[CosmicWizard]

Hi Guys, I will be driving from Fort Kochi to Bangalore coming Wednesday. Since I will be leaving around 2-3pm, to avoid night driving, I want to break the journey and continue next day morning to Bangalore. What would be a good place for a night stay in the middle? Coimbatore seemed like a good option but I see it is some detour from the highway to Erode and beyond? Any suggestions? Thanks!

[Kosfactor]

Originally Posted by CosmicWizard

Hi Guys, I will be driving from Fort Kochi to Bangalore coming Wednesday. Since I will be leaving around 2-3pm, to avoid night driving, I want to break the journey and continue next day morning to Bangalore. What would be a good place for a night stay in the middle? Coimbatore seemed like a good option but I see it is some detour from the highway to Erode and beyond? Any suggestions? Thanks!

Since the day is anyways coming to an end as you are starting your journey (Lulu to Angamali is crazy), I suggest you plan for a stop over in Palakkad. Next day start early morning and reach around Avinashi for breakfast - that is to avoid the morning rush in L&T bypass of Coimbatore. Afterwards it's smooth journey all they way till you reach Hosur.

Make sure to recharge fastag in advance, happy journey. You could explore the beautiful Palakkad a bit if you are in for it and then start off to Bangalore too.

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

Originally Posted by CosmicWizard

Hi Guys, I will be driving from Fort Kochi to Bangalore coming Wednesday. Since I will be leaving around 2-3pm, to avoid night driving, I want to break the journey and continue next day morning to Bangalore

If starting from fort kochi, take the RoRo ferry from Fort Kochi to Vypeen. From Vypeen, turn right at the first traffic Island you encounter towards The container terminal / Ghoshree bridges. From the roundabout at entry to the container terminal, turn left towards the NH link road, which is a toll road that takes you to Kalamassery. This way, you avoid the mad City. Do remember that First Kochi will be witnessing tourist rush and the local public would be in a carnival mood. So leave the place immediately after lunch. If you start by 1, avoid the city and cover Mannutthy by 3 PM, i feel 9 pm arrival at Bangalore is possible.

[Rajeevraj]

Originally Posted by CosmicWizard

Hi Guys, I will be driving from Fort Kochi to Bangalore coming Wednesday. Since I will be leaving around 2-3pm, to avoid night driving, I want to break the journey and continue next day morning to Bangalore. What would be a good place for a night stay in the middle? Coimbatore seemed like a good option but I see it is some detour from the highway to Erode and beyond? Any suggestions? Thanks!

If you are ok to drive till 9pm odd, then you can probably reach up to Salem. Several options right on the main Salem bypass itself including Grand Estancia and Radisson.

Originally Posted by BaCkSeAtDrIVeR

If you start by 1, avoid the city and cover Mannutthy by 3 PM, i feel 9 pm arrival at Bangalore is possible.

Highly unlikely I feel, Palakkad to Bangalore Electronic City itself takes 6.30-7 hrs non stop assuming fairly regular traffic. So 6 hrs from Mannuthy to Bangalore, I don't think is possible now a days.

[Bailey]

We left kochi @ 3.40 am this morning. Reached Electronic City Elevated Road Toll Gate at 11.50 am. Included 2 stops. 1 for almost an hour at Radisson Blu Salem for Breakfast.

Early morning departures are best to avoid the traffic.

Else be prepared for a longish 10 hour drive.

[KageSama]

Hi Guys,

I'm driving down to Kayamkulam later this week with my parents (60+). The route I would be taking is Bangalore - Krishnagiri - Salem - Coimbatore - Palakkad - Thrissur - Kochi - Kayamkulam. Same route back.

Onward:

I'm planning to leave Bangalore around 5:30-6am.

I was thinking of having breakfast between Krishnagiri and Salem between 8-9. (Probably an A2B?)

Lunch probably would be somewhere along Palakkad - Kochi section around 2-3.

Return:

I'm planning to leave Kayamkulam around 7.

Breakfast in Kayamkulam - Kochi section - (some appams and curry if possible)

Lunch in Palakkad-Coimbatore section - (Probably Junior Kupanna in Coimbatore around 1-3)



What vegetarian restaurants would you recommend for breakfast and lunch on the onward? Open to non veg suggestions on the way back (ideal would have been paragon in Kochi, but I'll be crossing too early on the way back and the veg constraint on the onward journey).

Any local specialty item recommendations would be appreciated as well!

[pjbiju]

I am planning to drive from Bengaluru to Angamaly either this evening or early tomorrow morning.

Plan 1 - Start from Hebbal at around 5/6 p.m. today. Questions:

1. What is the best way to get to Hosur from Hebbal starting at 5/6 p.m.?
2. I am planning to take the regular route of Bengaluru - Hosur - Salem - Coimbatore Bypass - Palakkad - Mannuthy - Angamaly route. Is there a better route as of now?

Plan 2 - Start from Hebbal at around 4 a.m. tomorrow morning. Questions:

1. What is the best way to get to Hosur from Hebbal starting at 4 a.m.?

I plan to return on Sunday, starting at around 2 p.m. from Angamaly. I know it is probably not a good time to start from there, but wanted to start after lunch at home. By what time should I expect to reach Hebbal in the night?

