text:
Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu, the land of Tamils, is a state in the south of India known for its temples and architecture, food, movies and classical Indian dance and Carnatic music. The languages spoken here are predominantly Tamil and English in the larger cities and metro capital Chennai. It is the historical home of the famous Chera, Chola, Pandya and Pallava kingdoms which thrived in ancient and medieval India.

Cities
Here are nine of the most notable cities.
 * (Madras) — the capital of Tamil Nadu; one of India's major metropolitan cities. Also known as "Detroit of India" and a global IT BPO hub

 * — known as the Manchester of the South and major producer of engineering goods, textiles, auto components, pumps and wet grinders

 * — major producer of turmeric, milk and textiles

 * — place of great historical and cultural importance; oldest city in Tamil Nadu (documented since 4th century BC)

 * — major hill station in Tamil Nadu

 * — a major industrial center

 * (Tuticorin) — a major port

 * — a city of agricultural and religious importance

 * — global textile and knitwear hub

Other destinations

 * — home to various species such as the Bengal Tiger, Indian elephant, Indian hornbill and lion-tailed macaque. This park is located in the Anaimalai Hills.

 * (Guindy's Lodge) — one of the smallest parks in India located within a city Chennai. The Snake Park is next to Guindy National Park and there is a Children's Park (zoo) within the park.

 * — mangroves provide important feeding grounds for the vulnerable marine mammal, the Dugong. This park has a large variety of plants and animals in its marine, tidal and nearshore habitats. Access is limited to glass-bottom boats. Coral mining has degraded parts of this park

 * — offers a variety of flora and fauna plus the opportunity to go on an elephant safari

 * — formerly known as the Nilgiri Tahr National Park; is home for several endangered species and its mammal attraction, the Nilgiri tahr

 * — this park has many mountains and waterfalls plus a large variety of plants, mammals, reptiles and amphibians. The plant Kurinji flowers which blossoms every 12 years is found here

 * — part of Nilgiri biosphere reserve, the sanctuary has the largest elephant population in the country. Located amongst the Western and Eastern ghats, the park has significant tiger and leopard population as well

 * — home to various species such as the Bengal Tiger, Indian elephant, lion-tailed macaque, leopard, and the rare Malabar squirrel. This park is located in the Southern Western Ghats in Tirunelveli District and Kanyakumari District

Understand
The Tamil people are proud of their long history, with their language being one of the oldest living languages in the world. The area has been home to many great kingdoms, most notably the Chola Empire, which is widely regarded as one of the most powerful kingdoms in Indian history.

Modern day Tamil Nadu is largely influenced by Dravidianism, a political ideology that promotes the belief that South Indians are culturally different from North Indians. This political ideology has since become a permanent feature of Tamil Nadu's politics, and it can be reflected in how the Tamils are fiercely keen on promoting their cultural distinction from the rest of India.

Since the partition, Tamil Nadu has had a turbulent, tumultuous history. During the 1940s and 1960s, Tamil politicians and leaders aimed to create a separate state, Dravida Nadu, with the hopes that all other Dravidian language-speaking states would be united into one nation. However, the movement failed to find any support outside of Tamil Nadu, and thanks to various actions undertaken by the Indian government – such as organising states on the basis of language and culture – the movement died down.

When the Indian government tried to make Hindi the sole official language of India in the mid-1960s, the Tamils reacted strongly and violently. Riots broke out throughout the state, with clashes between protesters and government forces, leading to widespread discontent. At the time, the Tamils believed that the Indian government was attempting to culturally assimilate them. Interestingly, there's an ironic twist: Chakravarti Rajagopalachari, the last Governor-General of India, actually suggested that Hindi should be the sole official language of India.

By the late 1960s, the much vitriolic tone against Hindi began to die down, and the movements were instrumental in ensuring that Hindi and English would be used as the official languages of India.

Today, while separatist sentiments are largely no longer existent, the state maintains a fiercely independent identity from the rest of India, and the state is regarded as one of the richest and most developed states in all of India.

Talk
Tamils are fiercely proud of the Tamil language (also written as Thamizh), one of the few living classical languages that's over 3,000 years old. It is unrelated to the North Indian languages, and instead belongs to the Dravidian language family that includes languages such as Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada. Learning a few words of Tamil will most certainly endear you to the locals.

Although Hindi has been gaining popularity lately, it is not widely understood by many of the locals. As is the case with the rest of South India, English is generally more widely-spoken than Hindi.

English is spoken by most urban-dwellers, so English-speaking visitors should have no problem getting by.

By plane
There are five airports in Tamil Nadu:
 * Chennai International Airport, Chennai
 * Coimbatore International Airport, Coimbatore
 * Madurai Airport, Madurai
 * Tiruchirappalli International Airport, Tiruchirappalli
 * Tuticorin Airport, Thoothukudi

By rail
Tamil Nadu is served by Southern Railway and is well connected to all major railway stations across the country. The major junctions are in Chennai, Coimbatore, Erode, Salem, Madurai, Tiruchirapalli and Tirunelveli.

By road
Chennai is one of the vertices of the Golden Quadrilateral project, a network of highways that connect the major cities of India. All other major cities are also well connected by national and state highways. Public transport system is well developed: a state owned transport corporation operates buses to and from various destinations within South India. Several private players also operate air conditioned buses between most important destinations. Most intercity buses are fully occupied and it's better to reserve a ticket in advance. Metropolitan Transport Corporation buses are in the intra city routes in major cities which are cheap. You can book a bus tickets online for government buses via SETC, and for private buses you have options like Udan Redbus, Abhibus, MyTempoTraveller and Myticketbuddy.

Religious festivals

 * Aadi Perukku (18th day of the Tamil Month of Aadi) is celebrated to welcome the huge influx of water in the major river Kaveri.
 * Akshaya Tritiya On the third day after the new moon day that follows the Tamil new year. Locals believe that anything done on this day is equivalent doing it a thousand times over and it is believed that buying gold on this day will ensure prosperity throughout life.
 * Deepavali, the festival of lights marks the killing of the demon Narakasura by Lord Krishna. To celebrate the end of evil, people symbolically take oil bath, burst crackers, exchange sweets and adorn new dresses to express their joy.
 * Karthigai Deepam when people light a large number of oil lamps at their homes to signify the dawn of light.
 * Krishna Jayanti or Gokulashtami A celebration of the birthday of Lord Krishna.
 * Navaratri is a festival celebrated across nine days in honor of the three goddesses Durga (strength), Lakshmi (wealth), Saraswathi (learning). Vijayadasami is the next day after Navaratri and is considered to be the most auspicious day for starting new ventures.
 * Pongal, the harvest festival of the state is celebrated during the Tamil month of Thai (mid-January in Gregorian Calendar), is an important festival for the people of Tamil Nadu, especially the farmers, irrespective of their religion. It is celebrated over four days. The festival thanks everyone - the sun god for his sunshine, cattle for their work, friends & fellow workers for their support, for the season's harvests.
 * Bogi Pongal (The first day) is about getting the old things out of your household to make way for the new harvest. On this day, discarded household items (brooms, mats, etc.) are burnt before sunrise and delicacies are offered to the Gods.
 * Uzhavar Thirunaal (The second day or Farmer's day) is about thanking the sun god for his sun shine. On this day Ven Pongal, a mixture of rice and lentils, is cooked in earthen pots and offered to the Gods along with sarkarai pongal, the sweeter version of the  former.
 * Maatu Pongal (The third day -- Maatu (Cow)), is for paying respect to cattle. Cows/bulls are washed, their horns are painted and decorated, and they are taken to a nearby temple. Jallikattu, Indian version of the Bull run, competitions are also held.
 * Kaanum Pongal (The fourth day), family and friends are visited and new clothes are given to maids and servants. This day is for thanking fellow humans for their support.
 * Tamil Varuda Pirappu (Tamil New Year) The 1st day of the Tamil month of Chittirai. Usually, this falls on 14th or 15th April.
 * Vinayaga Chathurthi A celebration of the birthday of Lord Ganesha.
 * Varalakshmi pooja on this day, married women pray for the well being of their husbands.

