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Sivakasi to Chidambaram

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

390 kmDistance
7.8 hrsDrive time

Tentative Fare Estimate

Car / Taxi
Swift Dzire₹13,431
Ertiga₹17,116
Innova₹17,853
Innova Crysta₹21,989
Tempo Traveller (12)₹30,384

Round trip · incl. driver allowance & GST

View route plan
Bus
Non-AC Seater₹430
AC Seater₹700
Non-AC Sleeper₹620
AC Sleeper₹900
Volvo / Multi-Axle₹1,140
View route plan
Train
Sleeper₹260
Economy₹420
Third AC₹580
Second AC₹810
First AC₹1,120
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: Sivakasi to Chidambaram

390 km · ~8h 28m · About 8h of driving, plus stops.

  1. Start from Sivakasi

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

  2. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest & refuel near Neykuppai

    About 150 km in — 15–20 minutes for tea, food, fuel and a stretch.

  3. 150 km · 3h drive from previous stop

    Rest & refuel near Kumbakonam

    About 300 km in — 15–20 minutes for tea, food, fuel and a stretch.

  4. 90 km · 1h 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: Sivakasi to Chidambaram

390 km · ~8h 40m · Buses on this route are usually available as direct services. Operators and departure times vary — check live availability.

  1. Board at Sivakasi

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

  2. Sivakasi → Chidambaram

    AC Sleeper / Volvo (overnight) · ~390 km

    ~8h 40m|Tentative fare ₹430–₹1,140

    Usual tea / meal halts: Ponnamaravati (~170 km)

  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: Sivakasi to Chidambaram

Nearest railway stations: Tulukapati for Sivakasi, Chidambaram for Chidambaram.

Direct trains

Chendhur Express#16736 · Express
10:56 PMTulukapati
7h 30m57 stops
06:26 AM+1dChidambaram

Other options with a change

1 change · 9h 8m in total

Nagercoil-Bangalore Express#16538 · Express
03:35 PMSatur
1h 20m7 stops
04:55 PMMadurai Jn

Change trains at Madurai Jn — about 2h 20m wait

RAMESWARAM - TIRUPATI Exp#16780 · Express
07:15 PMMadurai Jn
5h 28m54 stops
12:43 AM+1dKille

1 change · 10h in total

SENGOTTAI - CHENNAI EGMORE Pothigai SF Exp#12662 · Superfast
08:35 PMSrivilliputtur
1h 30m9 stops
10:05 PMMadurai Jn

Change trains at Madurai Jn — about 2h 15m wait

Chendhur Express#16736 · Express
12:20 AMMadurai Jn
6h 15m52 stops
06:35 AMKille

1 change · 11h 13m in total

Nagercoil-Bangalore Express#16538 · Express
03:35 PMSatur
1h 20m7 stops
04:55 PMMadurai Jn

Change trains at Madurai Jn — about 4h 15m wait

Madurai Chennai Egmore BI-Weekly Superfast Express#12794 · Superfast
09:10 PMMadurai Jn
5h 38m52 stops
02:48 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.

Sivakasi to Chidambaram: Route & Travel Options

Route overview

Sivakasi to Chidambaram is about 390 km by road, roughly 7.8 hours of travel time. The road passes near Thanjavur.

Tentative fare estimate

Approximate fares for about 390 km, estimated from typical Indian per-km tariffs — not a live quote from any operator.

  • Car / Taxi: Swift Dzire ₹13,431 · Ertiga ₹17,116 · Innova ₹17,853 · Innova Crysta ₹21,989 · Tempo Traveller (12) ₹30,384
  • Bus: Non-AC Seater ₹430 · AC Seater ₹700 · Non-AC Sleeper ₹620 · AC Sleeper ₹900 · Volvo / Multi-Axle ₹1,140
  • Train: Sleeper ₹260 · Economy ₹420 · Third AC ₹580 · Second AC ₹810 · First AC ₹1,120

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

  1. Madurai80 km from Sivakasi
  2. Thanjavur270 km from Sivakasi
  3. Kumbakonam315 km from Sivakasi

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 Sivakasi → 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: Sivakasi 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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