Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
an Express (sleeper/3AC/2AC/1AC ?220/561/825/1419, eight hours), departing Chennai
at 9.20pm and departing Kodai Road northbound at 9.10pm. For most closer destinations,
it's quicker and easier to get a bus. Taxis to/from the station cost ?1100. There are plenty
of buses between the station and Batlagundu, which is on the Kodai-Madurai bus route.
There's a
train booking office
8am-noon & 2.30-5pm Mon-Sat, 8am-noon Sun)
in
MAP
(off Anna Salai;
town.
Government buses from Kodai's
bus stand
(Anna Salai)
:
Bengaluru
?425-450, 11 hours, 5.30pm and 6pm
Chennai
?380, 11 hours, 6.30pm
Coimbatore
?120, five hours, 8.30am and 4.30pm
Madurai
?68, four hours, 15 daily
Trichy
?111, 5½ hours, four daily
Raja's Tours & Travels
MAP
( 242422; Anna Salai)
runs 20-seat minibuses with push-back
seats to Ooty (?350, eight hours) at 7.30pm, to Madurai (?250) at 4pm and to Kochi
(?600, 10 hours) at 6pm. It also sells tickets for overnight AC sleeper buses to Chennai
(?820) and Bengaluru (?830).
Getting Around
The central part of Kodaikanal is compact and easy to get around on foot. There are no
autorickshaws (believe it or not), but plenty of taxis. Trips within town generally cost
?100.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Around Kodaikanal
One of the better escapes in the area, about three hours' drive below Kodaikanal off the
Dindigul-Batlagundu road, is fabulous
Cardamom House
(
9360691793, 0451-2556765;
www.cardamomhouse.com
;
near Athoor Village; r ?3300-4000 Apr-Nov, ?4500-5500 Dec-Mar)
. Created
with love and care by a retired Brit, this comfortable guesthouse - at the end of a scenic
road beside bird-rich Lake Kamarajar - runs on solar power, uses water wisely, farms or-
ganically, and trains and employs only locals (who produce terrific meals). Book well
ahead, hire a driver to take you there, and prepare for some serious relaxation.