Other festivals

 * Natyanjali is celebrated in many Hindu temples at the end of February and beginning of March, and includes daily classical Indian dance and music performances.
 * New Year's Eve Parties are hosted on New Year's Eve. Special prayers are offered in churches.

Eat
Tamil Nadu provides the visitor with a wide variety of delicious food for the vegetarians and for the non-vegetarians, though most food in Tamil Nadu consists of grains, lentils, rice and vegetables. Spices are added to give a distinctive taste. Breakfast or tiffin includes idli or steamed rice dumplings, dosai is a crisp pancake made from a batter of rice and lentils, vada is a deep fried doughnut made from a batter of lentils, pongal is a mixture of rice and lentils cooked together and seasoned with ghee, cashew nuts, pepper and cumin seed), uppuma is semolina cooked, seasoned in oil with mustard, pepper, cumin seed and dry lentils.

Lunch usually consists of rice with Sambar, rasam, and yogurt along with a number of spicy side dishes. This is called meals. A decent meals costs often less than two dollars.

Some of the famous dishes include:
 * Dosai or dosa - This is India's answer to the French crepes, though the answer could arguably have been given much before the question was asked. It is made from rice and black gram flour. Dosas again come in a variety of forms and sizes. A dosa with potato curry stuffed inside becomes a masala dosa. A dosa made from rice flour and fine semolina (rava) becomes a rava dosa. Like idlis, dosas are usually eaten with coconut chutney, tomato chutney, pudina chutney and sambar.
 * Pal payasam (rice pudding) - This is a sweet dish made from rice and thick milk.
 * Plain idlis- Plain idlis are similar to rice cakes, but they are eaten with a coconut side dish made out of beaten coconut white mixed with a little spice called coconut (thenga in Tamil) chutney. Also typically served are tomato chutney (tomato pulp is used), pudina chutney and dal sambar. Idlis are served steaming hot. They are meant to be eaten with hand.
 * Poori masala (poori kizhaingu) - It's a deep fried batter made with a mixture of flour and water and is served as break fast or evening tiffin with potato curry.
 * Vada - It's prepared with different lentils and fried in oil, which can be eat with or without chutney & sambar. It can be had with breakfast or as an evening snack. Various types of vada are prepared, including medu vada (made with Urad dal) and masala vada (made with toor dal).
 * Idiyappam - This dish is a staple breakfast dish. It is known by either of two names, both having the same second word which means ‘pancake’. The first part of the name comes from the Tamil word which means ‘to beat’.

Drink

 * Jigarthanda — This drink consists of milk, resin of the badam tree (used originally) or substituted with China grass (commonly known as "kadal paasi" in Tamil), sarsaparilla syrup and ice-cream (vanilla flavour is ideal). It's a very famous drink in Madurai city.
 * The famous filter coffee special to and very popular in Tamil Nadu is carefully made from chosen coffee beans, which are roasted to preserve the original aroma of the beans. These roasted beans are then powdered. The water that is added has to be at boiling point for the coffee powder to release its flavour. It is not possible to make this style of coffee with tepid water.
 * Paruthi Paal is a very nutritious drink that is very much popular in the Tamil Nadu state of India. Paruthi Paal is regarded as “triple-nutrient” as it is a very rich source of protein, essential fatty acids, and sugars and can be called as an energy drink.

Sleep
Tamil Nadu has a wide range of accommodation to provide to its visitors, be it the class-conscious tourist or the budget-backpacker. The house owners require the services of helpers to attend to the needs of the tourists. Apart from this the Tamil Nadu Tourism Development Corporation (TTDC) has 36 Hotels in Tamil Nadu that are hygienic and suits the budget to middle category travelers.

Budget
Decent budget categories abound from ₹300 to ₹700. The former will get you a non-AC room with clean bed, TV and a private bathroom in most parts of Tamil Nadu. The latter will fetch you an air-conditioned single room with basic amenities like TV, bed, room service and attached bathroom. If traveling as a couple expect to pay ₹500-1100. Though you might be lucky to find a decent English speaking concierge at this range, you will find lots of people well-versed in Tanglish (a concoction of Tamil and English) which can be understood quite clearly if you listen hard and pay attention. Take precautions with your luggage and other essential documents and money. Do not leave any money in the room and to always carry your passport in person. Bring a good lock both for your luggage and the hotel door. If you are carrying laptops or cameras, keep them under lock and key when not carrying them on your person.

Mid-range
Medium category hotels can be had from ₹1500 to ₹4000. These will be your 2- to 4-star rated hotels. You will most probably be given a well furnished (by Indian standards) Air conditioned room with good lighting, bed, TV, attached bathroom with a bathtub and warm water during most of the day and hot water from 6AM–10AM and 6PM–10PM and a good concierge (who will serve you well provided you tip him the moment you see him rather than the last moment). Follow this advice when it comes to tipping. If you have reserved or kept in mind a certain amount for tipping, tip 20% of the amount at the beginning itself and the rest of the amount should be watered down subsequently on each tip with the final 20% as the last tip. Do not pay a flat rate tip all the time. This category of hotels is safer, though it is always advisable to be a little paranoid if you are carrying very expensive items. The safety issue is not a constant and will vary according to the city you are visiting and the hotel you are staying. Most of the hotels in this category will have an in house restaurant and a bar. If you are lucky or choose well you might even get one with a Pub and a Discotheque around which the nightlife of the city is centered, though these kind of hotels are limited to the major cities which will serve you as a stop-gap in between visiting places of tourist interest. Expect a buffet breakfast to be thrown in as a complement. Individual cottages at beach resorts can be had within this budget.

Splurge
You will have to splurge on 5-star and 5-star deluxe hotels. They will cost you anywhere from ₹5000 to ₹20,000. They are usually run by international chains and so need not much description as checking into them here is akin to checking into them in San Francisco or Amsterdam. These hotels are mostly limited to in and around the city of Chennai and a few in Coimbatore.

Stay safe
Tamil Nadu is one of the safest states in India. Nevertheless, be aware and cautious of your surroundings.

As in the rest of India, public displays of affection are frowned upon and may invite unwanted attention.

If you are a Sri Lankan Sinhalese, never ever reveal that fact. You could easily invite unwanted attention from Tamil nationalists, or those who have strong opinions on the Sri Lankan Civil War.

Respect
Tamils are often negatively stereotyped as being "anti-Hindi", "anti-Northern", or both. To a large extent, these stereotypes are grossly exaggerated, and most ordinary folk neither have anything against the Hindi language (it is taught at some schools in Tamil Nadu) nor people from other parts of India.

The Tamils feel it's important to differentiate themselves in a country where they are a minority.

Sri Lanka and the Sri Lankan Civil War are emotive, controversial subjects in some circles. Some people may be offended if you state that the Tamil Tigers are a terrorist organisation.

Names
Tamil names follow this pattern: given name + father's name, or father's initial + given name.

For example, if someone named Ranganathan has a son named Madhavan, his son's name will either be written as Madhavan Ranganathan, or R. Madhavan. Whenever you address Tamil people, always address them by their given name.

Addressing someone by their last name may come across as awkward.

Go next

 * To Sri Lanka by airplane. Taking this option will cost ₹7,500 - ₹20,000 and takes 1h 19m. The distance between Tamil Nādu and Sri Lanka is 453 km.

title: Tamil Nadu


text:
Tamil Nadu North Coast

The North Coast of Tamil Nadu consists of Chengalpattu, Chennai, Cuddalore, Pondicherry, Tiruvallur and Viluppuram districts.

Cities

 * — a popular spiritual and religious site near Pondicherry

 * — Kolavai Lake hosts migratory birds such as the whiskered tern, Indian spot-billed ducks, moorhens, coots, and small waders

 * (Madras) — the capital of Tamil Nadu. One of India's four greatest cities.

