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Katra to Chidambaram

Distance, real road route and a tentative fare estimate for travelling from Katra, Jammu and Kashmir to Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.

3184 kmDistance
63.7 hrsDrive time

Tentative Fare Estimate

Car / Taxi
Swift Dzire₹1,09,502
Ertiga₹1,39,590
Innova₹1,45,609
Innova Crysta₹1,79,298
Tempo Traveller (12)₹2,47,910

Round trip · incl. driver allowance & GST

View route plan
Bus
Non-AC Seater₹3,500
AC Seater₹5,730
Non-AC Sleeper₹5,090
AC Sleeper₹7,320
Volvo / Multi-Axle₹8,970
View route plan
Train
Sleeper₹1,940
Economy₹3,210
Third AC₹4,490
Second AC₹6,400
First AC₹8,950
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: Katra to Chidambaram

3184 km · ~69h 1m · About 64h of driving split over 8 days, plus stops.

  1. Start from Katra

    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. 98 km · 1h 58m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 398

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

  5. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 548

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

  6. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 698

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

  7. 98 km · 1h 58m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 796

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

  8. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 946

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

  9. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1096

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

  10. 98 km · 1h 58m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 1194

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

  11. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1344

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

  12. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1494

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

  13. 98 km · 1h 58m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 1592

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

  14. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1742

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

  15. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1892

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

  16. 98 km · 1h 58m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 1990

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

  17. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 2140

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

  18. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 2290

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

  19. 98 km · 1h 58m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 2388

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

  20. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 2538

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

  21. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 2688

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

  22. 98 km · 1h 58m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 2786

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

  23. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 2936

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

  24. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 3086

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

  25. 98 km · 1h 58m 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: Katra to Chidambaram

3184 km · ~70h 44m · 4 bus rides with 3 changes. Operators and departure times vary — check live availability before you travel.

  1. Board at Katra

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

  2. Katra → change point 1

    AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~796 km

    ~17h 41m|Tentative fare ₹880–₹2,280

  3. Change buses at a major city (around km 796)

    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) · ~796 km

    ~17h 41m|Tentative fare ₹880–₹2,280

  5. Change buses at a major city (around km 1592)

    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 → change point 3

    AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~796 km

    ~17h 41m|Tentative fare ₹880–₹2,280

  7. Change buses at a major city (around km 2388)

    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.

  8. change point 3 → Chidambaram

    AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~796 km

    ~17h 41m|Tentative fare ₹880–₹2,280

  9. 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: Katra to Chidambaram

Nearest railway stations: S M V D Katra for Katra, Chidambaram for Chidambaram.

No direct train found — best options with a change

2 changes · 65h 35m in total

Udhampur-Ahmedabad Janmabhoomi Express#19108 · Express
08:50 PMUdhampur
1h 5m5 stops
09:55 PMJammu Tawi

Change trains at Jammu Tawi — about 1h 50m wait

Andaman Express#16032 · Express
11:45 PMJammu Tawi
48h 55m292 stops
12:40 AM+3dVijayawada Jn

Change trains at Vijayawada Jn — about 55m wait

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

2 changes · 65h 35m in total

Udhampur-Ahmedabad Janmabhoomi Express#19108 · Express
08:50 PMUdhampur
1h 5m5 stops
09:55 PMJammu Tawi

Change trains at Jammu Tawi — about 1h 50m wait

Himsagar Express#16318 · Express
11:45 PMJammu Tawi
43h 20m292 stops
07:05 PM+2dVijayawada Jn

Change trains at Vijayawada Jn — about 6h 30m wait

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

2 changes · 65h 35m in total

Udhampur-Ahmedabad Janmabhoomi Express#19108 · Express
08:50 PMUdhampur
1h 5m5 stops
09:55 PMJammu Tawi

Change trains at Jammu Tawi — about 1h 50m wait

Navyug Express#16688 · Express
11:45 PMJammu Tawi
43h 20m292 stops
07:05 PM+2dVijayawada Jn

Change trains at Vijayawada Jn — about 6h 30m wait

Bhubaneswar-Rameswaram Weekly Express#18496 · Express
01:35 AMVijayawada Jn
12h 50m135 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.

Katra to Chidambaram: Route & Travel Options

Route overview

Katra to Chidambaram is about 3184 km by road, roughly 63.7 hours of travel time.

Tentative fare estimate

Approximate fares for about 3184 km, estimated from typical Indian per-km tariffs — not a live quote from any operator.

  • Car / Taxi: Swift Dzire ₹1,09,502 · Ertiga ₹1,39,590 · Innova ₹1,45,609 · Innova Crysta ₹1,79,298 · Tempo Traveller (12) ₹2,47,910
  • Bus: Non-AC Seater ₹3,500 · AC Seater ₹5,730 · Non-AC Sleeper ₹5,090 · AC Sleeper ₹7,320 · Volvo / Multi-Axle ₹8,970
  • Train: Sleeper ₹1,940 · Economy ₹3,210 · Third AC ₹4,490 · Second AC ₹6,400 · First AC ₹8,950

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

  1. Moga315 km from Katra

    Punjab

  2. Amber875 km from Katra

    Rajasthan

  3. Bhopal1445 km from Katra

    Madhya Pradesh

  4. Nizamabad2110 km from Katra

    Telangana

  5. Kadapa Airport2720 km from Katra

    Andhra Pradesh

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 Katra → 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: Katra 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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