3-Day Kodaikanal

Day 1: Cozy mountain nestings in Kodaikanal

Arrive in Kodaikanal, settle in, and get a feel for the city.

Getting there

• bus: Bangalore → Kodaikanal · 9 hours · ~₹1,200

  Direct state-run air-conditioned bus from Bangalore (MSRIT) to Kodaikanal, includes a short hill climb near the destination.

• train+bus: Bangalore → Kodaikanal · 11 hours · ~₹1,500

  Take a train to Madurai, then a bus to Kodaikanal.

Things to do

• Kodaikanal Hill Station 4.6★ (23,998)

  Popular hill station nestled in the Palani Hills known for its mist-covered slopes and wooded areas.

  2-3 days · Free

• Pine Forest 4.4★ (19,798)

  Picturesque dense plantation of towering pine trees, popular for tranquil walks and film shoots.

  1 hour · ₹5-20

Where to stay

• Hostyard Kodai 5.0★ (52)

  Hostel · ~₹1,200/night

  A vibrant hostel providing budget-friendly dormitory and private room options with a focus on community and traveler interaction.

• Happy Stone Park Resort 4.9★ (232)

  Hotel · ~₹6,500/night

  A resort-style property offering spacious rooms and landscaped gardens, suitable for families and those seeking a relaxed stay.

• Yaal homestay 4.8★ (113)

  Guest House · ~₹2,350/night

  A residential guest house offering local homestay accommodation for travelers in Kodaikanal.

• Mountain Retreat Kodai 4.8★ (380)

  Hotel · ~₹4,000/night

  A quiet mountain hotel designed for travelers seeking a serene getaway away from the town center.

• The Mainland Resorts, Kodaikanal 4.8★ (304)

  Resort · ~₹5,250/night

  A resort offering comfortable lodging and scenic views for families and groups visiting Kodaikanal.

• Chill Breeze Castle - Kodaikanal Home Stay 4.8★ (120)

  Guest House · ~₹2,650/night

  A cozy homestay experience offering personalized hospitality and cool mist mountain air.

• The Hosteller Kodaikanal 4.8★ (1,618)

  Hostel · ~₹1,550/night

  A vibrant backpacker hostel offering dormitory beds and private rooms with social common areas.

• Acon resorts kodaikanal 4.7★ (133)

  Resort · ~₹4,500/night

  A resort offering recreational facilities and comfortable cottage-style stays.

• The Lovedale – Kodaikanal Stay & Hotel 4.7★ (189)

  Hotel · ~₹3,250/night

  A cozy hotel providing standard accommodation and easy access to local sightseeing spots.

• Zostel Kodaikanal, Vilpatti 4.7★ (563)

  Hostel · ~₹1,650/night

  A scenic hostel located in the peaceful Vilpatti area, offering a tranquil environment with mountain views and communal spaces.

• Rave Raja Co-Working Hostel 4.7★ (137)

  Hostel · ~₹1,350/night

  A dedicated space for digital nomads and travelers, combining comfortable hostel accommodation with functional co-working facilities.

• Dolphin Nose Retreat, Kodaikanal 4.7★ (845)

  Guest House · ~₹2,350/night

  A cozy guest house providing a quiet hillside stay with good access to nature trails.

• Hotel RJ INN 4.6★ (245)

  Hotel · ~₹2,250/night

  A functional city-style hotel offering basic amenities for travelers exploring Kodaikanal.

• 11 Haven street 4.6★ (367)

  Hostel · ~₹1,300/night

  A cozy backpacker hostel offering budget accommodation and social spaces in Kodaikanal.

• WESTERN VALLEY RESORTS KODAI 4.6★ (2,270)

  Resort · ~₹5,500/night

  A valley-view resort offering peaceful surroundings and spacious accommodations.

• HOTEL EDEN PARADISE 4.6★ (151)

  Hotel · ~₹2,650/night

  A modest hotel providing standard lodging options for travelers visiting the hill station.

• Mango Hill Kodai 4.6★ (2,331)

  Resort · ~₹7,000/night

  A quiet resort set amidst greenery known for its distinct architecture and tranquil ambiance.

• Villa Retreat 4.5★ (1,527)

  Resort · ~₹6,250/night

  A heritage-style resort known for its classic architecture, serene ambiance, and proximity to Coaker's Walk.

• Poppys Pleasant Stay Kodaikanal 4.5★ (7,608)

  Resort · ~₹7,000/night

  A well-established resort offering landscaped gardens, comfortable rooms, and leisure amenities.

• July 17 residency kodaikanal 4.5★ (114)

  Hotel · ~₹2,250/night

  A standard lodging option offering straightforward rooms for budget-conscious travelers.

• Hotel Riverr view kodaikanal 4.5★ (122)

  Hotel · ~₹3,100/night

  A lodging option positioned to offer pleasant views of the surrounding natural landscape.

