Hi fellow travelers! I arrive in New Delhi on January 5th, and this is the third time I’ve come across what turns out to be a scam (after some research outside of booking.com): dirty places, fake reviews, etc. So I’m starting to distrust booking.com because it really doesn’t seem like a reliable site (at least when it comes to booking hotels in New Delhi).

If you have a good place to stay (max 1500 € per night, and I don’t want a dorm) in New Delhi, I’d love to hear about it! :)

Looking forward to your replies!

Hi there,

I’m heading to Kerala in December. I’ve been searching without luck for air-conditioned buses, minivans—basically anything that’s not a bus without AC or windows, since my route from Cochin to Munnar is gonna be a long one and I don’t wanna struggle.

I checked around, and it’s crazy—you can’t find the name of a single private company, just overpriced transfers!

From what I can tell, it seems like there’s nothing but local buses… yet I went to Sri Lanka two years ago and there were plenty of options.

Thanks in advance for any tips! Caroline

Hi there, We’re heading to Gujarat at the end of January for a month, traveling by local transport, and I’m currently trying to figure out how to get from PATAN to BHUJ by train or bus. On the IRTC website, I only found overnight trains, which doesn’t work for us. Do you know if there are any daytime buses leaving from Patan or Palanpur? We’re also wondering if there’s a ferry service between Mandvi and Okha. Thanks for your help! Alod

I'm looking for a small, not-too-touristy restaurant in Fort Kochi. Do you know one not too far from Jacob Road? Thanks

Hi there,

I’m thinking of heading to Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in early 2026.

Two places I’m curious about: Tiruvannamalai (Tamil Nadu) and Kollegal (Karnataka).

For Tiruvannamalai, I’ve already found quite a bit of info on this forum, but the most recent posts are from 2018. Has anyone been there more recently? My plan is to stay for about a week, book a guesthouse, visit the big Shiva temple, Ramana Maharshi’s ashram, and the caves in the mountain. Any other spots in this town you’d recommend? Would you happen to know a nice guesthouse (preferably around 1500 rupees, doesn’t need to be near the ashram)?

As for Kollegal, I’m not finding much info. And I’m stuck on this permit issue for staying in the town. Can anyone fill me in?

Thanks for your help!

Hello all my fellow globetrotters, I’m heading to Kerala this coming January. I was wondering if any of you have ever managed to visit the inside of the famous Padmanabhapuram Temple, which is off-limits to non-Hindus? I know there’s a way to request special permission to enter, but I could really use your insights.

Thanks so much in advance. Take care and enjoy exploring our beautiful planet.

Best regards, Régine

Hi everyone, Kerala experts (especially Marien!) In January, I’m planning another trip to Kerala. We’ll arrive in Kochi and travel up the coast by train to Gokarna. So I’m reaching out to ask if it’s worth stopping for a few days in any of the following spots (not all, of course—just one or two that are really worth it...). From what I’ve seen, few Western tourists stop along this coast, given how little info there is about it: Mahe, Thalassery, Taliparamba, Nileshwar, Bekal, Kasaragod I’m not mentioning Kannur because we’ve already been there, specifically Thottada Beach, and we’re familiar with the southern destinations (Trivandrum, Kovalam, etc.). Thanks for your replies! Anne

Hello my fellow globetrotters, could anyone tell me how to find the French colonial cemetery in Pondicherry? It seems tricky to locate.

Thanks so much for your help! Take care, pace yourselves, and travel far.

Cheers, Régine

Hi there, it's me again with more questions about Kerala!

I'm thinking of making the trip from Mysore to Cochin by private car (with a driver, of course) in one day. I'd love to get an idea of the price and travel time (and if you know a reliable agency).

Alternatively, maybe it's more interesting to do this trip by bus? I'm worried it might take much longer than with a private car. This will be my first trip to South India, and I'm not really sure about travel times or how easy it is to get around by local buses or trains. Thanks!

Marsyork

Hi there. My one-month trip is evolving, and I’m figuring out how to spend 15 days in Rajasthan, then head to Goa for 5 days, and do a circuit up to Mumbai—all within a month. What do you think of Goa and the central-east region?

