Day trip to Mamallapuram

IndiaNewbie

I am arriving at Egmore station in the morning on Aug 15(independence day). I want to make a day trip to Mamallapuram.

Is it a bad idea to do this on a Holiday? Where can I get a bus there? How long will it take?

Thanks

wonderwomanusa

You can get a bus from the bus station (sorry, can't remember its name) which is some distance from the rail station. Auto drivers are bandits so be prepared to bargain hard!

The bus to Mammalapuram takes about an hour if I recall correctly. Certainly less than two hours.

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Nick-H

From the bus station, Koyambedu, CMBT (Chennai Mofussil Bus Station) I guess it may be two hours or more.

It takes about 45-50 minutes to drive there from where I live, which is well to the South of the city --- and I don't have to stop at bus stops

envisage

My best advice would be to take a local train from Egmore get down in Guindy.. crossover to the busstop on the opposite side. 1 hour traveling to Koyambedu can be saved if you take this short cut.. and i am sure people can guide you in the station if you ask for mahaballipuram bus.

Just be aware that August 15th in train stations and bus station will have lot of security screening and things like that.. i believe.. it will less crowded too.. on the bright side.

Selvam

gaurav1441

Come out of Railway Station and take A1 to Last Stop which is tiruvanmmiyur or get down at Adyar Depot both Ac and Non Ac A1 ply from just outside the station. From Adyar you will get direct buses to Mahabalipurm.

Nick-H

I don't know the buses --- but I know the geography, and gaurav's suggestion sounds just right!

But how are bus routes affected on 15th?

gaurav1441

Bus routes fall under Eseential Services there would be buses plying on 15th but they would be fewer in frequency.

tvhareesh

Hi, Its better go by Tamil nadu tourism HOP ON HOP OFF so that you will not miss out any important place for a day trip to Mahabalipuram Please find http://www.tamilnadutourism.org/hopontour.html for further detail

Bhaswaran

Last November, I took a auto from Chipak Stadium area after bargaining and he took Rs 600 for a day trip to Mahabalipuram

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IndiaNewbie

Wow, what a great forum. Thanks for all your responses. Sounds like I have several options.

What is the A1? Is that a bus?

The hop on hop off bus sounds like a minimum difficulty way of getting there. Their website doesn't provide much information though.

I'm not sure what most of the stops are. Does the bus just stop to let people off and on and then continue, or will I have to visit all those places? For the return times, can I just take any one of the buses back, or do I have to reserve a seat in advance, choosing a specific time?

gaurav1441

A1 is the bus route number that starts just outside Chennai Central Railway station.

Hop- On Hop off has a specified list of stops. You can decide where you want to get down. The nest bus would come at the same location after half an hour or so.

Raghu.Kumar

Hi Newbie,

Please dont take a public bus or a taxi to Mamallapuram. As rightly said by TV.Hareesh and Gaurav, hop on to the hop on, hop off bus. It starts from the Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation office located on Wallaja Road, Triplicane very close to the MA.Chidambaram Cricket Stadium

On arrival at the Central Station check with the May I help you counter if the bus comes to Central Station, if yes, you are saved the trouble of going to origin point.

The fare is 250 INR but currently they offer a discount of 25 %. the bus stops at 13 tourist spots enroute to Mahabalipuram. Some of the places worth visiting are Dakshina Chitra which is a eco village, Muttukadu Boat house ( free ride for Hop on Hop off tourists ) MGM Resort for Breakfast and then all of Mahabalipuram. The last bus leaves at 6 PM and would reach Chennai around 8.30 PM.

In some places, tickets needs to be purchased like Crocodile bank, Dakshina Chitra or Tiger Caves but they come at a discount.

The buses are airconditioned and come with a guide.

Raghu

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penuga82k

You can take a government volvo bus which is a point to point one..

You also have an option of talking a cab... will cost u roughl around 1000rs...

Cont me if u need any help..

vijayvad

Hi IndiaNewbie,

If you have decided to try out the A/C Bus option(A1,etc), you should go to central railway station. you mentioned that u would arrive at egmore railway station.These are two different stations so get an autorickshaw to go to central station from egmore.

I would suggest you go for Hop-on Hop-off option

Raghu.Kumar

Hi Penuga,

In what way you can help. Can you help in booking the Hop on Hop off bus for Newbee ?

Raghu