Exploring Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada: My Journey Through Andhra Pradesh

Welcome to Mishka—well, Visakhapatnam, to be accurate. I’ll admit, I never quite manage to pronounce it properly, so let’s just call it Viska for now. Today kicked off with an unexpected change in plans, and like most great travel stories, it all started with a train ticket.

A Misstep in Travel Planning

On my way to book a train to Chennai, I suddenly realized I might have taken a bit of a leap—Chennai is 19 hours away by train! That's quite the journey. So instead of jumping straight to the coast, I decided to break it up. I opted to stop halfway in Vijayawada, which is around 6 hours from Visakhapatnam.

I headed over to the railway reservation office only to find the train was fully booked—waiting list #156! To make things trickier, there was no foreign tourist quota available on that route. I suspect it’s because that particular train is mostly used by locals commuting between smaller stops rather than long-distance travelers.

Cleanliness & Infrastructure at Visakhapatnam Station

What stood out immediately was how clean the train station area was. There's a clear effort to maintain hygiene—machines cleaning the floors, bins everywhere, and a noticeable absence of litter in this district. While many bins are oddly empty (which might be a good thing?), it's still refreshing to see such a strong commitment to public cleanliness.

I’m not sure if this is because it’s a business district or just local government effort—but if you know why this part of town is so well-maintained, feel free to leave a comment and educate me!

Switching Gears: Taking the Bus to Vijayawada

With no train seats available, I found an alternative: an overnight bus to Vijayawada for just 570 rupees. It’s a journey of around 7-8 hours, arriving early in the morning. With that sorted, I could finally relax and enjoy the rest of my time in Visakhapatnam.

Coastal Charm: Palm Trees and No Swimming

Strolling along the beach, I noticed something pretty unique—they're planting palm and coconut trees right along the shoreline to create shaded sitting spots. I haven’t seen this done so systematically anywhere else. Hats off to the city planners!

But there’s a catch—you can’t swim here. The sea shelf drops off quickly, making it dangerous. It’s a shame, really, because the water looks beautiful. Locals seem to enjoy paddling at the shore in full clothing, but full-on swimming is off the table.

A Curious Encounter on the Beach

While walking and filming, a man approached me. He wasn’t being unfriendly, but the questions he asked felt more like security checks than casual conversation: “What are you doing here?”, “Are you alone?”, “Where’s your family?”

Security has definitely tightened in India, and it’s understandable. In non-touristy areas, a foreigner with a camera might raise eyebrows. He told me he worked a “private job” and walked off. Just one of those interesting, slightly surreal encounters that you remember long after the trip.

Submarine & Aircraft Museum

Down by the beach, I stumbled across the Submarine Museum—yes, an actual retired submarine on display! Entry costs just 40 rupees, but unfortunately, it doesn't open until 2 PM. Timing wasn’t on my side, but I’m hoping to return.

Across the road is the Aircraft Museum, another fascinating-looking site. Visakhapatnam has clearly invested in preserving its maritime and aviation history, and I can’t wait to explore them both.

Arriving in Vijayawada

The next day I arrived in Vijayawada, a bustling city that instantly gave off a vibe of wealth and development. Though just a stopover en route to Chennai, I wanted to make the most of it and see what it had to offer.

One place that caught my eye was Bhavani Island, a small resort-style retreat on the Krishna River. I made my way to the ferry port, but unfortunately, the boats were cancelled due to a security issue. Entry to the port cost just 10 rupees, and a round-trip ferry ride is normally only 60 rupees—an incredible bargain if you’re visiting on a good day.

You can also rent a speedboat (₹350) or even go jet skiing (₹290), which is surprising and exciting to see in a river city.

A Temple with a View

Since the island was off-limits, I crossed the road and visited Durga Temple (Kanaka Durga Temple). Foreigners might not be allowed inside, but you can still admire the architecture and enjoy one of the best panoramic views of the entire city and river.

From here, I could see new roads and flyovers under construction, slicing through the heart of the city. It’s clear that Vijayawada is growing fast and has big plans for its infrastructure.

Final Thoughts

From the organized chaos of booking Indian trains to the quiet beauty of the beachside palms and the unexpected intrigue of a closed island resort—Andhra Pradesh surprised me at every turn.

If you're planning a trip between Mumbai and Chennai, don’t just fly over these cities—stop, explore, and experience. There’s more going on in Visakhapatnam and Vijayawada than most travel guides will tell you.

Have questions about travel in Andhra Pradesh? Been to these places yourself? Drop a comment below and share your story!📍 Next stop: Chennai 🚉