 * (Thillai) — an important pilgrim centre and a holy place for Shaivites for the famous Nataraja Temple

 * — two coastal towns south of Chennai

 * — a town located along the Bay of Bengal, home to several temples and the famous Silver Beach

 * — home to the famous Indira Gandhi Atomic Power Plant, a nuclear breeder reactor, plus a Dutch-era fort and an unspoilt beach

 * (Mahabalipuram) — ancient temples and modern stone carvers, outstanding examples of Dravidian art and architecture

 * —

 * (Puducherry) — the largest and former French colony in India offers a mixture of French and Indian architecture and culture

 * (Pazhaverkadu) — former Dutch colony next to the Pulicat Lake

 * —

 * — home to Rajankulam, a 17th-century manmade pond, and the Sivan kovil and Perumal kovil temples

 * —

 * — famous for the temple of Sri Veeraraghava Swami and the 40-foot-tall Sri Viswaroopa Panchamukha Anjaneyaswami

 * —

license: Creative Commons - Attribution Share-Alike - https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

title: Tamil Nadu North Coast


text:
Tamil Nadu South Coast

The South Coast of Tamil Nadu consists of Karaikal, Mayiladuthurai, Nagapattinam, Pudukkottai, Ramanathapuram, Thanjavur and Tiruvarur districts. It is home to Thanjavur, once the capital of the Chola Empire and Rameswaram, one of the Hindu religious char dham (four abodes) sites.

Cities

 * —

 * — a city famous for its numerous temples, of which the Airavatesvara Temple is a.

 * —

 * —

 * —

 * —

 * — famous for Ramanthaswamy Temple and the birthplace of Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, with the mythological bridge to Sri Lanka nearby

 * —

 * (Tanjore) — fine old architecture and exquisite handicrafts

 * — site of a beautiful and well-maintained Garbharakshambigai temple

 * — a town with several temples and the home of the great Indian composer Thyagaraja and site of the annual Thyagaraja Aradhana

 * —

 * (Tharangambadi) — port and site of a Danish fort (now a museum)

 * —

Other destinations

 * — Mangrove forest
 * — Mangrove forest

title: Tamil Nadu South Coast


text:
Tamil phrasebook

Tamil (தமிழ் tamiḻ) is the language closest to Proto-Dravidian among the Dravidian language family. Spoken predominantly by Tamils in India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and Singapore, it has smaller communities of speakers in many other countries. As of 1996, it was the eighteenth most spoken language, with over 74 million speakers worldwide. It is one of the official languages of India, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

Tamil is one of the longest surviving classical languages in the world. It has been described as "the only language of contemporary India which is recognizably continuous with a classical past" and having "one of the richest literatures in the world". Tamil literature has existed for over 2000 years. The earliest epigraphic records found on rock edicts and hero stones date from around the 3rd century BCE. The earliest period of Tamil literature, Sangam literature, is dated from ca. 300 BCE – 300 CE. Tamil language inscriptions written c. 1st century BCE and 2nd century CE have been discovered in Egypt, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The two earliest manuscripts from India, to be acknowledged and registered by UNESCO Memory of the World register in 1997 and 2005 were in Tamil. More than 55% of the epigraphical inscriptions (about 55,000) found by the Archaeological Survey of India are in the Tamil language. According to a 2001 survey, there were 1,863 newspapers published in Tamil, of which 353 were dailies. It has the oldest extant literature amongst other Dravidian languages. The variety and quality of classical Tamil literature has led to its being described as "one of the great classical traditions and literatures of the world."

Tamil is spoken in many different dialects throughout Tamil Nadu and the Tamil-speaking parts of Sri Lanka. The dialect spoken in Thanjavur is generally regarded as the standard.

Tamil is closely related to Malayalam, and more distantly related to Kannada and Telugu. It is not related to the languages spoken in northern India, but like other Indian languages has been heavily influenced by Sanskrit.

Pronunciation guide
Tamil is written using its own script. Like other Indic scripts, the Tamil script is an abugida, meaning that each letter represents a consonant, and vowels are indicated by modifications to the consonant letter or lack thereof.

Vowels

 * அ : like "a" in "about"
 * ஆ ா : like "a" in "father"
 * இ	ி : like "i" in "pin"
 * ஈ ீ : like "ee" in "feet"
 * உ ு : like "u" in "push"
 * ஊ ூ : like "oo" in "moon"
 * எ ெ : like "e" in "bed"
 * ஏ ே : longer "e"
 * ஐ ை : like "y" in "type"
 * ஒ ொ : like "o" in "hope"
 * ஓ ோ : longer "o"
 * ஔ ௌ : like "ow" in "town"

Consonants
Tamil language has a distinction between dental and retroflex consonants, which is not really found in English. Dental consonants should be pronounced with the tongue tip touching your teeth, while retroflex consonants should be pronounced with the tongue tip curled back. Practice with a native speaker, or just pronounce as usual — you'll usually still get the message across.

 * க்
 * (between vowels) like "g" in "go"
 * (in double consonants or elsewhere) like "k" in "skip"

 * ங் : like "ng" in "sing"
 * ச்
 * (between vowels) like "j" in "jump"
 * (in double consonants or elsewhere) like "ch" in "chin" or "s" in "sun"

 * ஜ் : like "j" in "jump"
 * ஞ் : like "ny" in "canyon"
 * ட்
 * (between vowels) like "d" in "dog" but retroflex
 * (in double consonants or elsewhere) like "t" in "stick" but retroflex

 * ண் : like "n" in "bend" but retroflex
 * த்
 * (between vowels) like "d" in "dog" but dental
 * (in double consonants or elsewhere) like "t" in "stick" but dental

 * ந் : like "n" in "rain" but dental
 * ப்
 * (between vowels) like "b" in "bed"
 * (in double consonants or elsewhere) like "p" in "spin"

 * ம் : like "m" in "mum"
 * ய் : like "y" in "yes"
 * ர் : like "tt" in American "butter"
 * ல் : like "l" in "health"
 * வ் : like "v" in Spanish "vaca"
 * ழ் : quite like "rt" in American "party"
 * ள் : like "l" in "build" but retroflex
 * ற் : like "r" in "row"
 * ன் : like "n" in "no"
 * ஶ் : like "sh" in "shoot"
 * ஷ் : like "sh" in "shoot" but retroflex
 * ஸ் : like "s" in "sun"
 * ஹ் : like "h" in "behind"
 * க்ஷ் : like "ksh" in "worksheet"

Phrase list
In this phrasebook, plain "t" and "d" indicate retroflex consonants, "th" and "dh" indicate dental consonants and "zh" indicates the pronunciation of ழ். Such transcription is very common in signages. Long versions of "eh" and "oh" are marked with an overline. Otherwise, this phrasebook follows Wikivoyage's pseudo-phonetic transcription.

Basics

 * Hello. : வணக்கம் (vuh-nnuhk-kuhm)
 * Hi. : ஹாய் (hahy) (as used in English)
 * How are you? : எப்படி இருக்கீங்க? (ehp-puh-dih ih-ruk-keeng-guh?)
 * Fine, thank you. : நல்லா இருக்கின்றேன் (nuhl-lah ih-ruk-kihn-rēhn)
 * What is your name? : உங்க பெயர் என்ன? (ung-guh peh-yuh-ru ehn-nuh?)
 * My name is ______ . : என் பெயர் ______ (ehn peh-yuh-ru ______)
 * Nice to meet you. : தங்களை சந்தித்தது மிக்க மகிழ்ச்சி (thuhng-guh-luh suhn-thihth-thuh-dhu mihk-kuh muh-gizhch-chih)
 * Please. : தயவு செய்து (thuh-yuh-vu sey-thu)
 * Thank you. : நன்றி. (nuhn-drih)
 * You're welcome. : நல்வரவு (nuhl-vuh-ruh-vu)
 * Yes. : ஆமாம் (ah-mahm)
 * No. : இல்லை (ihl-ligh)
 * Excuse me. (getting attention) : மன்னிக்கவும் (muhn-nihk-kuh-vum)
 * Excuse me. (begging pardon) : தயவு செய்து (thuh-yuh-vu sey-thu)
 * I'm sorry. : என்னை மன்னிக்கவும் (ehn-nigh muhn-nihk-kuh-vum)
 * Goodbye. : போய் வருகிறேன் (pōhy vuh-ruh-gih-rēhn)
 * Bye. : வரேன் (vuh-rēhn)
 * See you tomorrow : நாளை பார்க்கலாம் (nah-ligh pahrk-kuh-lahm)
 * I can't speak Tamil [well]. : ennaal ?????? Uraiyada Iyalaadhu. (formal)
 * என்னால் ?????? உரையாட இயலாது
 * enakku ?????? pesa theriyaathu (informal)
 * எனக்கு ?????? பேச தெரியாது
 * எனக்கு ?????? பேச தெரியாது

