Team up with a partner for the cheaper couples' rate. There is also a similarly priced pool at the Lalitha Mahal Palace. The surroundings are nice, but, being a 6 km rickshaw ride out of town, it is less popular. It is almost possible to travel by foot in Mysore if you have plenty of time, but most students get around on rented bikes or scooters. Bicycle rental is organised by the three sisters in their shop just up from the Kaveri Lodge and costs Rs 200 a month.
Some people just use rickshaws to get around.
Except late at night, getting a rickshaw in Mysore is never a problem, and they are very cheap. Make sure you agree on the price beforehand, or better still, get the driver to use the meter. The nearest airport is Bangalore. There a very few international flights landing there, but there are several daily flights from Goa, Bombay or Delhi. From Bangalore airport, take a rickshaw into town and catch a train or a bus.