Budget-Friendly 4-Day South India Train Tour: Arakkonam to Varkala Beach and Beyond

Day 1: Arrival and Beach Time

Arakkonam to Varkala Beach & Thiruvananthapuram, India on April 18, 2025

6:00am

Start Journey from Arakkonam

Board an early morning unreserved train heading south towards Thiruvananthapuram passing via Varkala Beach, breaking the journey for a beach visit.
INR0, 2h0m

8:30am

Breakfast at Varkala Beach

Enjoy a beachside breakfast at local food stalls near Varkala cliff offering fresh South Indian breakfast items like idli, dosa, and filter coffee.
INR100, 1h0m

9:30am

Relax at Varkala Beach & Cliff

Spend time relaxing on the scenic Varkala Beach and exploring the famous cliffs with panoramic Arabian Sea views. Ideal for beach walks and photos.
INR0, 2h0m

11:30am

Train to Thiruvananthapuram

Board a short train from Varkala to Thiruvananthapuram, the capital city of Kerala, to explore cultural landmarks.
INR40, 1h0m

12:45pm

Lunch at Indian Coffee House, Thiruvananthapuram

Dine at the iconic Indian Coffee House for affordable Kerala-style meals and South Indian snacks.
INR150, 1h0m

2:00pm

Visit Padmanabhaswamy Temple

Explore this famous temple with majestic Dravidian architecture. Please check temple timings; open 3pm to 5pm in evenings on certain days, so plan visits accordingly.
INR0, 1h0m

4:00pm

Explore Napier Museum and Zoo

Visit the Napier Museum and Zoo (open until 5:00 PM), a cultural and ecological hub with antique collections and animal exhibits.
INR20, 1h0m

6:00pm

Dinner at Villa Maya Restaurant

Taste traditional Kerala cuisine at Villa Maya, a heritage dining experience near the city center.
INR250, 1h0m
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Day 2: Southern Tip Exploration

Thiruvananthapuram to Kanyakumari via Nagarkovil and Thirunelveli, India on April 19, 2025

6:00am

Train to Kanyakumari

Board the unreserved train for an early start to Kanyakumari, the southernmost tip of India famous for its sunrise and confluence of three seas.
INR100, 3h0m

9:30am

Breakfast at Kanyakumari Local Eatery

Enjoy a filling breakfast of Kerala or Tamil Nadu favorites such as dosa, sambar, and uttapam.
INR100, 1h0m

10:30am

Visit Vivekananda Rock Memorial and Thiruvalluvar Statue

Take a ferry to the famous Vivekananda Rock Memorial and view the towering Thiruvalluvar Statue nearby. The ferry runs from 7:00 AM till 4:00 PM.
INR50, 2h0m

12:30pm

Train to Nagarkovil

Take the train northwards to Nagarkovil for a spiritual and historical experience.
INR50, 1h0m

1:30pm

Lunch Near Nagarkovil

Enjoy a simple South Indian lunch at local restaurants, featuring rice-based dishes and fresh coconut chutneys.
INR100, 1h0m

3:00pm

Visit Nagarcoil Temple

Explore the local Tamil temples and markets, experiencing the culture and heritage of the region.
INR0, 1h30m

5:00pm

Train to Thirunelveli

Take an evening train to Thirunelveli, a town known for its ancient temples and famous for halwa sweets.
INR40, 1h0m

6:30pm

Dinner at Muniyandi Vilas Hotel, Thirunelveli

Relish traditional Tamil Nadu non-vegetarian dishes including their famous biryani within a budget-friendly setting.
INR200, 1h0m
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Day 3: Temple Trail & Local Delights

Thirunelveli to Srivaikundam, Thiruchendur, and return, India on April 20, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast in Thirunelveli

Start the day with idli and vadai at a local eatery preparing for an active temple trail.
INR80, 0h45m

8:00am

Train to Srivaikundam

Short train ride to Srivaikundam, known for historic temples like the Sri Vaikuntanathan Perumal Temple.
INR20, 1h0m

9:15am

Visit Sri Vaikuntanathan Perumal Temple

A peaceful and beautiful temple to experience South Indian architecture and spirituality.
INR0, 1h0m

10:30am

Train to Thiruchendur

Proceed to Thiruchendur by train, home to the famous Lord Murugan Temple by the sea.
INR30, 1h0m

11:30am

Visit Thiruchendur Murugan Temple

Visit this iconic temple located right on the beach, open from 4:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 8:30 PM for darshan.
INR0, 1h0m

12:30pm

Lunch near Thiruchendur

Taste local fresh seafood and vegetarian Tamil specialties at a nearby restaurant.
INR150, 1h0m

1:45pm

Train back to Thirunelveli

Return train journey to Thirunelveli to catch evening onward trains.
INR30, 1h0m

3:00pm

Relax and Snack in Thirunelveli

Have some famous Thirunelveli halwa and chai at local sweet shops.
INR50, 0h30m

4:00pm

Train to Madurai

Board train heading to Madurai, a historic city known for the majestic Meenakshi Amman Temple.
INR80, 2h0m

6:30pm

Dinner in Madurai at Sree Sabarees

Enjoy traditional Chettinad meals and South Indian delicacies in a clean, budget venue.
INR200, 1h0m
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Day 4: Hill Station & Spiritual End

Madurai to Kodaikanal, Coimbatore (ISHA), and return to Arakkonam, India on April 21, 2025

6:00am

Breakfast in Madurai

Start early with a traditional Madurai breakfast of dosas, pongal, and filter coffee.
INR80, 0h45m

7:00am

Bus/train to Kodaikanal

Travel by local bus or train to Kodaikanal, the beautiful hill station in Tamil Nadu, perfect for fresh air and scenic views.
INR150, 3h0m

10:30am

Breakfast at Kodaikanal

Fuel up at a local cafe with fresh pastries and hot tea.
INR100, 0h45m

11:15am

Explore Kodaikanal Lake and Bryant Park

Relax by the lake and take a walk through Bryant Park, open throughout the day, known for colorful flowerbeds and cool breeze.
INR0, 1h30m

1:00pm

Lunch at Astoria Veg Restaurant

Enjoy local vegetarian Tamil Nadu cuisine specialties close to the lake area.
INR150, 1h0m

2:15pm

Bus/Train to Coimbatore (Isha Yoga Center)

Travel southward by bus or train to Coimbatore to visit the ISHA Foundation headquarters and Dhyanalinga.
INR150, 3h0m

5:30pm

Visit ISHA Dhyanalinga and Garden

Explore the serene, energy-filled Dhyanalinga meditation space and beautiful gardens; open until 6:00 PM.
INR0, 0h45m

6:30pm

Dinner at Isha Café

Healthy, affordable vegetarian meals served at the ISHA facility café.
INR150, 0h45m

7:30pm

Return Train to Arakkonam

Board late evening unreserved train back to Arakkonam, completing the loop of your budget South India trip.
INR100, 5h0m
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