At this point, the fake phoneticizations of English are going to stop, and be replaced by ellipses.
 * Do you speak English? : AangilathiL UraiyaaduveergaLa?
 * Is there someone {here/around-here} who speaks English? : ingGe evaravathu AangilathiL UraiyaaduveergaLa?
 * Help! : uthavi veNdum உதவி வேண்டும்.
 * Look out! : Sariyaaga paar. சரியாக பார்
 * Good morning. : kaalai vaNakkam. காலை வணக்கம்
 * Good evening. : maalai vaNakkam. மாலை வணக்கம்
 * Good night (to sleep) : nalliravu
 * Secret. : Ragasiyam ரகசியம்
 * I'm looking forward to... : Naan yethirparthu konde irukirEn நான் எதிர்பார்த்து கொண்டு இருக்கிறேன்
 * Have a pleasant journey. : Ungal payanam nandraaga amayattum. உங்கள் பயணம் நன்றாக அமையட்டும்
 * I wish you have a nice day : Intha Nal Iniyia Nalaga Malarum இந்த நாள் இனிய நாளாக மலரும்
 * I don't understand. explain clearly / again : Puriyalavillai. thelivaaga KuurungaL/ thirumbavum KuurungaL புரியவில்லை தெளிவாக கூறுங்கள்/திரும்பவும் கூறுங்கள்
 * Where is the toilet? : Toilet/Kazhivarai/othukkam engGe irruku டாய்லெட்/கழிவறை/ஒதுக்கம் எங்கே இர்ருக்கு
 * what to do now? : ippozhuthu enna seyya இப்போது என்ன செய்ய
 * Eagerly waiting for your arrival : Thangalin Varugaiyai Avaludan ethirparkirEn! தங்களின் வருகையை ஆவலுடன் எதிர்ப்பார்க்கிறேன்!

Problems
Eagerly waiting
 * Leave me alone. : ennai thaniyaaga vidungaL.
 * Don't touch me! : ennai thodaathe;(informal) ennai thodaatheergaL (Formal)
 * I'll call the Police. : Kavalthuraiyai azhaipEn
 * I need your help. : ungGaL udhavi vEndum. (formal) ; ungGaLudaiya Udhavi vEndum -(Informal)
 * It's an emergency. : migavum nerukadiyana nilai
 * I don't know where I am : naan engee erukiren endru theriyalavillai ( equal to I'm lost)
 * I lost my bag. : en paiyai ThulaithuvittEn
 * I missed my "Bag" : En pai Thulainthuvittathu.
 * I lost my wallet. : en Pana Paiyai ThulaithuvittEn.
 * I'm sick. : en odambu sariyaga illai.
 * I've been injured. : enakku kaayam ErpattuLLathu.
 * I need a doctor. : enakku oru Maruthuvar vEndum
 * Can I use your phone? : ungaL Kaipeesiyai naan PayanpaduthikoLLaLaama?

Kaaththirukkiren

Numbers

 * 1 : one ஒன்று (ondru)
 * 2 : two இரண்டு (irendu)
 * 3 : three மூன்று (moondru)
 * 4 : four (naangu)
 * 5 : five (ainthu)
 * 6 : six (aaru)
 * 7 : seven (yEzhu)
 * 8 : eight (yettu)
 * 9 : nine (onbathu)
 * 10 : ten (pathu)
 * 11 : eleven (pathinondru)
 * 12 : twelve (pannirendu)
 * 13 : thirteen (pathimoondru)
 * 14 : fourteen (pathinaangu)
 * 15 : fifteen (pathinainthuu)
 * 16 : sixteen (pathinaaru)
 * 17 : seventeen (pathinEzhu)
 * 18 : eighteen (pathinettu)
 * 19 : nineteen (patthonbathu)
 * 20 : twenty (irupathu)
 * 21 : twenty one (irupatthu onnu)
 * 22 : twenty two (irupatthu rendu)
 * 23 : twenty three (irupatthu moonu)
 * 30 : thirty (mup-ppathu)
 * 40 : forty (naar-pathu)
 * 50 : fifty (iam-pathu)
 * 60 : sixty (aru-pathu)
 * 70 : seventy (ezhu-pathu)
 * 80 : eighty (en-pathu)
 * 90 : ninety (thonnooru)
 * 100 : one hundred (nooru)
 * 200 : two hundred (iru nooru)
 * 300 : three hundred (mun nooru)
 * 1000 : one thousand (aayiram)
 * 2000 : two thousand (rendaayiram)
 * 100,000 : hundred thousand (noorayiram) {Indian system}
 * 1,000,000 : one million (pathu noorayiram)
 * 10,000,000 : ten million (oru kOdi) {Indian system}
 * 1,000,000,000 : one thousand million in UK, one billion in USA (Nigarputham)
 * 1,000,000,000,000 : one billion in UK, one trillion in USA (Karpam)
 * number _____ (train, bus, etc.) : number _____ (En)
 * half : half (arai)
 * less : less (kuraivu/ kuraivaaga)
 * more : more (athigam)

Time

 * now : ippO(...)
 * later : appuram(...)
 * before : munpu/munnaadi(...)
 * after : kazhichu/pinnaadi(...)
 * morning : kaalai(...)
 * afternoon : mathiyam / mathiyaanam(...)
 * evening : malai / saayingkalam(...)
 * night : iravu / raatthiri(...)

Clock time

 * one o'clock AM : kaalai oru mani (...)
 * two o'clock AM : kaalai rendu mani (...)
 * noon : mathiyam / mathiyaanam (...)
 * one o'clock PM : mathiyam / mathiyaanam oru mani (...)
 * two o'clock PM : mathiyam / mathiyaanam rendu mani (...)
 * midnight : nalliravu / nadu-raatthiri (...)

Duration

 * _____ minute(s) : _____ nimisham (...)
 * _____ hour(s) : _____ mani (...)
 * _____ day(s) : _____ naal(...)
 * _____ week(s) : _____ vaaram (...)
 * _____ month(s) : _____ maasam (...)
 * _____ year(s) : _____ varusham, aandu (...)

Days

 * today : indru / innaikki
 * yesterday : nEtru / nEtthaikki
 * tomorrow : naalai / naalaikki
 * this week : intha vaaram
 * last week : pona vaaram
 * next week : adutha vaaram

 * Sunday : nyaayiru
 * Monday : thingGal
 * Tuesday : chevvaai
 * Wednesday : pudhan
 * Thursday : vyaazhan
 * Friday : velli
 * Saturday : sani

Months
All dates provided below are approximate, varying by one or two days in the Gregorian Calendar depending on adjustments made to the calendar each year, to bring it in alignment with astronomic observations.

 * January : 15th January to 15th February (Thai)
 * February : 15th February to 15th March (Maasi)
 * March : 15th March to 15th April (Panguni)
 * April : 15th April to 15th May (Chiththirai)
 * May : 15th May to 15th June (Vaikasi)
 * June : 15th June to 15th July (Aani)
 * July : 15th July to 15th August (Aadi)
 * August : 15th August to 15th September (Aavani)
 * September : 15th September to 15th October (Purattasi)
 * October : 15th October to 15th November (Aippasi)
 * November : 15th November to 15th December (Kaarthikai)
 * December : 15th December to 15th January (Margazhi)

The year starts on the first day of the month of Chiththirai, usually the 15th of April.

Writing time and date
Give some examples how to write clock times and dates if it differs from English.

Colors

 * black : karuppu (...)
 * white : vellai (...)
 * gray : saambal (...)
 * red : sivappu (...)
 * blue : neelam (...)
 * yellow : manJal (...)
 * green : pachai (...)
 * orange : narantam (...)
 * purple : kathatipu, oodha (...)
 * brown : manniram/pazhuppu (...)