• Trippr Kodaikanal Backpacker Hostel 4.5★ (535)

  Hostel · ~₹1,100/night

  A popular social hostel known for its community vibe, organized activities, and budget-friendly lodging.

• C1 Kodai 4.5★ (245)

  Hostel · ~₹1,050/night

  A popular backpacker hostel in Kodaikanal offering affordable dormitory beds and social communal spaces.

• Starry Nights Glamping - Kodaikanal Wood House 4.5★ (282)

  Camp Site · ~₹8,500/night

  A unique glamping experience featuring wooden structures that offer an immersive nature stay with stargazing opportunities.

• Zostel Kodaikanal 4.5★ (3,614)

  Hostel · ~₹1,850/night

  A popular social hostel situated closer to the town, ideal for travelers looking to meet others and explore local attractions.

• Santa Maria Hostel Kodaikanal 4.5★ (53)

  Hostel · ~₹1,150/night

  A cozy budget hostel providing budget-friendly lodging and a communal atmosphere for travelers.

• Lilly's Valley Resort 4.4★ (2,170)

  Resort · ~₹6,750/night

  One of Kodaikanal's oldest heritage cottage-style resorts set amidst terraced gardens.

• The Jacks Hilltop Resort Kodaikanal 4.4★ (1,693)

  Hotel · ~₹5,250/night

  A hilltop resort providing panoramic views of the surrounding hills and valleys.

• Lumino Fairstay 4.4★ (1,167)

  Resort · ~₹3,750/night

  A resort property catering to families and groups looking for an accessible hill station stay.

• Sterling Kodai Lake 4.4★ (10,272)

  Resort · ~₹9,000/night

  A well-known upscale resort situated close to the scenic Kodaikanal Lake.

• Lazo Eucy Paradise Resort , Kodaikanal 4.4★ (1,716)

  Resort · ~₹4,750/night

  A resort nestled amidst eucalyptus trees, offering a peaceful retreat for nature lovers.

• Hotel Kodai International 4.3★ (5,183)

  Resort · ~₹6,750/night

  An established resort offering extensive amenities, spacious grounds, and comfortable indoor recreational facilities.

• Ganapathy Garden Homestay 4.3★ (459)

  Hotel · ~₹3,000/night

  A home-style accommodation surrounded by a private garden setting.

• HYDERS PARK-THE LUXURY HOTEL 4.3★ (400)

  Hotel · ~₹8,500/night

  A upscale hotel featuring contemporary amenities, fine dining, and comfortable rooms.

• Lumino Skypark 4.3★ (937)

  Hotel · ~₹3,350/night

  A modern hotel providing streamlined lodging and essential guest services.

• Hotel Vetrivel International 4.3★ (245)

  Hotel · ~₹3,000/night

  A practical city hotel catering to both leisure and business travelers.

• Holiday Home Resort, Kodaikanal 4.2★ (2,219)

  Resort · ~₹4,500/night

  A long-standing resort providing spacious accommodations and leisure facilities for holidaymakers.

• Kodai Sunshine Resort 4.2★ (763)

  Hotel · ~₹4,500/night

  A resort property featuring open outdoor spaces and family-friendly rooms.

• Snooze Inn 4.1★ (369)

  Hotel · ~₹1,750/night

  A modest inn providing straightforward rooms for travelers on a budget.

• GREEN LAKE VIEW RESORT 4.1★ (1,272)

  Resort · ~₹4,500/night

  A resort offering views of the surrounding greenery and lake areas in Kodaikanal.

• Spring Valley Residency 4.1★ (569)

  Hotel · ~₹2,650/night

  A lodging option offering convenient access to local attractions and valley views.

• Hotel Green Park 4.0★ (500)

  Hotel · ~₹3,350/night

  A centrally located hotel offering standard amenities and easy access to commercial areas.

• Jayaraj Residency 4.0★ (1,418)

  Hotel · ~₹3,000/night

  A standard hotel providing comfortable accommodation for tourists exploring the town.

• Ramana Holiday Inn 4.0★ (92)

  Hotel · ~₹3,000/night

  A practical hotel offering standard amenities and convenient access to commercial areas of Kodaikanal.

• Hotel Tamilnadu 4.0★ (2,781)

  Hotel · ~₹3,250/night

  A government-run hotel offering straightforward accommodation conveniently situated for exploring Kodaikanal.

• GrandKodai sr inn 3.9★ (299)

  Hotel · ~₹2,800/night

  A modest hotel offering functional rooms and hospitable service for short stays.

• Vivera Highlands (Hotel) 3.9★ (1,192)

  Hotel · ~₹5,250/night

  A contemporary hotel providing scenic vistas of the hills and well-appointed rooms for visitors.

