Chennai to Pondicherry and back

NG_EV · 7th October 2023, 00:25

Hi! I will be travelling to Pondicherry for official work. I will reach Chennai at night, will stay at a hotel and then travel to Pondicherry in the morning. There after spending whole day at the office, I am to travel back after 8 pm. What are the modes of transport available or preferred at 7:30 am from Chennai to Pondicherry and at about 8 pm for the return journey? The travel is scheduled coming Monday. Any help would be much appreciated.

narayans80 · 7th October 2023, 10:55

There are no trains. There are non-AC buses that are available dime a dozen from Koyambedu CMBT. There are few government operated AC buses as well, but don't know the frequency. Among private operators, Nuego is now operating EV buses to Pondy. I remember Rathi Meena travels serviced destinations on ECR and hence stops at Pondy (most likely on bypass).

Buses will take 4-4.5 hours for the journey. Unless you are hiring a taxi for the whole trip, I would advise against starting at 8 pm. You'll land in Madras past midnight. Best to stay in Pondy and return next morning.

If you want to take a self-drive, stick to the Tindivanam route both ways. You'll cross the UT border, where you have to get the permit. From airport to Pondy, I expect the drive time ~ 2.5-3 hours.

thanixravindran · 7th October 2023, 13:03

Quote:

Originally Posted by NG_EV

Hi! I will be travelling to Pondicherry for official work. I will reach Chennai at night, will stay at a hotel and then travel to Pondicherry in the morning. There after spending whole day at the office, I am to travel back after 8 pm. What are the modes of transport available or preferred at 7:30 am from Chennai to Pondicherry and at about 8 pm for the return journey? The travel is scheduled coming Monday. Any help would be much appreciated.

I suggest taking a cab with driver for one day office trip to Pondicherry which is the most hassle free option. It is 150Kms one way but will take at least 2.5 hours. Also better stick to GST road rather than ECR. Hope you are staying near Airport if you are using flights in and out of Chennai.

pypkmsrikanth · 7th October 2023, 13:44

If you are not going to take a taxi / cab and opting for public transport then the best option for you is to take the Nuego Electric buses. They are available roughly once an hour. You can check at https://nuego.in/

NG_EV · 7th October 2023, 21:58

Hi. Thank you all for the replies. I will travel by cab in morning and will take the bus (nuego) back.

narayans80 · 9th October 2023, 08:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by NG_EV

Hi. Thank you all for the replies. I will travel by cab in morning and will take the bus (nuego) back.

If you are taking a cab. Just ask him to wait and drive you back on the return. Cabs anyway charge close to return cost.

Eddy · 9th October 2023, 11:10

Slightly off topic - any reference for a reliable taxi driver who can drop us from Pondy to Chennai? One way drop.

7th October 2023, 00:25	#1
NG_EV BHPian Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Ghaziabad Posts: 180 Thanked: 461 Times	Chennai to Pondicherry and back Hi! I will be travelling to Pondicherry for official work. I will reach Chennai at night, will stay at a hotel and then travel to Pondicherry in the morning. There after spending whole day at the office, I am to travel back after 8 pm. What are the modes of transport available or preferred at 7:30 am from Chennai to Pondicherry and at about 8 pm for the return journey? The travel is scheduled coming Monday. Any help would be much appreciated.
	() Thanks

7th October 2023, 10:55	#2
narayans80 Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Madras Posts: 3,114 Thanked: 4,529 Times	Re: Chennai to Pondicherry and back There are no trains. There are non-AC buses that are available dime a dozen from Koyambedu CMBT. There are few government operated AC buses as well, but don't know the frequency. Among private operators, Nuego is now operating EV buses to Pondy. I remember Rathi Meena travels serviced destinations on ECR and hence stops at Pondy (most likely on bypass). Buses will take 4-4.5 hours for the journey. Unless you are hiring a taxi for the whole trip, I would advise against starting at 8 pm. You'll land in Madras past midnight. Best to stay in Pondy and return next morning. If you want to take a self-drive, stick to the Tindivanam route both ways. You'll cross the UT border, where you have to get the permit. From airport to Pondy, I expect the drive time ~ 2.5-3 hours.
	(1) Thanks

7th October 2023, 13:44	#4
pypkmsrikanth Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,124 Thanked: 283 Times View My Garage	Re: Chennai to Pondicherry and back If you are not going to take a taxi / cab and opting for public transport then the best option for you is to take the Nuego Electric buses. They are available roughly once an hour. You can check at https://nuego.in/
	(1) Thanks

7th October 2023, 21:58	#5
NG_EV BHPian Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Ghaziabad Posts: 180 Thanked: 461 Times	Re: Chennai to Pondicherry and back Hi. Thank you all for the replies. I will travel by cab in morning and will take the bus (nuego) back.
	() Thanks

9th October 2023, 11:10	#7
Eddy Team-BHP Support Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Delhi Posts: 9,388 Thanked: 13,312 Times	Re: Chennai to Pondicherry and back Slightly off topic - any reference for a reliable taxi driver who can drop us from Pondy to Chennai? One way drop.
	() Thanks