The best months to visit Tamil Nadu are December to March, when days are hot and sunny (25-35C) and the evenings are warm. April and May get hotter and more humid, but are still quite bearable; May and June see plenty of local festivals. The summer monsoon brings rain in July and August, but it's very light in this part of India, with some moderate rainfall in the evening. September is usually dry, before the winter monsoon arrives in October and November.
To search flights across all airlines, we recommend using Skyscanner
BY AIR
From the UK: carriers include British Airways. Oman Air, Emirates and Qatar Airways.
From Europe: try Lufthansa, Emirates or Qatar Airways.
From within India: with Air lndia, SpiceJet and IndiGo.
By train: Tamil Nadu has good rail links with cities and towns across India - see below for more details or visit Seat 61 for a beginner's guide.
BY TRAIN: India has a good rail network, though trains can be slow and journeys lengthy. Check out Indian Rail for timetables.
BY CAR & DRIVER: If you can afford it and have limited time, we would recommend hiring a car with a driver as the best way to see the country. It's cheaper than hiring a self-drive car, and the drivers usually arrange their own accommodation and food. Contact our recommended Tailormade Tours Operator.
BY BUS: Travelling by bus is a cheap way to get around, but they can be very overcrowded and uncomfortable. They link all towns and cities, and you can always pick up a rickshaw at the bus stop for short hops to your hotel.
BY TAXI: There are taxi-cars, with or without air conditioning, and a large number of auto-rickshaws on the roads. Fares are cheap with various small extras. Some drivers try to stop off at shops where they get commissions on your purchases, while others fend off all touts and take you straight to your destination.
HEALTH
The most common health problems for visitors are diarrhoea and sun-related problems. It's important to drink a lot of bottled water (tap water isn't safe to drink) and protect yourself from the sun. Also be aware of what, and where, you are eating. Choose fruits that you can peel and avoid fresh salads (or wash them yourself with purified water) and ice made from tap water. Be cautious of ice cream, cold milk and undercooked fish or meat. If you experience diarrhoea it's very important to replace lost fluids and, in the case of severe diarrhoea, lost minerals and salts (it’s a good idea to go prepared with some oral rehydration salts). If you become ill your hotel should be able to recommend a good local doctor or clinic. You may want to consider carrying an emergency treatment pack including needles and syringes.
Make sure you're up to date with vaccinations for diphtheria, tetanus and polio. Vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid are also advisable (note that the current vaccine against cholera offers very low protection and isn't usually recommended). Consider vaccinations against rabies and Japanese B encephalitis if you're planning to stay longer than a couple of weeks. Malaria is present in Tamil Nadu - your doctor will be able to advise you on the appropriate anti-malarial medication. Insect repellent is essential; use one containing DEET.
TIPPING
Many staff are paid very low salaries and expect to be tipped. In hotels and restaurants, 10% is normal. In other situations, where there is no bill, a few rupees will suffice.