Backpacking South India one month itinerary by bus or train?! 🚌🚊🌴 Backpacking India travel blog

Hi there!

 

The most beautiful state in South India is Kerala! 😁

But there are many more beautiful places to visit in South India that can be a perfect part of a backpacking India route!

 

 

So you’re looking at planning your first trip to India, and you’re trying to figure out your backpacking India itinerary, where to go, and how many days to spend in each city.

One month in India can give you the chance to take things a bit more slowly and to get a nice introduction to travel in India!

 

 

You can choose to start in north India with the Golden Triangle and Rajasthan…

Or you can start in South India!

 

Here will give you an idea on some of what you might be able to expect when you’ll be traveling around South India on a budget!

 

 

South India itinerary when backpacking India

 

Below is a mini South India travel guide and ideas for backpacking India and ideas on things to do in India.

 

First, the quick list of the must-visit places for traveling around south India.

 

 

Then, this guide also includes ideas on your route, including how you can get around India on a budget from place to place by public transportation.

 

 

For example, taking the overnight sleeper train or general class train during the day like going from Gokarna to Palolem or overnight sleeper bus or local bus during the day like going from Palolem to Margao.

 

 

For more, be sure to see the important things to know for backpacking India for the first time! (aka how to make traveling in India less difficult… and dare I say… EASY?!)

And then, a more detailed look into how you can plan out your route to go to these places during your one month in India!

 

 

Now…

Best places to visit in South India

 

Now first is the short list of places to consider prioritizing, or at least make the “core” places to visit in South India.

And then you can consider looking at the other cities based on which interests you the most! 

But if you ONLY go to these top 6 places to prioritize, you’ll likely end up having a perfect first trip to India too!

So the important thing to know is to try not to cram too much into your one month. 

Be sure to allow some time to take it easy when you’re traveling around India!

 

 

 

6 top places to visit in India in one month

 

1. Mumbai

Chaotic city in India

 

 

2. Goa

Chill beach vibes in India

 

 

3. Hampi

Historical ruins in India

 

 

4. Mysore

Palace in India

 

 

5. Alleppey

Chill vibes and backwaters in India

 

 

6. Varkala

Chill vibes and ocean views in India

 

 

Now…

Because it is SO hard to create just ONE South India itinerary…

Mainly since different people have different preferences…

Here are a few more of the top places to visit in South India that you may want to make a visit to.

It’s not realistic to fit ALL of these places listed above and below into your one month itinerary, but this will give you a starting point of a list of cities to further research to see if you also want to add any of these cities to your own priority list! 

 

 

So to continue…

More top places to visit in South India

 

7. Gokarna

Multi-beach trek in India. You can make this a multi-day trip from Goa. Or if you skip Hampi and Mysore, you can also go down the coast from Goa to Kerala, making a stop in Gokarna along the way.

 

 

8. Fort Cochin

Colonial history in India. You can make this your first stop in Kerala. See what it’s like to take a local ferry to Fort Cochin.

 

 

9. Munnar

Tea plantations in India. You can go here after Cochin and/or before Alleppey. See what it’s like to take a local bus to Munnar.

 

 

10. Kanyakumari

Southern tip of India. You can go here after Varkala and Kerala. See what it’s like to take the general class train to Kanyakumari.

 

 

11. Madurai

Temple city in India and one of the holiest cities in India… you can go here after Kanyakumari. See what it’s like to take the overnight bus from Madurai. Or if you’re coming from Sri Lanka, Madurai is often one of the cheapest flights from Sri Lanka to India.

 

 

12. Pondicherry

French Quarter of India… You can go here if you’re flying into or out of Chennai. Chennai often offers among the cheapest flights from Southeast Asia to India. See what’s it’s like to take the local bus from Pondicherry. See what it’s like to take the overnight bus from Pondicherry.

 

 

13. Mahabalipuram

Historical sites with chill beach vibes… You can make a day trip here when staying in Chennai or Pondicherry. See what it’s like to take the local bus from Mahabalipuram.

 

 

States covered:

• Maharashtra (Mumbai)
• Goa
• Karnataka (Hampi, Mysore, Gokarna)
• Kerala (Alleppey, Varkala, Cochin, Munnar)
• Tamil Nadu (Kanyakumari, Madurai, Mahabalipuram) 
• Pondicherry (territory)

 

 

Side note!!

The need-to-know India travel tips!

If it’s your first trip to India, be sure to see these tips for getting around India on a budget, and more!

Mosquito repellent tip!!

You can buy good mosquito repellent when you’re in India! There’s a more natural repellent, and it has vitamin E and almond oil in it too… meaning it’s good for your skin too. 😉

India tourist visa tip! 

See the current cost of an e-visa by selecting your country. (partner website.) If you’re American, know that you can get a 10-year tourist visa! If you’re fairly certain this South India trip is your ONLY trip to India you’ll make, then the e-visa will be a simpler process. American or not, also see about how to get an e-visa for India. 

