Key hubs
Chidambaram airport and railway station
- Airport
- Puducherry (PNY) is the closest, about 65-70 km away; Tiruchirappalli (TRZ) and Chennai (MAA) are the larger options, each several hours by road
- Railway station
- Chidambaram (CDM), on the Chennai Egmore-Thanjavur main line, about 1.6 km from the Nataraja temple
- Getting around
- Autos and taxis within town; the temple, Thillai Kali and Anantheeswarar are close together. A hired car is easiest for Pichavaram and the day trips.
How to reach Chidambaram by air
The nearest airport is Puducherry (PNY), about 65-70 km north, with limited flights. Tiruchirappalli (TRZ) and Chennai (MAA) have far more services, and each is several hours by road, with Chennai about 220-245 km away.
How to reach Chidambaram by train
Chidambaram (CDM) is on the Chennai Egmore-Thanjavur main line, in Annamalainagar, about 1.6 km from the Nataraja temple. It connects the town with Chennai, Tiruchirappalli and other cities in the south.
How to reach Chidambaram by road
Chidambaram is about 70 km from Puducherry by way of Cuddalore, about 220 km from Chennai by the East Coast Road, and about 115 km from Thanjavur by way of Kumbakonam. State and private buses serve the town from the bus stand.
Getting around Chidambaram
Autos and taxis cover the short distances between the temple, the station and Thillai Kali. The town centre is walkable, but a hired car and driver is the easiest way to reach Pichavaram and the Chola day trips.
For parents and senior travellers
Easy transfers to and in Chidambaram
- Wear socks or carry a cotton mat if bare feet on stone are a problem; footwear must be left outside. Ask at the entrance where to leave shoes.
- Hire a car for Pichavaram and the day trips. Pichavaram boats need a short walk and a step into a boat; confirm with the boat operator that you will be assisted.
- Carry water, a hat and any regular medication; there are few quiet places to sit inside the temple, so ask a guide for rest spots.
- Ask the airline or railway for wheelchair or porter assistance when you book, not on the day.
- Pre-book the pickup from the airport or station, so nobody has to negotiate with drivers after a long journey.
- Choose arrivals in daylight where you can, and keep the first afternoon free to rest.