Kodaikanal is in Dindigul district of tamilnadu.Direct buses are available from chennai, trichy, madurai and almost from every district inn taimilnadu.We shifted to our own vehicle from Dindigul.The nearest railway station is the station at Palani which I around 3 hours from kodaikanal.
there are around 6-9 best places in kodaikanal which attracts the crowd most.It took us just one day to visit all these places.
I think that cottage satys are perfect and cheap for a group of people.the cottage was like 200 per person with all proper facilities like wifi and hot water.
Food in here is really expensive.
Safety is ensured as it is attracts lot of crowd.