Chennai to Tiruvannamalai

At a glance

Distance by road	About 190 km
Typical drive	4–5 hours
Usual route	Chennai → Chengalpattu → Tindivanam → Gingee → Tiruvannamalai
Bus	TNSTC / SETC government and private buses
Train	Direct where a service suits; otherwise via Villupuram Junction
From Chennai airport	172–189 km (sources differ by route)

By car or taxi

The common route heads south on the Grand Southern Trunk Road via Chengalpattu to Tindivanam, then west through Gingee to Tiruvannamalai.

• Gingee Fort is on the way, a dramatic hill fortress that makes a good stop. See day trips.
• Leave early. Getting out of Chennai is the slowest part.
• On Pournami and festival days, expect traffic controls in Tiruvannamalai and parking on the edge of town.

By bus

Government (TNSTC / SETC) and private buses run frequently. Many southbound government services moved to the Kilambakkam (KCBT) terminus in recent years, but departure points can change, so check the TNSTC booking site or ask at the terminus. Extra buses run on Pournami and for Karthigai Deepam.

By train

Tiruvannamalai station (TNM) is on the Katpadi–Villupuram line, and Sri Ramanasramam’s visitor guide lists Chennai among its connections. The main alternative is a train from Chennai Egmore to Villupuram Junction (about 65 km from Tiruvannamalai), then a bus, taxi or connecting train. Check current services on the National Train Enquiry System; we don’t reproduce timetables, which change.

From Chennai airport

Pre-paid and app taxis run from Chennai International Airport. Allow 4–5 hours. For a cheaper option, take a taxi or the metro into the city and pick up a bus.

Tips for Chennai weekenders

• Tiruvannamalai works as a day trip, but an overnight stay lets you do Girivalam and an early darshan. See the one-day itinerary and two-day itinerary.
• Check the Pournami calendar before booking. Full-moon weekends are much busier on the road and in town.