South India Trip Duration: How Many Days Do You Really Need?

When planning a trip to South India, the region covering Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh, known for its ancient temples, lush backwaters, and vibrant food culture, the biggest question isn’t where to go—it’s how long to stay. Most travelers assume they need two weeks, but that’s not always true. You can get a solid taste of South India in just five days if you focus on one state. Or you can spend a full month and still miss hidden hilltop temples and quiet coastal villages. The right trip length depends on what you’re after: temples, beaches, food, or slow boat rides through rice fields.

South India trip duration isn’t one-size-fits-all. A Kerala backwater cruise alone can take three days if you want to do it right—staying overnight on a houseboat, waking up to mist over coconut trees, and watching fishermen haul in their catch. Meanwhile, Mysore Palace and its light show can be covered in half a day, but if you want to explore the surrounding silk markets and temple complexes, you’ll need a full day. And don’t forget travel time between cities. Getting from Cochin to Munnar takes four hours by road. That’s four hours you won’t get back. So if you’re trying to hit Chennai, Hampi, and the Nilgiris in seven days, you’re rushing. And rushing defeats the whole point of South India.

What’s the sweet spot for most travelers?

For first-timers, seven to ten days is the Goldilocks zone. It lets you spend three days in Kerala—coast, backwaters, and a hill station—then two days in Mysore or Hampi for history, and two more days in Chennai or Pondicherry for culture and food. That’s enough to feel the rhythm without burnout. If you’ve got more time, add a day or two in Coorg for coffee plantations or a quick island hop to Varkala. If you’re short on time, skip the long drives. Stick to one state. Kerala alone has enough to fill a week. Tamil Nadu’s temple trail from Madurai to Kanchipuram can swallow ten days if you slow down.

What you’ll find in the posts below are real, tested itineraries—not generic checklists. You’ll see how long people actually spent at each spot, what they skipped, and why. You’ll learn when to avoid crowds, which days are best for temple visits, and how to stretch your budget so you don’t end up sleeping in a train station because you ran out of time and cash. No fluff. No guesswork. Just what works on the ground.