Thiruvananthapuram

Extremely strict. Men must wear a mundu (dhoti) with no shirt (you can rent a mundu outside). Women must wear a saree, a long skirt, or a half-saree. Pants, jeans, and churidars are strictly not allowed for women unless you wrap a rented mundu over them.

Yes, it is generally very safe, even for solo female travelers. However, it is a conservative city. Dressing modestly (covering shoulders and knees) while roaming the city streets will help you avoid unwanted stares. Avoid isolated beaches late at night.

Yes, both Uber and Ola operate well in the city, but local auto-rickshaws are abundant and mostly run on the meter. For airport drops, pre-booking a cab is better.

Varkala is about 45-50 km away. It takes roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by road depending on traffic. You can also catch a quick 40-minute train from Trivandrum Central to Varkala Sivagiri station, which is much cheaper.

No. Trivandrum shuts down early, usually by 10 PM. If you want a drink, you'll have to go to a designated bar or a 5-star hotel. For a proper beachside drink and nightlife vibe, you need to head to Kovalam or Varkala.

Officially, only Hindus are allowed inside the temple. The temple authorities are quite strict about this and may ask for proof or a declaration if they have doubts.

No. Stick to bottled water or strictly ask for boiled water (often served pink with Ayurvedic herbs like Pathimugham) at local restaurants.

Trivandrum International Airport (TRV) is very close to the city center (barely 6-8 km). You can use the pre-paid taxi counter at the airport, or book an Uber. It usually costs around INR 300-400.