Bus and train

 * How much is a ticket to _____? : _____ ku ticket evlavu? (...)
 * One ticket to _____, please. : _____ ku oru ticket kudunga, please. (...)
 * Where does this train/bus go? : intha train/bus engae p'O'guthu? (...)
 * Where is the train/bus to _____? : _____ ku train/bus engae? (...)
 * Does this train/bus stop in _____? : intha train/bus _____ la nikkumaa? (...)
 * When does the train/bus for _____ leave? : _____ ku train/bus epp'O' kelambum? (...)
 * When will this train/bus arrive in _____? : epp'O' train/bus _____ vanthu sErum? (...)
 * let's embark on ship? : kappalill earalama?
 * but let's on bus? : buslill earalama? please everyone fill that one.

Directions
how to go there ? : anga eppadi povathu ?
 * How do I get to _____ ? : _____ ku eppadi pOvathu? (...)
 * ...the train station? : ...pugai vandi nilayam (...)
 * ...the bus station? : ... paerunthu nilayam (...)
 * ...the airport? : ...vimaana nilayam (...)
 * ...downtown? : ...downtown (...)
 * ...the youth hostel? : ...illaingar viduthi(...)
 * ...the _____ hotel? : ...thangum veduthi (...)
 * ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British consulate? : ...the American/Canadian/Australian/British thootharagam(...)
 * Where are there a lot of... : enga niraiya... (...) irukkum?
 * ...hotels? : thangum viduthi? (...)
 * ...restaurants? : unavagam (...)
 * ...bars? : mathu arundhum idam (...)
 * ...sites to see? : ...paarkum idam? (...)
 * Can you show me on the map? : Map la kaata mudiyumaa? (...)
 * street : theru (...)
 * Turn left. : idathu pakkam thirumbungGa. (...)
 * Turn right. : valathu pakkam thirumbungGa. (...)
 * left : idam (...)
 * right : valam (...)
 * straight ahead : nEraa (...)
 * towards the _____ : _____ pakkam (...)
 * past the _____ : _____ thaandi (...)
 * before the _____ : _____ munnaadi (...)
 * Watch for the _____. : _____ ku paarunga. (...)
 * intersection : intersection (...)
 * north : vadakku (...)
 * south : therku (...)
 * east : kilakku (...)
 * west : mErku (...)
 * uphill : mEdu (...)
 * downhill : pallam (...)

Taxi

 * Taxi! : Taxi! (...)
 * Take me to _____, please. : _____ ku kooti ponga, please. (...)
 * How much does it cost to get to _____? : _____ ku evalo aagum? (...)
 * Take me there, please. : anga kooti ponga, please. (...)

Lodging

 * Do you have any rooms available? : Room irukkaa? (...)
 * How much is a room for one person/two people? : oru / rendu aalukku room evlavu aagum? (...)
 * Does the room come with... : ... roomOda varumaa? (...)
 * ...bedsheets? : ...pOrvai (...)
 * ...a bathroom? : ...kuliyalarai (...)
 * ...a telephone? : ...tholaipesi (...)
 * ...a TV? : ...tholaikaatchi (...)
 * eg: Does the room come with bedsheets? ; pOrvai roomOda varumaa?
 * May I see the room first? : muthalla rooma pakkalamaa? (...)
 * Do you have anything ....? : itha vida ..... vEra irukkaa? (...)
 * ...quieter? : ...amaithiyaa (...)
 * ...bigger? : ...perusaa (...)
 * ...cleaner? : ...sutthamaa (...)
 * ...cheaper? : ...kuraivaa (...)
 * OK, I'll take it. : seri, eduthukarEn. (...)
 * I will stay for _____ night(s). : _____ iravu(kal) thangGuvEn. (...)
 * Can you suggest another hotel? : vEra hotel Ethaavathu sollunga? (...)
 * Do you have a safe? : locker irukkaa? (...)
 * Is breakfast/supper included? : kalai-tiffin/night-saapadu saEtthaa? (...)
 * What time is breakfast/supper? : kalai-tiffin/night-saapadu eththanai manikku? (...)
 * Please clean my room. : Room suththam pannunga. (...)
 * Can you wake me at _____? : enna _____ maniku eluppi vida mudiyumaa? (...)
 * I want to check out. : Check out panrEn. (...)

Money

 * Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? : Do you accept American/Australian/Canadian dollars? (neengGa america/austhiralia/canadia naattu dollar-gala yEtrukkolveergalaa?)
 * Do you accept British pounds? : Do you accept British pounds? (neengGa british pounds-a yEtrukolveergalaa?...)
 * Do you accept credit cards? : Do you accept credit cards? (neengGa credit card-a yEtrukkolveergalaa?)
 * Can you change money for me? : Can you change money for me? (ennOda paNatthukku chillarai maatthi thara mudiyumaa?)
 * Where can I get money changed? : Where can I get money changed? (engGa enakku chillarai kadaikkum?)
 * Can you change a traveler's check for me? : Can you change a traveler's check for me? (neengGa yenakkaaga payanigal check-a maatthi thara mudiyyumaa?)
 * Where can I get a traveler's check changed? : Where can I get a traveler's check changed? (payanikal check-a ennala engGa maattha mudiyum)
 * What is the exchange rate? : What is the exchange rate? (Exchange Rate yenna?)
 * Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM) (nearby)? : Where is an automatic teller machine (ATM)? ((pakkatthula) ATM enGa irukku?)

Eating

 * A table for one person/two people, please. : oru maejai oru nabarukku allathu irandu paerukku, thayavusaithu
 * Can I look at the menu, please? : naan intha menuvai parkkalama, thayavuseithu...
 * Can I look in the kitchen? : intha samayyal arayyinai naan parkkalaamaa?...
 * Is there a house specialty? : Ethavathu speciala irruka
 * I'm a vegetarian. : Naan saivam
 * I don't eat pork. : Naan pork/panrikari sappida maattaen.
 * I don't eat beef. : Naan beef/maattukkari sappida maattaen
 * Can you make it "lite", please? (less oil/butter/lard) : Ennna koriva uthunga
 * fixed-price meal : Allavu saapaadu
 * unlimited meal : Mulu saapaadu
 * à la carte : à la carte (...)
 * breakfast : breakfast/kaaLai saapaadu
 * lunch : lunch (madhiam saapaadu)
 * tea (meal) : tea (theyneer)
 * supper : supper (maalai unavu)
 * I want _____. : Ennaku _____ vendum
 * I want a dish containing _____. : I want a dish containing _____. (...)
 * chicken : chicken (kozhi kunju)
 * beef : beef (maatirachi)
 * fish : fish (meen)
 * ham : ham (...)
 * sausage : sausage (...)
 * cheese : cheese (Paalkatti)
 * eggs : eggs (muttai)
 * salad : salad (pachai kaikari)
 * (fresh) vegetables : pachai kaikari
 * (fresh) fruit : pazham
 * bread : bread (bannu)
 * toast : toast (muru murunu)
 * noodles : noodles (...)
 * rice : satham
 * beans : beans (avarai)
 * May I have a glass of _____? : Ennakku oru glass ______ vennum.
 * May I have a cup of _____? : Ennakku oru cup ______ vennum.
 * May I have a bottle of _____? : Ennakku oru bottle ______ vennum.
 * coffee : coffee (...)
 * tea (drink) : teh / tea (...)
 * juice : pazharasam / juice (...)
 * (bubbly) water : thanni
 * water : thanni
 * beer : beer (...)
 * Toddy : "KALLU"
 * red/white wine : red/white wine (...)
 * May I have some _____? : May I have some _____? (...)
 * salt : uppu
 * black pepper : milagu
 * butter : vennai (This some times can be an insulting word.)
 * Excuse me, waiter? (getting attention of server): Excuse me, waiter? (...)
 * I'm finished. : I'm finished. (naan mudithu vitean)
 * It was delicious. : Rusiya irunthathu
 * Please clear the plates. : Plate clear panirunga
 * The check, please. : The check, please. (...)

