The last point on the eastern border of India, Rameshwaram, is located on Pamban Island, separated from mainland India by the Pamban Bridge. The place is of immense mythological significance as it’s one of the Char Dhams, regarded as one of the holiest sites for Hindus. Let’s explore the guide to get to Rameshwaram from Madurai by road, train and other means of travel. For a comfortable road trip to Rameshwaram, book a car rental in Madurai with Savaari and enjoy a pleasant ride.
Table of Contents
- Why travel from Madurai to Rameshwaram?
- Traveling from Madurai to Rameshwaram?
- Best time to take a road trip by car
- How to Reach Rameshwaram By Train
- How to Reach Rameshwaram By Flight
- Attractions in Rameshwaram for Sightseeing
- Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Rameshwaram
- Hotels and resorts – Accommodation in Rameshwaram
Why travel from Madurai to Rameshwaram?
The religious town of Rameshwaram holds a huge significance in the epic Ramayana and has various Hindu temples and places of religious interest, most notably the Ramanathaswamy Temple. Additionally, there are some pristine beaches that make this town worth a visit. By booking a cab with Savaari, you also get the chance to customize your whole trip, including the itinerary, so you can make it an incredible travel experience! By booking a cab from Madurai with Savaari, you also have the opportunity to customize your entire trip, including the itinerary, allowing you to create an incredible travel experience!
Travelling from Madurai to Rameshwaram by car
The road from Madurai to Rameshwaram is a popular route for road trips in Tamil Nadu. Avail a car rental from Madurai to Rameshwaram and enjoy the drive through temple towns, villages, and finally, through the famous Pamban Bridge. With our completely customizable Madurai to Rameshwaram trip packages, you can stop at any of these places and do some quick sightseeing. Avail a Madurai to Rameshwaram cab service and enjoy a ride through the changing landscape of the state.
Best Time to Visit Rameshwaram by Car
Rameshwaram is a coastal town with tropical weather. The winters are cool and pleasant, summers are hot and humid. Monsoons can be rough, and the city experiences heavy rainfall from July to September. If you want to experience the best of Rameshwaram, plan your travel in the dry and colder months, which is also the time of the city’s biggest festivals.
Popular Routes from Madurai to Rameshwaram
Route 1: Madurai to Rameshwaram via NH87
The distance between Madurai and Rameshwaram on this route is around 176 KM and takes roughly 3 hours. Always check live maps and instant traffic updates for the latest information on Madurai to Rameshwaram road conditions.
This is the shortest route and the fastest way to travel between Madurai and Rameshwaram. The Madurai to Rameshwaram traffic on this route is regular, and you can avoid road closures. Here’s the basic route map from Madurai to Rameshwaram
| Madurai -> Manamadurai-> Parmakudi -> Ramanathapuram -> Rameshwaram |
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Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route
- Alagar Kovil Temple, Manamadurai – A beautiful and large Hindu temple.
- Sri Sundararaja Perumal Temple, Paramakudi – A famous and celebrated Hindu temple with a lot of history.
- Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple, Ramanathapuram – A major Hindu temple with connections to the Ramayana.
- Ramanathapuram Palace, Ramanathapuram – An ancient palace and an important historical site of the region.
Places to eat along this route
- Vikas Hotel, Thiruppachethi – A popular local restaurant, good for quick stopovers.
- Adam Non-Veg Hotel, Manamadurai – Family-friendly restaurant serving popular non-vegetarian dishes.
- Sivakami fast food, Manamadurai – Local restaurant serving fast food, a nice spot for snacks.
- Heaven’s Park, Ramanathapuram – Popular fast-food restaurant serving burgers and fried chicken as well as vegetarian options.
Madurai to Rameshwaram Road Condition via route 1:
The Madurai to Rameshwaram road condition via NH87 is excellent. It is the faster route and has tolls but no road closure.
Route 2: Distance and Time taken from Madurai to Rameshwaram via Aruppukottai – Valinokkam Rd
This is a longer route to travel from Madurai to Rameshwaram than the previous one, and it takes more time. There is also a toll on this road. The distance from Madurai to Rameshwaram on this route is about 220 KM and takes around 4 hours. To avoid road closures, always check for the latest updates and follow a live map when travelling.
Here’s the basic route map from Madurai to Rameshwaram along this route:
| Madurai -> Kariapatti -> Aruppukkottai -> Perunali -> Keelakarai -> Ramanathapuram -> Rameshwaram |
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Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route
- Kilakarai Lighthouse, Kilakarai – A popular tourist destination and a great spot for photography.
- Adi Jagannatha Perumal Temple, Ramanathapuram – A major Hindu temple with connections to the Ramayana. You can read about the Ramayana Trail in this comprehensive blog.
- Ramanathapuram Palace, Ramanathapuram – An ancient palace and an important historical site of the region.
- Kushi Beach, Sattakkonvalasai – Beautiful and serene beach, good for families.
- Mandapam Mini Coral Beach, Maraikayar Pattinam – A peaceful spot without much crowding and beautiful views of the sea.
