Getting to Puducherry, India

Getting There and Away

Written by Finn Weber, Karen Price, Rahul Sharma

11/08/2025

Detailed view of a vibrant temple gopuram against a cloudy sky in Puducherry, India.

color clouds, Pexels

Puducherry is accessible via its domestic airport, a central railway station, and a well-connected bus stand, facilitating travel from various parts of India.

By Air:

One can fly directly to Puducherry Airport (PNY) from Bengaluru (approximately 1 hour 15 minutes) and Hyderabad (approximately 1 hour 45 minutes) with IndiGo. Alternatively, Chennai International Airport (MAA) is a major nearby hub, located about 123 km away, with a driving time of around 2 hours 46 minutes. From Chennai, various ground transport options are available to reach Puducherry. Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ) is another option, approximately 176 km away, taking about 3 hours 21 minutes by road.

By Train:

Puducherry Railway Station offers connectivity to several cities, including Chennai Egmore, Mangalore, Dadar, Bhubaneswar, and Kanyakumari. A train journey from Chennai to Puducherry typically takes around 3 hours, with fares starting from approximately INR 263.

By Bus:

Extensive bus services operate to and from Puducherry, provided by both private and government operators like NueGo, FlixBus, and Puducherry Road Transport Corporation (PRTC). The route from Chennai to Puducherry is particularly popular, with travel times ranging from 2 hours 30 minutes to 3 hours 55 minutes, and average costs starting from INR 199. Other major cities with bus connections include Bengaluru (around 7 hours 11 minutes, from INR 538), Coimbatore (approximately 6 hours 55 minutes, from INR 350), Hyderabad (about 14 hours 17 minutes, from INR 1399), and Madurai (around 6 hours 9 minutes, from INR 595).

By Car/Taxi:

Traveling by car or taxi from Chennai to Puducherry takes approximately 2 hours 36 minutes to 2 hours 37 minutes, with estimated costs ranging from $50 to $82.96. Road infrastructure improvements, such as the 4-laning of NH-332A between Marakkanam and Puducherry, aim to enhance road connectivity.

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