Story of a Never-Ending Bus Journey
Mistakes, they say, come in chains—one leads to another, and before you know it, you’re caught in a web of inconvenience. That’s exactly what happened to me during a short vacation to South India. I’ve never been a fan of long-distance bus rides. The confined space and limited access to restrooms make it a less-than-pleasant experience, especially when travelling with a seven-year-old. But fate had other plans, and I found myself on what felt like an endless bus journey from Madurai to Rameswaram.
A Change in Travel Plans
My original itinerary included a train ride from Madurai to Rameswaram. Unfortunately, the day I intended to travel, there were no direct train services. While looking for alternatives, I came across a blog that mentioned a train from Manamadurai to Rameswaram. Without thinking too much, I booked the tickets.
That was my first mistake. The train was scheduled to depart at 5 AM, and Manamadurai wasn’t easily accessible from Madurai—certainly not that early in the morning by auto or cab.
Switching to a Bus: Madurai to Rameswaram
Upon arriving in Madurai, I decided to switch plans again. I asked the hotel travel desk about bus options and was told there was a bus leaving at 7 AM the next morning for Rs. 200 per person. I was urged to book immediately as seats were filling up fast. Thinking it was just a sales tactic, I ignored the advice and went on with my Madurai city tour, confident that buses would be available later in the evening.
That overconfidence cost me dearly.
By the time I returned and tried bus booking, I was informed that the bus was full, but it was an extended weekend, so no other buses were available. I had already cancelled my train tickets, so I was now left without any confirmed travel options.
Desperate Measures and Last-Minute Bookings
The next hour was spent running from one travel agent to another, all of whom had the same response: no seats available. Finally, I found one agent who told me that buses do get arranged at the last minute, but prices surge due to demand. I ended up paying Rs. 500 per person instead of the earlier Rs. 200.
The next morning, we were taken to the bus early and were among the first passengers to board. We secured great seats and felt a bit relieved—until the wait began. We had to sit inside the idle bus for over 90 minutes until more passengers showed up.
The Real Journey Begins
Eventually, other passengers trickled in: a family of four from Bengaluru, a group of six from Lucknow, and an elderly couple from Kolkata. While most of us were eager to reach Rameswaram quickly, the elderly couple seemed to have other priorities. After just half an hour on the road, they requested a stop for breakfast. Being elderly, no one objected, and the driver agreed.
The stop turned into a mini-meal session. As we sat inside the bus, sweating under the midday sun, the couple leisurely enjoyed their idlis and sambar. After about 45 minutes, they returned—but the bus wouldn’t start. The driver tried everything, but the self-start had failed. We even got out to help push-start the vehicle, but that didn’t work either. Eventually, a spare battery was arranged, and the bus finally came back to life.
Trouble on the Road
Once we resumed the journey, we were told there would be no more stops. That brought relief to most of us, especially those who had booked same-day return trips with sightseeing in Rameswaram. They had paid around Rs. 1500 each for the entire package and were visibly anxious about the delays.
Unfortunately, our bus crawled at a snail’s pace. It barely touched 40 km/h, with mopeds overtaking us with ease. By the time we reached the Pamban Bridge, it was already 2 PM. And then came another delay—a political rally blocked traffic for almost an hour.
Arriving Late, Tired, and Frustrated
We finally reached Rameswaram, which was over four hours behind schedule. Exhausted and frustrated, we got down near the railway station, relieved that our hotel was within walking distance.
But the drama wasn’t over. The Bengali couple suddenly realized they had no time left for sightseeing. To catch their return train from Madurai, they needed to head back immediately. They insisted that the driver take them back right away. On the other hand, the family from Lucknow, who had a late-night train, refused to leave before completing their sightseeing. They booked an online bus through UPSRTC to go to Lucknow.
What followed was utter chaos. As arguments broke out, I quietly got off the bus. Just before stepping out, I leaned toward the Bengali gentleman and whispered, “Wasn’t that idli delicious?”
Never Again
This trip was enough to convince me to stay away from long-distance bus travel, at least in unpredictable holiday seasons. For the return leg, I decided to hire a self-driving car. It was a far better choice—comfortable, flexible, and stress-free.
Over the years, I’ve come to rely more on self-drive rental services like Zoom Car. With GPS and mobile connectivity, it's easier to explore even the lesser-known places. I had a great experience using a car rental service in Bangalore during my Mysore trip—cost-effective and incredibly convenient.
While it might seem like a new concept here, self-driving rentals are quite popular in Europe. People hire everything from cars to motorcycles to even minivans to explore the countryside. My family has warmed up to this style of travel, and they absolutely love it.
Bus journeys, as I’ve learned, might be economical, but when things go wrong, they really go wrong.
Image credit: Depositphotos