Budget-Friendly 7-Day Kerala Trip from Chennai via Public Transport: Culture, Nature, and Backwaters

Day 1: Train to Kochi

Chennai to Kochi, Kerala, India on May 3, 2025

7:30am

Board Train Chennai to Kochi

Take the budget-friendly overnight train from Chennai Egmore to Ernakulam Junction (Kochi). Book sleeper class for cost savings. Journey around 12 hours.
INR400 (sleeper class), 12h

7:30pm

Check-in Budget Hotel in Fort Kochi

Find affordable guesthouse or hostel in Fort Kochi starting around INR500 per night.
INR500, 1h

8:30pm

Dinner at Local Eatery

Taste inexpensive Kerala dishes like rice and vegetable curry at local street-side eateries under INR150.
INR150, 1h
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Day 2: Kochi on foot

Kochi, Kerala, India on May 4, 2025

8:00am

Breakfast at local tea shop

Grab a simple dosa or idli with chai for under INR50 at a local tiffin shop near the hotel.
INR50, 30m

9:00am

Walking tour Fort Kochi

Explore key sites such as Chinese Fishing Nets, St. Francis Church, and the Dutch Palace on foot to avoid transportation costs.
Free, 4h

1:00pm

Lunch at a small local restaurant

Enjoy a plate of Kerala meals including rice, sambar, and vegetable curry for about INR100.
INR100, 1h

3:00pm

Visit Jewish Synagogue (entry fee)

See the historic synagogue and its artifacts (entry fee is minimal around INR50).
INR50, 1h

7:00pm

Dinner at local street food stalls

Try budget-friendly snacks like bhajias, kappa and chutney available under INR100 nearby.
INR100, 1h
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Day 3: Bus to Munnar

Kochi to Munnar, Kerala, India on May 5, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Light breakfast included with hotel or grab quick tea and banana from a stall for INR30.
INR30, 30m

8:00am

Take Kerala State RTC Bus to Munnar

Board a government bus from Ernakulam bus station to Munnar. The trip offers scenic routes and costs around INR150-200, taking 4-5 hours.
INR200, 5h

1:00pm

Check into budget lodge

Affordable lodging with basic amenities is available in Munnar from INR500 per night.
INR500, 1h

2:00pm

Lunch at local eatery

Eat local vegetarian meals and chai for budget-friendly prices around INR100.
INR100, 1h

3:30pm

Visit Tea Museum (open 9am-5pm)

Explore the small but interesting Tata Tea Museum to learn about plantation history and sample tea, entrance fee INR50.
INR50, 2h

6:00pm

Evening walk near tea gardens

Spend sunset hours walking around public access tea gardens and soaking in cool mountain air free of cost.
Free, 1.5h

8:00pm

Dinner at local cafeteria

Have simple South Indian meals or sandwiches under INR150.
INR150, 1h
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Day 4: Explore Munnar

Munnar, Kerala, India on May 6, 2025

7:30am

Breakfast at lodge

Enjoy a budget included or nearby snack like tea and bread rolls for INR30.
INR30, 30m

8:30am

Visit Eravikulam National Park

Take local bus or shared taxi to the park entrance for a chance to see Nilgiri Tahr; entry INR300. Park open 8:30am-5pm.
INR300, 3h

12:00pm

Lunch at Saravana Bhavan

Eat affordable South Indian thalis (meal platters) for about INR100.
INR100, 1h

1:30pm

Visit Mattupetty Dam

Take a local bus or share a vehicle for INR50-100 roundtrip to enjoy the dam scenery and affordable boating (INR100 entry plus INR150 boat).
INR350, 3h

6:30pm

Relax at local park or lodge

No-cost leisure time to rest or stroll near your accommodation.
Free, 1.5h

8:00pm

Dinner at small local eatery

Simple vegetarian or fish meals for under INR150.
INR150, 1h
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Day 5: Bus to Thekkady

Munnar to Thekkady, Kerala, India on May 7, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at lodge

Light breakfast or tea for INR30-50.
INR50, 30m

8:00am

Bus to Thekkady

Take government or private bus from Munnar to Thekkady, approximately 3 hours costing INR150-200.
INR200, 3h

11:00am

Check-in Budget hotel

Affordable lodging options start at INR500 per night.
INR500, 1h

12:00pm

Lunch at local eatery

Sample Kerala curries and rice meals priced at INR100-150.
INR150, 1h

2:00pm

Periyar Lake Boat Ride

Join a low-cost group boat tour on Periyar Lake to spot wildlife with fees around INR250 (tour lasts 2 hours).
INR250, 2h

6:30pm

Attend free or low-cost cultural displays

Check for local Kalaripayattu or folk dance performances with nominal fees or donations.
INR100, 1h

8:00pm

Dinner at local cafe

Enjoy budget meals under INR150 focusing on vegetarian or fish options.
INR150, 1h
View Hotel Availability

Day 6: Bus to Alleppey Backwaters

Thekkady to Alleppey, Kerala, India on May 8, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at hotel

Simple breakfast with tea and idli or upma priced around INR40-50.
INR50, 30m

8:00am

Bus to Alleppey

Use public bus from Thekkady to Alleppey; journey takes about 4-5 hours and costs INR200-250.
INR250, 5h

1:00pm

Check-in budget homestay

Stay at affordable homestays or guesthouses starting at INR500 per night.
INR500, 1h

2:00pm

Lunch at local restaurant

Enjoy Kerala-style lunch with seafood or veg curries around INR150.
INR150, 1h

3:30pm

Alleppy Backwaters Public Boat Ride

Take a shared public boat ride for a couple of hours at INR300, which is much cheaper than private houseboats.
INR300, 3h

7:00pm

Dinner at local street food vendors

Wrap up with inexpensive fresh snacks like tapioca and banana chips under INR100.
INR100, 1h
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Day 7: Kovalam & Return

Alleppey to Kovalam and return to Chennai, India on May 9, 2025

7:00am

Breakfast at homestay

Simple items like tea and bread or local fruits for a budget-friendly start (INR40).
INR40, 30m

8:00am

Bus to Kovalam

Board government or private bus to Kovalam beach, approximately 4 hours and about INR200 fare.
INR200, 4h

12:30pm

Lunch at beachside cafe

Enjoy inexpensive fresh seafood or vegetarian meals around INR150-200 with beach views.
INR200, 1h

2:00pm

Relax on Kovalam Beach

Spend leisure time swimming, sunbathing or walking freely on the beautiful public beaches.
Free, 3h

5:30pm

Bus to Trivandrum airport/railway station

Take local bus or shared taxi to Trivandrum for your journey back to Chennai by bus or train.
INR100, 1h

7:30pm

Overnight bus/train Trivandrum to Chennai

Fly or take a cost-effective overnight train or bus back to Chennai to end your budget trip.
INR500-700 (train), 12h
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