Sitting at 2000 meters, the ‘Princess of Hills Stations’ is a beauty that truly is a joy forever. But the real highlight of this lush green hamlet is how you travel there. If you want a different experience of Kodaikanal, then start with a road trip from Chennai by booking Savaari’s recommended car rental service in Chennai. Traveling from the metro city, and slowly escaping into pure nature, is something only a road trip can give you.
Table of Contents
- Why travel from Chennai to Kodaikanal?
- Traveling from Chennai to Kodaikanal
- Best time to take a road trip by car
- How to Reach Kodaikanal By Train
- How to Reach Kodaikanal By Flight
- Other means of traveling
- Places to eat along this route
- Attractions in Kodaikanal for Sightseeing
- Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Kodaikanal
- Hotels and resorts – Accommodation in Kodaikanal
Why travel from Chennai to Kodaikanal?
When you book a Chennai cab service with Savaari, you can not only have that kind of a journey but also customize your entire trip, the itinerary, and make its an incredible travel experience!
Traveling from Chennai to Kodaikanal by car
Driving from Kodaikanal is one of the best ways to travel from the city to the countryside. The road from Chennai to Kodaikanal goes through suburbs and small towns of Tamil Nadu and into the quieter and greener locales of the quaint hill country, intercepted with fascinating nature and tourist spots along the way. With our completely customizable Chennai to Kodaikanal trip packages, you can stop at any of these places and do a quick sightseeing.
Let us help you discover the best routes so you can plan an exciting trip from Chennai to Kodaikanal by road.
Important Highway Information about Chennai to Kodaikanal
| Highway Name | Chennai to Kodaikanal Highway |
| Alternate Name | National Highway 38 |
| Highway Number | NH – 38 |
| Distance | 528.6 Km |
| Starting Point | Chennai |
| End Point | Kodaikanal |
| Highway Quality | Good |
Best time to take a road trip from Chennai to Kodaikanal by car
Being surrounded by the hills and forests of the Nilgiris, Kodaikanal enjoys a pleasant weather most parts of the year. But the Best Time To Visit Chennai to Kodaikanal by Car is from winter through spring. Summers are also comfortable to travel but can be a little humid. Some people also like traveling to Kodaikanal during the monsoons. But do watch caution while driving around hilly areas during heavy rains.
Quick Facts about Chennai to Kodaikanal
| Road Distance from Chennai to Kodaikanal | 528 kms |
| Aerial Distance from Chennai to Kodaikanal | 426 kms |
| Travel Time for Chennai to Kodaikanal | 9 hours and 49 minutes |
| Travel Time for Chennai to Kodaikanal by Train | 8 hours and 55 minutes |
| Travel Time for Chennai to Kodaikanal by Flight | 1 hours and 25 minutes |
| Best Routes | Chennai to Kodaikanal Via NH38 |
| Best time to visit | October and March |
Route 1: Distance and Time taken from Chennai to Kodaikanal via Chennai – Villupuram – Trichy – Kanyakumari Rd
Chennai to Kodaikanal Road Condition Via Chennai – Villupuram – Trichy – Kanyakumari Rd
This is the shortest, fastest, and the most recommended route to travel from Chennai to Kodaikanal. Most tourists and regular travelers use this route, since the Chennai to Kodaikanal traffic is also not heavy on this highway. Before you travel, always check for traffic updates and use live maps to get the real-time information on Chennai to Kodaikanal road condition.
Chennai to Kodaikanal Distance Via Chennai – Villupuram – Trichy – Kanyakumari Rd
The Chennai to Kodaikanal distance via this route is approximately 530 KM and takes about 10 hours to travel. Here’s a basic Chennai to Kodaikanal road map for this route:
| Chennai — Chengalpattu — Tindivanam — Dindigul — Batlagundu — Kodaikanal |
|---|
Popular places along the way:
- Palar River View Point, Kanchipuram – Expansive river banks with panoramic views of countryside, good for sunset views or afternoon breaks.
- Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal – Locally protected wetland sanctuary, good for sighting migratory birds in winter.
- Ranjankudi Fort, Perambalur – A historical site with ruins of ancient fort, surrounded by countryside, good for a short tour and quick break on a long drive.
- Manjalar Dam View Point, Batlagundu – A dam on the Majalar River with catchment area and lush surroundings, great views, good for photo ops.
Places to eat on this route:
- Manoj Bhavan Perumal koil street, Maduranthakam – Locally popular vegetarian restaurant, serving traditional dishes, good for quick stop.
- Oorvasi veg restaurant & cafe lounge, Tindivanam – Plush eatery and lounge serving vegetarian fare, snack food, and meals, family-friendly, group-friendly.
- Dindigul Thalappakatti Restaurant, Ulundurpet – Famous chain restaurant specializing in ethnic style biryani and non-vegetarian fare.
- Kurunji Veg and Non-Veg Restaurant, Mannapparai – Standard highway side food court with multiple food options, good for quick stops, family-friendly.
- Eden Garden Restaurant, Batlagundu – Local highway side diner serving South Indian meals.
Route 2: Distance and Time taken from Chennai to Kodaikanal via Chennai – Villupuram – Trichy – Kanyakumari Rd & NH 38
Chennai to Kodaikanal Road Condition Via Chennai – Villupuram – Trichy – Kanyakumari Rd & NH 38
This is an alternative and a slightly longer route to travel. And sometimes, there might be some Chennai to Kodaikanal traffic due to roadwork. That’s why, always check for traffic updates and use live maps to get the real-time information on Chennai to Kodaikanal road condition.
