Help on Trip from Chennai to Pondicherry

ghoshmr · Aug 18th, 2009, 05:53

Friends,

My parents are visiting Chennai in two weeks and they want to visit Pondicherry for the weekend. Plan is to go on Saturday morning and return by Sunday evening. Two questions which are unresolved :

a) Between Park GH and International GH, which one is a better place to stay in Pondicherry.

b) Since they are 70 yr old, I dont want them to travel by bus. What are the options by hired car and what does it generally cost?

Will appreciate all help.

Thanks in advance

bsprasad · Aug 18th, 2009, 13:46

Dear Ghoshmr,

I can help you out with one of your query.

I have referred this tour operator to couple of IM'ers and they seemed to be pretty satisfied with the service.

Talk this guy Called Ilango, His company name is Sri Bhavani Travels and his mobile number is 9940014098. You can refer my name. B.S.Prasad from Chennai.

Nick-H · Aug 18th, 2009, 17:19

ghosmir, welcome to the site, but please, do some work browsing and searching!

For two cities so close together, there are an amazing number of threads covering travel between Chennai and Pondi!

ghoshmr · Aug 18th, 2009, 22:23

Thanks Mr.Prasad and Nick. I have researched on the similar posts and some of them are dated. Therefore looking for a more recent experience.

I will contact the suggested travel agent to find out the rates. Further ideas and suggestions will be helpful.

Regards,

chandandebnath · Aug 18th, 2009, 23:09

[quote=ghoshmr;795158]Friends,

My parents are visiting Chennai in two weeks and they want to visit Pondicherry for the weekend. Plan is to go on Saturday morning and return by Sunday evening. Two questions which are unresolved :

b) Since they are 70 yr old, I dont want them to travel by bus. What are the options by hired car and what does it generally cost?

There is a train called Pondicherry fast pasenger leaving Chennai Egmore at 06.30 and reaches Pondicherry at 11.00 .

bonded · Aug 18th, 2009, 23:23

Both are good places to stay.

Park is located on the beach and a bit far from the ashram around 20 minute walk.

International is near the ashram around 2 minute walk.

A Tata Indica would cost you around Rs 4500/-

atala · Aug 18th, 2009, 23:47

International Guesthouse is actually a misleading name, as only Indians are allowed to stay there (only ashram visitors I believe). It is on a very busy street, near General Hospital, so not a very pleasant place. Definitely go for Park Guesthouse, if they let you in (subject to availability of space so close to Darshan Day on 15 August which attracted Aurobindo admirers from all over India).
If Park is full, try New Guesthouse around the corner.

A Chennai pick-up from Pondy costs around 1700 RS (Chennai being a little more than Airport pick-up, and Pondy being a little further than Auroville).

see prices here
http://www.aurovilletransport.com/airport.htm

Nick-H · Aug 19th, 2009, 01:09

Quote:

There is a train called Pondicherry fast pasenger leaving Chennai Egmore at 06.30 and reaches Pondicherry at 11.00 .

Four and a half hours on the train! They will feel like they are 80 by the time they get there!

Whilst my first choice would be car, and I have never done the journey by bus, I would say that it is a good road, and the bus journey is probably relatively comfortable.

Raghu.Kumar · Aug 19th, 2009, 15:00

I agree with Nick. There are airconitioned buses also that ply on this route and much comfortable and cost saving.

Raghu

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick-H

Four and a half hours on the train! They will feel like they are 80 by the time they get there!

Whilst my first choice would be car, and I have never done the journey by bus, I would say that it is a good road, and the bus journey is probably relatively comfortable.

thejag · Aug 20th, 2009, 13:16

there are bus services with sleeper seats as well. do any of them ply between pondi and chennai?

Gametotravel · Aug 20th, 2009, 15:19

@ Ghoshbabu- You could try calling up the Ashram Office at Chennai at 044-28569566 to get information on their optional arrangements.

Darcy_A · Sep 13th, 2009, 00:06

[quote=chandandebnath;795722]

Quote:

Originally Posted by ghoshmr

Friends,

My parents are visiting Chennai in two weeks and they want to visit Pondicherry for the weekend. Plan is to go on Saturday morning and return by Sunday evening. Two questions which are unresolved :

b) Since they are 70 yr old, I dont want them to travel by bus. What are the options by hired car and what does it generally cost?

There is a train called Pondicherry fast pasenger leaving Chennai Egmore at 06.30 and reaches Pondicherry at 11.00 .

