How to Reach Pondicherry

Commonly referred to as Pondicherry, Puducherry is one of the popular tourist destinations in South India. The city houses numerous attractions that in a way exhibit French culture and heritage. Traveling to Pondicherry is not a tough task, as you can reach here via all major modes of transportations. Here is the detailed information about how to reach Pondicherry:

Pondicherry By Air:

Chennai International Airport is the nearest airport, which is situated at 150 km. It connects Pondicherry to several important cities across the world such as Singapore, Delhi, Goa, Muscat, Hong-Kong, Abu Dhabi, Port Blair, Pune, Thiruvananthapuram, Kuwait, Coimbatore, Bangalore, and Visakhapatnam. You can easily board a bus or hire a cab from the airport to reach your desired destination.

Nearest airport: Chennai International Airport

Pondicherry By Train (Rail)

The nearest railway station from Pondicherry is Villupuram Railway Station, 37 km away. It is well-connected to all major cities of India including Delhi, Mumbai, Trivandrum, Chennai, and Kolkata. From here you can take a taxi or a bus to travel to Pondicherry.

Pondicherry By Road:

The city is well-connected by road to all important cities of the country like Chidambaran (62km), Chennai (169km), Trichy  (201km), Madurai (333km) and Kanyakumari (578km).

How to Reach Pondicherry From Chennai by Road:

There are two routes by which you can travel to Pondicherry from Chennai. Both of them have their own charm and offer swift transfers. Take a look at the detailed information about the routes from Chennai to Pondicherry:

This is one of the most popular routes, which takes you through East Coast Road (ECR) that runs along the Bay of Bengal. This is the most picturesque route and there are plenty of pit-stops where you can soak in the sea breeze as well as catch the glimpse of the breathtaking beauty of the surroundings.

Distance: 151 km (approx.)

Travel Time: 03 hours 10 minutes (approx)
 

En route Experiences

• The Great Salt Lake
• Tsunami Memorial Park
• Monkey Monk
• Sadras Dutch Fort
• Alamparai Fort
• Mahabalipuram Beach
• India Seashell Museum
• Shore Temple

Places to Eat

• Kadal Kitchen
• The Wharf Restaurant
• Le Yogi Café
• Petals Restaurant
• Palm Shade Restaurant
• Spark’s Kitchen

Road Conditions:

East Coast Road is well-developed and offers a smooth ride. There are several tourist attractions, places to eat, and public utilities situated along the route, which makes the journey memorable and comfortable.

Distance: 165 km (approx.)

Travel Time: 03 hours 09 minutes (approx)

This is the fastest route between Chennai and Pondicherry. There are numerous temples and popular attractions situated on this route. You will travel via NH 32, which is well-maintained and offers a memorable road trip.
 

En route Experiences

• Vandalur Zoo
• Kolavai Lake
• Sri Pachai Amman Temple
• Madurantakam Lake
• Sri Kailasanatha Temple
• Auroville

Places to Eat

• Made in Madras
• Mr. Chef Momos
• Madapalli Restaurant
• Madina Biryani
• JP Punjabi Dhaba
• Padma Vilasam Restaurant

Road Conditions:

National Highway 32 connects these two cities, which are highly developed. There are several pit-stops including places to eat and public utilities available on this route. One can enjoy a smooth and hassle-free drive.

How to Reach Pondicherry From Bangalore By Road:

Distance: 358 km (approx.)

Travel Time: 06 hours 40 minutes (approx)

This route runs through NH 48 and an interesting route to take a road trip. It is the fastest route between Bangalore and Pondicherry.
 

En route Experiences

• Jawadhu Hills
• Vellore Fort
• Palamathi Hills
• Varadaraja Perumal Temple
• Jalagandeeswarar Temple
• Gingee Fort
• Mailam Murugan Temple

Places to Eat

• Saravana Bhawan
• Hotel Mangalam
• The Vellore Kitchen
• Annapoorna
• Chandru’s Karai Restaurant
• A-One Restaurant

Road Conditions:

The route takes you through NH 44 and NH 48. National highways are well-maintained and offer a smooth ride. This is a less frequented route due to which it is the fastest one.

Distance: 303 km (approx.)

Travel Time: 07 hours 00 minutes (approx)

This is the shortest route that runs through NH 77. It takes you through some of the popular places where you can stop and enjoy the road trip.
 

En route Experiences

• Krishnagiri Dam
• Chandira Choodeswarar Temple
• Krishnagiri Fort
• Gingee Fort
• Sri Ramana Ashram
• Arunachaleshwara Temple

Places to Eat

• Mirchi Dhaba Restaurant
• Hotel Mangalam
• Kannan Mess
• Auro Usha Restaurant
• German Bakery
• Kari Vrinda
• Vasantha Bhawan

Road Conditions:

There are intermittent bad patches on this route and have more traffic due to which it takes more traveling time as compared to the first route.

Distance: 437 km (approx.)

Travel Time: 09 hours 00 minutes (approx)

This route is the longest route among all, which takes you through NH 77 and NH 206. On this route, you can enjoy some of the extraordinary sights including ancient temples, serene beaches, majestic forts, and gushing waterfalls.
 

En route Experiences

• Krishnagiri Dam
• Chandira Choodeswarar Temple
• Krishnagiri Fort
• Gingee Fort
• Sri Ramana Ashram
• Arunachaleshwara Temple

Places to Eat

• Raj Dum Biryani
• Vasudev Adiga’s
• Lazeez Multicuisine Restaurant
• Saravana Bhawan
• Agrahara Kitchen
• Sea Rock Restaurant
• Babu’s Cafe

Road Conditions:

The roads are pretty good but at some patches, they get narrow due to which you have to drive at an average speed.

Tips:

• Carry summer wear and swimwear.
• Do not forget to carry sunscreen lotion, sunglasses, and an umbrella to avoid sunburn.
• It is advisable to drive during the day time to enjoy the scenery.
• Also, carry important documents including photo ID proof. As well as a driving license if you wish to hire a vehicle from Pondicherry.