 

 

Now…

Some more details on how to further plan your one month in South India to see if you’ll want to follow this itinerary for your first trip to India!

 

 

How to put South India’s top backpacker cities into a one month itinerary?!

 

How to spend one month in India:

• 2-3 days in Mumbai
• 3-4 days in Goa
• 2-3 days in Hampi
• 1-2 days in Mysore
• 1-2 days in Alleppey
• 1-2 days in Varkala

 

So these days don’t add up to a month. 

The number of days to spend in each city is SO flexible! 

This gives you extra time in case you decide you want to stay in one place longer.

This also gives you time to add in extra nearby places along the way that interest you. 

But listed numbers are just to give you an idea. 

You may find that you want to spend more time in each place because you like the vibe, or maybe you’re ready to move on sooner! 

But I really think that if it’s your first trip to India and you go to all of these places, you will leave India feeling like you need to come back to India for more!

You know, like spending a few weeks in Rajasthan. 😉

 

 

Getting around South India on a budget

• Mumbai to Goa overnight bus
• Goa to Hampi train or overnight bus
• Hampi to Mysore train
• Mysore to Alleppey train(s)
• Alleppey to Varkala ferry + bus (or Alleppey to Varkala train)

 

 

Getting around India by bus

 

Bus can be a reasonable way to travel around India. 

I have been on plenty of overnight buses and daytime local government buses in India alone, and I think it’s a fine way to travel.

 

Overnight bus

 

When you’re backpacking India on a budget, overnight bus travel can be a good way to get between many of the cities because of the longer distance. 

To give you an idea of what overnight travel on a sleeper bus might be like, see examples of travel by bus in South India to Kerala, to Madurai, and from Mumbai.

And be sure to check the basics to know about sleeper bus travel in India!

You can search for bus timings on redbus, and you can book your bus ticket that way too. 

Overnight AC buses might cost around 700 rupees (US$10).

 

Daytime local bus

 

If you’re going a shorter distance of 2-6 hours, then traveling by local bus can also be a reasonable option.

For these types of buses, you don’t need to book in advance, and you’ll pay for the bus ticket once you’re on the bus.

To give you an idea of what local bus travel might be like, see an example of travel by bus in South India in Goa from Palolem to Margao.

A 4-6 hour local bus might cost around 100-150 rupees (US$2).

 

 

Getting around India by train

 

Train can also be a reasonable way to travel around India. 

I have also been on a number of overnight trains and daytime general class trains in India alone, and again, I think it’s a fine way to travel.

 

Overnight train

 

But given the distance of most of the places you’ll likely be traveling, it will be best to reserve your seat ahead of time for many of the train routes.

This is more or less mostly because certain routes could be good to choose overnight train travel.

That’s because generally speaking, trains in India do sometimes sell out well in advance.

For comfort on the train (well, as comfortable as regular trains in India get!), you’ll want to book a train ticket in AC class – 1AC, 2AC, or 3AC. (The numbers indicating how many berths/sleeper seats are on one side.)

 

 

But sleeper class (which is non-AC) can work out fine too, and it’s cheaper.

 

 

To see more of what a train looks like inside, have a look at this AC train ride from Goa to Hampi.

A non-AC sleeper class overnight train might cost around 300 rupees (US$5). An AC overnight train might cost around 1,000-2,000 rupees (US$15-30). 

 

Daytime general class train

 

It is also possible to travel by train in India and buy your ticket on the day of, but this is generally best for shorter train journeys.

That’s because you can also travel by train in general class without any specific seat reservations. 

You would buy your ticket at the train station on the day you want to get to your next destination.

But general class means there are no seat reservations, and that means there’s a chance that the train will be crowded and you may not be able to get a seat.

For longer train journeys, you might want a seat reservation for comfort.

Also keep in mind that generally speaking, trains in India are known for delays. 

For examples of when a general class train ticket can work out well in South India, see how I went from Gokarna to Goa and Kerala to Kanyakumari.

A 2-3 hour general class train might cost 30 rupees (US$0.50).

 

Whether you’re going for overnight train or daytime train, you can search for train timings through trainman.

 

 

Getting around India by ferry

 

There are also a number of places in India in which a short boat ride might be a way to get around!

This can make it a unique way to get around.

These might be simple 5-10 minute boat rides to simply get across the water when you’re exploring a specific area, and it might cost you like 10 rupees (US$0.15).

 

 

Many times you can take a bicycle or a scooter with you on the boat.

Some of these commuter ferries also accept regular vehicles too, like a rickshaw or a car.

 

 

Or some ferries in India can be a boat ride of several hours too.

I’ve taken ferries in Goa, ferries in Hampi, and ferries near Gokarna, and these were 5-10 minute boat rides.

