GETTING TO MUNNAR

Getting to Munnar Munnar is accessible only by road - a scenic four hour drive from KochiCochin (about 130km away) or a 4 1/2 hour drive from Kottayam (148km away) as well as from Kumily and Madurai, either directly or with a change at Tehni. State-run and private bus services pull into the stand in the bazaar at the north end of town on arrival in Munnar, near the river confluence and Tata headquarters. For most hotels you should ask to be dropped off at Old Munnar, 2km south of the centre, near the ineffectual DTPC tourist office (Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; tel 0486/530679).

Road Distances from Munnar

Kodaikanal 152km
Thekkady 100km
Kumarakom 170km
Alappuzha 200km
Kozhikode 289km
Ernakulam 130km
Idukki 60km
Palani 122km
Palakkad 226km
Kollam 252km

By Air The nearest airports are KochiCochin, Madurai 142km Thiruvananthapuram; 302km, Coimbatore; 156km or Kozhikode; 287km.

By Train The nearest railheads are Kottayam, KochiCochin, Madurai and Thiruvananthapuram

By Bus You can catch a bus from any of the above mentioned cities to get to Munnar.

Getting Around on Arrival generally involves cycling, catching a bus, walking, hiring a rickshaw, hiring a cyclo, by taxi or by using hotel vehicle services if applicable. If you need information on transport, accommodation and day-trips, including getting to places like to Eravikulam, seek out the helpful Joseph Iype, who runs the Free Tourist Information Service: telephone: 0486/530349 from a small office in the main bazaar.