Bars

 * Do you serve alcohol? : (madhu inga kidaikkuma?)
 * Is there any table servicer? :(YaravaDhu table servicer irukaanGala?)
 * A beer/two beers, please. : (oru beer/rendu beers, dhayavu seidhu.)
 * A glass of red/white wine, please. :(oru glass sivappu/vellai wine, dhayavu seidhu.)
 * A pint, please. : (oru pint, dhayavu seidhu.)
 * A bottle, please. : (oru bottle, dhayavu seidhu. )
 * _____ (hard liquor) and _____ (mixer), please.: (_____ matrum _____, dhayavu seidhu.)
 * whiskey : whiskey (...)
 * rum : rum ("...")
 * water : ("thanni")
 * club soda : club soda (...)
 * tonic water : tonic water (...)
 * orange juice : orange juice (...)
 * Coke (soda) : Coke (...)
 * Do you have any bar snacks? : Do you have any bar snacks? ('inga snacks irukka thanni adikka')
 * One more, please. :innumonu, dhayavu seidhu
 * please,one more : dhayavu seidhu,innumonu
 * Another round, please. :(innum oru round, dhayavu seidhu )
 * When is the closing time? :(entha manikku muduvinga? (or) mudum neram enna?)

Shopping

 * Do you have this in my size? : (Unga kitta indha madhiri en size/aalavu iruka)
 * How much is this? : (idhu yevalavu? (or) idhu/idhan vilai enna/yevalavu)
 * That's too expensive. : aadhu romba vilai athigam.
 * Would you take _____? : _____ nengal eduppingala?
 * expensive : athigam
 * cheap : koranjadhu
 * I can't afford it. : naan kuduka mudiyadhu.
 * I don't want it. : ennaku idhu vendaam.
 * You're cheating me. : nee ennai yemathikkitu irrukirai.
 * I'm not interested. : enakku viruppam illai.
 * OK, I'll take it. : sari, naan idhai eduthu kolgiren.
 * Can I have a bag? : ennaku oru pai thara mudiyuma.
 * Do you ship (overseas)? : neengal kadal kadanthu payanippavara.
 * I need... : ennaku theyvai
 * ...toothpaste. : pal podi
 * ...a toothbrush. : ...a toothbrush. (...)
 * ...tampons. : ...tampons. (...)
 * ...soap. : ...soap. (...)
 * ...shampoo. : ...shampoo. (...)
 * ...pain reliever. (e.g., aspirin or ibuprofen) : vali nivarani marundhu.
 * ...cold medicine. : ...Jalathosha marunthu. (...)
 * ...stomach medicine. : vayiru vali marundhu.
 * ...a razor. : ...a razor. (...)
 * ...an umbrella. : kudai. (...)
 * ...sunblock lotion. : ...sunblock lotion. (...)
 * ...a postcard. : ...oru Anjal Attai. (...)
 * ...postage stamps. : ...postage Anjal Thalai. (...)
 * ...batteries. : ...batteries. (...)
 * ...writing paper. : Ezhuthum thaal.
 * ...a pen. : Ezhuthukol.
 * ...English-language books. : ...aangila putthagam.
 * ...English-language magazines. : aangila ithaz
 * ...an English-language newspaper. : aangila Seydhithaal.
 * ...an English-English dictionary. : aangila-angilam agaraadhi.

Driving

 * I want to rent a car. : Vaadagaikku oru car venum. (...)
 * Can I get insurance? : Enakku kaapidu kidaikumA? (...)
 * stop (on a street sign) : Nillu (...)
 * one way : oru vazhi paadhai (...)
 * yield : vilaichal(...)
 * no parking : vaaganam nirkka thadai(...)
 * speed limit : vega thadai (...)
 * gas (petrol) station : erivayu nilayam (...)
 * petrol : petrol (...)
 * diesel : diesel (Diesel is the name who found Diesel...so it should be same in Tamil too)

Authority

 * I haven't done anything wrong. : Naan oru thappum seyya villai
 * It was a misunderstanding. : Neenga thappa ninachuteenga. (...)
 * Where are you taking me? : Ennai enga kootikittu poreenga
 * Am I under arrest? : Ennai kaithu seyringala'
 * I am an American/Australian/British/Canadian citizen. : naan oru America/Australia/British/Canadia kudimagan. (...)
 * I want to talk to the American/Australian/British/Canadian embassy/consulate. : naan America/Australia/British/Canadia embassy/consulate kitta pesanum. (...)
 * I want to talk to a lawyer. : Naan valakaringarodu pesa vendum
 * Can I just pay a fine now? : Naan ippothu abaratham kattalaama?

title: Tamil phrasebook


text:
Tampa

The city of Tampa is the county seat of Hillsborough County and the largest city on Florida's West Coast.

Understand
Tampa is on the north shore of Tampa Bay in West Central Florida. Saint Petersburg lies west of the bay, while Bradenton is on the southern shore. The downtown business center of the city is on the north shore of Hillsborough Bay (a small bay within Tampa Bay which is bordered by the eastern shore of Tampa Bay and the small peninsula of South Tampa) and Ybor City lies just to the east. MacDill Air Force Base is on the southern tip of South Tampa, while the city also extends to the north all the way to New Tampa.

Orientation
Tampa is divided into five main districts fanning out from Downtown in the south-center between the Hillsborough River and Ybor Channel. West Tampa, once a separate city, lies across the Hillsborough River to the west of Downtown. South Tampa, a large residential area, extends south along the Interbay Peninsula. Historic Ybor City (sometimes considered a part of Downtown) lies on the northeast side of downtown. East Tampa, the historically African-American side of the city, lies north of Ybor City. North Tampa forms the urban/suburban sprawl north of Busch Boulevard. The northernmost extremity of North Tampa, known as New Tampa due to its having been annexed to the city in 1988, is very suburban and somewhat isolated from the rest of Tampa.

Within Tampa proper, there are six official "historical districts" (Hampton Terrace, Hyde Park, Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, Historic West Tampa, Ybor City) and at least 86 named neighborhoods.

History
The Tampa Bay area was visited by many Spanish explorers, beginning with Panfilo de Narvaez in 1528. However, no long term permanent settlements were created until 1824 when the US federal government created a reservation for north Florida Seminole Indians. At the same time, the US created Fort Brooke to oversee the reservation as well as protect the strategic harbor.

The town's first population boom occurred in the 1880s. In 1883, phosphate was discovered in the area, spurring the development of the mining and shipping industries in the area. Shortly after, Henry B. Plant completed work on his railroad linking Tampa to Jacksonville. He began promoting Tampa as a holiday spot and built the grand Plant Hotel as a luxury resort destination. In 1886, Vicente Martinez Ybor opened Tampa's first cigar factory in Ybor City which encouraged the immigration of many Spanish, Cuban and Italian (primarily Sicilian) workers.

During the Spanish American War at the turn of the century, Tampa was the main port of departure for troops heading for Cuba. During this time, the Plant Hotel was converted into officer's accommodations, housing the Rough Riders and Teddy Roosevelt.

MacDill Air Force Base was created in 1939 and the University of South Florida in 1956. Over the course of the 20th century, Tampa has grown into the center of a large metropolitan area; it now hosts the regional headquarters of many international companies, has acquired numerous professional sports teams, and has even bid for the summer Olympics.

People
Tampa is a very diverse city. The first residents were the members of the Seminole Indian tribe that was relocated there from northern Florida and the soldiers stationed at Fort Brook to control the reservation. The town remained a mostly military town until the 1880s when the first major waves of immigration arrived from Cuba, Spain and Sicily. The major growth of the area did not occur until air conditioning became common after World War II, but the region has been growing steadily since then. Tampa is now home to many native Floridians, including Seminoles, Cubans, Spaniards and Italians, as well the residence of many 'transplants' from the Northeast, Midwest and other areas of the states as well as new immigrants from the Caribbean and Latin America. Tampa's population swells during the winter months with the arrival of the 'snowbirds,' retired persons from the northern U.S. and Canada who come down for a few months to enjoy the relative warmth.

Economy
Tampa has a growing economy and serves as a major port. Among others, Raymond James, Home Shopping Network, Outback Steakhouse, and a major portion of Citigroup are headquartered in Tampa. Tampa's major industries today are tourism, phosphate mining, shipping, citrus processing, shrimping, and services.