• Hill Heaven Homestay - Kodaikanal Town 3.8★ (146)

  Guest House · ~₹3,000/night

  A cozy, family-run homestay offering comfortable rooms with views of the surrounding hills near the town center.

• Hotel Mount View Kodaikanal 3.8★ (588)

  Hotel · ~₹2,500/night

  A hotel providing standard guest rooms with views of the surrounding hills.

• Kodai Pintree Residency 3.8★ (155)

  Hotel · ~₹3,000/night

  A straightforward hotel providing standard accommodations and convenient access to town attractions.

• Kasa Luxury Inn 3.8★ (325)

  Hotel · ~₹4,500/night

  A well-appointed hotel providing comfortable rooms and modern amenities for travelers in Kodaikanal.

• Hilltop Towers 3.8★ (3,261)

  Hotel · ~₹4,500/night

  A centrally located hotel featuring comfortable rooms and easy access to Kodaikanal's main commercial areas.

• JC Woodville Manor 3.8★ (505)

  Hostel · ~₹1,750/night

  A heritage-style hostel and manor offering budget accommodation and communal spaces.

• Kodai Mist Resort 3.7★ (1,172)

  Resort · ~₹5,000/night

  A resort offering valley views and comfortable mountain lodgings in Kodaikanal.

• Anjay Hotel

  Hotel · ~₹1,850/night

  Economical hotel offering basic, functional spaces for short-duration stays.

• The Hamuse

  Hotel · ~₹5,250/night

  Contemporary hotel situated conveniently in Kodaikanal with comfortable modern amenities.

• Blizz homestay

  Guest House · ~₹3,000/night

  Warm homestay providing personalized hospitality and homely meals in a quiet setting.

• Hamidia Lodge

  Hotel · ~₹1,600/night

  Basic lodge offering simple stay options for travelers seeking economical accommodation.

• Brick House Villa

  Hotel · ~₹7,500/night

  Distinctive brick-architecture villa offering private and peaceful holiday stays.

• May flower guest house

  Guest House · ~₹2,350/night

  A welcoming guesthouse offering quiet rooms and warm hospitality for families and couples.

• Hotel Apple Valley

  Hotel · ~₹4,250/night

  Pleasant retreat surrounded by greenery, ideal for relaxing family vacations.

• Hotel Stonycroft

  Hotel · ~₹4,500/night

  A heritage-style hotel featuring rustic architectural elements and comfortable rooms in a scenic setting.

• Kodai Green Gate Cottage

  Guest House · ~₹3,000/night

  A cozy guesthouse property offering personalized hospitality and a home-like atmosphere.

• Richwin Hotel

  Hotel · ~₹2,900/night

  Conveniently located hotel providing comfortable rooms and easy access to local transport.

• Ruby International

  Hotel · ~₹4,000/night

  Mid-scale hotel offering well-maintained rooms and essential guest services.

• Sterling Kodai Lake Office

  Hotel · ~₹6,000/night

  Hospitality booking and assistance office managed by Sterling near the lake.

• Hotel Grand Palace

  Hotel · ~₹4,500/night

  Spacious hotel equipped with standard amenities and comfortable rooms for families.

• Maruti Villa

  Chalet · ~₹4,500/night

  A scenic independent villa rental offering cozy chalet-style lodging in a peaceful neighborhood.

• Timer Lake Hotel

  Hostel · ~₹1,050/night

  Budget-friendly hostel accommodation favored by backpackers and budget travelers.

• Hotel Bala

  Hotel · ~₹1,600/night

  A straightforward budget hotel catering to short-stay tourists and families on a strict budget.

• Winsford Cottage

  Chalet · ~₹5,250/night

  A charming chalet-style accommodation surrounded by greenery, ideal for quiet mountain getaways.

• Hotel Eden

  Hotel · ~₹2,250/night

  A modest hotel providing standard accommodation amenities for travelers looking for a central base.

• Valley View Hotel

  Hotel · ~₹4,750/night

  Hotel featuring scenic views of the surrounding hills and valleys, offering comfortable stays.

• Strawbery hotel

  Hotel · ~₹3,250/night

  Cozy lodging option ideal for families seeking a quiet retreat in the hills.

• A S Cottage

  Hotel · ~₹2,650/night

  A private cottage rental providing a quiet stay experience suitable for families visiting the hills.

• The Tamara Kodai

  Hotel · ~₹17,000/night

  Luxury heritage resort featuring upscale rooms, fine dining, and serene hill views.

• De Huts Kodaikanal

  Guest House · ~₹3,750/night

  Cozy independent wooden huts offering a rustic stay experience in Kodaikanal.

• Hotel Shiva Priya

  Hotel · ~₹2,500/night

  Traditional hotel offering straightforward accommodation close to town center attractions.

