Budget Rail Trip from Kochi to Chennai

Day 1: Exploring Kochi

Kochi, India

8:00AM

Visit Fort Kochi

Start your day by exploring the historic Fort Kochi area with its colonial architecture and famous Chinese fishing nets.
Fort Kochi is easily accessible by auto-rickshaw from the city centre and takes about 30 minutes.
Free, 2 hours

11:00AM

Lunch at a Local Eatery

Enjoy a delicious South Indian meal at a local eatery to get a taste of authentic Kerala cuisine.
Ask locals for recommendations or head to one of the popular eateries in the Fort Kochi area.
£5, 1 hour

1:00PM

Explore Mattancherry Palace

Visit the Mattancherry Palace to admire its stunning murals and learn about the history of the region.
Mattancherry Palace is a short walk from Fort Kochi and takes about 15 minutes.
£2, 1.5 hours

4:00PM

Relax at Cherai Beach

Unwind at Cherai Beach, known for its golden sands and tranquil atmosphere.
Take a local bus or auto-rickshaw from Fort Kochi to Cherai Beach (1-hour journey).
Free, 2 hours

7:00PM

Dinner at a Beachside Shack

Enjoy a seafood dinner at a beachside shack while watching the sunset over the Arabian Sea.
Head back to Fort Kochi for dinner at one of the beachside shacks.
£7, 1 hour
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Day 2: Exploring Alappuzha

Alappuzha, India

8:00AM

Boat Ride in the Backwaters

Start your day with a relaxing boat ride through the picturesque backwaters of Alappuzha.
Take a local bus or auto-rickshaw to the Alappuzha backwaters jetty (30 minutes).
£10, 3 hours

12:00PM

Lunch at a Houseboat

Enjoy a traditional Keralan lunch on a houseboat while cruising along the backwaters.
Book a houseboat tour in advance for a unique dining experience.
£15, 2 hours

3:00PM

Visit Alappuzha Beach

Explore the sandy shores of Alappuzha Beach and watch the local fishermen at work.
Alappuzha Beach is a short walk from the backwaters jetty.
Free, 1.5 hours

6:00PM

Shopping at Mullakkal Street

Shop for souvenirs and local handicrafts at the bustling Mullakkal Street market.
Take an auto-rickshaw from Alappuzha Beach to Mullakkal Street (15 minutes).
£10, 1 hour

8:00PM

Dinner at a Local Restaurant

Enjoy a traditional Keralan dinner at a local restaurant in Alappuzha.
Ask locals for recommendations or head to one of the popular eateries in the city centre.
£8, 1 hour
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Day 3: Exploring Kollam

Kollam, India

9:00AM

Visit Ashtamudi Lake

Explore the scenic Ashtamudi Lake, known for its tranquil waters and lush surroundings.
Take a local bus or auto-rickshaw to Ashtamudi Lake (1-hour journey).
£3, 2 hours

12:00PM

Lunch at a Local Eatery

Enjoy a simple and delicious lunch at a local eatery near Ashtamudi Lake.
Ask locals for recommendations or explore the nearby food stalls.
£4, 1 hour

2:00PM

Visit Thangassery Light House

Climb to the top of Thangassery Light House for panoramic views of Kollam and the Arabian Sea.
Thangassery Light House is a short walk from Ashtamudi Lake.
£2, 1.5 hours

4:30PM

Explore Thirumullavaram Beach

Relax on the sandy shores of Thirumullavaram Beach and watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea.
Take an auto-rickshaw from Thangassery Light House to Thirumullavaram Beach (15 minutes).
Free, 2 hours

7:30PM

Dinner at a Local Restaurant

Indulge in a seafood dinner at a local restaurant near Thirumullavaram Beach.
Head back to the city centre for dinner at one of the seafood restaurants.
£7, 1 hour
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Day 4: Exploring Thiruvananthapuram

Thiruvananthapuram, India

8:00AM

Visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Start your day with a visit to the ancient Padmanabhaswamy Temple, known for its Dravidian architecture.
Take a local bus or auto-rickshaw to the temple (30 minutes).
£3, 2 hours

11:00AM

Explore Napier Museum

Discover the rich cultural heritage of Kerala at the Napier Museum, home to a diverse collection of artefacts.
Napier Museum is a short walk from Padmanabhaswamy Temple.
£2, 1.5 hours

1:30PM

Lunch at a Local Eatery

Enjoy a traditional Kerala lunch at a local eatery near the museum.
Explore the nearby streets for affordable dining options.
£5, 1 hour

3:00PM

Visit Kuthira Malika Palace

Admire the intricate wooden carvings and architecture of Kuthira Malika Palace, the horse palace of the Travancore Maharajas.
Kuthira Malika Palace is within walking distance from the Napier Museum.
£2, 1.5 hours

5:30PM

Relax at Shanghumukham Beach

Unwind at Shanghumukham Beach and witness the mesmerising sunset views over the Arabian Sea.
Take an auto-rickshaw from Kuthira Malika Palace to Shanghumukham Beach (20 minutes).
Free, 2 hours