I’ve also taken a number of ferries in Kerala, and these were generally to travel a bit further, sometimes a few hours.

 

 

Getting around India by rickshaw

 

When you are in any given city in India, taking an auto rickshaw might be an effective way to get around the city.

 

 

How much you pay for a rickshaw will completely depend on the distance you’re going, but you might pay something like 50 rupees to 200 rupees (US$1-3) for a single rickshaw ride.

Other times, simply walking might be a good way to get around a city!

In bigger cities, it’s possible to get around by Uber or Ola ride sharing taxi services too.

 

 

Where to stay in India

 

India’s backpacker culture is expanding, and this means that there are now a good number of hostels in India to choose from.

There are many hostels with AC dorm beds, and these might be around 500 rupees (US$7) per bed. 

 

 

See what type of things you might be able to expect from hostels in India. 

 

 

And see what cities you can find hostels in Goa and hostels in Kerala.

There may be some popular backpacker cities that don’t have a huge variety of hostels, but in these places there are still decent budget accommodation options. 

There are a few backpacker hostel chains across India now, with Zostel being among the most popular.

 

 

Now…

What are the best things to do in South India?!

 

Backpacking Mumbai

 

If you’re looking for a long international flight to get to India, chances are Mumbai will be among the cheapest cities in South India to fly into.

 

 

And Mumbai can also make a nice gateway to India. 

I think a lot of being in Mumbai is more or less about just being there.

So no matter what you choose to do, you’ll be sure to get a fine intro to Mumbai!

But in case you’re looking for specific things to do, many of the main “tourist attractions” are around South Mumbai. 

If you are looking to take in some Mumbai nightlife, you may look into staying around the neighborhood of Bandra.

 

South India travel in pictures: Best things to do in Mumbai

 

1. Marine Drive

 

2. Gateway of India

 

3. More walking around South Mumbai

 

 

Next up: Mumbai to Goa

Going from Mumbai to Goa can be a solid overnight trip.

You can get there by bus or train, but bus might be a little bit more convenient as it generally doesn’t require as much planning in advance.

 

Backpacking Goa

 

The state of Goa is known as a top beach destination in India, and it’s also a popular backpacking destination.

You’ll want to choose between 3 main areas of Goa to stay:

• North Goa beaches
• Panjim
• South Goa beaches

…Or you can spend more time in Goa by getting a taste of all 3 areas!

In general, especially during season time (generally speaking which is outside the summer monsoon months)…

North Goa is known for more of a party scene…

South Goa is known to be a bit quieter than the north…

And then Goa’s capital of Panjim will give you more of a taste into the state’s Portuguese history with the buildings all around.

When you head away from the main tourist strips of any of Goa’s beach towns, you can start to get a taste of Goa’s quiet village roads, along with cute colorful homes too.

Although Goa is primarily known for its beaches, if you want more than just beaches, Goa can be a cute area to explore! 

There are also a number of forts in Goa that offer ocean views too. 

 

 

South India travel in pictures: Best things to do in Goa

 

1. Beach

 

2. Beach hut

 

3. Beach shack or beachfront restaurant

 

4. Fort with ocean views

 

5. Roam the streets

 

 

South India travel in pictures: Best places to visit in Goa

 

1. Palolem (south)

 

2. Agonda (south)

 

3. Panjim

Latin Quarter of India with Portuguese history

 

4. Anjuna (north)

 

5. Vagator (north)

 

 

Where to stay in Goa

I’ve stayed in the following hostels in Goa that I can recommend:

• Rainbow Lining hostel in Palolem
• Old Quarter hostel in Panjim
• Jungle hostel in Vagator

See more of the best hostels in Goa. (aka good backpacker destinations in Goa!)

 

 

Next up: Goa to Hampi

 

A popular way to get from Goa to Hampi is by overnight bus. 

I decided to go by train during the day though (7.5 hours), mostly because that gives you a chance to see Goa’s famous waterfalls, Dudhsagar Falls, directly from the train! 

 

 

There is no train station directly in Hampi, so once you reach the nearby train station, you’ll need to take a rickshaw or bus to Hampi.

See my train journey from Goa to Hampi with waterfall views.

 

Backpacking Hampi

 

If you like ancient ruins, Hampi is not to be missed!

One of the main things to do in Hampi is to visit the various UNESCO world heritage sites that are spread out in the area.

There are ruins to be seen all around, and there are constant scenes of boulders and stones all around Hampi.

There are basically 2 sides to Hampi, with a river dividing the 2 sides. You can cross the river by boat.

 

 

South India travel in pictures: Best things to do in Hampi

 

1. Matanga Hill

…and the nearby ruins

 

2. Anjanadri Hill

 

3. Tungabhadra River crossing by boat

 

4. Walk the small streets

 

 

Next up: Hampi to Mysore

 

There is an overnight train from the train station near Hampi directly to Mysore!

