Home › Routes › Shillong to Chidambaram

Shillong to Chidambaram

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

2642 kmDistance
52.8 hrsDrive time

Tentative Fare Estimate

Car / Taxi
Swift Dzire₹91,187
Ertiga₹1,16,154
Innova₹1,21,148
Innova Crysta₹1,49,265
Tempo Traveller (12)₹2,06,035

Round trip · incl. driver allowance & GST

View route plan
Bus
Non-AC Seater₹2,910
AC Seater₹4,760
Non-AC Sleeper₹4,230
AC Sleeper₹6,080
Volvo / Multi-Axle₹7,450
View route plan
Train
Sleeper₹1,620
Economy₹2,670
Third AC₹3,730
Second AC₹5,310
First AC₹7,430
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: Shillong to Chidambaram

2642 km · ~56h 50m · About 53h of driving split over 6 days, plus stops.

  1. Start from Shillong

    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. 140 km · 2h 48m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 440

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

  5. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 590

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

  6. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 740

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

  7. 140 km · 2h 48m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 881

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

  8. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1031

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

  9. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1181

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

  10. 140 km · 2h 48m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 1321

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

  11. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1471

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

  12. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1621

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

  13. 140 km · 2h 48m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 1761

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

  14. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 1911

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

  15. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 2061

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

  16. 140 km · 2h 48m drive from previous stop

    Overnight halt around km 2202

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

  17. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 2352

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

  18. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest stop around km 2502

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

  19. 140 km · 2h 48m 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: Shillong to Chidambaram

2642 km · ~58h 45m · 3 bus rides with 2 changes. Operators and departure times vary — check live availability before you travel.

  1. Board at Shillong

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

  2. Shillong → change point 1

    AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~881 km

    ~19h 35m|Tentative fare ₹970–₹2,520

  3. Change buses at a major city (around km 881)

    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) · ~881 km

    ~19h 35m|Tentative fare ₹970–₹2,520

  5. Change buses at a major city (around km 1761)

    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) · ~881 km

    ~19h 35m|Tentative fare ₹970–₹2,520

  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: Shillong to Chidambaram

Nearest railway stations: Guwahati (about 69 km away) for Shillong, Chidambaram for Chidambaram.

No direct train found — best options with a change

1 change · 55h 55m in total

GUWAHATI - TRIVANDRUM SF Exp#12508 · Superfast
06:30 AMGuwahati
25h 25m261 stops
07:55 AM+1dBhubaneswar

Change trains at Bhubaneswar — about 4h 5m wait

Bhubaneswar-Rameswaram Weekly Express#18496 · Express
12:00 PMBhubaneswar
26h 25m256 stops
02:25 PM+1dVithisvarankol

1 change · 55h 55m in total

GUWAHATI - BENGALURU (Kaziranga) SF Express#12510 · Superfast
06:30 AMGuwahati
25h 25m260 stops
07:55 AM+1dBhubaneswar

Change trains at Bhubaneswar — about 4h 5m wait

Bhubaneswar-Rameswaram Weekly Express#18496 · Express
12:00 PMBhubaneswar
26h 25m256 stops
02:25 PM+1dVithisvarankol

1 change · 55h 55m in total

GUWAHATI - SECUNDERABAD Exp#12514 · Superfast
06:30 AMGuwahati
25h 25m263 stops
07:55 AM+1dBhubaneswar

Change trains at Bhubaneswar — about 4h 5m wait

Bhubaneswar-Rameswaram Weekly Express#18496 · Express
12:00 PMBhubaneswar
26h 25m256 stops
02:25 PM+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.

Shillong to Chidambaram: Route & Travel Options

Route overview

Shillong to Chidambaram is about 2642 km by road, roughly 52.8 hours of travel time.

Tentative fare estimate

Approximate fares for about 2642 km, estimated from typical Indian per-km tariffs — not a live quote from any operator.

  • Car / Taxi: Swift Dzire ₹91,187 · Ertiga ₹1,16,154 · Innova ₹1,21,148 · Innova Crysta ₹1,49,265 · Tempo Traveller (12) ₹2,06,035
  • Bus: Non-AC Seater ₹2,910 · AC Seater ₹4,760 · Non-AC Sleeper ₹4,230 · AC Sleeper ₹6,080 · Volvo / Multi-Axle ₹7,450
  • Train: Sleeper ₹1,620 · Economy ₹2,670 · Third AC ₹3,730 · Second AC ₹5,310 · First AC ₹7,430

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

  1. Gosaba650 km from Shillong

    West Bengal

  2. Sundarbans National Park680 km from Shillong

    West Bengal

  3. Sagar Island770 km from Shillong

    West Bengal

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 Shillong → 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: Shillong 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