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Munnar to Chidambaram

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

419 kmDistance
8.4 hrsDrive time

Tentative Fare Estimate

Car / Taxi
Swift Dzire₹17,565
Ertiga₹22,290
Innova₹23,235
Innova Crysta₹28,710
Tempo Traveller (12)₹39,300

Round trip · incl. driver allowance & GST

View route plan
Bus
Non-AC Seater₹460
AC Seater₹750
Non-AC Sleeper₹670
AC Sleeper₹960
Volvo / Multi-Axle₹1,220
View route plan
Train
Sleeper₹280
Economy₹450
Third AC₹620
Second AC₹870
First AC₹1,200
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: Munnar to Chidambaram

419 km · ~9h 3m · About 8h of driving, plus stops.

  1. Start from Munnar

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

  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. 119 km · 2h 23m 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: Munnar to Chidambaram

419 km · ~9h 19m · Buses on this route are usually available as direct services. Operators and departure times vary — check live availability.

  1. Board at Munnar

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

  2. Munnar → Chidambaram

    AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~419 km

    ~9h 19m|Tentative fare ₹460–₹1,220

  3. 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: Munnar to Chidambaram

Nearest railway stations: Ernakulam Jn (about 85 km away) for Munnar, Chidambaram for Chidambaram.

No direct train found — best options with a change

1 change · 13h 53m in total

Tea Garden Express#16866 · Express
10:05 PMErnakulam Jn
9h 35m73 stops
07:40 AM+1dTiruchirappalli

Change trains at Tiruchirappalli — about 1h 40m wait

Cholan Express( Day Express)#16854 · Express
09:20 AMTiruchirappalli
2h 38m34 stops
11:58 AMKille

1 change · 20h 44m in total

RIVANDRUM - GUWAHATI Exp#12515 · Superfast
05:41 PMChovvara
12h 43m126 stops
06:24 AM+1dKorukkupet Jn

Change trains at Korukkupet Jn — about 2h 25m wait

Bhubaneswar-Rameswaram Weekly Express#18496 · Express
08:49 AMKorukkupet Jn
5h 36m66 stops
02:25 PMVithisvarankol

1 change · 21h 30m in total

Hapa-Tirunelveli Express#12998 · Superfast
09:05 AMIrinjalakuda
8h 25m75 stops
05:30 PMTirunelveli

Change trains at Tirunelveli — about 3h 45m wait

Chendhur Express#16736 · Express
09:15 PMTirunelveli
9h 20m67 stops
06:35 AM+1dKille

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.

Munnar to Chidambaram: Route & Travel Options

Route overview

Munnar to Chidambaram is about 419 km by road, roughly 8.4 hours of travel time.

Tentative fare estimate

Approximate fares for about 419 km, estimated from typical Indian per-km tariffs — not a live quote from any operator.

  • Car / Taxi: Swift Dzire ₹17,565 · Ertiga ₹22,290 · Innova ₹23,235 · Innova Crysta ₹28,710 · Tempo Traveller (12) ₹39,300
  • Bus: Non-AC Seater ₹460 · AC Seater ₹750 · Non-AC Sleeper ₹670 · AC Sleeper ₹960 · Volvo / Multi-Axle ₹1,220
  • Train: Sleeper ₹280 · Economy ₹450 · Third AC ₹620 · Second AC ₹870 · First AC ₹1,200

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

  1. Kodaikanal65 km from Munnar
  2. Palani80 km from Munnar
  3. Dindigul135 km from Munnar
  4. Trichy255 km from Munnar

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 Munnar → 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: Munnar 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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