Both were published around the same time, and I've used both before for different countries, so I'm happy with their layout and content. However, choosing the right guide this time seemed far more difficult.

Both contained detailed information about the places I plan to visit. However, I found some bits were present in one book, but not the other, and vice-versa. In the end I decided to go for both books. I'm travelling in South India for 3 months, so I thought it would be worth the luxury of having two guides.

Having read both now, I can confirm that both are indeed excellent and each would provide an excellent insight into an amazing country.

Just to prove my point however, here is one example of an item (that I think is critical) that differ in books.

Apart from a small section dedicated to 'Todas', the Rough Guide doesn't really mention trekking in Ooty, which is one of the highlights of the region. Lonely Planet dedicates just under half a page to this essential activity.

Anyway, I don't expect both books to be the same, and here is a summary of the strengths of each book, I hope this might help you decide which book to buy:

Lonely Planet.
Travelling around by train.
Essential information.
Maps.

Rough Guide.
At a glance section on Highlights of South India.
History of India and its regions.
Food and drink.

All in all, I don't think you'd go wrong with either guide and wish you a safe a pleasant journey through this magical country.


Lonely Planet south india   November 4, 2004
 3 out of 7 found this review helpful

I actually used this book to tarvel around Tamil Nadu for one month. It was very usful including all details about resaonable hotel and transportation, however many prices such as hotel price has been changed lots and I find out this is annoying.
Hope they can update about that but other than that it is good guide book to find out South India


Accurate and Dependable   May 22, 2004
 5 out of 6 found this review helpful

From the restaurants to the hotels and places to see described,this book is the ideal guide to this region.We relied on it completely when we were in Tamil Nadu and it was wonderful.Made our holiday very worthwhile and relieved a lot of the stress of finding a place to stay or somewhere to eat.It also describes the region and its historical atractions well.


True to life!   January 29, 2002
 19 out of 21 found this review helpful

South India has never been more beautiful and Lonely Planet does full justice to this sun kissed land. As always outstanding research by Lonely Planet - the recommendations for the ethnic restaurants "udipi" cuisine are real gems. Each and every one of them I tried for Thirvananthapuram were finger licking good. Bus fares have changed since book was published but the increase of 2 US cents won't change your plans to follow the recommended itineraries. We had a thrilling time touring South India following Lonely Planet's guide page by page.


South of India covered   January 29, 2002
 23 out of 29 found this review helpful

Lonely Planet has divided India into two more detailed versions, North India and South India. Although they are just as thick on their own as the India guide, I do lack the more detail and depth that you should expect. The South guide is better and more detailed though than the North, so if you are covering the south extensively it could be worth considering to buy.

This said, the Lonely Planet guides are very good for Asia in particular and the South India guide is not an exception to this rule. If you are planning to travel all over India, I would recomend you to buy only the Lonely Planet India guide instead of North and South India together.