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Kollam to Palani

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

259 kmDistance
5.2 hrsDrive time

Tentative Fare Estimate

Car / Taxi
Swift Dzire₹11,710
Ertiga₹14,860
Innova₹15,490
Innova Crysta₹19,140
Tempo Traveller (12)₹26,200

Round trip · incl. driver allowance & GST

View route plan
Bus
Non-AC Seater₹280
AC Seater₹470
Non-AC Sleeper₹410
AC Sleeper₹600
Volvo / Multi-Axle₹780
View route plan
Train
Sleeper₹190
Economy₹290
Third AC₹390
Second AC₹550
First AC₹760
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: Kollam to Palani

259 km · ~5h 31m · About 5h of driving, plus stops.

  1. Start from Kollam

    An early start keeps you ahead of city and highway traffic.

  2. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest & refuel near Idukki

    About 150 km in — 15–20 minutes for tea, food, fuel and a stretch.

  3. 109 km · 2h 11m drive from previous stop

    Arrive in Palani

    Palani, 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: Kollam to Palani

259 km · ~5h 45m · Buses on this route are usually available as direct services. Operators and departure times vary — check live availability.

  1. Board at Kollam

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

  2. Kollam → Palani

    AC Seater / Volvo · ~259 km

    ~5h 45m|Tentative fare ₹280–₹780

    Usual tea / meal halts: Chinnar (~170 km)

  3. Arrive in Palani

    Palani, 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: Kollam to Palani

Nearest railway stations: Kollam Jn for Kollam, Ambaturai (about 48 km away) for Palani.

Direct trains

GURUVAYUR - CHENNAI EGMORE Exp#16128 · Express
02:15 AMIravipuram
9h 50m62 stops
12:05 PMAmbaturai

Other options with a change

1 change · 9h 15m in total

Hapa-Tirunelveli Express#12998 · Superfast
12:47 PMKarunagapalli
2h 51m34 stops
03:38 PMNagercoil Jn

Change trains at Nagercoil Jn — about 1h 27m wait

NAGERCOIL - CHENNAI EGMORE SF Exp#12668 · Superfast
05:05 PMNagercoil Jn
4h 57m34 stops
10:02 PMVellodu

1 change · 9h 39m in total

Hapa-Tirunelveli Express#12998 · Superfast
12:47 PMKarunagapalli
4h 43m43 stops
05:30 PMTirunelveli

Change trains at Tirunelveli — about 1h 20m wait

TIRUNELVELI - CHENNAI EGMORE Nellai SF Exp#12632 · Superfast
06:50 PMTirunelveli
3h 36m25 stops
10:26 PMVellodu

1 change · 9h 55m in total

Hapa-Tirunelveli Express#12998 · Superfast
12:47 PMKarunagapalli
2h 51m34 stops
03:38 PMNagercoil Jn

Change trains at Nagercoil Jn — about 2h 2m wait

KANNIYAKUMARI - CHENNAI EGMORE SF Exp#12634 · Superfast
05:40 PMNagercoil Jn
5h 2m34 stops
10:42 PMVellodu

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.

Kollam to Palani: Route & Travel Options

Route overview

Kollam to Palani is about 259 km by road, roughly 5.2 hours of travel time. The road passes near Pathanamthitta and Idukki.

Tentative fare estimate

Approximate fares for about 259 km, estimated from typical Indian per-km tariffs — not a live quote from any operator.

  • Car / Taxi: Swift Dzire ₹11,710 · Ertiga ₹14,860 · Innova ₹15,490 · Innova Crysta ₹19,140 · Tempo Traveller (12) ₹26,200
  • Bus: Non-AC Seater ₹280 · AC Seater ₹470 · Non-AC Sleeper ₹410 · AC Sleeper ₹600 · Volvo / Multi-Axle ₹780
  • Train: Sleeper ₹190 · Economy ₹290 · Third AC ₹390 · Second AC ₹550 · First AC ₹760

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

Want the full Palani guide?

Attractions, itineraries, temples and travel tips for Palani.

View Palani Guide

Stops & Places Along the Route

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

  1. Mannadi35 km from Kollam

    Kerala

  2. Pathanamthitta60 km from Kollam

    Kerala

  3. Nilakkal90 km from Kollam

    Kerala

  4. Kuttikkanam110 km from Kollam

    Kerala

  5. Kodaikanal230 km from Kollam

Hotels in Palani

Treebo hotels in Kodaikanal, about 24 km from Palani. Tell us your dates and we'll get you a rate.

Treebo Aall Season

Kodaikanal

Treebo Kodai Kings Park, 650 M From Kodai Lake

Kodaikanal

Treebo Tranquil Heights

Kodaikanal

Things to Do in Palani

Climb the 693 Steps

Ascend the ancient stone steps to the temple, a traditional and spiritually rewarding path. Along the way, you'll pass small shrines and stalls selling offerings. The…

1 hour

Ride the Ropeway

Take the cable car for a quick and scenic ascent to the hilltop. The ride provides panoramic views of the town and surrounding hills, making it ideal for families and…

15 minutes (round trip)

Experience the Winch Ride

Hop on the historic winch, a rope-drawn trolley that has been ferrying pilgrims for decades. This unique mode of transport adds a nostalgic touch to your visit. It's a…

10 minutes (one way)

Attend Thaipusam Festivities

Plan your visit during Thaipusam (January-February) to witness the grand processions of devotees carrying kavadi. The atmosphere is charged with devotion, music, and…

Full day

Taste Palani Panchamirtham

Purchase the famous panchamirtham prasadam from the temple's authorized counters. This sweet, made from bananas, jaggery, ghee, honey, and cardamom, is a must-try. You…

30 minutes

Explore the Hill Temple Complex

Spend time exploring the temple's architecture, including the sanctum, mandapams, and subsidiary shrines. The peaceful atmosphere and intricate carvings offer insight…

2 hours

See all places in Palani →

Suggested Palani Itinerary

Day 1Arrive in Palani

  • Travel from Kollam to Palani (about 5.2 hrs by road) and check in
  • Visit Arulmigu Dhandayuthapani Swamy Temple (Palani Murugan Temple)

Day 2Explore Palani

  • Visit Palani Hill Ropeway (Cable Car)
  • Visit Thiru Avinankudi Temple (Avinankudi Murugan Temple)
  • Visit Thiru Dandayuthapani Swami Kovil

Day 3Last sights and departure

  • Visit Bhagavan Kovil
  • Head back to Kollam
Suggested from Palani's top sights.

Extend Your Trip

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

Palani → Munnar

About 85 km by road

Palani → Chinnar

About 105 km by road

Palani → Madurai

About 115 km by road

Palani → Coimbatore

About 115 km by road

Plan My Trip: Kollam to Palani

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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