24 hours on Luxury Sleeperbus From Kerala to Hyderabad 🇮🇳

Overnight Sleeper Bus Challenge (Kerala → Hyderabad, ~24 hours)

• Caught an overnight Volvo sleeper bus from Kochi (Kerala) toward Hyderabad (dubbed “Volvo 9,600”).
• Differences from a previous sleeper bus experience:
  • The bus color theme changed (earlier green/white; this one blue/yellow/black/white).
  • Back seats are preferred because they’re less disturbed (more private/quiet).
  • Possible issue: the bus may not have charging plugs (previous one had them).
  • Hygiene uncertainty: didn’t see clear shower/toilet facilities and wondered how people stay clean over 24 hours.

Seating & Onboard Practicalities

• Prefers the back bunk/seat to avoid people walking by.
• Notes the back area may have less space or may be elevated, but still prefers it for bag convenience.
• Hygiene concerns during the ride:
  • Notices hair on the pillow immediately after boarding and plans to change it.
  • Starts to feel increasingly ill/smelly and emphasizes using the toilet beforehand to avoid unpleasant moments.

Cost / Transport Comparison

• Bus ticket cost: £25.36 (~3,280 rupees).
• Comparison: flying for ~3 hours costs about £60.
• Chooses the bus to get the full 24-hour sleeper experience.

Journey Highlights

• Early scenic portions, including mountain views in Kerala.
• After ~8 hours, the bus makes its first stop (about 30% complete).
• Stops at a roadside veg-style stop described as “99 miles pure veg” in/around Tamil Nadu (exact location unclear due to unclear captions).

Food Stop (Veg Midway Meal)

• Orders a veg meal suited to the “sleeping bus challenge,” including:
  • Paneer chicken (likely a veg substitute)
  • Mushroom noodles
  • Chickpeas (planned/mentioned order)
• Observations:
  • The stop is surprisingly clean and well-managed.
  • Notes some gas stations/places don’t sell chicken—vegetarian-only options are common.

New People Met (Bus/Stop)

• Meets John David (and friends/fellow travelers):
  • Discusses studying medicine (location/phrasing unclear—“coatatur/Coimbatore”-like).
  • Mentions sports, including badminton, with claims of being a professional badminton athlete.
  • Eats together and talks about “the real India you don’t usually see.”
• Mentions another person also called/identified as John David, with a “fake tourist” joke about eating with hands.
• Mentions an entrepreneur conversation (from another traveler context):
  • Belief that business requires innovative thoughts and a business mindset
  • Mentions a field called “self-healing concrete.”

Mid-Journey Personal Updates

• Major off-topic stress:
  • Instagram account ban, then later the account is restored (posted for follow/contact).
• Discomfort during the ride:
  • Clothes washed in Kochi didn’t fully dry → bag smell → feels “stinky.”
  • Time begins to blur; later the journey feels shorter than it actually is.

Arrival Planning in Hyderabad

• Around 22 hours in, begins planning pickup/transfer.
• Chooses Jubilee Hills as the preferred stay area, citing:
  • Great food markets
  • Scenic views
• Attempts a free pickup/transfer, but switches plans:
  • Gets on a “big bus”/mini-bus that’s too crowded and possibly no AC
  • Gets off and uses Uber instead.

Hyderabad First Stop + Recommendations

• While waiting, meets a textile shop contact: Capishal / Kapisha Gabbral (name transcription unclear).
• Recommended Hyderabad experiences:
  • Irani chai
  • Irani samosas
  • Hyderabadi biryani
  • Mentions non-veg cuisine (spelled/phrased as “non cuisine”)
• A large event at Sri Satiwa Samiti at the exhibition grounds:
  • Expected attendance: ~2–3 lakh people
  • Timing: 8:31 p.m. → 6:00 a.m. (religious gathering)

Hotel + Weather

• Reaches the hotel and tries to shower; feels nauseous afterward and worries about dehydration.
• Finds Hyderabad extremely hot while walking (late 30s/early 40s temperatures felt).
• Room basics:
  • TV
  • Double bed
  • AC
  • Clean shower area

Notable Locations, Products, and People

Locations

• Kochi / Kerala
• Tamil Nadu roadside stop (“99 miles pure veg”)
• Hyderabad
• Jubilee Hills
• Exhibition grounds
• Sri Satiwa Samiti (event)

Transport / Brand

• Volvo 9,600 luxury sleeper bus

Food / Places

• “99 miles pure veg”
• Paneer chicken (veg substitute)
• Mushroom noodles
• Biryani
• Irani chai
• Irani samosas

People

• John David (medicine student; badminton/pro sports claims)
• Textile shop contact: Capishal / Kapisha Gabbral (name transcription unclear)