Hi there, my husband and I are planning to visit the maharajas' palaces in Rajasthan in 2026. We're looking for a fairly long tour (10 days or more). Do you have any tips on which palaces to visit, cities and places to discover, the best tour operators, and the best time to go? Thanks in advance for your advice and recommendations!

Hi there. We’re heading to India at the end of December for a month. I planned an itinerary: Delhi, Nawalgarh, Sikar, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Chittaurgarh, Bundi, Jaipur, Bharatpur, and back to Delhi. Our driver told us it’s not possible because there are no roads. He’s suggesting the usual tourist circuit, which we don’t want to do. What do you think of my route? Any tips? Thanks, community!

Hello there! Any hotel or guesthouse you’d recommend in Pondicherry? Arriving on October 5th for up to 15 days.

Hi everyone, I’m in Masinagudi. I’d love to visit the Mudumalai Reserve. I’ve got conflicting info. My guidebook (Lonely Planet) says you can buy tickets on the spot, but apparently it’s online-only now—and no availability… Any useful tips? Thanks! :)

Hi there! Next October, I’m planning a family trip to Kerala (4 adults and 2 kids) and I’m looking for a car with a driver for this 2-week journey.

Hi there, We’ll be in India in March and we’re taking the boat-bus between Alleppey and Kottayam. After that, we’d like to head to Kumily. I’ve found totally different info and can’t seem to find a daytime bus. Do you have any websites or tips to share?

Thanks so much! :)

Hi there, I’m heading to Rajasthan in January and planning to go from Jodhpur to Udaipur, hiring a driver for this leg. Is it possible to do this route in one day, including a (quick?!) visit to Ranakpur and Kumbhalgarh? Do you think it’s doable? Thanks in advance for your feedback! 😉

Hi there, We're planning to spend 2 to 3 weeks in South India (Kerala) in January or February 2025. We'd like to use a travel agency to help us make this trip happen. Can you recommend a reliable agency that can tailor a trip to our needs? Thanks! 😊

Hello, we’re planning a trip to Kerala, in South India, in January/February 2027. We’ve chosen our cities but we’re looking for a French-speaking driver to take us from one city to another: Kochi - Athirappily - Munnar - Kumarakom - Marari - Kochi. If you have any leads, please don’t hesitate. Best regards

Hi there,

I’m trying to find out if it’s still possible to travel from Mumbai to Goa by ferry or any other sea route. My search results aren’t very clear, and if it *is* possible, I can’t figure out where to book... If anyone has any info, I’d really appreciate it—thanks in advance!

Have a great day,

Virginie

Hi, I’m leaving this Saturday for Northern India from 15/02 to 27/02. I’m planning to visit New Delhi, Agra, Chand Baori, Jaipur, Ranthambore, Bundi, Udaipur, and Jodhpur.

What’s the best way to get around? I was thinking of doing everything by train. Maybe taking the bus for some stretches?

As for renting a car with a driver, it seems expensive, so I’ve pretty much ruled that out. Unless someone’s got space for the same dates?

Thanks for your insights!

Hi there,

We’re heading to India in March 2026 and had planned to visit the parts of the Meenakshi Temple that are open to non-Hindus. However, the temple is currently undergoing major renovations—with all the towers covered in scaffolding—which might really take away from the experience and our stop in Madurai.

After some frustrating and vague online searches, and before we reshuffle our itinerary, I’d love to know—if possible—the most accurate expected completion date for the renovation work.

Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone, we’re heading to Tamil Nadu and Kerala at the start of the year for 30 days. We did Rajasthan 12 years ago, but things change fast. I’ve read that to get a SIM card, you have to buy it at a shop and then go to the operator to get a number; you’d also need an Indian mobile number. Has anyone here had recent experience with this? For buses and trains, do you need to book them well in advance? Any tips are welcome—thanks in advance! Happy holidays to all, Philippe

Hello, My husband and I usually spend a month in January/February in southern India. We end our trip in Gokarna and fly back from Vasco de Gama Airport in Dabolim. So, it might make sense to spend a few days in a nice, quiet spot in southern Goa. Do you have any recommendations? Thanks

Hi there, I’m spending about ten days in Kerala, and of course, I’d love to see the backwaters (I’m open to all possible tips—I don’t want to sleep on a houseboat). My question is:

Is it doable to spend a good half-day in the backwaters while staying at Marari Beach?

