Home › Routes › Bhopal to Chidambaram

Bhopal to Chidambaram

Distance, real road route and a tentative fare estimate for travelling from Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh to Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.

1743 kmDistance
34.9 hrsDrive time

Tentative Fare Estimate

Car / Taxi
Swift Dzire₹60,053
Ertiga₹76,524
Innova₹79,818
Innova Crysta₹98,314
Tempo Traveller (12)₹1,35,821

Round trip · incl. driver allowance & GST

View route plan
Bus
Non-AC Seater₹1,920
AC Seater₹3,140
Non-AC Sleeper₹2,790
AC Sleeper₹4,010
Volvo / Multi-Axle₹4,930
View route plan
Train
Sleeper₹1,080
Economy₹1,770
Third AC₹2,470
Second AC₹3,520
First AC₹4,910
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: Bhopal to Chidambaram

1743 km · ~37h 32m · About 35h of driving split over 4 days, plus stops.

  1. Start from Bhopal

    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. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 300

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

  4. 136 km · 2h 43m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 436

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

  5. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 586

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

  6. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 736

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

  7. 136 km · 2h 43m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 872

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

  8. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1022

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

  9. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1172

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

  10. 136 km · 2h 43m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 1307

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

  11. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1457

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

  12. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1607

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

  13. 136 km · 2h 43m 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: Bhopal to Chidambaram

1743 km · ~38h 46m · 2 bus rides with 1 change. Operators and departure times vary — check live availability before you travel.

  1. Board at Bhopal

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

  2. Bhopal → change point 1

    AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~872 km

    ~19h 23m|Tentative fare ₹960–₹2,490

  3. Change buses at a major city (around km 872)

    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.

  4. change point 1 → Chidambaram

    AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~872 km

    ~19h 23m|Tentative fare ₹960–₹2,490

  5. 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: Bhopal to Chidambaram

Nearest railway stations: Bhopal Jn for Bhopal, Chidambaram for Chidambaram.

No direct train found — best options with a change

1 change · 30h 42m in total

Tamil Nadu Express#12622 · Superfast
07:43 AMBhadbhadaghat
16h 32m117 stops
12:15 AM+1dVijayawada Jn

Change trains at Vijayawada Jn — about 1h 20m wait

Bhubaneswar-Rameswaram Weekly Express#18496 · Express
01:35 AMVijayawada Jn
12h 50m135 stops
02:25 PMVithisvarankol

1 change · 32h 33m in total

DELHI H NIZAMUDDIN - MADURAI Tamil Nadu S Kranti#12652 · Sampark Kranti
05:33 PMBhadbhadaghat
24h 42m222 stops
06:15 PM+1dChennai Egmore

Change trains at Chennai Egmore — about 3h 25m wait

Chennai Egmore-Rameshwaram Express#16701 · Express
09:40 PMChennai Egmore
4h 26m59 stops
02:06 AM+1dVithisvarankol

1 change · 33h 9m in total

D H NIZAMUDDIN - KANYAKUMARI Thirukkural Exp#12642 · Superfast
04:57 PMBhadbhadaghat
25h 8m222 stops
06:05 PM+1dChennai Egmore

Change trains at Chennai Egmore — about 3h 35m wait

Chennai Egmore-Rameshwaram Express#16701 · Express
09:40 PMChennai Egmore
4h 26m59 stops
02:06 AM+1dVithisvarankol

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.

Bhopal to Chidambaram: Route & Travel Options

Route overview

Bhopal to Chidambaram is about 1743 km by road, roughly 34.9 hours of travel time.

Tentative fare estimate

Approximate fares for about 1743 km, estimated from typical Indian per-km tariffs — not a live quote from any operator.

  • Car / Taxi: Swift Dzire ₹60,053 · Ertiga ₹76,524 · Innova ₹79,818 · Innova Crysta ₹98,314 · Tempo Traveller (12) ₹1,35,821
  • Bus: Non-AC Seater ₹1,920 · AC Seater ₹3,140 · Non-AC Sleeper ₹2,790 · AC Sleeper ₹4,010 · Volvo / Multi-Axle ₹4,930
  • Train: Sleeper ₹1,080 · Economy ₹1,770 · Third AC ₹2,470 · Second AC ₹3,520 · First AC ₹4,910

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 Bhopal to Chidambaram. Distances are approximate; the road you take may pass a little away from some of them.

  1. Amravati340 km from Bhopal

    Maharashtra

  2. Nizamabad670 km from Bhopal

    Telangana

  3. Miyapur845 km from Bhopal

    Telangana

  4. Srisailam1060 km from Bhopal

    Andhra Pradesh

  5. Tirumala1410 km from Bhopal

    Andhra Pradesh

  6. Vellore1515 km from Bhopal

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 Bhopal → 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: Bhopal 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.

Other Routes