Located on the south-east coast of peninsular India, Pondicherry or Puducherry is a populous city in the Union Territory of Pondicherry. Famous for its colonial structures and stunning beaches, the city draws lots of travellers every year, from across India and the world over. Both pilgrims and tourists visit the city to explore its multiple attractions like Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Rock Beach. The town of Auroville, located just a short drive away from the city, is also a major draw among tourists.
How to Get to Pondicherry by Flight, Train or Bus
One of the most picturesque cities in India, Pondicherry is easily accessible from most of the major cities in India. It has a domestic airport and a busy railway junction that serve as the primary entry points to the city. In addition, several thoroughfares connect it to neighbouring cities and states.
More details about how to get to Pondicherry are given below:
How to Reach Pondicherry by Air
Pondicherry Airport (PNY) serves as the entry point for domestic travellers flying to the city while for overseas flyers, Chennai International Airport (MAA) is the nearest gateway. Major airlines operating from Pondicherry Airport are SpiceJet and IndiGo, among others. From either of the airports, visitors can take public transport like buses or prepaid taxis for accessing different parts of the city.
How to Reach Pondicherry by Rail
Pondicherry is well-connected to various cities across India via Puducherry Railway Station (PDY). It operates daily trains to Chennai, in addition to other short and long distance trains to cities like New Delhi, Bangalore, Kolkata, Mumbai and Mangalore. Located just 4 km away from the city centre, the station offers easy connectivity to the rest of the city by bus, taxi or auto rickshaw.
Major train stations in Pondicherry: Puducherry (PDY), Karaikal (KIK)
How to Reach Pondicherry by Road
The city has a strong network of expressways and highways, owing to which travellers from nearby cities and states can easily reach here. East Coast Road (ECR), Grand Southern Trunk Road (GST) and National Highway 32 are some of the major thoroughfares passing through the city. For those who are planning to reach the city by bus, Pondicherry Bus Station serves as the main entrance.
Interstate bus terminal and major bus station of Pondicherry: New Bus Stand
Distance Between Pondicherry and Major Indian Cities:
- Mumbai to Pondicherry: 1290 km (approximately 23 hours by road)
- Chennai to Pondicherry: 151 km (approximately 4 hours by road)
- New Delhi to Pondicherry: 2350 km (approximately 40 hours by road)
- Ahmedabad to Pondicherry: 1808 km (approximately 32 hours by road)
- Pune to Pondicherry: 1156 km (approximately 20 hours by road)
- Kolkata to Pondicherry: 1847 km (approximately 36 hours by road)
- Bangalore to Pondicherry: 308 km (approximately 7 hours by road)
- Jaipur to Pondicherry: 2236 km (approximately 40 hours by road)
- Chandigarh to Pondicherry: 2620 km (approximately 45 hours by road)
- Lucknow to Pondicherry: 2067 km (approximately 38 hours by road)
- Visakhapatnam to Pondicherry: 960 km (approximately 18 hours by road)
- Kochi to Pondicherry: 563 km (approximately 11 hours by road)
- Goa to Pondicherry: 903 km (approximately 18 hours by road)
- Amritsar to Pondicherry: 2825 km (approximately 49 hours by road)
- Vadodara to Pondicherry: 1654 km (approximately 30 hours by road)
- Surat to Pondicherry: 1565 km (approximately 28 hours by road)
- Patna to Pondicherry: 2090 km (approximately 43 hours by road)
- Bhopal to Pondicherry: 1635 km (approximately 30 hours by road)
- Indore to Pondicherry: 1645 km (approximately 32 hours by road)
- Kanpur to Pondicherry: 2027 km (approximately 36 hours by road)
- Ooty to Pondicherry: 427 km (approximately 9 hours by road)
- Mysore to Pondicherry: 445 km (approximately 9 hours by road)
- Munnar to Pondicherry: 468 km (approximately 10 hours by road)
- Alleppey to Pondicherry: 581 km (approximately 12 hours by road)
- Vellore to Pondicherry: 154 km (approximately 4 hours by road)
- Vijayawada to Pondicherry: 613 km (approximately 11 hours by road)
- Tirupati to Pondicherry: 233 km (approximately 6 hours by road)
- Hyderabad to Pondicherry: 786 km (approximately 14 hours by road)
- Mangalore to Pondicherry: 667 km (approximately 14 hours by road)
- Thiruvananthapuram to Pondicherry: 645 km (approximately 12 hours by road)
- Madurai to Pondicherry: 334 km (approximately 6 hours by road)
- Nagpur to Pondicherry: 1285 km (approximately 23 hours by road)
- Aurangabad to Pondicherry: 1285 km (approximately 23 hours by road)
- Bhubaneswar to Pondicherry: 1407 km (approximately 27 hours by road)
- Salem to Pondicherry: 218 km (approximately 4 hours by road)
- Coimbatore to Pondicherry: 378 km (approximately 7 hours by road)
Top Attractions to Explore While Travelling to Pondicherry:
La Maison Rose, Villa Helena, Eglise De Notre Dame Des Anges, Rock Beach, French War Memorial, Paradise Beach, Kairakal Beach, Serenity Beach, Ousteri Lake, Botanical Gardens
