Some practical information

The best time to visit Madurai is December to March.

Visitors to India need a visa.

Check with your doctor regarding vaccinations. Take mosquito repellent spray.

A hotel close to Madurai Seed (1.7km) is the Hotel North Gate: it's not expensive, clean, has air-conditioning, ceiling fans, en-suite bathrooms, wifi, laundry service and a restaurant. 

The neighbourhood around the hotel (Goripalayam) has shops, open-air markets, cash dispensers, a post office, small temples, a mosque. Towards Madurai Seed is the Gandhi Memorial Museum.

Another hotel option is the JC Residency: somewhat more expensive, but newer, a category higher, and more spacious, quieter and more comfortable than the Hotel North Gate. Also very clean, with air-conditioning, ceiling fans, en-suite bathrooms, wifi, laundry service. Good restaurant, small garden, small pool, small shop. It's about the same distance from Madurai Seed. Recommended.

Cash dispensers (ATMs) accept major credit cards and also the Swiss Bankers TravelCash Card.

Madurai airport is mostly domestic, and there are no direct flights from Europe. There are several daily flights to Chennai, and there are direct flights to Mumbai, though not every day. Chennai is also connected by train - the fastest is the Tejas Express, at 6 hours 15 minutes.