 

Backpacking Mysore

 

Mysore is most famous for its palace.

This can also be a break-up point to get from Hampi to Kerala… which is basically one of the main reasons I passed through.

But if you’re looking for more things to do, there do seem to be places to explore around the city for a couple of days!

 

 

South India travel in pictures: Best things to do in Mysore

Mysore Palace

 

Next up: Mysore to Kerala

There are no direct trains from Mysore to Kerala – at least central Kerala and south Kerala where the main Kerala backpacker destinations are.

I found the easiest to go through Bangalore.

If you look at a map, this will look like you’re going out of the way a bit.

But I felt like this would be the most convenient as Bangalore is a major transit hub.

Being a major transit hub means that there are more connections available to go to different places, including from Mysore and to Kerala.

So I went from Mysore to Bangalore in the morning (2.5 hours), rested up in the waiting room at the Bangalore train station, and then took the evening overnight train from Bangalore to Alleppey (13 hours). 

From Bangalore, you can also find overnight buses Wayanad and Munnar if you are interested in hill stations in Kerala.

 

Backpacking Alleppey

 

Kerala is famous for its backwaters, and Alleppey is THE hub of the Kerala backwaters. 

This means that you have a few different options for experiencing the backwaters.

You can go by canoe, kayak, ferry, houseboat, or even cycling on a road along the waters.

And after you’ve gotten your fill of the backwaters, you can finish it off with more things to do in Alleppey by relaxing with views of Alleppey Beach at a beachside guesthouse or beachside hostel, along with eating at a beachfront restaurant!

You can totally make it a perfect one day in Alleppey.

 

South India travel in pictures: Best things to do in Alleppey

 

1. Kerala backwaters

 

Canoe

 

Kayaking

 

Ferry

 

2. Alleppey Beach

 

3. Beachside stay

 

4. Beachfront restaurant

 

5. Sunset beach yoga

 

…or morning yoga!

 

 

 

Where to stay in Alleppey

I’ve stayed at the following backpacker places to stay in Alleppey that I can recommend:

• Zostel Alleppey
• Funky Art Beach House

 

 

Next up: Alleppey to Varkala

There are a number of buses and trains you can take to get to Varkala from Alleppey.

The bus will likely take around 4-5 hours, and the train will likely take around 3 hours.

Since this is a shorter distance, you can go for the train in general class so you won’t have to book a train ticket in advance.

You just show up to the Alleppey train station on the day you want to go to Varkala and buy a ticket before you board the train.

Again, taking the train in general class does mean that you do have a chance of not being able to get a seat.

 

Backpacking Varkala

 

Varkala is known as one of the beach towns in Kerala.

It’s also famous for the restaurants and accommodations that you can find on the cliff.

Kerala is also the birthplace of ayurveda, which is basically using natural herbs and remedies for treating chronic illnesses (and non-chronic), as well as to stay healthy.

You can find many yoga retreats with ayurveda across Kerala.

You’ll also be able to find a place to get an ayurvedic massage in Varkala pretty easily. There will be beach resorts that offer them, and you can also find places as you walk along the Varkala cliff.

 

South India travel in pictures: Best things to do in Varkala

 

1. Varkala Beach

 

2.  Varkala cliff restaurant

 

3. Ayurvedic massage

 

 

More places to visit in India

If you want to continue onwards, consider making your next stop the southern tip of India with a train from Kerala to Kanyakumari.

 

So from Varkala, you may consider, in this order:

• Kanyakumari
• Madurai
• Pondicherry
• Mahabalipuram
• Chennai

 

Or if you want to fly out of Kerala, the nearest airport to Varkala is the Trivandrum Airport. This airport is around 1.5 hours from Varkala.

Another popular airport in Kerala for backpackers is the Cochin Airport. This airport is around 1-1.5 hours from Fort Cochin, and around 2-2.5 hours from Alleppey.

 

 

 

And then…

If you won’t be making an international flight from Kerala, and you’ll be sticking around India to go further up north…

 

Where to go in north India?!

 

Have a deeper look at what these places have to offer for the rest of your India trip.

 

1. Golden Triangle

Try 1 week in the Golden Triangle of India with a visit to the Taj Mahal of course!

 

 

2. Jaipur

Try 3 days in Jaipur, the pink city of India

 

 

3. Udaipur

Try 3 days in Udaipur, the city of lakes of India

 

 

4. Jodhpur

Try 2 days in Jodhpur, the blue city of India

 

 

5. Jaisalmer

Try 3 days in Jaisalmer, the golden city of India

 

 

6. Thar Desert

Go for an overnight camel safari in India and sleep under the stars in the desert

 

 

HAPPY BACKPACKING INDIA FOR ONE MONTH… or more!

 

Welcome to India!!

Welcome to Kerala!!