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Rishikesh to Palani

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

2840 kmDistance
56.8 hrsDrive time

Tentative Fare Estimate

Car / Taxi
Swift Dzire₹1,08,888
Ertiga₹1,38,708
Innova₹1,44,672
Innova Crysta₹1,78,242
Tempo Traveller (12)₹2,46,060

Round trip · incl. driver allowance & GST

View route plan
Bus
Non-AC Seater₹3,120
AC Seater₹5,110
Non-AC Sleeper₹4,540
AC Sleeper₹6,530
Volvo / Multi-Axle₹8,000
View route plan
Train
Sleeper₹1,730
Economy₹2,870
Third AC₹4,010
Second AC₹5,710
First AC₹7,980
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 Palani

2840 km · ~61h 28m · About 57h 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. 106 km · 2h 7m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 406

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

  5. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 556

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

  6. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 706

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

  7. 106 km · 2h 7m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 811

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

  8. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 961

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

  9. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1111

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

  10. 106 km · 2h 7m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 1217

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

  11. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1367

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

  12. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1517

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

  13. 106 km · 2h 7m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 1623

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

  14. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1773

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

  15. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1923

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

  16. 106 km · 2h 7m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 2029

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

  17. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 2179

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

  18. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 2329

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

  19. 106 km · 2h 7m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 2434

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

  20. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 2584

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

  21. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 2734

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

  22. 106 km · 2h 7m 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: Rishikesh to Palani

2840 km · ~63h 9m · 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) · ~947 km

    ~21h 3m|Tentative fare ₹1,040–₹2,700

  3. Change buses at a major city (around km 947)

    Get down at the bus stand of a large city on the highway and take the next bus towards Palani. If your connection is not until the next day, stay the night there.

  4. change point 1 → change point 2

    AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~947 km

    ~21h 3m|Tentative fare ₹1,040–₹2,700

  5. Change buses at a major city (around km 1893)

    Get down at the bus stand of a large city on the highway and take the next bus towards Palani. If your connection is not until the next day, stay the night there.

  6. change point 2 → Palani

    AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~947 km

    ~21h 3m|Tentative fare ₹1,040–₹2,700

  7. 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: Rishikesh to Palani

Nearest railway stations: Raiwala for Rishikesh, Ambaturai (about 48 km away) for Palani.

No direct train found — best options with a change

1 change · 54h 55m in total

Uttranchal Express#19566 · Express
06:37 AMDoiwala
6h 33m43 stops
01:10 PMTilak Bridge

Change trains at Tilak Bridge — about 1h 6m wait

Himsagar Express Slip#16318-Slip · Express
02:16 PMTilak Bridge
47h 16m341 stops
01:32 PM+2dAmbaturai

1 change · 54h 55m in total

DEHRADUN - KOCHUVELI SF Express#12288 · Superfast
06:37 AMDoiwala
8h 41m66 stops
03:18 PMChata

Change trains at Chata — about 1h 32m wait

Himsagar Express Slip#16318-Slip · Express
04:50 PMChata
44h 42m327 stops
01:32 PM+2dAmbaturai

1 change · 54h 56m in total

Ujjaini Express#14310 · Express
06:36 AMDoiwala
7h 56m52 stops
02:32 PMPalwal

Change trains at Palwal — about 1h 14m wait

Himsagar Express Slip#16318-Slip · Express
03:46 PMPalwal
45h 46m332 stops
01:32 PM+2dAmbaturai

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 Palani: Route & Travel Options

Route overview

Rishikesh to Palani is about 2840 km by road, roughly 56.8 hours of travel time.

Tentative fare estimate

Approximate fares for about 2840 km, estimated from typical Indian per-km tariffs — not a live quote from any operator.

  • Car / Taxi: Swift Dzire ₹1,08,888 · Ertiga ₹1,38,708 · Innova ₹1,44,672 · Innova Crysta ₹1,78,242 · Tempo Traveller (12) ₹2,46,060
  • Bus: Non-AC Seater ₹3,120 · AC Seater ₹5,110 · Non-AC Sleeper ₹4,540 · AC Sleeper ₹6,530 · Volvo / Multi-Axle ₹8,000
  • Train: Sleeper ₹1,730 · Economy ₹2,870 · Third AC ₹4,010 · Second AC ₹5,710 · First AC ₹7,980

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

  1. Aligarh315 km from Rishikesh

    Uttar Pradesh

  2. Gwalior560 km from Rishikesh

    Madhya Pradesh

  3. Vidisha950 km from Rishikesh

    Madhya Pradesh

  4. Yavatmal1400 km from Rishikesh

    Maharashtra

  5. Kurnool2060 km from Rishikesh

    Andhra Pradesh

  6. Hogenakkal2600 km from Rishikesh

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 Rishikesh to Palani (about 56.8 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 Rishikesh
Suggested from Palani's top sights.

Extend Your Trip

Add a nearby place to your Palani trip and see the full Rishikesh → 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: Rishikesh 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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