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Nellore to Chidambaram

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

442 kmDistance
8.8 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₹490
AC Seater₹800
Non-AC Sleeper₹710
AC Sleeper₹1,020
Volvo / Multi-Axle₹1,290
View route plan
Train
Sleeper₹300
Economy₹470
Third AC₹650
Second AC₹910
First AC₹1,270
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: Nellore to Chidambaram

442 km · ~9h 30m · About 9h of driving, plus stops.

  1. Start from Nellore

    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. 142 km · 2h 50m 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: Nellore to Chidambaram

442 km · ~9h 49m · Buses on this route are usually available as direct services. Operators and departure times vary — check live availability.

  1. Board at Nellore

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

  2. Nellore → Chidambaram

    AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~442 km

    ~9h 49m|Tentative fare ₹490–₹1,290

  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: Nellore to Chidambaram

Nearest railway stations: Nellore South for Nellore, Chidambaram for Chidambaram.

Direct trains

Bhubaneswar-Rameswaram Weekly Express#18496 · Express
05:32 AMNellore South
8h 23m89 stops
01:55 PMChidambaram

Other options with a change

1 change · 10h 53m in total

New Delhi-Puducherry SF Exp#22404 · Superfast
11:09 AMTalamanchi
6h 51m78 stops
06:00 PMVillupuram Jn

Change trains at Villupuram Jn — about 2h 5m wait

TIRUPATI - RAMESWARAM Exp#16779 · Express
08:05 PMVillupuram Jn
1h 57m20 stops
10:02 PMVithisvarankol

1 change · 11h 9m in total

DELHI H NIZAMUDDIN - MADURAI Tamil Nadu S Kranti#12652 · Sampark Kranti
02:57 PMTalamanchi
3h 18m40 stops
06:15 PMChennai 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 · 11h 48m in total

D H NIZAMUDDIN - KANYAKUMARI Thirukkural Exp#12642 · Superfast
02:18 PMTalamanchi
3h 47m40 stops
06:05 PMChennai 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.

Nellore to Chidambaram: Route & Travel Options

Route overview

Nellore to Chidambaram is about 442 km by road, roughly 8.8 hours of travel time.

Tentative fare estimate

Approximate fares for about 442 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 ₹490 · AC Seater ₹800 · Non-AC Sleeper ₹710 · AC Sleeper ₹1,020 · Volvo / Multi-Axle ₹1,290
  • Train: Sleeper ₹300 · Economy ₹470 · Third AC ₹650 · Second AC ₹910 · First AC ₹1,270

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

  1. Kanchipuram235 km from Nellore
  2. Auroville350 km from Nellore

    Puducherry

  3. Cuddalore390 km from Nellore

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 Nellore → 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: Nellore 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