Tampa International Airport

 * Airside A: JetBlue, Silver Airways, Spirit, United/United Express
 * Airside C: Alaska Airlines, Breeze Airways, Southwest, Sun Country
 * Airside E: Air Canada, Delta/Delta Connection, Frontier
 * Airside F: American Airlines/American Eagle, British Airways, Cayman Airways, Edelweiss, Lufthansa, Norwegian, Swift Air, Westjet, international arrivals

Car rental is located in a separate located along Airport Service Rd, next to the economy parking buildings. It is accessible from the main terminal by the frequent SkyConnect train. Courtesy pick-up for off-airport car rental companies can be arranged at the red or blue luggage reclaim zones at the airport or at the 'commercial curb' at the Car Rental Center. Bus stops for Hillsborough Area Transit (HART), to Tampa (Rt #10, 30, 32) and to St Petersburg & Clearwater with Pinellas Suncoast Transit Authority (PSTA)(Rt #300x) are next to the Rental Car Center. Follow signs to the "remote curbside" from the Rental Car Center to reach the bus stops. HART #10 and PSTA #300x buses connect the airport to downtown Tampa. Check Schedules.

is an alternative 15 miles away, generally serving Allegiant Air, Sun Country and private VIP flights.

is a bit further away, but is in proximity to beautiful Gulf beaches to the south of Tampa.

By train
Amtrak runs its Silver Star daily train (#91, 92) from New York City and Miami to Tampa. The train journey through Florida offers great views, but be aware that, while Amtrak reports an 80% on-time rate, the scheduled times, particularly on the southbound trains, can be hours before the actual time of arrival, and there are limited options for rescheduling.

The Amtrak Thruway Motorcoach bus operates as a continuation of the Amtrak Silver Star towards Ft Myers via St Petersburg, Bradenton, Sarasota and Port Charlotte. There is also another Thruay Motocoach connection to the Silver Meteor train (#97, 98) in Kissimmee.

By car
Tampa is easily accessible via the major interstate highways, I-75 from north and south, and I-4 from the east. From either highway, exit onto I-275 to reach Tampa. However, be prepared for frequent traffic jams particularly when it rains; nearly all of Downtown and the airport area are under constant and complete construction.

By bus

By boat
Cruise ships from five cruise lines operate from Tampa, mostly to Caribbean islands and Mexico. The Tampa cruise terminal is on the Ybor channel downtown.

By car
Car rentals are the most convenient form of transportation for visitors, with local companies offering better prices but national chains offering more convenience vis-a-vis return policies and times.

The main freeways in Tampa are Interstate 275, Interstate 4, the Veterans Expressway (toll FL 589), and the Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway (toll FL 618). Some of the main east-west roads through town are Kennedy Boulevard (SR 60), Gandy Boulevard (SR 694), Hillsborough Avenue (US 92) and Fowler Avenue (SR 582), while some of the north-south roads are Dale Mabry Highway (US 92) and Florida/Nebraska Avenue (US 41). Traffic is especially bad during the rush hours: from about 7:30AM to 9:30AM and 3:30PM to 7:30PM. During these times, try especially to avoid I-275 between I-4 and SR 60 (by the airport) as this section runs by downtown and is being rebuilt.

By bus

Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority (HART) provides extensive bus service throughout Hillsborough County. There are four types of routes offered: "local", "Commuter Express", "MetroRapid" (Bus Rapid Transit), and trolleys (see below). Local routes are ones which have many stops in a small region. Commuter Express lines are long-distance lines namely providing service from suburbs into Tampa. Only local to local & commuter express to local transfers are allowed. Fares are $1.75 for local routes and $2.75 for commuter express lines. Four small routes (83, 87, 88, & 89) have a 50¢ fare with no transfers. Riders over 65, 17 and under, on Medicare, or disabled are half-price: 85¢ for "local" routes and $1.35 for "commuter express" routes. Bus transportation in the Tampa area is not popular and one can expect plenty of room in buses. at 1211 N Marion St, just north of downtown is the hub for almost all local and regional buses.

PSTA, offers service in Pinellas County (the county west of Tampa Bay, home to Clearwater and St. Petersburg) similar to what HART offers in Hillsborough.

By streetcar
Tampa's TECO Line Streetcar runs from Whiting and Franklin Streets downtown to Centennial Park in Ybor City with 9 stops along the way (11 total stops). The line is useful for tourists and convention-goers. The line runs by many local shops, restaurants, and attractions including the convention center, Embassy Suites, the Tampa Bay Times Forum, Channelside, the Florida Aquarium, and through Ybor City. There are 3 types of streetcars in operation: 9 "Birney Safety" replicas (picture, right), one "Breezer" open-air replica (picture, left), and one original "Birney" car (#163, not pictured) which operated in Tampa from 1923-1946 and went through 10,000 man-hours of restoration. Even if you're not using it for transportation, the streetcars are a fun way to see some of the city's historic and cultural sights. Each station is covered and offers benches, ticket vending machines, and information kiosks. Dick Greco Plaza in downtown serves as an intermodal station, offering connections to HART buses, taxis, and easy pedestrian access to the surrounding area.

As of January 2019, the streetcar is fare free, simply board at any stop. Formerly, a one-way fare was $2.50. A 1-day, unlimited ride pass for streetcars, trolleys, and local HART buses are available for $5. Riders over 65, disabled, on Medicare, or 17 and under are discounted to $1.25 per trip or $2.50 for 1-day unlimited, with appropriate ID. A "Family All Day Ticket" is also available, allowing 2 adults plus 3 children or 1 adult and 4 children to ride streetcars only for only $12.50. Children under 4 are free, but if taller than the fare box ID is required. Exact change is required when purchasing on board, streetcar drivers do not provide change.

Additionally, automated Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) are installed at all streetcar stations and accept cash or credit cards and can provide change when paying cash. Three-day and one year passes are available from TVMs and authorized sales outlets. Sales outlets along the line are located at Bank of America building's concierge (downtown), Grand Central at Kennedy (Channelside), Wine Design (Channelside), Tampa Bay Convention & Visitors Bureau Visitor Center (Channelside), Centro Ybor Visitor Information Center (Ybor City), and the HART Administrative Office (1201 E. 7th Ave in Ybor City). Tickets and passes for the streetcar and all HART lines can be purchased online. For more information about the streetcar line, tickets, or HART services, call +1 813 254-4278.

Service is available M-Th 7AM-11PM, F Sa 11AM-2AM, and Su noon-8PM. Streetcars arrive every 20 minutes, except every 30 minutes on Friday/Saturday from 1AM-2AM. Service is extended when the Tampa Bay Lightning play at the Tampa Bay Times Forum, allowing spectators to park in Ybor City and avoid the end-of-game traffic encountered when parking near the Forum.

By trolley
Tampa also a rubber-wheel trolley system serving the Central Business District. Unlike the streetcars, which are electric and run on a fixed track, the trollies are simply small, diesel buses styled to look like a streetcar. The In-Towner Trolley (Route 96) runs north-south from I-275, through downtown to the northern end of Harbor Island. It has service every 15 minutes at 17 stops, M-F 6-8:30AM and 3:30-6PM. On Saturday, the In-Towner Route 97 loop runs through Downtown and to the Channel District every 30 minutes 11AM-7PM. As of June 2018, rides are $0.25 (no transfers), $3.75 for a 1-day pass, and $5 for a 1-day streetcar/trolley pass. Riders over 65, 17 and under, on Medicare, or disabled are discounted to $1.85 for a 1-day trolley pass or $2.50 for a 1-day trolley/streetcar pass. Children under 4 are free, but if taller than the fare box ID is required. Only $1 bills are accepted.

