Tourism -Pondicherry

How to reach : 

By Air

Pondicherry - The nearest airport is at Chennai, 135 km away, which takes around two to three hours by road from Pondicherry. Other airports nearby are Trichy airport, 220 kms away, Bangalore (320 kms) and Madurai.

Karaikal - Karaikal lies about 150 km south of Pondicherry. The nearest Domestic Airport of Karaikal is Trichy (Tiruchirapalli), 168 kms west of Karaikal and the nearest International Airport is in Chennai (Madras). Distance from Chennai to Karaikal is around 300 Kms and the travel time by road takes from 7 to 9 hours. Indian Airlines connects Trichy with Chennai, Sharjah, Kuwait and Air Lanka Service connects Tiruchirapalli with Colombo.

By rail

Pondicherry - Villupuram is the nearest rail junction, 40km away from Pondicherry, which is directly connected to Chennai as well as Madurai, Trichy and Thiruvanathapuram. One can also take a train from Bangalore to Cuddalore and then reach Pondicherry by road.

Karaikal : The nearest Railway Station is Nagore, 10 Kms. away. Karaikal is connected by rail directly from Chidambaram (57 Kms. towards North on East Coast road ), Mayiladuthurai, Kumbakonam (64 Kms. West), Thanjavur (103 Kms. west), Thiruchirappalli (168 kms west),  Thiruvarur, Velankanni (26 Kms South via Nagore, Nagappattinam), Nagappattinam (19 Kms. towards South) and Nagore. Railway reservation- 222976

By road

Pondicherry : Pondicherry is connected by road  from Chennai ( 135 km- 3 1/2 hrs journey), Bangalore ( 320km ) and Kerala. Buses run regularly to Pondy from the Tamil Nadu State Express Bus Stand at Parry's corner in Chennai, and from the new bus stand in Koyembedu (Phone : 044- 2479 4622) every 15 minutes, via NH 45 and also through East Coast road via Mahabalipuram which is more scenic. The Pondicherry Tourism Development Corporation also runs buses to Chennai. Private luxury buses also connect Puducherry with other major cities in Tamil Nadu and Bangalore.

Karaikal : Karaikal lies about 150 km south of Pondicherry. The route from Karaikal to Pondicherry is via Tarangambadi , Sirkazhi, Chidambaram (57 Kms. towards North on East 
Coast road ), Cuddallore to Pondicherry. Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation, Pondicherry Road Transport  Development Corporation and other private buses connect Karaikal with Pondicherry, Chennai, Bangalore, Coimbatore etc.