Thanks!

Marsyork

Hello everyone, We’re a couple heading off in mid-October for 7 weeks to explore Rajasthan independently, with an extension to Varanasi. We’re growing more skeptical about Booking.com reviews and would rather turn to fellow travelers for up-to-date recommendations on accommodations along our route. We’re looking for clean places—not necessarily luxurious—a good location preferably, and if there’s a special charm or character, even better. Budget-wise, up to 50 €, or more if needed. We’ve already gathered a few addresses from Solene and Aleph’s travel journals. Here are our stops—we’ve already got a place for the starred cities but are still open to suggestions: Delhi Airport* Alwar Bharatpur* Mathura Agra* Dholpur Karauli Dausa* Jaipur* Bundi* Kota Udaipur* Pushkar Jodhpur Barmer Jaisalmer Phalodi Bikaner Nawalgarh* Varanasi Central Delhi Thanks for sharing your tips and favorites!

Hi there! 🙂 Please, how can I get from: - PATNEM to GOKARNA - GOKARNA to UDUPI (or UDIPI) - UDUPI to MANGALORE - MANGALORE to KANNUR What are the different transport options, the price (if possible, otherwise no worries), and the approximate travel time 😉 Thanks so much to those who take the time to reply! Have a wonderful day! Sandra

Hello,

We’d love some tips and suggestions for a trip to India we’re planning for February 2026:

We’re a couple in our 70s based in Canada (Montreal), and we’re planning a 3-week trip to India in February 2025.

We’re looking for a moderate pace, with comfortable but authentic and immersive accommodations, and good service.

Ideally:

Northern India (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ranthambore) Southern India (Kerala): Cochin, backwaters (cruise), Munnar

Charming or traditional lodgings (haveli, guesthouse, small hotels), comfortable without being luxurious.

Travel by train where possible, and with a private driver for the rest, plus likely a domestic flight.

What do you think?

Hi everyone, I’ve browsed this forum a lot about Ladakh and haven’t found answers to my questions... so here’s my post. I’m heading there next July with a friend for a solid ten days of cycling (no e-bikes) in Ladakh. The flight to Leh is booked for both of us and our bikes. I’ve got my route planned out pretty precisely; the main goal is to climb Umling La, which is currently the world’s highest motorable road at 5,798 m. We’re also planning to tackle 3 or 4 other passes over 5,000 m, including Photila, just next door at a little over 5,500 m.

I’ve read accounts from Europeans saying it’s impossible for foreigners to spend a night in Hanle... that the closest accommodation to the Chinese border would be in Nyoma. What do you think about that?

Also, some say the road between Hanle and Chushul (the one via Tsaga) is off-limits to non-Indians... Is the parallel route, the one via Mahé and Kaksang La (5,400 m), open to foreigners?

Is the road along Pangong Lake (the one through Merak and Man) also off-limits to foreigners?

Thanks for your feedback!

Hi everyone,

I’m not sure if this is a good idea... but I’m throwing a message in a bottle out there again...

I’m looking for a hotel in New Delhi for the end of the month (just one night—for a layover). I’m wary of scams on the usual sites. You find all sorts of prices and huge discounts... but reviews on other platforms scream "scam" about those same hotels. Not that I’m not up for adventure, but if I can avoid making an avoidable mistake, I’d rather learn and discover with kind people than through unscrupulous tourist touts. At the same time, maybe this’ll be helpful to others too.

Is a budget of 40 € (+/-) doable? 50 € (+/-)? Does that sound reasonable? What do you think? Your experiences would really help me out. Thanks, friends.

Looking forward to reading your replies.

Warm regards to all