Ara to Chidambaram
Distance, real road route and a tentative fare estimate for travelling from Ara, Bihar to Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.
Tentative Fare Estimate
Round trip · incl. driver allowance & GST
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: Ara to Chidambaram
2156 km · ~46h 27m · About 43h of driving split over 5 days, plus stops.
- Start from Ara
Leave early (5–6 AM) and avoid driving on highways after dark.
150 km · 3h drive from previous stop
Rest stop around km 150Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
150 km · 3h drive from previous stop
Rest stop around km 300Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
131 km · 2h 37m drive from previous stop
Overnight halt around km 431Stop for the night in a town along the highway with hotels.
150 km · 3h drive from previous stop
Rest stop around km 581Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
150 km · 3h drive from previous stop
Rest stop around km 731Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
131 km · 2h 37m drive from previous stop
Overnight halt around km 862Stop for the night in a town along the highway with hotels.
150 km · 3h drive from previous stop
Rest stop around km 1012Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
150 km · 3h drive from previous stop
Rest stop around km 1162Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
131 km · 2h 37m drive from previous stop
Overnight halt around km 1294Stop for the night in a town along the highway with hotels.
150 km · 3h drive from previous stop
Rest stop around km 1444Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
150 km · 3h drive from previous stop
Rest stop around km 1594Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
131 km · 2h 37m drive from previous stop
Overnight halt around km 1725Stop for the night in a town along the highway with hotels.
150 km · 3h drive from previous stop
Rest stop around km 1875Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
150 km · 3h drive from previous stop
Rest stop around km 2025Look for a town or highway plaza with fuel and food.
131 km · 2h 37m drive from previous stop
Arrive in ChidambaramChidambaram, 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: Ara to Chidambaram
2156 km · ~47h 57m · 3 bus rides with 2 changes. Operators and departure times vary — check live availability before you travel.
- Board at Ara
Go to the main bus stand / ISBT in Ara. Overnight buses usually leave in the evening; book a seat in advance for sleeper and Volvo services.
- Ara → change point 1
AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~719 km
~15h 59m|Tentative fare ₹790–₹2,060
- Change buses at a major city (around km 719)
Get down at the bus stand of a large city on the highway and take the next bus towards Chidambaram. If your connection is not until the next day, stay the night there.
- change point 1 → change point 2
AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~719 km
~15h 59m|Tentative fare ₹790–₹2,060
- Change buses at a major city (around km 1437)
Get down at the bus stand of a large city on the highway and take the next bus towards Chidambaram. If your connection is not until the next day, stay the night there.
- change point 2 → Chidambaram
AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~719 km
~15h 59m|Tentative fare ₹790–₹2,060
- 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: Ara to Chidambaram
Nearest railway stations: Ara for Ara, Chidambaram for Chidambaram.
No direct train found — best options with a change
2 changes · 46h 13m in total
Change trains at Howrah Jn — about 3h 30m wait
Change trains at Chennai Egmore — about 1h 40m wait
2 changes · 46h 13m in total
Change trains at Howrah Jn — about 3h 30m wait
Change trains at Chennai Egmore — about 1h 40m wait
2 changes · 46h 55m in total
Change trains at Howrah Jn — about 3h 30m wait
Change trains at Vikravandi — about 1h 56m wait
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.
Ara to Chidambaram: Route & Travel Options
Route overview
Ara to Chidambaram is about 2156 km by road, roughly 43.1 hours of travel time.
Tentative fare estimate
Approximate fares for about 2156 km, estimated from typical Indian per-km tariffs — not a live quote from any operator.
- Car / Taxi: Swift Dzire ₹74,223 · Ertiga ₹94,597 · Innova ₹98,671 · Innova Crysta ₹1,21,520 · Tempo Traveller (12) ₹1,67,944
- Bus: Non-AC Seater ₹2,370 · AC Seater ₹3,880 · Non-AC Sleeper ₹3,450 · AC Sleeper ₹4,960 · Volvo / Multi-Axle ₹6,090
- Train: Sleeper ₹1,320 · Economy ₹2,190 · Third AC ₹3,050 · Second AC ₹4,340 · First AC ₹6,070
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.
Stops & Places Along the Route
Good places to break the journey from Ara to Chidambaram. Distances are approximate; the road you take may pass a little away from some of them.
- Raigarh555 km from Ara
Chhattisgarh
- Jagdalpur1005 km from Ara
Chhattisgarh
- Papikonda National Park1270 km from Ara
Andhra Pradesh
- Rajahmundry1295 km from Ara
Andhra Pradesh
- Chennai1900 km from Ara
- Mahabalipuram1965 km from Ara
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
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
Extend Your Trip
Add a nearby place to your Chidambaram trip and see the full Ara → Chidambaram → next stop route.
Chidambaram → Tiruvannamalai
About 150 km by road
Plan My Trip: Ara 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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