A flourishing market, a center of power and a cornerstone of divinity, Madurai is a journey that is worth exploring. The ancient temple town, exposed to travelers and traders since the 300 BC, has come to be known for its iconic Hindu temples, historical monuments, all defined by their exceptional artistry on stone. Each site of Madurai is a piece of art and more remarkable than the other, which you can only experience when you explore the town like a local with Savaari’s Chennai car rental service. With our tips and suggestions, you can take a tour of Madurai in a unique way and make the most of your travel.
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Why travel from Chennai to Madurai?
An ancient trading and temple town, the city of Madurai still holds on to its legacy of a flourishing past. From history and mythology, to art and architecture, Madurai is a destination that attracts all kinds of travelers. But if you want to have the most experiential trip of Madurai, then you also have to enjoy the journey that leads to it. And the best way to do that is to book a cab from Chennai to Madurai and have an adventurous drive. When you book a Chennai taxi service with Savaari you can customize your itinerary and turn your long drive into an incredible travel experience.
Traveling from Chennai to Madurai by car
From the capital city to the temple town, the road from Chennai to Madurai is dotted with several nature hotspots, historical monuments, interesting viewing points, and more. Hence, a road trip from Chennai to Madurai is one of the best ways to travel between these two destinations. With our completely customizable Chennai to Madurai trip packages, you can stop at any of these places and do a quick sightseeing. Let us help you discover the best routes so you can plan an exciting trip to Madurai from Chennai by road.
Let us help you discover some of the best routes so your trip from Chennai to Madurai by road is nothing short of amazing!
Best time to take a road trip from Chennai to Madurai by car
Being closer to the Eastern Coast, Madurai experiences a typical hot and humid climate. Summers are usually very hot with temperatures crossing mid-thirties (Celsius). The winters however are cool and pleasant, making it the best time to Chennai to Madurai by Car to explore and do sightseeing.
Route 1: Distance and Time taken from Chennai to Madurai via Chennai – Villupuram – Trichy – Kanyakumari Rd and NH38
Chennai to Madurai distance Via Trichy
This is the shortest, fastest, and the most convenient route to cover Chennai to Madurai by road distance. Most tourists and frequent travelers use this route, since the traffic is also not heavy on this highway. The Chennai to Madurai distance is approximately 460 KM and takes nearly eight hours to travel. Before you travel, always check for traffic updates and use live maps to get the real-time information on Chennai to Madurai road condition.
Chennai to Madurai Road Condition Via Trichy
Here’s a basic Chennai to Madurai road map for this route:
| Chennai -> Chengalpattu -> Tindivanam -> Villupuram -> Tiruchirappalli -> Melur -> Madurai |
|---|
Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:
- Palar River View Point, Kanchipuram – Expansive river banks with panoramic views of countryside, good for sunset views or afternoon breaks.
- Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal – Locally protected wetland sanctuary, good for sighting migratory birds in winter.
- Ranjankudi Fort, Perambalur – A historical site with ruins of ancient fort, surrounded by countryside, good for a short tour and quick break on a long drive.
- Butterfly Park, Melur – A large local park featuring a glass butterfly house, landscaped gardens, a fountain and an eatery.
- Tiruchirappalli District Museum, Tiruchirappalli – A public museum housing artifacts, rock sculptures, and inscriptions, on regional history.
*Pandemic rules might affect visiting hours. Check with local authorities for timings.
Places to eat along this route:
- Manoj Bhavan Perumal koil street, Maduranthakam – Locally popular vegetarian restaurant, serving traditional dishes, good for quick stop.
- Oorvasi veg restaurant & cafe lounge, Tindivanam – Plush eatery and lounge serving vegetarian fare, snack food, and meals, family-friendly, group-friendly.
- Dindigul Thalappakatti Restaurant, Ulundurpet – Famous chain restaurant specializing in ethnic style biryani and non-vegetarian fare.
- Arab Spice Family Restaurant, Tiruchirappalli – Locally famous casual restaurant serving Middle Eastern dishes along with Indian and Chinese cuisines.
- Anjappar Chettinad Restaurant, Trichy-Melur Road – Upscale family restaurant serving Chettinad cuisine, good for families, kid-friendly.
Route 2: Distance and Time taken from Chennai to Madurai via Chennai – Villupuram – Trichy – Kanyakumari Rd
Chennai to Madurai distance Via Salem
This is a longer and slower alternative to the previous route to cover Chennai to Madurai road distance. The distance between Chennai and Madurai via this route is about 520 KM and takes nearly nine and half hours. You may encounter occasional road work or heavy traffic on this route. Always check live maps and real-time updates to get the latest information on Chennai to Madurai road conditions.
Chennai to Madurai Road Condition Via Salem
Here’s a basic Chennai to Madurai road map for this route:
| Chennai -> Chengalpattu -> Tindivanam -> Kallakkurichi -> Salem -> Dindigul -> Madurai |
|---|
Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:
- Palar River View Point, Kanchipuram – Expansive river banks with panoramic views of countryside, good for sunset views or afternoon breaks.
