Chennai to Pondicherry

Can anyone please advise on ways of getting from Chennai to Pondicherry (including mode of transport and approximate cost). Date of travel will be around December 26 2008.

Thanks very much.

Easiest way is to drive down the East Coast Road. It should take about 2 and a half hours to 3 hours, maximum by car.

Mammalapuram is en route, and is worth a stop, or even a couple of days.


Options:

Buses, are very frequent, was told every half hour. No idea of cost, but can't be too much.

Hired car: We hired an a/c Indica two weeks ago for 3000 rupees, returned the next day, tolls at ECR extra, about 100 rupees including return. If you hire a car in Chennai, you probably will have to pay for its return to Chennai, unless you get one going back to Pondicherry.


Some information on pondicherry
http://tourism.pondicherry.gov.in/

last time I took the bus is was about 50 rupees. the first time it was less than that.

By bus which is very frequent travel time is 3 hrs and the cost is around Rs 55/-.In December Pondicherry will be very crowded and advised to book your accomodation in advance.

For travel from Chennai to Pondicherry I recommend to get a car from Pondy to pick you up at the Airport or the train station. it is cheaper and more reliable,and they know where to go in Pondy, which Chennai drivers won't. You get excellent drivers from these institutions, without any obligation to participate in anything else with them:

Sri Aurobindo Autocare Services
507, M.G. Road, Muthialpet
Pondicherry - 605 003
India. ISD Code 0091
Telefax: (0413) 2220957
Telephone: (0413) 2220612

and

avtransportserv@auroville.org. in

The first one is a bit less expensive, the second one is better if you want to go to Auroville (which is worth a visit for everyone, but heavily booked Dec-Feb).

The above car services are also heartily recommended for longer journeys in South India. Extremely nice and reliable drivers, at low cost. 600 Rupees a day plus 4.5 Rupees per kilometer. Fixed rates to and from Chennai RS 1300 for Sri Aurobindo Autocare, 1500 for Auroville transport service.

When you are picked up by a driver, he will have your name on a card board where you exit the airport, or inside the train station end of arrival platform or exit. Look out for that.

Wow. What beautiful precise info! Thanks, it will help me too!