[binand]

Originally Posted by ampere

Start by 4:30/5. Because 6 would be the time Chennai/Kanchi bus services would also start. It would a good thing to beat them. Murugan Idly, Arya Bhavan, Sai Sangeet CCD etc are some places to halt.

In addition:

Start by 6 => be stuck beyond Sriperumbudur among the various factory shuttle buses operated for shifts ending at 7.

(Seasonal) Start by 6 => fog and very little visibility between Chennai and Kanchipuram.

My ideal timing sees me covering the 4-lane stretch before daybreak.

[hserus]

Ah ok. 4 AM then. Won't that put me smack in the path of so many early morning tourist buses heading into koyambedu? Or do they turn off at the maduravoyal bypass so I don't run into them at all?

[satan's_valet]

Originally Posted by hserus

Ah ok. 4 AM then. Won't that put me smack in the path of so many early morning tourist buses heading into koyambedu? Or do they turn off at the maduravoyal bypass so I don't run into them at all?

Most of the buses take the Maduravoyal bypass and should not affect your journey. Leaving Chennai by 4.30 is your best bet for a safe and relatively free highway run.

[hserus]

Thanks - I hope to see those that responded to help me and are in Chennai at this upcoming Team-bhp Chennai meetup and thank you in person.

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/team-b...ml#post3540636

[binand]

Originally Posted by hserus

Ah ok. 4 AM then. Won't that put me smack in the path of so many early morning tourist buses heading into koyambedu? Or do they turn off at the maduravoyal bypass so I don't run into them at all?

You are also better off coming via the Maduravoyal bypass, as Poonamallee town would be in utter chaos at 5 AM in the morning. Cross Porur, make a tight right turn and then left onto the bypass near Saveetha campus.

The buses going towards Koyambedu would be in the opposite carriageway. Don't bother about them.

[ramzsys]

Bhpians

Am reaching this place(http://goo.gl/maps/yRQre) on wednesday morning and returning by night- starting by about 9 PM. The onward journey is not a hassle but return is, owing to festival holidays.

The options:

1)Bus: pay by nose through the inflated rates. Koyambedu is near, so boarding is not that tough.

2)Train: Tatkal ticket, but if starting by 9, can i make it to the central by 11:30? The Bangalore mail starts at 11:30, and has ~250 tatkal sleeper class tickets.

3) Drive through. Since my location is close on NH4, this seems sensible. If so, it is all the way through NH4, right?


Kindly advise.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by ramzsys

Am reaching this place(http://goo.gl/maps/yRQre) on wednesday morning and returning by night- starting by about 9 PM. The onward journey is not a hassle but return is, owing to festival holidays.

Ideally you can drive both ways. Return on a long weekend like this by bus will be a hassle. Unless you have train tickets already, forget about trains. Mail is the most sought train, you'll have a half chance trying Mysore Express. Even that is pure luck.

You might end up paying more than fuel charges for your car for buses But even with drive you'll have to leave in off peak timings otherwise in such a long weekend you can expect long lines at toll booths as well.

Take Poonamalee bypass both ways, that'll save you some hassle. You'll have some initial traffic at Maduravoyal.

[hserus]

Why don't you leave by say 3.45 am or 4 am rather than 4.30? That way you will reach Chennai reasonably early.

[ramzsys]

Originally Posted by narayans80

Unless you have train tickets already, forget about trains. Mail is the most sought train, you'll have a half chance trying Mysore Express. Even that is pure luck.

Take Poonamalee bypass both ways, that'll save you some hassle. You'll have some initial traffic at Maduravoyal.

Yes, that's the catch here; even if i have a confirmed ticket, i am wary of the prospect of reaching Chennai central at a comfortable time.

That would mean going to the booking station by 5 AM or doing penance while IRCTC is loading, though the recent booking experiences are getting better.

I would love driving, but the pathetic road condition of the NH4 till Ranipet is a bother.

Looks like it is a choice among bad, worse and worst

[suresh_gs]

Folks,
I am planning to drive to chennai by car to pick my wife and kids from her father's house. Considering the present situation in chennai following AMMA's arrest, is it safe to drive tomorrow.

[Gokrish]

Originally Posted by suresh_gs

Folks,
I am planning to drive to chennai by car to pick my wife and kids from her father's house. Considering the present situation in chennai following AMMA's arrest, is it safe to drive tomorrow.

Please wait till Monday or ask them to travel by train tomorrow afternoon as there will be some ticket cancellations due to this unrest!

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by Gokrish

Please wait till Monday or ask them to travel by train tomorrow afternoon as there will be some ticket cancellations due to this unrest!

It will be tough for her to handle a 7yr old and 7 month old kid alone. So I intend to drive by car to chennai. Looks like tomorrow is ruled out. I think it should be ok by monday or tuesday.

[TorqMaster]

I would suggest anyone travelling to wait until Wednesday I.e. For two working days. Heard from friends in Chennai (ambattur) all shops are closed and some vehicles were burnt .

[Arjun Reddy]

Originally Posted by suresh_gs

It will be tough for her to handle a 7yr old and 7 month old kid alone. So I intend to drive by car to chennai. Looks like tomorrow is ruled out. I think it should be ok by monday or tuesday.

Just fly them out if urgent. I would not suggest you get there within a week in a KA registered car.


Sent from my iPhone using Team-BHP

[suresh_gs]

Originally Posted by Arjun Reddy

Just fly them out if urgent. I would not suggest you get there within a week in a KA registered car.


Sent from my iPhone using Team-BHP

It is not that urgent as my first son has vacation. I have a TN registered santro.