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Rishikesh to Chidambaram

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

2708 kmDistance
54.2 hrsDrive time

Tentative Fare Estimate

Car / Taxi
Swift Dzire₹1,03,676
Ertiga₹1,32,110
Innova₹1,37,796
Innova Crysta₹1,69,730
Tempo Traveller (12)₹2,34,472

Round trip · incl. driver allowance & GST

View route plan
Bus
Non-AC Seater₹2,980
AC Seater₹4,870
Non-AC Sleeper₹4,330
AC Sleeper₹6,230
Volvo / Multi-Axle₹7,630
View route plan
Train
Sleeper₹1,650
Economy₹2,740
Third AC₹3,820
Second AC₹5,450
First AC₹7,610
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: Rishikesh to Chidambaram

2708 km · ~58h 50m · About 54h of driving split over 7 days, plus stops.

  1. Start from Rishikesh

    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. 87 km · 1h 44m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 387

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

  5. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 537

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

  6. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 687

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

  7. 87 km · 1h 44m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 774

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

  8. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 924

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

  9. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1074

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

  10. 87 km · 1h 44m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 1161

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

  11. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1311

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

  12. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1461

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

  13. 87 km · 1h 44m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 1547

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

  14. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1697

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

  15. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1847

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

  16. 87 km · 1h 44m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 1934

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

  17. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 2084

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

  18. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 2234

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

  19. 87 km · 1h 44m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 2321

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

  20. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 2471

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

  21. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 2621

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

  22. 87 km · 1h 44m 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: Rishikesh to Chidambaram

2708 km · ~60h 12m · 3 bus rides with 2 changes. Operators and departure times vary — check live availability before you travel.

  1. Board at Rishikesh

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

  2. Rishikesh → change point 1

    AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~903 km

    ~20h 4m|Tentative fare ₹990–₹2,580

  3. Change buses at a major city (around km 903)

    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) · ~903 km

    ~20h 4m|Tentative fare ₹990–₹2,580

  5. Change buses at a major city (around km 1805)

    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) · ~903 km

    ~20h 4m|Tentative fare ₹990–₹2,580

  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: Rishikesh to Chidambaram

Nearest railway stations: Raiwala for Rishikesh, Chidambaram for Chidambaram.

No direct train found — best options with a change

1 change · 54h 36m in total

Dehradun Chennai Express#12688 · Superfast
07:49 AMDoiwala
35h 16m242 stops
07:05 PM+1dVijayawada 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 · 54h 36m in total

Dehradun Chennai Express#12688 · Superfast
07:49 AMDoiwala
35h 35m243 stops
07:24 PM+1dKrishna Canal

Change trains at Krishna Canal — about 1h 55m wait

Falaknuma Express#12704 · Superfast
09:19 PMKrishna Canal
26m2 stops
09:45 PMGunadala

Change trains at Gunadala — about 3h 35m wait

Bhubaneswar-Rameswaram Weekly Express#18496 · Express
01:20 AMGunadala
13h 5m136 stops
02:25 PMVithisvarankol

2 changes · 54h 36m in total

Dehradun Chennai Express#12688 · Superfast
07:49 AMDoiwala
31h 39m216 stops
03:28 PM+1dWarangal

Change trains at Warangal — about 4h 19m wait

Godavari SF Express#12728 · Superfast
07:47 PMWarangal
3h 38m27 stops
11:25 PMGunadala

Change trains at Gunadala — about 1h 55m wait

Bhubaneswar-Rameswaram Weekly Express#18496 · Express
01:20 AMGunadala
13h 5m136 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.

Rishikesh to Chidambaram: Route & Travel Options

Route overview

Rishikesh to Chidambaram is about 2708 km by road, roughly 54.2 hours of travel time.

Tentative fare estimate

Approximate fares for about 2708 km, estimated from typical Indian per-km tariffs — not a live quote from any operator.

  • Car / Taxi: Swift Dzire ₹1,03,676 · Ertiga ₹1,32,110 · Innova ₹1,37,796 · Innova Crysta ₹1,69,730 · Tempo Traveller (12) ₹2,34,472
  • Bus: Non-AC Seater ₹2,980 · AC Seater ₹4,870 · Non-AC Sleeper ₹4,330 · AC Sleeper ₹6,230 · Volvo / Multi-Axle ₹7,630
  • Train: Sleeper ₹1,650 · Economy ₹2,740 · Third AC ₹3,820 · Second AC ₹5,450 · First AC ₹7,610

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

  1. Aligarh315 km from Rishikesh

    Uttar Pradesh

  2. Datia645 km from Rishikesh

    Madhya Pradesh

  3. Chhindwara1165 km from Rishikesh

    Madhya Pradesh

  4. Tadoba1405 km from Rishikesh

    Maharashtra

  5. Suryapet1880 km from Rishikesh

    Telangana

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 Rishikesh → 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: Rishikesh 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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