- Vedanthangal Bird Sanctuary, Vedanthangal – Locally protected wetland sanctuary, good for sighting migratory birds in winter.
- Muttal Anaivari Waterfalls, Attur – A local nature hotspot with gushing streams and rocky hillocks, surrounded by ample greenery, good for day picnics or short treks.
- Paravasa Ulagam, Salem – A locally famous water-themed park, good for kids and family, works as a great overnight break on a long drive.
- Maavutharu Lake Dam, Sirumalai – A catchment area of the Sirumalai lake, surrounded by dense foliage and greenery.
*Pandemic rules might affect visiting hours. Check with local authorities for timings.
Places to eat along this route:
- Manoj Bhavan Perumal koil street, Maduranthakam – Locally popular vegetarian restaurant, serving traditional dishes, good for quick stop.
- Oorvasi veg restaurant & cafe lounge, Tindivanam – Plush eatery and lounge serving vegetarian fare, snack food, and meals, family-friendly, group-friendly.
- Dindigul Thalappakatti Restaurant, Ulundurpet – Famous chain restaurant specializing in ethnic style biryani and non-vegetarian fare.
- The Cascade, Salem – Locally popular Chinese restaurant, kid-friendly, good for late night food.
Chennai to Madurai Best Route
While both the routes are good to take, we recommend Chennai to Madurai via Chennai – Villupuram – Trichy – Kanyakumari Rd and NH38 route due to the less time taken and the scenic journey. However, you should check for live traffic updates before your trip to compare the routes.
Other means of traveling from Chennai to Madurai
You can cover the distance from Chennai Central to Madurai by train, flight or car.
How to Reach Madurai By Train
You can also cover Chennai Egmore to Madurai distance by train. There are about 23 trains that run between these two cities, of which 10 are daily trains. The fastest train is the TEJAS EXPRESS – Chennai to Madurai which takes about six and half hours to reach Madurai. For Chennai to Madurai train ticket price, booking, you can visit the Indian Railways website or check with any online travel portal to get the best deals.
How to Reach Madurai By Flight
You can also travel from Chennai to Madurai by flight. The city is served by Madurai Airport (IXM). The average Chennai to Madurai flight duration can vary from one to three hours, depending on the airline or the flight route you take. For your Chennai to Madurai flight cost, booking, visit any online travel portal for the best deal or check with the airline’s direct website. The Chennai to Madurai flight cost can range from Rs. 2000 to 3000, depending on the travel season, booking window, and available deals. Book a Madurai airport taxi for a hassle free journey to your hotel.
Attractions in Madurai for Sightseeing
Start with the popular temple tour of the Meenakshi Temple, which is synonymous with the city, followed by the Koodal Azhagar Koli Temple and the Kallazhagar Temple. Visit the historical, 17th century Thirumalai Nayak Palace for the awe-inspiring architecture with a mix of Dravidian and Rajputana styles. The gothic-style St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Goripalayam Mosque are also two iconic sites worth exploring. To visit Madurai like a local, take a walking tour of temples and heritage monuments, or join the famous food trail that extends through the night, shop for traditional textiles, or try your hand at pottery at Potter’s Village.
Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Madurai
For centuries Madurai has remained a hub of traders, travelers, and rulers from Rome, Greece, Sri Lanka, Middle East, and more, making the town a melting pot of culture, which had a great impact on the city’s cuisines.
- To sample the best of classic and contemporary, ethnic and international cuisines, explore these places in Madurai –
- Burma Idiyappa Kadai, Deputy Collector Colony
- The Banyan Madurai, Heritage Madurai, 11, Melakkal Rd, Kochadai
- Bhagwati Mohan’s Bhojanalaya, 33, Dhanappa Mudali Street, opposite HOTEL TEMPLE VIEW, Madurai Main
- Phil’s Bistro, 444, 9th Main Rd, Managiri, KK Nagar
- Madurai Kitchen, Courtyard Madurai, No 168, Alagar Kovil Main Rd, next to Circuit House
Hotels and resorts – Accommodation in Madurai
| Place Name | Address | Phone Number |
| The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai, Madurai | No. 40, Tirupparankundram Rd, Pasumalai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625004 | 0452 713 3000 |
| Heritage Madurai | 11, Melakkal Rd, Near Fenner & Passport Office, Kochadai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625016 | 0452 238 5455 |
| JC Residency | 14, Lady Doak College Rd, Chinna Chokikulam, Tamil Nadu 625002 | 073737 37302 |
| Astoria Hotels | No: 65, 70 Feet Road, Ellis Nagar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625016 | 0452 260 0071 |
| Regency Madurai by GRT Hotels | 38, Madakulam Main Road, Vinayai Nagar, Palanganatham, Signal Junction, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625003 | 099944 54120 |
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