Chennai to Kanyakumari

There are numerous direct buses that are available from Chennai to Kanyakumari, and you can be assured of a comfortable journey between the two via a bus. The total distance between Chennai and Kanyakumari by road is 708 kilometers, and buses normally take around 12-13 hours to complete the journey. This time would, however, depend on the traffic conditions, the number of stops in between, kind of bus chosen, etc. A total of seven operators run buses at different times of the day on this route and travelers can choose whatever bus suits them. These operators include Parveen Travels, Rathimeena Travels, SRM Transports, SRS Travels, Tranz King Travels, and YBM Travels. The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation Limited (TNSTC) also operates public buses between the two places.

Since most of these buses pass through major boarding terminals all over Chennai, passengers also get the freedom to board a bus from the location that suits them the best. The boarding points in Chennai are Perungudi, Tidel Park, T Nagar, Guindy, Adyar, and Central. Travelers can choose to de-board at Kanyakumari - Nandhu Travels, or at the State Transport Corporation Bus Stand in Kanyakumari.

The rail distance between Chennai and Kanyakumari is 717 kilometers, and this distance takes around 13 hours to cover by train. Three direct trains operate between Chennai and Kanyakumari, and thus you can reach your destination quite easily via rail, without having to worry too much about changing your means of communication. 

The best train to take to reach Kanyakumari would be the Kannyakumari Express (12665), which will take you to your destination in just 12 hours and 30 minutes. Other direct trains on this route are the Kanyakumari Express (12633) and Thirukkural Express (12642). 

The pickup points in Chennai from where you can board your train include the Chennai Egmore Railway Station and the Tambaram Railway Station(TBM). There is, however, only one deboarding station in Kanyakumari, which is the Kanniyakumari Railway Station (CAPE).

Available Train Options

1. Kanyakumari Express (12633): runs from MS (Chennai Egmore) to CAPE (Kanyakumari)

Timings: Departure: 17:15
Arrival: 06:20
Duration: 13 hours and 5 minutes
Availability: All days of the week

Fare: Sleeper Class: INR 415, AC 3 tier: INR 1100, AC 2 tier: INR 1565, AC 1st class: INR 2640

2. Thirukkural Express (12642): Runs from Delhi to CAPE (Kanyakumari)

Timings: Departure: 18:15
Arrival: 07:50
Duration: 13 hours and 35 minutes
Availability: Mondays and Saturdays

Fare: Sleeper Class: INR 415, AC 3 tier: INR 1100, AC 2 tier: INR 1565

3. Kannyakumari Express (12665): Runs from Howrah to CAPE (Kanyakumari)

Timings: Departure: 20:20
Arrival: 10:50
Duration: 12 hours and 30 minutes
Availability: Mondays

Fare: Sleeper Class: INR 415, AC 3 tier: INR 1100, AC 2 tier: INR 1565

The fastest and easiest way to travel from Chennai to Kanyakumari is via air. However, Kanyakumari does not have an airport of its own. You will have to travel by flight to Thiruvananthapuram, following which you can easily board a bus or hire a cab to reach your destination. This entire trip will only take you around 4 hours (including the air and road travel) and fares for the flight are also very affordable, making this one of the most preferred methods to travel to Kanyakumari.

Available Flight Options

Popular airlines such as IndiGo, Air India and Air-India Express operate numerous flights from Chennai to Thiruvananthapuram at various times throughout the day. 

The flight timings and durations naturally vary according to the airline that you choose, but the journey would roughly take you around 1 hour to 1 hour and 20 minutes nevertheless. Fares for flights to Thiruvananthapuram start at INR 1570 per person (Air India) and can go up to INR 2699 (IndiGo).