Downtown Tampa

Ybor City
This historic multi-ethnic district northeast of downtown & north of the Channelside district is best known to locals for its wide range of nightclubs, bars, and shops making it a popular evening and weekend hotspot. However, this historic district has much to offer the tourist by day. It used to be home to thousands of Cuban, Spanish and Italian immigrants (and smaller numbers of Romanian Jews and Germans), and was famous for its many cigar factories and is where the 'Cuban sandwich' was first popularized in the United States. Ybor City is one of only two active National Historic Landmark Districts in the state of Florida and can be easily visited by catching one of its famous streetcars that connects downtown Tampa to Ybor City (see "Get around" section).
 * Saturday Market — Every Saturday from 9AM-3PM in Centennial Park, the market features local-grown produce, arts, crafts, and local food.
 * Ybor City ArtWalk — The first Saturday of every month, this event brings out the best area arts and crafts, from business owners to professionals to studio-dwelling amateurs showing off their goods.
 * Saturday Market — Every Saturday from 9AM-3PM in Centennial Park, the market features local-grown produce, arts, crafts, and local food.
 * Ybor City ArtWalk — The first Saturday of every month, this event brings out the best area arts and crafts, from business owners to professionals to studio-dwelling amateurs showing off their goods.
 * Ybor City ArtWalk — The first Saturday of every month, this event brings out the best area arts and crafts, from business owners to professionals to studio-dwelling amateurs showing off their goods.

Do

 * Walking tour of Ybor City — Every Saturday at 10:30AM, the Ybor City State Museum offers a 60-minute walking tour of Ybor City highlighting the cigar industry's impact on the area, historic cottages/businesses, and tours of the YC State Museum & YC Cigar Museum. The $6 cost includes both museum entrance fees. Longer tours are available by appointment Tu-Th for $12. If possible, stop by the 100-year-old Columbia Restaurant at the end of the tour for a tasty Cuban lunch.
 * Cruise ships, Port of Tampa.
 * - in Tampa.
 * Several film festivals take place at the Tampa Theatre several times a year.
 * Read the Tampa Bay Times -- Tampa has some sort of event going on nearly every weekend, especially in the spring and early summer. Art festivals, a terrific Renaissance festival, street festivals -- take advantage of the great weather and enjoy our city.
 * Surprisingly, ice skating is a popular activity in the Tampa Bay area. The Tampa Bay Skating Academy in nearby Oldsmar has two NHL-sized ice surfaces. Other well-known rinks include Ice Sports Forum in Brandon, and Sunblades Center and the rink in Westfield Countryside Mall, both in Clearwater.
 * Lettuce Lake Park between I-75 and the University of South Florida has boardwalks that go through a nearly pristine area with 700-year-old cypress trees, alligators, egrets and herons. One end of the boardwalk overlooks the Hillsborough River in its original state, a far cry from what it looks like in the downtown area.
 * Read the Tampa Bay Times -- Tampa has some sort of event going on nearly every weekend, especially in the spring and early summer. Art festivals, a terrific Renaissance festival, street festivals -- take advantage of the great weather and enjoy our city.
 * Surprisingly, ice skating is a popular activity in the Tampa Bay area. The Tampa Bay Skating Academy in nearby Oldsmar has two NHL-sized ice surfaces. Other well-known rinks include Ice Sports Forum in Brandon, and Sunblades Center and the rink in Westfield Countryside Mall, both in Clearwater.
 * Lettuce Lake Park between I-75 and the University of South Florida has boardwalks that go through a nearly pristine area with 700-year-old cypress trees, alligators, egrets and herons. One end of the boardwalk overlooks the Hillsborough River in its original state, a far cry from what it looks like in the downtown area.

Sports

 * Tampa Bay Buccaneers are an American football team whose home field is Raymond James Stadium (off Dale Mabry a couple of miles north of I-275). They won the Super Bowl in the 2002 and 2020 seasons. The season lasts from August (preseason)-January (postseason, if they qualify).
 * Tampa Tarpons are a minor league baseball team which plays its games at George M. Steinbrenner Field from April-September.
 * South Florida Bulls. The USF Bulls football team represents the University of South Florida. The Bulls compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the American Athletic Conference.
 * Tampa Tarpons are a minor league baseball team which plays its games at George M. Steinbrenner Field from April-September.
 * South Florida Bulls. The USF Bulls football team represents the University of South Florida. The Bulls compete in the Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the American Athletic Conference.

The Tampa Bay Rays (MLB, baseball) and Tampa Bay Rowdies (NASL, soccer/association football) play in St. Petersburg.

Drink

 * Ybor City is a historic area of Tampa which now hosts the region's best known bar and nightclub district. It is a nationally known arts, bar and dining district and you could take several days visiting all of the bars and places to eat here. Certain parts to the extreme west and east sections of this neighborhood can be dangerous after midnight, but if you stay in the main areas it's well lit and there are plenty of police around. You can find any type of bar here, from punk rock/metal, hip-hop, house, blues, indie, country, or dive.
 * Seminole Heights is one of the most dynamic historic areas of Tampa. Just north of Downtown, it is filled with beautiful craftsmen and Mediterranean Revival homes. Seminole Heights is centered on two primary north/south thoroughfares, Florida Avenue and Nebraska Avenue. Florida Ave is more developed with a higher concentration of bars and restaurants, while Nebraska remains slightly grittier but definitely up and coming.
 * Florida Ave, north of Hillsborough Ave.
 * Florida Ave, south of Hillsborough Ave.
 * Nebraska Ave.
 * Channelside/ Water Street
 * Sparkman Wharf- Includes a beer garden and various take away restaurants along the waterfront
 * Florida Ave, south of Hillsborough Ave.
 * Nebraska Ave.
 * Channelside/ Water Street
 * Sparkman Wharf- Includes a beer garden and various take away restaurants along the waterfront
 * Florida Ave, south of Hillsborough Ave.
 * Nebraska Ave.
 * Channelside/ Water Street
 * Sparkman Wharf- Includes a beer garden and various take away restaurants along the waterfront
 * Nebraska Ave.
 * Channelside/ Water Street
 * Sparkman Wharf- Includes a beer garden and various take away restaurants along the waterfront
 * Nebraska Ave.
 * Channelside/ Water Street
 * Sparkman Wharf- Includes a beer garden and various take away restaurants along the waterfront
 * Channelside/ Water Street
 * Sparkman Wharf- Includes a beer garden and various take away restaurants along the waterfront
 * Channelside/ Water Street
 * Sparkman Wharf- Includes a beer garden and various take away restaurants along the waterfront
 * Channelside/ Water Street
 * Sparkman Wharf- Includes a beer garden and various take away restaurants along the waterfront
 * Channelside/ Water Street
 * Sparkman Wharf- Includes a beer garden and various take away restaurants along the waterfront
 * Channelside/ Water Street
 * Sparkman Wharf- Includes a beer garden and various take away restaurants along the waterfront

Stay safe
Be aware while in Suitcase City, the part of town surrounding Busch Gardens, USF and University Square Mall. Hitchhiking is also prevalent in this area, but do not stop! However, few tourists or visitors would find their way to this area of the city or have much a reason to be walking about in it; driving through is perfectly safe.

Consulates
Most consulates are honorary which means they offer limited services to travelers and their nationals living in the area and usually available by appointment only. They are located in different parts of the city rather than in a certain area. The nearest cities for additional foreign consulates for Florida and the Southeastern U.S. are in Miami and Atlanta. The consulates of Austria, Colombia, Haiti and Mexico have an additional location in Orlando in addition to Miami.

 * 🇩🇰 Denmark
 * 🇬🇷 Greece
 * 🇵🇦 Panama
 * 🇵🇪 Peru

Go next

 * Disney World in Orlando.
 * Gulf Beaches- Take State Route 60 or I-275 west towards Clearwater or St. Petersburg and follow signs. 45 minutes to an hour drive. There are many beaches towns to choose from including the world famous Clearwater Beach, but also smaller places such as Madeira Beach with the Johns Pass shopping/ entertaining complex. Filled with shops, restaurants, and bars, is a very pleasant way to spend an afternoon or, better yet, evening.
 * Sarasota About an hour south off of I-75. Home to the John Ringling Museum (house, circus exhibit and art museum).
 * Crystal River Dive with manatees in a natural spring
 * Tarpon Springs- An authentic Greek town along the Anclote River in Pinellas County. Fabulous restaurants with alfresco seating along Dodecanese Boulevard and the historic Sponge Docks. Nearby and still in Tarpon Springs is Fred Howard Park, a great place to watch the sunset. About 45 minutes to an hour from Tampa.
 * Titusville

title: Tampa