Chennai - Kodaikanal : Route Queries

BenjiRoss · 21st September 2008, 11:59

I was about to post a request for Trichy - Kodaikanal route and found this thread. Very useful. I plan to drive during the day to Kodaikanal.
I would like to leave back from Kodaikanal early in the morning.I'm a newbie, but my dad is with me. What time is best to start so I get the benefit of less traffic when coming down the hills but also have some light. Is 5 Am ok?

pypkmsrikanth · 22nd September 2008, 11:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenjiRoss

I was about to post a request for Trichy - Kodaikanal route and found this thread. Very useful. I plan to drive during the day to Kodaikanal.
I would like to leave back from Kodaikanal early in the morning.I'm a newbie, but my dad is with me. What time is best to start so I get the benefit of less traffic when coming down the hills but also have some light. Is 5 Am ok?

Hi Biju you have two issues which would have to be confronted when you start early especially in the hill areas like Kodaikanal. Oncoming traffic and foggy conditions which might be challenge when there is not enough natural light. I would suggest you start just after the break of the dawn so that you could have the advantage of natural light to help you out in the event of foggy conditions. I think oncoming traffic is manageable so should not be an issue, since most of the traffic would start after 6 in the morning from Kodai road.

cnaganathan · 22nd September 2008, 11:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by vasudeva

It seems that I have very few friends on this site. That could explain no response to post no. 21 on this thread.

Hi,

Chanced upon this link today only. Kodai will be a great getaway. If you have decided to go through the Coimbatore route, PM me for some good Taxi references at Coimbatore. I have used the services of someone there who was very good and reliable.

BenjiRoss · 27th September 2008, 01:04

Tomorrow I will be doing the Trichy - Kodaikanal stretch and will post updates.
I will take a long time for the drive as my car is still in the run in period. I wont be setting any speed records!

trtraj · 8th July 2009, 14:16

Dear BHPians, I am planning to do a chennai-kodaikanal-bangalore trip this week, could someone post the status of the road for chennai-kodaikanal now

?... Planning to take my 9 months old son along...

I recently did a bangalore-Kodai road trip last month so, That is pretty okay for me...

laluks · 8th July 2009, 14:45

I guess villupuram dindigal road still has a lot of deviations. Kodai road to kodai is fine

trtraj · 8th July 2009, 16:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by laluks

I guess villupuram dindigal road still has a lot of deviations. Kodai road to kodai is fine

Thanks for the update. Do you mean that the 4 lane is still in progress ?

pypkmsrikanth · 8th July 2009, 16:35

The road upto Samayapuram (Just before Trichy) from Chennai is almost done, Our nitrous anna did this stretch in about four and a half hours a couple of weeks back.

The 4 laning work between Trichy & Dindigul is happening and you would have diversions but I dont think it would be a major issue, upto Manapparai from Trichy the roads might not be great.

From Dindigul onwards upto Bathalagundu after which you take a right turn to Kodai, its a very good 2 lane highway. The ghat road is in decent shape from there on upto Kodai.

trtraj · 8th July 2009, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by pypkmsrikanth

The road upto Samayapuram (Just before Trichy) from Chennai is almost done, Our nitrous anna did this stretch in about four and a half hours a couple of weeks back.

Thanks, You made my day Srikanth, Thanks for the quick reply... I will update the travelogue if i can take a note of it... (going with kid)

CliffHanger · 29th September 2009, 13:57

I'm planning to drive to Kodai this weekend, I have a friend who will be accompanying me. Could you guys let me know a comfortable yet economical accomodation in Kodai?

Dadi Bhote · 16th November 2009, 15:15

I did this trip in the 1st week of Nov . The roads are fine . Chennai - Trichy-Dindigul-Batalagundlu-Kodai. The stretch between Trichy to Dindigul is not very good due to 4-laning work in progress. Rest of the roads including up into the hills is very good.

Take care at the turn off from Dindigul , no proper sign boards to guide .

Dadi Bhote

rrahul_2778 · 7th April 2010, 08:38

Bumping an old thread. I am going to Kodai next month with my wife for our aniversary.
What is the current state of roads and the best route for Chennai - Kodai?
Also, any recommendations on hotel - can do upto 3K/night.

ampere · 7th April 2010, 09:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by rrahul_2778

Bumping an old thread. I am going to Kodai next month with my wife for our aniversary.
What is the current state of roads and the best route for Chennai - Kodai?
Also, any recommendations on hotel - can do upto 3K/night.

The best and shortest route is via Trichy through NH45.
(Chennai Trichy Dindigul Kodai).

I think NH45 has been almost fully 4 Laned. Others can confirm.

Villa retreat is a good place for a budget of 3K. Its next to Coaker's Walk.
Had been there three years back. The views from the place are amazing.

srikanthpotluri · 7th April 2010, 10:12

Yes, Ampere is right, NH45 till Trichy is all done, you will be in Trichy in no time.

