Velankanni. (Does that make sense?)

[naveen.raju]

The best bet would be the train from Ernakulam. Get down at Nagapattinam, catch the direct train to Velankanni from there or take an auto. Van would come at rs20 per head. We had gone there last weekend

You have decent accommodation here. We stayed at Hotel Picnic (Seagate group of hotels). Pretty decent room, but medieval bathrooms. Comes around 1000 per night. Food is good. But occasional power cuts are common here.

You can also check out Clinton Park Inn but expensive. AC room starts at 3000. Please note you would need AC room at this time since it's very hot.

We reached by 10.30 in the morning and the return train starts at 4.40 from Nagapattinam. Reached cochin at 6am.

[deepclutch]

There is a KSRTC Super Express from Changanasery to Vailankanni .

[smashnerd]

Originally Posted by naveen.raju

The best bet would be the train from Ernakulam. Get down at Nagapattinam, catch the direct train to Velankanni from there or take an auto. Van would come at rs20 per head. We had gone there last weekend

We reached by 10.30 in the morning and the return train starts at 4.40 from Nagapattinam. Reached cochin at 6am.

Does the train usually arrive in time? Is it easy to get bookings at this time?

P.S. -I didn't know there was a train to Velankanni from Nagapattinam.

Originally Posted by deepclutch

There is a KSRTC Super Express from Changanasery to Vailankanni .

What are the timings for it? Wouldn't it be cumbersome, stuck to a seat for such a long while? That's kinda why we prefer a train. We can move about and we'll get a proper berth too.

[deepclutch]

Velankanni Bus departure from Kottayam at 3.30PM . There is also a SETC Express(Tamilnadu) from Ernakulam to Velankanni leaving at 6 PM

[smashnerd]

Originally Posted by deepclutch

Velankanni Bus departure from Kottayam at 3.30PM . There is also a SETC Express(Tamilnadu) from Ernakulam to Velankanni leaving at 6 PM

When do these buses arrive at Velankanni? What about private operators?

[deepclutch]

KSRTC CHRY Bus reaches on morning 5AM at Velankanni IINM. may be the same with state express of Tamilnadu. both services goes through coimbatore route.

Private operators offer tours and most of them have fridays evening departures ,reach on saturday at velankanni for morning service. return at evening. that will be the best option. they takes the palakkad-pollachi-trichy route.

I have visited Velankanni last year.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...e-enquiry.html

[smashnerd]

Originally Posted by deepclutch

KSRTC CHRY Bus reaches on morning 5AM at Velankanni IINM. may be the same with state express of Tamilnadu. both services goes through coimbatore route.

Private operators offer tours and most of them have fridays evening departures ,reach on saturday at velankanni for morning service. return at evening. that will be the best option. they takes the palakkad-pollachi-trichy route.

I have visited Velankanni last year.
http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...e-enquiry.html

I guess the bus has the better arrival time. We can return by the train then.
What's the service quality of the SETC bus? Is it clean and maintained properly?

[deepclutch]

Regarding SETC Buses, I have no recent travel experiences. It is Air Bus. May be You can enquire Yourself.
Ernakulam SETC no: 0484 2372616
from here:
:: SETC ::

[smashnerd]

Originally Posted by deepclutch

Regarding SETC Buses, I have no recent travel experiences. It is Air Bus. May be You can enquire Yourself.
Ernakulam SETC no: 0484 2372616
from here:
:: SETC ::

I'll check up on that. Thanks for the number.