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Howrah to Chidambaram

Distance, real road route and a tentative fare estimate for travelling from Howrah, West Bengal to Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.

2004 kmDistance
40.1 hrsDrive time

Tentative Fare Estimate

Car / Taxi
Swift Dzire₹69,338
Ertiga₹88,276
Innova₹92,064
Innova Crysta₹1,13,477
Tempo Traveller (12)₹1,56,452

Round trip · incl. driver allowance & GST

View route plan
Bus
Non-AC Seater₹2,200
AC Seater₹3,610
Non-AC Sleeper₹3,210
AC Sleeper₹4,610
Volvo / Multi-Axle₹5,660
View route plan
Train
Sleeper₹1,230
Economy₹2,030
Third AC₹2,840
Second AC₹4,040
First AC₹5,640
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: Howrah to Chidambaram

2004 km · ~43h 25m · About 40h of driving split over 5 days, plus stops.

  1. Start from Howrah

    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. 101 km · 2h 1m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 401

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

  5. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 551

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

  6. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 701

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

  7. 101 km · 2h 1m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 802

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

  8. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 952

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

  9. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1102

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

  10. 101 km · 2h 1m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 1202

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

  11. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1352

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

  12. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1502

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

  13. 101 km · 2h 1m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 1603

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

  14. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1753

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

  15. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1903

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

  16. 101 km · 2h 1m 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: Howrah to Chidambaram

2004 km · ~44h 33m · 3 bus rides with 2 changes. Operators and departure times vary — check live availability before you travel.

  1. Board at Howrah

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

  2. Howrah → change point 1

    AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~668 km

    ~14h 51m|Tentative fare ₹730–₹1,920

  3. Change buses at a major city (around km 668)

    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 → change point 2

    AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~668 km

    ~14h 51m|Tentative fare ₹730–₹1,920

  5. Change buses at a major city (around km 1336)

    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.

  6. change point 2 → Chidambaram

    AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~668 km

    ~14h 51m|Tentative fare ₹730–₹1,920

  7. 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: Howrah to Chidambaram

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

No direct train found — best options with a change

1 change · 33h 56m in total

Howrah-Tiruchirappalli Express#12663 · Superfast
04:10 PMHowrah Jn
27h 50m285 stops
08:00 PM+1dChennai Egmore

Change trains at Chennai Egmore — about 1h 40m wait

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

1 change · 33h 56m in total

HOWRAH - KANNIYAKUMARI SF Exp#12665 · Superfast
04:10 PMHowrah Jn
27h 50m298 stops
08:00 PM+1dChennai Egmore

Change trains at Chennai Egmore — about 1h 40m wait

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

1 change · 34h 38m in total

Howrah-Tiruchirappalli Express#12663 · Superfast
04:10 PMHowrah Jn
27h 50m285 stops
08:00 PM+1dChennai Egmore

Change trains at Chennai Egmore — about 2h wait

Mannai Express#16179 · Express
10:00 PMChennai Egmore
4h 48m59 stops
02:48 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.

Howrah to Chidambaram: Route & Travel Options

Route overview

Howrah to Chidambaram is about 2004 km by road, roughly 40.1 hours of travel time.

Tentative fare estimate

Approximate fares for about 2004 km, estimated from typical Indian per-km tariffs — not a live quote from any operator.

  • Car / Taxi: Swift Dzire ₹69,338 · Ertiga ₹88,276 · Innova ₹92,064 · Innova Crysta ₹1,13,477 · Tempo Traveller (12) ₹1,56,452
  • Bus: Non-AC Seater ₹2,200 · AC Seater ₹3,610 · Non-AC Sleeper ₹3,210 · AC Sleeper ₹4,610 · Volvo / Multi-Axle ₹5,660
  • Train: Sleeper ₹1,230 · Economy ₹2,030 · Third AC ₹2,840 · Second AC ₹4,040 · First AC ₹5,640

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

  1. Digha175 km from Howrah

    West Bengal

  2. Kendrapara395 km from Howrah

    Odisha

  3. Konark490 km from Howrah

    Odisha

  4. Puri525 km from Howrah

    Odisha

  5. Mahabalipuram1820 km from Howrah

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 Howrah → 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: Howrah 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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