[Gansan]

There is one more option. Turn left at the Pallavaram signal, go through Pammal, Anakaputhur, Mangadu, Kumanan Chavady and join the Mount- Poonamalee road. The roads will not be super good, but should be OK. Also, the right turn to the Chennai byepass road on the bridge past Tambaram is now open.

I have to make a trip to Tirupathi in the near future in my new Alto. Which is the best route from Chennai now? Also, would like a few tips about driving on ghat roads as I have never driven on such roads before. My entire experience of driving on (winding) ups and downs is limited to the Kathipara/Gemini flyovers here and the Hebbal flyover in Bangalore!

[Klever]

Last week I travelled to Tirupathi. I took the Chennai-Tada-Srikalahasti-Tirupathi-Tirumala route.

Chennai - Tada (~70kms) = 4 laned road all the way. Lot of towns on the way and need to keep an eye on the two-wheelers and MTC busstops.

Tada-Srikalahasti(~47 kms)= Excellent 2 laned road. Very sparse traffic. The road is very curvy and some of the curves are a bit tricky to negotiate at high speeds. Need to watch out for the unmarked speedbrakers at every town. Otherwise, an excellent road.

Srikalahasti-Tirupathi(~40kms) = When you enter Srikalahasti from Tada, I drove through the town and the traffic was chaotic. I spent a good part of 20 mins driving through the narrow roads of the town.Once you are out of the town, you hit the two laned road to Tirupathi. Barring a few speedbrakers, the road is in a great condition. Traffic is quite heavy on this sector and overtaking can be a bit of problem (You will encounter lots of private jeeps and government buses plying between Srikalahasti and Tirupathi).

Took the same route on the way back.

[vineet_k21]

Hi All

We are planning to go to Tirupathi in December around X'mas time. We are reaching Chennai by flight from Pune around 8 pm. Is it a good idea to head to Tirupathi straight from there or start early morning on the next day? My main concern is around roads and safety perspective.

Thanks.

[csentil]

Originally Posted by vineet_k21

Hi All

We are planning to go to Tirupathi in December around X'mas time. We are reaching Chennai by flight from Pune around 8 pm. Is it a good idea to head to Tirupathi straight from there or start early morning on the next day? My main concern is around roads and safety perspective.

Thanks.

I am a great advocate of day time driving I would strongly suggest leaving early morning. Night time traffic in that sector is heavy and accident prone.

Christmas time in Tirupathi is peak season. Make plans ahead of time. There will be a huge rush. Best of luck.

[Chillout]

Guys I am planning to goto Tirupathi next week and would like to know if the Chennai - Tiruvellore-Tiruthani - Regugunta Road is good. This road is normally good, but after rains it becomes very bad. Hence if anyone has traveled recently please let me know the road conditions.

The TADA route is good, but I hate the speed breakers

[navan49]

It depends upon from which part of Chennai you start your journey. If you start from in and around Parrys central, then going through Thiruvallur route is not worthy. Take Redhills, Peria palayam, Puthur Renigunta Tirupati. If you go from tambaram,Camp road,Velachery better take East Tambaram,lateral road with in 4 kms take a left turn go via Kunrathur,Mangadu Poonamalee,Thiruvallur,Thiruthani and Tirupathi. If you start from Ennore,Thondiarpettake side take Gummidipoondi Tada Kalahastri route.

[Surprise]

Originally Posted by navan49

If you go from tambaram,Camp road,Velachery better take East Tambaram,lateral road with in 4 kms take a left turn go via Kunrathur,Mangadu Poonamalee,Thiruvallur,Thiruthani and Tirupathi.

Other options

If its from Tambaram/Camp road, take the bypass through perungalathur to hit Bangalore highways-take right opposite to Hotel Highway- Tiruvallur-Tirutani-Tripathi

If its from Velachery-Take 100 ft bypass-Race course road-take the over bridge at left to reach Guindy - Ponthamalle-Bangalore highways-take right opposite to Hotel Highway- Tiruvallur-Tirutani-Tripathi

Roads were in good condition- Expect couple of bridge works at Nemam... roads while crossing Tiruvallur were bit bad

Originally Posted by csentil

I am a great advocate of day time driving I would strongly suggest leaving early morning. Night time traffic in that sector is heavy and accident prone.

+1. Turns were bit tricky at 1-2 places...day time drive is better

[navan49]

From Tambaram the best way is to take the(Either cut from Bye pass from Thiruneermalai cut and join Pammal Kundrathur road or staight Pallavaram Pammal Kundrathur) Kundrathur -Mangadu Poonamalee Thirumzhizai (Opp Highway inn)where there is no much traffic as well as saving a sum of Rs40 toll fee.

[bblost]

Are there any late night bus services from Chennai to Tirupathi.

I have a couple of friends who will be in Chennai on some official work.
The work should be ideally complete by late evening.

What is the best and safest way to get to Tirupati if time of departure from Chennai is around 10 PM.

[aargee]

Originally Posted by bblost

What is the best and safest way to get to Tirupati if time of departure from Chennai is around 10 PM.

Late nights I'm not sure, but most of the AP buses plying from Koyambedu take the NH5 via Tada-Naidupettai-Tirupathi.

To me, the best way is NH205 which is Ambattur-Tiruvallur-Tiruthani-Renigunta-Tirupathi as this is very shorter & one can maintain 80+ on the two laned highway.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by aargee

Late nights I'm not sure, but most of the AP buses plying from Koyambedu take the NH5 via Tada-Naidupettai-Tirupathi.

To me, the best way is NH205 which is Ambattur-Tiruvallur-Tiruthani-Renigunta-Tirupathi as this is very shorter & one can maintain 80+ on the two laned highway.

Are there any buses that ply on this route? Also are there only AP buses?
Are there no TN buses?

[aargee]

Originally Posted by ampere

Are there any buses that ply on this route? Also are there only AP buses?
Are there no TN buses?

Well, most of (read most of) the TN buses ply this route - Koyambedu-Guindy-Porur-Thirumazhisai-Tiruvallur-Tiruthani-Renigunta-Tirupathi & with a few TN buses exception to take the AP bus route.

Tirupathi foot hills is about 146 Kms from my home & I usually take the NH205 as I stay very close than compared to NH5. By car it takes about 2.5 hours without over speeding or risk driving.

@BBlost - Regarding last bus, I'm not sure of the timing. But I found these for you...
Bus Schedule from Chennai Terminus Part 18-Chennai Travel Guide
Chennai,C.M.B.T Chennai,SETC Buses From Chennai,State Express Transport Corporation,Local Bus Timings,Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus,Metro bus Timings in Chennai, Beach to Tambaram, Tambaram to Beach timings (need to provide I/P)
apsrtc-website (need to provide I/P & O/P)

[VMG]

I am planning to go by walk from down hill. Is there any place(safe place) i can park the car overnight near downhill and pick up next day. planning to stay overnight in Thirumala.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by VMG

I am planning to go by walk from down hill. Is there any place(safe place) i can park the car overnight near downhill and pick up next day. planning to stay overnight in Thirumala.

Best would be to book a hotel downstairs. Walk up and come back by evening by bus to the hotel. That way you can actually use the hotel and the parking.

[VMG]

Thanks . Walking may take about 4-5 hours then Darishan may take another 4-5 hours, coming back to downhill and driving back to Chennai is tedious.
I prefer to go to Thirumala previous day and finish the Darishan by next day morning.