Places to eat along this route
- Vee Yaar Restaurant, Mandhiri Odai – Popular local restaurant serving vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare.
- Shanmuga Bhavan, Kariapatti – A bakery and tea stall with a wide variety of sweets and savories for snacking.
- Hotel Idris, Ervadi – An old and popular restaurant with affordable meals for travelers.
- NONBU KADAI, Ramanathapuram – Also known as Foodies Junction, this local restaurant is popular for its burgers.
Madurai to Rameshwaram Road Condition via route 2:
The Madurai to Rameshwaram road condition via Aruppukottai – Valinokkam Road is good. It is the longer route and has tolls but no road closure.
Madurai to Rameshwaram Best Route
Both the above routes are good for travelling from Madurai to Rameshwaram with both having interesting stopovers and ample food stops. Both roads have tolls, but there is a big difference in the distance and time between them. If you want to save time and still have a comfortable drive, then the route via NH87 is your best option.
Other means of travelling from Madurai to Rameshwaram
How to Reach Rameshwaram By Train
You can also travel from Madurai to Rameshwaram by train. There is no regular daily train service. The train distance from Madurai to Rameshwaram is roughly around 160 KM and could take between 3 and 4 hours, depending on the train. The fastest train is the CAPE RMM EXPRESS (22622). For all train bookings from Madurai to Rameshwaram, visit any online travel portal or Indian Railways’ website for the latest information.
How to Reach Rameshwaram By Flight
There is no flight connectivity between Madurai and Rameshwaram. Madurai Airport is the only nearest airport to Rameshwaram, and the best option for air travellers is to deboard at Madurai Airport, book an airport taxi in Madurai with Savaari and drive to Rameshwaram by car. The Madurai airport to Rameshwaram distance is 179km, and it will take around 3 hours to reach.
Attractions in Rameshwaram for Sightseeing
Rameshwaram is an important pilgrimage spot and a busy tourist destination believed to be the route travelled by Lord Rama and his entourage to save Sita in Lanka. There are a lot of interesting sights to see and things to do in Rameshwaram.
- Pamban Bridge – This 3 km long bridge is the longest in India, connecting the island of Rameshwaram-Dhanuskodi to mainland India.
- Adam’s Bridge or Rama Setu – A historic bridge of limestone shoals connecting the Rameshwaram, through Dhanushkodi, to Sri Lanka.
- Gandamadana Parvatham – These rolling hills are a mythological site, offering panoramic views of the island and the surrounding ocean. It is said to have an imprint of Lord Rama’s feet.
- Ramanathaswamy Temple – The highlight of Rameshwaram, Ramanathaswamy Temple is an important pilgrimage site for Hindus and enshrines one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva. The 12th-century temple is also known for its ornate architecture, huge holy ponds (Kund), and the longest temple corridor in India.
- Bird Sanctuary – Rameshwaram boasts several bird sanctuaries where a plethora of migratory birds can be found. The optimal time for observing rare and distinctive avian species is from October to March.
Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Rameshwaram
As a vibrant coastal temple town, Rameshwaram’s food culture is known both for its vegetarian cuisine and its seafood. These are some of the best places you can go to explore the food of Rameshwaram.
- Sri Murugan Mess, #32 Tourism Hotel, N Car St, Rameswaram
- Vitamin R (Sea view), C/O Hotel Ragavendra 21/26-A1, Agasthiyar Theertham St, near Agni Theertham
- APS Seafood & Fast Food Restaurant, 18/592, Pathrakali Amman Kovil street
- The Hotel Shree Nellai Madura, Middle St, Rameswaram
- Lootel Smart Restroom Cafe, V. O. C. Nagar, Agneetheertham, Rameswaram
Hotels and Resorts in Rameshwaram
| Place Name | Address | Phone Number |
| Hyatt Place Rameswaram | Madurai, Dhanushkodi NH Road, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu 623526 | NA |
| JKR Resort & Spa | D. No.: 1A/1, near Kaatupillaiyar Temple, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu 623526 | 04573 231 234 |
| Hotel Rameswaram Grand | Railway Feeder Rd, opp. to Railway Station, Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu 623526 | 04573 222 233 |
| Daiwik Hotels Rameswaram | 82 B (1), Madurai-Dhanushkodi, NH- 49, near Bus stand, Rameswaram | 080 2263 2222 |
| Hotel Panchavarnaa | 20, 17-2, Madasamy Kovil St, near Saraswathi Primary School, Rameswaram | 075988 93363 |
Things to Keep in Mind
- Some temples and religious sites may have strict dress codes and rules, so make sure to dress accordingly and follow the temple policies.
- If you are renting a car, keep the vehicle with you throughout the trip, as local transportation may not be as developed or frequent as in cities.
Download the Savaari car rental app today and enjoy seamless rides from all major transport hubs to your destination. Whether you’re in the mood for adventure or relaxation, this road trip guarantees an unforgettable experience.
Highway Updates
- TN government takes over four-laning of major highways
- New Pamban railway bridge in Rameswaram will be ready very soon
- Tiruchi-Pudukottai National Highway likely to be widened into a four-lane road
