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Kerala has a good and well-developed road and rail network that connects all corners of the state.
Compared to other places in India Kerala has good roads, but they are often relatively narrow and there is much traffic. A good way to travel in Kerala is to rent a car with driver, which is not much more expensive than renting a car without a driver. It is not recommended for tourists to drive a car in India since the traffic is quite different to what especially tourists from the U.S. and Europe are accustomed to; ordinary traffic rules seem not to exist or is not respected. It is therefore not safe to drive yourself.
The advantage of renting a car with driver is also that the driver knows where you want to go, how to get there and he can provide information about things you pass by. Everybody is taught English in schools in Kerala so most drivers will be able to communicate in fairly understandable English. If you like sightseeing to special places, such as temples and palaces, it's a good idea to hire a guide to take along for the ride, who in detail can tell you about the places - the driver will not normally be trained to do this.
Although the distances are not particularly great in Kerala, it usually takes a long time to drive from one place to another, partly because there is much traffic, but also because the roads themselves do not allow going particularly fast. One should, for example, expect a driving time of approximately 5 hours from Cochin to Thekkady (Periyar), a distance of about 190 km. It can be a good idea to ask the driver to stop a few times along the way to stretch your legs or to get something to drink. If you do not ask for these stops, the driver will ride in one stretch no matter how tired he is, so to ask for a couple of stops can be recommended if for nothing else, for reasons of safety.
Another way to travel in Kerala is to take the bus. There are many buses to most destinations and it is a cheap way of getting around. You should be prepared that this form of travel is not particularly comfortable, buses are relatively old and often overcrowded, and in addition they often drive faster than conditions permit and at times very risky. When driving a car it is not unusual to be overtaken by a bus on winding, narrow mountain roads where you cannot see what is happening around the next corner.
Kerala has an extensive rail network, so to travel by train is also an option if you want to get around in Kerala. A train journey in India is an experience in itself, and a relatively safe and cheap way of transport. If you want to travel in a more luxurious class, you must have a seat reservation which usually must be booked well in advance.
It is also possible to travel on domestic flights between Cochin and Trivandrum. The distance between these cities is only about 210 km., but it can easily take 5-6 hours to go this distance by car, therefore a domestic flight can be a good alternative.
Finally, to certain destinations it is possible to travel by boat. The most popular boat trip is through the backwaters from Alleppey (Alappuzha) to Kollam, or the opposite way. The boat trip takes about 7-8 hours and is incredibly beautiful.
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