Here is a quick guide on different modes of transport available for travel from Chennai to Pondicherry
Pondicherry is like Goa to the East Coast. It is one of the best places to visit and well known for its impressive churches, beaches and streets with colourful walls and french style apartments. Pondicherry is not that similar to Goa but comparatively quiet place with not much hassle around. If you wish to spend some good time clicking Instagram worth pictures or to booze around with cheap alcohol than this is the place you should not miss upon.
Pondicherry is also known as Puducherry can be reached easily from Chennai via different modes of transport.
Distance from Chennai to Pondicherry
Chennai to Pondicherry is approx. 150 km by road, the capital of Tamil Nadu.
Modes of transport
1. Bus
2. Train
3. Cab service
There are two main routes to reach Pondicherry, the one is the ECR (East Coast Road) which will take you by the seaside, the road is quite scenic and beautiful and everyone tries to take on this route. The other one is via NH45 which is about 10kms longer but a better road with a full stretch of highway. The maximum time taken is around 4 hours by road using local bus transport whereas the trains could take more time from about 5 to 6 hours.
TRAVELLING FROM CHENNAI TO PONDICHERRY
If you have landed at the airport in Chennai, don’t rush down to book a cab. Chennai airport is just too far away from the main town or the CMBT stop from where you need to take a bus to Pondicherry. Simply exit the airport and take the help of Google Maps to reach Meenambakkam Metro Station or you also have the option of railways line which runs down locals. ( We preferred Metro as we didn’t have one in our city and just didn’t want to miss the opportunity ). The metro in Chennai is quite empty, also the station is clean and not much crowded ( Considering the rush at Delhi Metro Station ).
Steps to reach CMBT, Chennai
Buy a ticket to CMBT which cost Rs. 50.
Change the metro line at Alandar.
At CMBT just after exist, You at the bus terminal.
Sounds simple? It really is that simple.
There are many buses taking you to Pondicherry after the interval of 20 to 25 mins. There is an option of A/C and Non-A/C bus with an option of two different routes which was mentioned before. The frequency of A/C bus is less as compared to the ordinary once.
The Non-A/C bus should cost around Rs. 130 to Rs. 150 and A/C bus ticket fare are about Rs. 230 to Rs. 270 per ticket. There are Volvo A/C buses and for Non-A/C, there are deluxe and ordinary once. While heading to Pondicherry to took on an A/C bus as it was quite a hot afternoon. The journey was pleasant and roads were just awesome. It took us some 4 hours to reach Pondicherry bus depot. On the way back to Chennai we decided to take on Non-A/C deluxe bus which was also quite comfortable but had weird windows which used to row down from the top. You either had the option to keep it open or close it completely. Both the journey took the same travel time depending on the traffic hours while leaving Chennai and entering the city. The journey is smooth and does not takes in much effort as the roads are good.
You could also travel by train from Chennai Railway Station to Pondicherry Railway Station. The frequency is less to just one train which leaves Chennai Egmore station at 6:10 pm and reaches Puducherry by 10:25 pm and cost around Rs. 90 which is one schedule every day. There are few more trains which travel the same source and destination but are available on different days on the week.
Lastly, you could also choose to travel from Chennai to Pondicherry by booking Uber or pre-paid taxi. Both of these charge approx Rs. 2500 and travel time is of 3 hours.
You can travel the way you want and depend on how much money you wish to spend on travelling. Reaching Pondicherry is easy and travelling around the beautiful town is much easier. Stay tuned for our next blog to know more.
Till than FIN.