The problem i faced is trichy Dindigul road is not good and work is in progress. I really didnt like to go through this.

After Dindigul-till Kodai everything is smooth.

I need to check this out, but please check if going through Madurai is going to be too far? because Trichy -Melur-Madurai is very nice & from here there is a superb village road till Vathalagundu.

srikanthpotluri · 7th April 2010, 10:15

I just checked in maps india, it shows a difference of max 33 KMS.

Its upto you and maybe others can advice, but if I had to take I will go through Trichy-Melur-Madurai-Vathalagundu-Kodai. All the way smooth roads except for Trichy bypass.

21st September 2008, 11:59	#31
BenjiRoss Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tamilnadu Posts: 1,070 Thanked: 1,335 Times	I was about to post a request for Trichy - Kodaikanal route and found this thread. Very useful. I plan to drive during the day to Kodaikanal. I would like to leave back from Kodaikanal early in the morning.I'm a newbie, but my dad is with me. What time is best to start so I get the benefit of less traffic when coming down the hills but also have some light. Is 5 Am ok?
	() Thanks

27th September 2008, 01:04	#34
BenjiRoss Senior - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Tamilnadu Posts: 1,070 Thanked: 1,335 Times	Tomorrow I will be doing the Trichy - Kodaikanal stretch and will post updates. I will take a long time for the drive as my car is still in the run in period. I wont be setting any speed records!
	() Thanks

8th July 2009, 14:16	#35
trtraj BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Bangalore \ Singara Chennai Posts: 247 Thanked: 125 Times	What is the status of the Chennai Trichy road now !! Dear BHPians, I am planning to do a chennai-kodaikanal-bangalore trip this week, could someone post the status of the road for chennai-kodaikanal now ?... Planning to take my 9 months old son along... I recently did a bangalore-Kodai road trip last month so, That is pretty okay for me...
	() Thanks

8th July 2009, 14:45	#36
laluks Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Bangalore Posts: 6,551 Thanked: 16,486 Times	I guess villupuram dindigal road still has a lot of deviations. Kodai road to kodai is fine
	() Thanks

8th July 2009, 16:35	#38
pypkmsrikanth Senior - BHPian Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Chennai Posts: 1,155 Thanked: 359 Times View My Garage	The road upto Samayapuram (Just before Trichy) from Chennai is almost done, Our nitrous anna did this stretch in about four and a half hours a couple of weeks back. The 4 laning work between Trichy & Dindigul is happening and you would have diversions but I dont think it would be a major issue, upto Manapparai from Trichy the roads might not be great. From Dindigul onwards upto Bathalagundu after which you take a right turn to Kodai, its a very good 2 lane highway. The ghat road is in decent shape from there on upto Kodai. Last edited by pypkmsrikanth : 8th July 2009 at 16:36.
	() Thanks

29th September 2009, 13:57	#40
CliffHanger BHPian Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 757 Thanked: 1,605 Times	I'm planning to drive to Kodai this weekend, I have a friend who will be accompanying me. Could you guys let me know a comfortable yet economical accomodation in Kodai?
	() Thanks

16th November 2009, 15:15	#41
Dadi Bhote BHPian Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Secunderabad , AP. Posts: 37 Thanked: 2 Times	Chennai to Kodai I did this trip in the 1st week of Nov . The roads are fine . Chennai - Trichy-Dindigul-Batalagundlu-Kodai. The stretch between Trichy to Dindigul is not very good due to 4-laning work in progress. Rest of the roads including up into the hills is very good. Take care at the turn off from Dindigul , no proper sign boards to guide . Dadi Bhote
	() Thanks

7th April 2010, 08:38	#42
rrahul_2778 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London Posts: 250 Thanked: 13 Times	Bumping an old thread. I am going to Kodai next month with my wife for our aniversary. What is the current state of roads and the best route for Chennai - Kodai? Also, any recommendations on hotel - can do upto 3K/night. Last edited by rrahul_2778 : 7th April 2010 at 08:40.
	() Thanks

7th April 2010, 10:12	#44
srikanthpotluri BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 472 Thanked: 770 Times View My Garage	Yes, Ampere is right, NH45 till Trichy is all done, you will be in Trichy in no time. The problem i faced is trichy Dindigul road is not good and work is in progress. I really didnt like to go through this. After Dindigul-till Kodai everything is smooth. I need to check this out, but please check if going through Madurai is going to be too far? because Trichy -Melur-Madurai is very nice & from here there is a superb village road till Vathalagundu.
	() Thanks

7th April 2010, 10:15	#45
srikanthpotluri BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Bangalore Posts: 472 Thanked: 770 Times View My Garage	I just checked in maps india, it shows a difference of max 33 KMS. Its upto you and maybe others can advice, but if I had to take I will go through Trichy-Melur-Madurai-Vathalagundu-Kodai. All the way smooth roads except for Trichy bypass.
	() Thanks