Does that train leave at 6:30 am or pm? Also, around how much does it cost?

gaurav1441 · Sep 13th, 2009, 10:53

The train in the Morning leaves at 6.35am while the one in the evening leaves at 6.00 PM from Chennai Egmore to Pondichery. A ticket on this train would cost Rs 52. There is no reserved seat on the train. You need to be at the station atleast 20 mins before departure and buy the ticket and board the train. Even buses from chennai cost Rs 55 (Normal) to Rs 95 (Semi Deluxe) to Pondicherry.

Aug 18th, 2009, 05:53	#1
ghoshmr Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 2	Help on Trip from Chennai to Pondicherry Friends, My parents are visiting Chennai in two weeks and they want to visit Pondicherry for the weekend. Plan is to go on Saturday morning and return by Sunday evening. Two questions which are unresolved : a) Between Park GH and International GH, which one is a better place to stay in Pondicherry. b) Since they are 70 yr old, I dont want them to travel by bus. What are the options by hired car and what does it generally cost? Will appreciate all help. Thanks in advance

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Aug 18th, 2009, 13:46	#2
bsprasad Account Closed Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 468	Dear Ghoshmr, I can help you out with one of your query. I have referred this tour operator to couple of IM'ers and they seemed to be pretty satisfied with the service. Talk this guy Called Ilango, His company name is Sri Bhavani Travels and his mobile number is 9940014098. You can refer my name. B.S.Prasad from Chennai.

Aug 18th, 2009, 17:19	#3
Nick-H This is just a cameo appearance Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 36,205	ghosmir, welcome to the site, but please, do some work browsing and searching! For two cities so close together, there are an amazing number of threads covering travel between Chennai and Pondi!

Aug 18th, 2009, 22:23	#4
ghoshmr Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: New Delhi Posts: 2	Thanks Mr.Prasad and Nick. I have researched on the similar posts and some of them are dated. Therefore looking for a more recent experience. I will contact the suggested travel agent to find out the rates. Further ideas and suggestions will be helpful. Regards,

Aug 18th, 2009, 23:09	#5
chandandebnath Learning Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: kolkata,India Posts: 31	[quote=ghoshmr;795158]Friends, My parents are visiting Chennai in two weeks and they want to visit Pondicherry for the weekend. Plan is to go on Saturday morning and return by Sunday evening. Two questions which are unresolved : b) Since they are 70 yr old, I dont want them to travel by bus. What are the options by hired car and what does it generally cost? There is a train called Pondicherry fast pasenger leaving Chennai Egmore at 06.30 and reaches Pondicherry at 11.00 .

Aug 18th, 2009, 23:23	#6
bonded Account Closed Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Mumbai Posts: 492	Both are good places to stay. Park is located on the beach and a bit far from the ashram around 20 minute walk. International is near the ashram around 2 minute walk. A Tata Indica would cost you around Rs 4500/-

Aug 18th, 2009, 23:47	#7
atala 8 years in India Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Switzerland Posts: 978	International Guesthouse is actually a misleading name, as only Indians are allowed to stay there (only ashram visitors I believe). It is on a very busy street, near General Hospital, so not a very pleasant place. Definitely go for Park Guesthouse, if they let you in (subject to availability of space so close to Darshan Day on 15 August which attracted Aurobindo admirers from all over India). If Park is full, try New Guesthouse around the corner. A Chennai pick-up from Pondy costs around 1700 RS (Chennai being a little more than Airport pick-up, and Pondy being a little further than Auroville). see prices here http://www.aurovilletransport.com/airport.htm

Aug 20th, 2009, 13:16	#10
thejag has arrived Join Date: May 2009 Location: Chennai Posts: 842	there are bus services with sleeper seats as well. do any of them ply between pondi and chennai?

Aug 20th, 2009, 15:19	#11
Gametotravel Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Chennai Posts: 757	@ Ghoshbabu- You could try calling up the Ashram Office at Chennai at 044-28569566 to get information on their optional arrangements.

Sep 13th, 2009, 10:53	#13
gaurav1441 Maha Guru Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: New Orleans Posts: 729	The train in the Morning leaves at 6.35am while the one in the evening leaves at 6.00 PM from Chennai Egmore to Pondichery. A ticket on this train would cost Rs 52. There is no reserved seat on the train. You need to be at the station atleast 20 mins before departure and buy the ticket and board the train. Even buses from chennai cost Rs 55 (Normal) to Rs 95 (Semi Deluxe) to Pondicherry.