8:00PM

Dinner at a Local Restaurant

Enjoy a sumptuous dinner at a local restaurant serving authentic Kerala cuisine.
Head back to the city centre for dinner at one of the popular eateries.
£8, 1 hour
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Day 5: Exploring Madurai

Madurai, India

9:00AM

Visit Meenakshi Amman Temple

Begin your day with a visit to the iconic Meenakshi Amman Temple, a masterpiece of Dravidian architecture.
Take a train from Thiruvananthapuram to Madurai (6-hour journey) and then a short auto-rickshaw ride to the temple.
£10, 3 hours

1:00PM

Lunch at a Local Restaurant

Enjoy a traditional South Indian thali for lunch at a local restaurant near the temple.
Explore the bustling streets around the temple for affordable dining options.
£5, 1 hour

2:30PM

Explore Gandhi Memorial Museum

Learn about the life and teachings of Mahatma Gandhi at the Gandhi Memorial Museum in Madurai.
Gandhi Memorial Museum is a short auto-rickshaw ride from the temple.
£3, 1.5 hours

4:30PM

Shopping at Puthu Mandapam

Shop for souvenirs and traditional handicrafts at Puthu Mandapam market near the temple.
Puthu Mandapam is a short walk from the Gandhi Memorial Museum.
£10, 1 hour

6:00PM

Attend Evening Prayer Ceremony at Meenakshi Amman Temple

Witness the mesmerising evening prayer ceremony at Meenakshi Amman Temple, a spiritual experience not to be missed.
Head back to the temple in time for the evening ceremony.
Free, 1 hour

7:30PM

Dinner at a Local Restaurant

Indulge in a traditional Madurai dinner at a local restaurant, sampling local delicacies.
Explore the food stalls and eateries near the temple for dinner options.
£7, 1 hour
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Day 6: Exploring Puducherry

Puducherry, India

8:00AM

Visit Auroville

Embark on a spiritual journey at Auroville, an experimental township dedicated to human unity and peace.
Take a train from Madurai to Puducherry (5-hour journey) and then a local bus to Auroville.
£5, 3 hours

12:00PM

Lunch at Auroville Cafe

Enjoy a wholesome and organic lunch at one of the cafes in Auroville, known for its sustainable practices.
Choose from the various cafes within Auroville for a unique dining experience.
£8, 1.5 hours

2:00PM

Explore Promenade Beach

Stroll along the picturesque Promenade Beach, lined with palm trees and colonial buildings.
Take a local bus from Auroville to Promenade Beach (30 minutes).
Free, 2 hours

5:00PM

Visit Aurobindo Ashram

Experience serenity at Aurobindo Ashram, a spiritual community founded by Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.
Aurobindo Ashram is within walking distance from Promenade Beach.
£2, 1 hour

6:30PM

Shopping at Mission Street

Browse through the vibrant shops and boutiques on Mission Street for souvenirs and local handicrafts.
Mission Street is a short walk from Aurobindo Ashram.
£10, 1 hour

8:00PM

Dinner at a Local Restaurant

Enjoy a fusion of French and Tamil cuisine at a local restaurant in the French Quarter of Puducherry.
Head to the French Quarter for dinner at one of the charming restaurants.
£8, 1 hour
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Day 7: Exploring Chennai

Chennai, India

9:00AM

Visit Marina Beach

Begin your day at Marina Beach, the second longest urban beach in the world, perfect for a morning stroll.
Take a train from Puducherry to Chennai (3-hour journey) and then a short auto-rickshaw ride to Marina Beach.
Free, 2 hours

11:00AM

Explore Kapaleeshwarar Temple

Discover the architectural marvel of Kapaleeshwarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, in the heart of Chennai.
Kapaleeshwarar Temple is a short auto-rickshaw ride from Marina Beach.
£3, 1.5 hours

1:00PM

Lunch at a Local Restaurant

Savour a traditional Tamil Nadu meal at a local restaurant near the temple.
Explore the bustling streets around Kapaleeshwarar Temple for authentic dining options.
£6, 1 hour

2:30PM

Visit Government Museum

Immerse yourself in history at the Government Museum, housing a diverse collection of artefacts and exhibits.
Government Museum is a short auto-rickshaw ride from Kapaleeshwarar Temple.
£2, 2 hours

5:00PM

Shopping at T. Nagar

Shop till you drop at T. Nagar, one of the largest shopping districts in Chennai, known for its variety of stores.
Take a local bus or auto-rickshaw from the museum to T. Nagar (30 minutes).
£15, 2 hours

7:30PM

Dinner at Saravana Bhavan

Indulge in a hearty dinner at Saravana Bhavan, a popular chain known for its authentic South Indian vegetarian cuisine.
Head to the nearest Saravana Bhavan outlet for a delicious dinner.
£8, 1 hour
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