[binand]

Originally Posted by pjbiju

What is the best way to get to Hosur from Hebbal starting at 5/6 p.m.?

Aerial.

Originally Posted by pjbiju

I am planning to take the regular route of Bengaluru - Hosur - Salem - Coimbatore Bypass - Palakkad - Mannuthy - Angamaly route. Is there a better route as of now?

Nope. Just stick to this route.

Originally Posted by pjbiju

What is the best way to get to Hosur from Hebbal starting at 4 a.m.?

Go through the city. Mehkri Circle > Cubbon Park > Shoolay Circle > Silk Board. Google Maps will guide you accurately.

Originally Posted by pjbiju

I plan to return on Sunday, starting at around 2 p.m. from Angamaly. By what time should I expect to reach Hebbal in the night?

I start from near Perumbavoor around that time and reach home (Marathahalli area) between midnight-1 AM. Your timings should be similar.

[pjbiju]

Originally Posted by binand

Aerial.
...

Yes, that would have been the best option. We started at 6:45 p.m. from Dasarahalli (Hebbal) and managed to reach the NICE Road junction (Electronic City) by 8:45 p.m. Reached home by 5:45 a.m. with two fuel stops, one dinner stop, and one coffee break stop. There were too many speed cameras after Walayar with a lot of them showing 50 kmph as the speed limit going by the boards displayed on the median.

[xotiq]

Please suggest a good hotel to stay for 2 nights at Kochi, with ample car parking and near to major touristy attractions. Though passed through Kochi many times during travels, honestly never had a chance to go sight seeing. Would be helpful if someone can mention say the Top 5 places worth visiting, and indulge in some tasty food. Is it good idea to hire a taxi for going around locally (If so, do we book the hotel outside Kochi)?

[binand]

Originally Posted by xotiq

Please suggest a good hotel to stay for 2 nights at Kochi, with ample car parking and near to major touristy attractions.

Most of the touristy places within Kochi city are in Fort Kochi, and that place (an island, more or less) is priced in USD. You are better off staying in Ernakulam and commuting via car/cab/bus/ferry.

[BaCkSeAtDrIVeR]

Originally Posted by xotiq

Please suggest a good hotel to stay for 2 nights at Kochi, with ample car parking and near to major touristy attractions.

Following places are on "rim" of the back waters / harbour.

1. Grand Hyatt, Bolghatty, 5 star.
2 KTDC Bolghatty Palace (Heritage)
3. Vivanta by Taj, Marine Drive, Ernakulam. (4 star).
4. Taj Malabar, W Island. (5 star) this one is frequently used for VIP stay.
5. Brunton Boat Yard, Fort Kochi. Heritage hotel. Likely expensive.
6. Gundu Island resorts. Owned by Taj. Access only by boats arranged by Taj. very premium.

Suggested itenary -

Day 1 morning - visit Mattanchery, go to the Jewish synagogue. Visit the Dutch palace and the adjoining temple, if it is open.

Afternoon - Vasco da Gama tomb, walk around in Fort Kochi enjoying the old ditch style buildings.

Reach Ernakulam Marine drive walk way, by 5.45. Watch the sun set. Mark all the above hotels in a single field of view.

Day 2 -

Morning - Hill palace Museum, Tripunithura. (Or, of you don't like history) go to the light house, Njarakkal. Enjoy the sea. The beach is not great, and it is monsoon.

Afternoon - ride the water metro. Or take a metro ride to the Museum of Kerala History, the station is "Pathadipalam".

[naveen.raju]

Originally Posted by xotiq

Please suggest a good hotel to stay for 2 nights at Kochi, with ample car parking and near to major touristy attractions. Though passed through Kochi many times during travels, honestly never had a chance to go sight seeing. Would be helpful if someone can mention say the Top 5 places worth visiting, and indulge in some tasty food. Is it good idea to hire a taxi for going around locally (If so, do we book the hotel outside Kochi)?

Fort Kochi is where tourists go as there are cafes/restaurants, heritage buildings, shopping, Jew street etc - Sort of a micro mini Pondicherry.

Stay here can be expensive but do check "Lighthouse Lounge" (Limited parking though) which is bang in Fort Kochi and it was reasonably priced. Else, check "Trident" or "Casino" which is between Fort Kochi and Kochi CBD.

The one recommended by BHPian backseatdriver are really good and also really expensive.

[ajmat]

Taj Vivanta is run down
More fun to stay in Fort Kochi

If in Ernakulam - consider Abad Plaza, Grand Hotel (very good food), take an auto to the boat jetty nearby to Fort Kochi

[xotiq]

Originally Posted by ajmat

Taj Vivanta is run down
More fun to stay in Fort Kochi

If in Ernakulam - consider Abad Plaza, Grand Hotel (very good food), take an auto to the boat jetty nearby to Fort Kochi

Checked in at Grand Hyatt. Ample parking space and great service. Took delivery of my wife's Verna Turbo SX(O) manual, came home and drove to Kochi With the long weekend(Independence Day), traffic was really heavy till Salem. Last 35kms stretch to Kochi was stressful. Stopped for breakfast at NMRs Crossroads hotel. Nice veg food.