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Alappuzha to Chidambaram

Distance, real road route and a tentative fare estimate for travelling from Alappuzha, Kerala to Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.

550 kmDistance
11 hrsDrive time

Tentative Fare Estimate

Car / Taxi
Swift Dzire₹21,135
Ertiga₹26,910
Innova₹28,065
Innova Crysta₹34,590
Tempo Traveller (12)₹47,700

Round trip · incl. driver allowance & GST

View route plan
Bus
Non-AC Seater₹610
AC Seater₹990
Non-AC Sleeper₹880
AC Sleeper₹1,270
Volvo / Multi-Axle₹1,590
View route plan
Train
Sleeper₹360
Economy₹580
Third AC₹800
Second AC₹1,130
First AC₹1,570
View route plan

Tentative estimate only, based on typical Indian public-transport tariffs (state transport bus fares, IRCTC sleeper/AC class rates, standard outstation taxi per-km rates) — not a live quote from any operator.

Route Map

By Car: Alappuzha to Chidambaram

550 km · ~11h 40m · About 11h of driving split over 2 days, plus stops.

  1. Start from Alappuzha

    Leave early (5–6 AM) and avoid driving on highways after dark.

  2. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 150

    Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.

  3. 125 km · 2h 30m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 275

    Stop for the night in a town along the highway with hotels.

  4. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 425

    Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.

  5. 125 km · 2h 30m drive from previous stop

    Arrive in Chidambaram

    Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu

Stops are typical for this road, not a fixed itinerary. Timings assume about 50 km/h on average — traffic, tolls and road conditions vary.

By Bus: Alappuzha to Chidambaram

550 km · ~12h 13m · Buses on this route are usually available as direct services. Operators and departure times vary — check live availability.

  1. Board at Alappuzha

    Go to the main bus stand / ISBT in Alappuzha. Overnight buses usually leave in the evening; book a seat in advance for sleeper and Volvo services.

  2. Alappuzha → Chidambaram

    AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~550 km

    ~12h 13m|Tentative fare ₹610–₹1,590

  3. Arrive in Chidambaram

    Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu

Halts and change points are typical for this route, not a specific operator’s schedule — check live availability and timings when booking.

By Train: Alappuzha to Chidambaram

Nearest railway stations: Alleppey for Alappuzha, Chidambaram for Chidambaram.

No direct train found — best options with a change

1 change · 19h 33m in total

Hapa-Tirunelveli Express#12998 · Superfast
11:02 AMShertalai
6h 28m57 stops
05:30 PMTirunelveli

Change trains at Tirunelveli — about 3h 45m wait

Chendhur Express#16736 · Express
09:15 PMTirunelveli
9h 20m67 stops
06:35 AM+1dKille

1 change · 22h 12m in total

GURUVAYUR - CHENNAI EGMORE Exp#16128 · Express
11:50 PMShertalai
17h 25m125 stops
05:15 PM+1dVillupuram Jn

Change trains at Villupuram Jn — about 2h 50m wait

TIRUPATI - RAMESWARAM Exp#16779 · Express
08:05 PMVillupuram Jn
1h 57m20 stops
10:02 PMVithisvarankol

1 change · 23h 13m in total

RIVANDRUM - GUWAHATI Exp#12515 · Superfast
03:12 PMChanganaseri
15h 12m144 stops
06:24 AM+1dKorukkupet Jn

Change trains at Korukkupet Jn — about 2h 25m wait

Bhubaneswar-Rameswaram Weekly Express#18496 · Express
08:49 AMKorukkupet Jn
5h 36m66 stops
02:25 PMVithisvarankol

Waits assume each train runs daily — the timetable data has no running days, so check the days for every train before you plan a change.

Train details come from a 2015 railway timetable snapshot — newer trains, changed timings and running days are not included, so confirm on IRCTC before you plan around a train.

Alappuzha to Chidambaram: Route & Travel Options

Route overview

Alappuzha to Chidambaram is about 550 km by road, roughly 11 hours of travel time.

Tentative fare estimate

Approximate fares for about 550 km, estimated from typical Indian per-km tariffs — not a live quote from any operator.

  • Car / Taxi: Swift Dzire ₹21,135 · Ertiga ₹26,910 · Innova ₹28,065 · Innova Crysta ₹34,590 · Tempo Traveller (12) ₹47,700
  • Bus: Non-AC Seater ₹610 · AC Seater ₹990 · Non-AC Sleeper ₹880 · AC Sleeper ₹1,270 · Volvo / Multi-Axle ₹1,590
  • Train: Sleeper ₹360 · Economy ₹580 · Third AC ₹800 · Second AC ₹1,130 · First AC ₹1,570

Tentative estimates only — actual fares vary by operator, season, class and how early you book.

Want the full Chidambaram guide?

Attractions, itineraries, temples and travel tips for Chidambaram.

View Chidambaram Guide

Stops & Places Along the Route

Good places to break the journey from Alappuzha to Chidambaram. Distances are approximate; the road you take may pass a little away from some of them.

  1. Ponkunnam55 km from Alappuzha

    Kerala

  2. Vagamon85 km from Alappuzha

    Kerala

  3. Kodaikanal195 km from Alappuzha
  4. Trichy385 km from Alappuzha

Hotels in Chidambaram

Comfortable 3-star stays in Chidambaram. Tell us your dates and we'll get you a rate.

3 Star Hotel

Chidambaram

Things to Do in Chidambaram

Explore the Thillai Nataraja Temple

Spend time marveling at the intricate architecture, the 108 karana sculptures, and the sacred sanctum. Don't miss the Raja Sabha, a hall of 1000 pillars, and the…

2-3 hours

Witness the Chidambara Rahasyam

Visit the inner sanctum to see the empty space behind the curtain, symbolizing the formless cosmic ether. This is the temple's most profound and unique feature.

30 minutes

Attend the Arudra Darshan Festival

If visiting in December/January, participate in the grand festival celebrating Nataraja's cosmic dance, with processions and special rituals.

Full day

Take a Boat Ride in Pichavaram Mangroves

Drive to Pichavaram and hire a boat to glide through the winding canals of this vast mangrove forest, a haven for birdwatchers and nature lovers.

2-3 hours

Watch a Bharatanatyam Performance

During the Natyanjali festival or at local cultural events, witness classical dance performances that pay homage to the temple's artistic heritage.

1-2 hours

Visit the Sivaganga and Parvati Tanks

Circumambulate the temple's sacred water tanks, which are believed to have healing properties and are integral to the temple's rituals.

1 hour

See all places in Chidambaram →

Suggested Chidambaram Itinerary

Day 1Day 1

  • Check-in and rest
  • Explore Thillai Nataraja Temple
  • Witness evening aarti

Day 2Day 2

  • Morning darshan at Sivakami Amman Temple
  • Study the 108 karana sculptures
  • Boat ride at Pichavaram Mangroves

Day 3Day 3

  • Final darshan at Thillai Nataraja Temple
  • Visit the temple tank and art gallery
  • Shop for souvenirs
Full 3-day itinerary →

Extend Your Trip

Add a nearby place to your Chidambaram trip and see the full Alappuzha → Chidambaram → next stop route.

Chidambaram → Kumbakonam

About 75 km by road

Chidambaram → Velankanni

About 105 km by road

Chidambaram → Thanjavur

About 120 km by road

Chidambaram → Tiruvannamalai

About 150 km by road

Plan My Trip: Alappuzha to Chidambaram

Pick how you want to travel and we'll send a complete plan with transport, hotel and sightseeing — on WhatsApp and a call back.

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