• JC Grand

  Hotel · ~₹5,750/night

  Modern hotel equipped with contemporary amenities for a comfortable tourist stay.

• Vata Heaven

  Hostel · ~₹1,200/night

  A backpacker-friendly hostel providing budget dorms and social common areas for independent travelers.

• Greenland Youth Hostel

  Hotel · ~₹1,250/night

  Youth hostel providing affordable shared and private dormitory-style lodging.

• Anifa Residency

  Hotel · ~₹2,500/night

  Standard lodging option offering functional rooms for travelers visiting Kodaikanal.

• Sarmila Residency

  Hotel · ~₹1,750/night

  Economical lodge offering basic lodging facilities for budget-conscious travelers.

• Hotel Spring Valley

  Hotel · ~₹4,400/night

  Charming property nestled amidst greenery, offering tranquil rooms and lovely views.

• SV International

  Hotel · ~₹3,250/night

  Well-established hotel featuring standard amenities and comfortable rooms.

• Hotel Crescent park

  Hotel · ~₹3,750/night

  A contemporary hotel featuring essential modern amenities and comfortable rooms for leisure travelers.

• Hotel Maharajas

  Hotel · ~₹2,250/night

  Traditional budget hotel providing straightforward accommodation close to town center.

• Hotel Gurupriya

  Hotel · ~₹2,700/night

  Relaxed lodging option providing cozy rooms and easy access to Kodaikanal's main sights.

• Golden Parks Inn

  Hotel · ~₹3,750/night

  A well-established mid-range hotel offering comfortable rooms and easy access to local tourist attractions.

• Zostel

  Hostel · ~₹1,600/night

  A popular social hostel chain offering vibrant dormitory beds, private rooms, and scenic outdoor hangouts.

Food

• Whistler Cafe 4.9★ (1,785)

  Breakfast · cafe · ₹150-400

  Hot Chocolate

• Altaf's Cafe 4.3★ (5,161)

  Lunch · middle eastern · ₹200-500

  Falafel Wrap

• Lakeview 4.5★ (2,066)

  Dinner · multi-cuisine · ₹300-800

  Chef's specials

Estimated cost for the day: ~₹3,558

Day 2: Verdant hills and temple vistas

Avocado Hill, Palani Viewpoint, Greencrest, and Kurinji Andavar Temple in Kodaikanal, with a stop at Valley View.

Getting there

• Cab: Hotel → City Center · 15-30 min · ~₹242

  Book via Ola/Uber for AC comfort.

Things to do

• Avocado Hill

  A tranquil elevated spot known for its local orchards and peaceful ambiance away from the main town.

  1 hour · Free

• Palani Viewpoint

  A vantage point providing sweeping views of the plains and the distant town of Palani on clear days.

  45 minutes · Free

• Greencrest

  A scenic highland locality featuring lush greenery and picturesque landscape views.

  1 hour · Free

• Kurinji Andavar Temple 4.7★ (7,865)

  Famous Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Murugan, surrounded by rare Kurinji flowers that bloom every 12 years.

  1 hour · Free

Food

• Valley View 4.4★ (67)

  Breakfast · multi-cuisine · ₹300-800

  Chef's specials

• Adyar Ananda Bhavan - A2B 4.2★ (1,235)

  Lunch · south indian · ₹150-400

  Masala Dosa

• Ten Degrees 4.3★ (871)

  Dinner · cafe · ₹150-400

  Hot Chocolate

Estimated cost for the day: ~₹2,545

Day 3: Reflective farewell by lakes and shrines

Last-minute visit to Palani Temple Majestic Viewpoint before departure.

Getting there

• Rental Scooter: Hotel → City Center · 15-30 min · ~₹201

  Rent for the day for maximum flexibility getting around.

Things to do

• Palani Temple Majestic Viewpoint

  Elevated spot offering distant views of the sacred Palani Murugan Temple on clear days.

  30 minutes · Free

• Sri Mahalakshmi Temple

  A serene hilltop temple known for its spiritual atmosphere and panoramic views of the surrounding hills.

  1 hour · Free

• Mannavanur Lake 4.6★ (3,772)

  Serene, remote high-altitude lake surrounded by rolling green meadows and pine trees.

  3 hours · ₹20-100

• Silent Valley View 4.5★ (1,524)

  Serene viewpoint offering a quiet look at the mist-veiled valleys and deep green ravines.

  30 minutes · Free

Food

• La Serre Kodaikanal 3.6★ (199)

  Breakfast · continental · ₹500-1200

  Wood-fired Pizza

• Hotel Noor Mma's family restaurant 4.4★ (516)

  Lunch · south indian · ₹150-400

  Chicken Biryani

• Darescape - Gaming Cafe 4.6★ (73)

  Dinner · cafe · ₹150-400

  Cold Coffee

Estimated cost for the day: ~₹2,726