Lonely Planet™ · Thorn Tree Forum · 2020

Indian Ideas

Country forums / Indian Subcontinent

Hi,
I am currently in Mumbai (melting :) ) and would like to travel to Goa first and then to Kerala. I was wondering if anyone knew what the best way to travel to Goa is and if you have any recommendations on where to stay and what to visit while I was there.
Then i plan to travel down to Kerala - do you know what the best way to travel down there is and again any suggestions on where to stay?

Thanks,
Tanya

Do you always go to a country like India with no plan or research what so ever? 300lb ticket why not spend a 10er on a guidebook mate?

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The best way to travel south is to take an 2AC class berth on the train. It will not be any cooler down south. YOu could go up to Uttaranchal or himachal pradesh if you want to escape the heat.

Where are you staying in Mumbai? How much is it? What's it like?

I"ve not been to Goa. Kerala, most people visit kochi. There are many guesthouses. In Alleppey, you can find local homestays by going to the tourist info office in town. I would avoid the ones along the waterfront. they are probably fine but there are more authentic ones further out.

There is a good place listed in LP guidebook if you look under near/around Alleppey. I would highly recommend this place for a relaxing time. It costs 1000 per day all meals included and the food is good. Its on the backwaters and you can avoid the boring boats by doing this. YOu get there by govt ferry.

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Google flights and trains India.

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As 2 has sid, South is pretty warm, too.
North is fair but far. You may need to fly. You can always invest in a 5-satr property in Mumbai and stay in the AC-room.

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There are many daily flights from Mumbai to Goa's Dabolim airport (if you want to get to Goa fast), but if you have the time and patience and wish to see India then nothing like a train.

Mumbai to Goa is a very scenic route so I will recommend the train.

There are the following three trains from Mumbai to Goa:
0111 Konkan Kanya
0103 Mandovi Express
2051 Jan Shatabdi

I have taken the Mandovi express which was supposed to leave the CST station in Mumbai at around 6:30 AM and it actually did not depart till 10 AM and we arrived in Goa quite late in the night.
Here is more info for trains from Mumbai to Goa:

http://goindia.about.com/od/populartrainroutes/qt/mumbai-goa-trains.htm

5

The pressure will be building in Goa and Kerala, temperatures will be around 37 with 70%+ humidity, there won't be much in the way of tourist activity on or off the beach apart from the local stuff like old Goa etc.. Both Goa and Kerala will be preparing for monsoon.

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Stll a good time to visit Goa and Kerala. Take an overnight train from Mumbai to Goa and from Goa to Kerala. Check the website of Indian Railways,

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