Kolkata to Pondicherry

Multiple airlines fly between Kolkata and Chennai/Bangalore at various timings due to the increased demand for these major cities. Flying to Chennai or Bangalore and then a road journey to Pondicherry is the preferred and most convenient way to travel for tourists. 

Option 1

Starting Price: INR 3000
Departure Airport: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport
Arrival Airport: Chennai International Airport
Travel Time: 2 hours 20 minutes

Part 2: Chennai to Pondicherry by Bus

Route Operator:  Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation
Route Number: 87ACS1
Starting Point: Chennai 
Terminating Point: Pondicherry 
Travel time: 3 Hour 45 Minutes
Distance : 170 Kms
Frequency: Three times a day.
Ticket cost: INR 300

Option 2 

Starting Price: INR 4000
Departure Airport: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport
Arrival Airport: Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru
Travel Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Part 2: Bangalore to Pondicherry by Bus

Route Operator:  Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation
Starting Point: Bangalore 
Terminating Point: Pondicherry 
Travel time: 7 Hour 30 Minutes
Distance : 315 Kms
Frequency: Hourly
Ticket cost: INR 600

The journey to Pondicherry from Kolkata by road is comparatively longer than other modes of transport. The road journey is bound to leave you exhausted and and the drive is not very comfortable either. 

Approximate Travel Time: 30 Hours
Approximate Taxi Fare: INR 15000
Car Rentals In Kolkata : Lopon Car Rental, Zoomcar Kolkata, My Choize. 

Route 1: Via NH16

Distance: 1843 Kms
Time: 32 Hours

Sights on the way: Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, Gopegarh Eco Park, Jhargram Raj Palace, Barabati Fort, Nandankanan Zoological Park, Cuttack Chandi Temple, Mahuri Kalua Temple, Kedareswar Temple, Thakurani Temple, Ramakrishna Beach, Kailasagiri, Varaha Lakshmi Narasimha Temple, Simhachalam, Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam, Undavalli Caves, Kothapatnam Beach, Ranganatha Temple, Nellore, Shri Mallikarjuna Swamy Kamakshi Tayee Ammavari, Fort St. George, Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

Eating options: Maharaja Bar Restaurant , Gabbar's Bar and Kitchen, The Cocktail, The Golden Spoon, Cuttack, Amma Hotel, Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant, Udipi Sreenivasa Bhavan, Hotel Sri Krishna Prasad. 

Route 2: Via NH16 and NH30

Distance: 2114 Kms
Time: 38 Hours

Sights on the way: Victoria Memorial, Howrah Bridge, Mandira Dam, Hanuman Temple, Samaleswari Temple, Karlapat Wildlife Sanctuary, Bogatha Waterfall,  Sri Durga Malleswara Swamy Varla Devasthanam, Undavalli Caves, Kothapatnam Beach, Ranganatha Temple, Nellore, Shri Mallikarjuna Swamy Kamakshi Tayee Ammavari, Fort St. George, Sri Aurobindo Ashram.

Eating options: Maharaja Bar Restaurant , Gabbar's Bar and Kitchen, Sangeetha Vegetarian Restaurant, Udipi Sreenivasa Bhavan, Hotel Sri Krishna Prasad, Sapthagiri Family Restaurant, Surya Hotel, Brundavanam Beach Restaurant.

Travelling from Kolkata to Pondicherry by train is definitely the cheapest option but is also long and tiring. The train takes over one day to reach , but the journey is not uncomfortable if you book a sleeper ticket. 

Travel time: 33 Hours  20 Minutes
Distance : 2000 Kms
Frequency: Once a week
Ticket cost: INR 900