Chennai to Kodaikanal Distance Via Chennai – Villupuram – Trichy – Kanyakumari Rd & NH 38
The Chennai to Kodaikanal distance via this route is approximately 555 KM and takes about 11 hours to travel. Here’s a basic Chennai to Kodaikanal road map for this route:
| Chennai — Chengalpattu — Tindivanam — Viluppuram — Ulundurpet — Musiri — Karur — Dindigul — Batlagundu — Kodaikanal |
|---|
Popular places along the way:
- Palar River View Point, Kanchipuram – Expansive river banks with panoramic views of countryside, good for sunset views or afternoon breaks.
- Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal – Locally protected wetland sanctuary, good for sighting migratory birds in winter.
- Ranjankudi Fort, Perambalur – A historical site with ruins of ancient fort, surrounded by countryside, good for a short tour and quick break on a long drive.
- Dindigul Rock Fort, Dindigul – A historical site with ruins of a 17th-century hill fort, with views, arsenal depots and a temple with sculptures & carvings.
Places to eat on this route:
- Manoj Bhavan Perumal koil street, Maduranthakam – Locally popular vegetarian restaurant, serving traditional dishes, good for quick stop.
- Oorvasi veg restaurant & cafe lounge, Tindivanam – Plush eatery and lounge serving vegetarian fare, snack food, and meals, family-friendly, group-friendly.
- Dindigul Thalappakatti Restaurant, Ulundurpet – Famous chain restaurant specializing in ethnic style biryani and non-vegetarian fare.
- Aachi’s Village Restaurant, Pallapalayam – Standard roadside eatery serving traditional South Indian meals and snacks, good for quick stop.
Chennai to Kodaikanal Best Route
While you can take any of the two routes, we recommend Route 1 Via Chennai – Villupuram – Trichy – Kanyakumari Rd. The road conditions are excellent and the Chennai to Kodaikanal toll charges is less. However, it is advisable to check live traffic updates before leaving for your trip.
Other means of traveling from Chennai to Kodaikanal
You can also travel from Chennai to Kodaikanal by trains or flights.
How to Reach Kodaikanal By Train
You can also cover Chennai to Kodaikanal distance by train. There are 14 trains that run between Chennai and Kodaikanal. Of these, 7 are daily trains. The fastest train is TEJAS EXPRESS (02613 ) which takes about five hours and twenty minutes.
For Chennai to Kodaikanal train booking, you can visit the Indian Railways website or check with any online travel portal to get the best deals. The train time can vary from five and half to eight hours, depending on which train you take. For the most updated Chennai to Kodaikanal train timings, always check the latest timetables of IRCTC, before booking.
| Train Name | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
| 22671 – TEJAS EXPRESS | 06:00 AM | 11:34 AM | 5 hour and 34 minutes |
| 16129 – MS TN LINK EXP | 08:25 AM | 03:07 PM | 6 hour and 42 minutes |
| 16127 – MS GURUVAYUR EX | 08:25 AM | 03:07 PM | 6 hour and 42 minutes |
| 12637 – PANDIAN EXP | 09:40 PM | 04:34 AM | 6 hour and 54 minutes |
How to Reach Kodaikanal By Flight
There is no direct flight service between Chennai and Kodaikanal. The nearest airport service is at Madurai International Airport (IXM), about 120 KM away. You can take a flight to Madurai from Chennai and drive the rest of the distance to reach Kodaikanal. Book a convenient Madurai airport to Kodaikanal cab and enjoy a hassle free journey to your destination.
For your Chennai to Kodaikanal flight booking, via Madurai, visit any online travel portal or airline website. It takes about one to two hours and costs between INR 2000 to 3000 to fly from Chennai to Madurai.
You can also take a bus to cover the distance. For Chennai to Kodaikanal bus ticket price and booking, visit the online booking sites.
Explore Kodaikanal Like a Local: A Handy Guide
The most popular hill town of Tamil Nadu, Kodaikanal invites all kinds of travelers to explore its natural beauty and the old-world charm. With its endless natural wonders of lakes, hills, forests, and adventure options, this quiet town is as exotic as it can get. With our tips and suggestions, explore these places and make your Kodaikanal tour interesting and memorable.
Attractions in Kodaikanal for Sightseeing
You can start with the Solar Observatory Museum and see their collection of astronomical instruments. For treks, long nature walks, or picnics, head to the Pine Tree Forest and the adjoining bat caves of Guna, Green Valley View Point or the Pillar Rocks View Point.
Head to the Dolphin Nose for panoramic views and photo ops. Visit the refreshing Silver Cascade Falls or take a walk around Bryant Park and Coaker’s Walk. You can also spend the entire day around Kodaikanal Lake and practise yoga or enjoy water sports like boating, kayaking, or do horse riding and cycling across the nature trails surrounding the lake area.
Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Kodaikanal
As quiet and quaint as it is, Kodaikanal is wrapped in its own culture and history. When it comes to food, the flavors of Kodai are a heady mix of local, national, and international, owing to its cosmopolitan traveler community.
These are some of the best rated places to eat in Kodaikanal –
Hotels and resorts – Accommodation in Kodaikanal
| Hotel Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Red Lynch | Tapps Road, Lake Rd, near Sterling Resorts, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101 PH: 098942 40630 |
| SaffronStays Kurinji Estate, Kodaikanal | Kurinji Temple Road, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101 PH: 022 6811 0811 |
| The Tamara Kodai | #22, La Providence, St Mary’s Rd, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101 PH: 08071 077 701 |
| Hotel Raindrops | Boat House Road Seven Road junction, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101 PH: 098652 83788 |
| The Fern Creek | No. 212/118, Fern Hill Rd, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101 PH: 089398 48741 |
For the cheapest Chennai to Kodaikanal taxi fare, download our Savaari car Booking app for a smooth and pleasant journey.
