Kodaikanal is the glittering jewel in crown of Tamilnadu, India who is happily tucked up in lap of Western Ghats. Known as the “Princess of Hill Stations”, this picturesque place is a beautiful combination of greenery, fountains and marine flower gardens- the ideal getaway for nature enthusiasts possess adventurous spirit.
The cool, crisp air of the mountains is an invigorating relief from the oppressive heat of the plains while stunning vistas of rolling hills and mist-shrouded valleys are a feast for the eyes.
Kodaikanal does not merely stand like any other hill station, rather it is a bearer of the whispers of time where quotidian turns into quintessence. From exploring the famed Coaker’s Walk, enjoying a boat ride in the serene Kodaikanal Lake or trekking to the stunning Pillar Rocks, nothing will ever escape from your heart! If you are yearning for an adventure, a long overdue getaway, let us talk about how to get there!
How to get there: the Way to Kodaikanal
The journey to Kodaikanal is also part of the fun! There are many modes of transport to get there and so you probably think it will be easy getting to this hill station. Now, to help you out — here it is broken down city wise across major cities of India.
From Delhi
- Air: The nearest airport to Kodaikanal is Madurai Airport, around 135 km away from the hill station in Delhi; the best option for you folks. Flying time, direct flights are ~2.5 hours. Distance: Kodaikanal is roughly 120 km from Madurai which is well-connected by bus and taxi. You can reach Kodaikanal easily within 3–4 hours after hiring transportation from Madurai.
- By Train: For those who enjoy scenic train rides, an option would be to travel to Kodaikanal Road Railway Station which is located approximately 80 km away from Kodaikanal. You can reach this zone with trains such as Tamil Nadu Express or Nizamuddin Express in around 30 hours. At the station, taxis and buses will then take you to your destination.
- Travel by Car: Going on a long-distance road trip? Kodaikanal is approximately at distance of 2000 km from delhi Driving through ever-changing terrains is an adventure in itself. You can travel by private cabs or self-drive taking NH44 and NH83 which is a scenic drive.
From Mumbai
It is also the fastest way to travel! — by Air It takes about 1.5 hours to fly from Mumbai to Madurai directly. If you land here, either take a taxi or bus to cover the 3–4 hour journey to Kodaikanal.
The Konkan Railway is known for its scenic routes. You can book an overnight train and deboard at Dindigul, 100kms from Kodai. The journey can take 12–14 hours, and then you would easily get a taxi or bus.
By Road: If you do not mind a long drive, Kodaikanal is at about 1′200 km from Mumbai. The distance is nearly 1400 Kms and would take approximately 20–25 hours by road via NH48 and NH44 while crossing beautiful sceneries and landscapes interspersed with picturesque small towns.
From Hyderabad
By Air: Best way to reach Madurai is by air which takes 1.5 hours time. It is a 3–4 hour drive to Kodaikanal from there.
Train- Dindigul or Kodaikanal Road is reachable by train, and the journey duration ranges between 20–24 hour. The last stage would be a taxi ride to Kodaikanal.
By Road: If you wish to drive, Kodaikanal is located precisely 600 km away and it takes about 12–15 hrs along NH44
From Bangalore
By Air : The closest airport is Madurai. Flight time from Bangalore to Madurai takes around 1 hour. Thereafter, you can book a cab or board a bus for 3–4 hours journey to Kodaikanal.
By Train- Kodaikanal Road is 8–9 hours away by train and a very short taxi ride from there.
Travel by Road: For driving, Kodaikanal is at a distance of approximately 450 km from Bangalore. It is a long trip of around 8–10 hours through the NH44 and as soon as you near the hills, the route has spectacular views.
From Chennai
By Air: You can reach Madurai, in around 1 hr. It is a 3–4 hours drive from Madurai.
Train: 12–14 hours for a train ride from Chennai to Kodaikanal Road. The last leg is by taxi.
Kodaikanal is around 500 km from Chennai which can be reached by road. It is a very scenic drive that takes approximately 9–10 hours by car.
From Trivandrum
Air: Nearest Airport is madurai, flight to kalakadu takes about 1hr In 3-4 hours you will be in Kodaikanal, just take a Tax… oops! I mean when you reach airport avail taxi services.
Train: Trivandrum to Kodaikanal Road, 4–5 hours + taxi
By Road: Kodaikanal is 250 km away and the drive will take around 6–7 hours through some scenic routes of Kerala+ Tamil Nadu.
From Kolkata
By Air: Reach Madurai Airport, which is approximately 2.5 hours away. The taxi travel to Kodaikanal will then take 3–4 hours.
Trains from anywhere in India arrive at Dindigul within 30 hours. After that, taxis are there to cover the rest of the distance to Kodaikanal.
Road: Travelling from Kolkata by road to Sikkim is a long ride — roughly 1,600 km. You can take NH16 and then NH44, which will take you almost 30 hours on the road.
From Bhubaneswar
By Air: Have a flight to Madurai, which takes approximately 2.5 hrs. From there, Kodaikanal is a 3–4 hr taxi ride away.
Traveling Dindigul by train will take approximately 24 hours and from here you can hire a taxi to Kodaikanal.
Distance: 1,100 km Approximate Drive Duration: 20 hours By Road This is a good option due to the landscapes on the way.
Tips for Getting the Best out of Your Kodaikanal Trip
- Dress Up: Weather can be quite cold; particularly in the night, so do not forget to pack some warm clothes. Layering is key!
- Find Accommodation — From hotels to home stays, there are innumerable options. Websites such as MakeMyTrip, EaseMytrip and Cleartrip will help you get a perfect place to stay.
- Explore Nature: Leave time for hikes and walks in nature. The Berijam Lake trek and the Silver Cascade Falls are a must.
- Relish Local Culture: Try out food such as South Indian dishes. Head over to the nearby local markets for locally crafted handicrafts and fresh produce.
- Respect the Environment: Kodaikanal is lovely, and this area promises some stunning views, so again do your part to keep it that way e.g. no littering, no plastic.
- Capture the Memories: Bring your camera with you! Coaker’s Walk and Dolphin’s Nose – sunrise views are postcard perfect
There is so much to experience in Kodaikanal that it does half the work, getting there is fun. By air, train or road — it is a destination that propels you to a place of magic where nature meets calm. So whether you are traveling with your friends, family or alone, Kodaikanal is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway so pack your bags and leave ASAP!
While planning your trip, you can also read more about Kodaikanal on travel portals like TripAdvisor and Thrillophilia for ideas on things to do, see and experience in the place. Happy travels!
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