Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, has many parks and economic centers. It offers a wide variety of tourist attractions to enjoy your weekends. However, visiting these places may not help you escape the city lifestyle.
There are places away from Chennai to travel, relax, and refresh on weekends. Some of the best weekend getaways you can travel from Chennai are as follows:
- Pulicat
- Mahabalipuram
- Kancheepuram
- Vellore
- Pondicherry
- Tirupati
- Yelagiri
- Chidambaram
- Horsley Hills
- Kollimalai
Pulicat
Pulicat, a historic seashore town in Tiruvallur District, is 45 km from Chennai. From October to March, you can enjoy birdwatching here. There are many attractions like a lake, fort, and a lighthouse.
Pulicat Highlights
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Name |
Pulicat |
|
Distance from Chennai |
45 km |
|
Major attractions |
Pulicat Lake Nettukuppam Beach Fort Geldria Dutch Cemetery Pulicat Bird Sanctuary Pulicat Lighthouse Paaleeswarar Temple Sri Adhi Narayana Perumal Temple Jadarayar Temple Chindamaniseswarar Temple |
How to Reach Pulicat from Chennai
Since frequent buses and trains from Chennai to Pulicat are there, you can choose the mode of transport based on your convenience.
|
Particulars |
Name |
Distance from Pulicat |
|
Nearest Railway Station |
Ponneri Junction |
20 km |
|
Nearest Bus Station |
Pulicat Bus Station |
Not Applicable |
Mahabalipuram
Mahabalipuram, a historic seashore town in Chengalpattu District is 56 km from Chennai. The weather here is pleasant from November to February, so it is the best time to visit. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Mahabalipuram Highlights
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Name |
Mahabalipuram or Mammalapuram |
|
Distance from Chennai |
56 km |
|
Major attractions |
Shore Temple Pancha Rathas Olakkannesvara Temple Krishna Mandapam Varaha Cave Temple Trimurti Cave Temple Ganesh Ratha Temple Mahishasuramardini Mandapam Mahabalipuram Beach Tiger Cave Mahabalipuram Lighthouse |
How to Reach Mahabalipuram from Chennai
|
Particulars |
Name |
Distance from Mahabalipuram |
|
Nearest Railway Station |
Chengalpet Railway Station |
29 km |
|
Nearest Bus Station |
Mahabalipuram Bus Station |
Not Applicable |
Kancheepuram
Kancheepuram, a city rich in traditions is 72 km away from Chennai. It is famous for silk sarees and temples. The other name for Kancheepuram is “City of Thousand Temples”. You can visit temples here to admire the architectural wonders, art, and ageless beauty.
Kancheepuram Highlights
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Name |
Kancheepuram |
|
Distance from Chennai |
72 km |
|
Major attractions |
Kamakshi Amman Temple Varadharaja Perumal Temple Ekambareswarar Temple Tiru Parameswara Vinnagaram Kailasanathar Temple Kanchi Kudil Kumarakottam Temple Chitragupta Temple Sankara Mutt Sri Vazhakarutheeswarar Temple |
How to Reach Kancheepuram from Chennai
|
Particulars |
Name |
|
Nearest Railway Station |
Kancheepuram Railway Station |
|
Nearest Bus Station |
Kancheepuram Bus Station |
Vellore
Vellore, a tourist spot in Vellore District, is 150 km from Chennai. The best time to visit is during winter from November to February. The main attractions here are a fort, a temple, and forests.
Vellore Highlights
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Name |
Vellore |
|
Distance from Chennai |
150 km |
|
Major attractions |
Vellore Fort Sripuram Golden Temple Amirthi Zoological Park Jalakandeswarar Temple Archeological Museum of India Balamathi Hills Periyar Park St. John’s Church Tipu and Haider Mahal Sanjeeviraya hills |
How to Reach Vellore from Chennai
|
Particulars |
Name |
Distance from Vellore |
|
Nearest Railway Station |
Katpadi Railway Station |
8.0 km |
|
Nearest Bus Station |
Chittoor Bus Station |
7.0 km |
Pondicherry
Pondicherry is a union territory, 150km from Chennai. It is also known as Puducherry, which means “New Village” or “New Settlement” in Tamil. The main attractions here are the beaches.
Pondicherry Highlights
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Name |
Pondicherry |
|
Distance from Chennai |
150 km |
|
Major attractions |
Gingee Fort Paradise Beach Raj Niwas French War Memorial Rock Beach Pondicherry Museum Statue of Duplex Ousteri Lake Serenity Beach Veeranpattinam Beach |
How to Reach Pondicherry from Chennai
|
Particulars |
Name |
|
Nearest Railway Station |
Puducherry Railway Station |
|
Nearest Bus Station |
Puducherry Bus Station |
Tirupati
Tirupati, a city in Chittoor District, Andhra Pradesh is 150 km from Chennai. It is known for the Sri Venkateswara Temple of Tirumala. People from different parts of the world come here to visit this temple.
Tirupati Highlights
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Name |
Tirupati |
|
Distance from Chennai |
150 km |
|
Major attractions |
Kapila Theertham Falls and Kapileswara Swamy Temple Jungle Book & Park Malwadigundam Waterfalls Aakasha Ganga Papavinasam Theertham Japali Hanuman Temple Silathoranam Chakra Theertham Srivaripatham Sri Venkateswara Temple of Tirumala |
How to Reach Tirupati from Chennai
|
Particulars |
Name |
|
Nearest Railway Station |
Tirupati railway station |
|
Nearest Bus Station |
Tirupati Bus Station |
Yelagiri
Yelagiri, a hill station in Vellore District is 226 km from Chennai. It is a perfect spot to enjoy a pleasant climate, scenic landscapes, and natural beauty. You can find lakes, waterfalls, adventure spots, and parks here.
Yelagiri Highlights
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Name |
Yelagiri |
|
Distance from Chennai |
226 km |
|
Major attractions |
Swamimalai Hills Yelagiri Birds Park Thrill Valley Nitro Sphere Adventure Selfie Panda and Chocolate Factory Punganur Lake Nilavur Lake Vainu Bappu Observatory Fundera Park Yelagiri Nature Park |
How to Reach Yelagiri from Chennai
If you are travelling from Chennai by train or bus, you can reach the following stops:
|
Particulars |
Name |
Distance from Yelagiri |
|
Nearest Railway Station |
Jolarpettai Junction |
20 km |
|
Nearest Bus Station |
Yelagiri Bus Station |
Not Applicable |
Chidambaram
Chidambaram, a city in Cuddalore district is 230 km from Chennai. Nataraja Temple is famous here. You can enjoy the beauty of the mangrove forest here.
Chidambaram Highlights
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Name |
Chidambaram |
|
Distance from Chennai |
230 km |
|
Major attractions |
Mangrove Forest Thillai Nataraja Temple Gangaikonda Choliswarar Satyagnana Sabha Poompuhar beach Sri Pasupatheeswarar Temple Silver Beach Shiva Parvati Temple Veeranam Lake Danish Fort |
How to Reach Chidambaram from Chennai
If you are travelling from Chennai by train or bus, you can reach the following stops:
|
Particulars |
Name |
|
Nearest Railway Station |
Chidambaram Junction |
|
Nearest Bus Station |
Chidambaram Bus Station |
Horsley Hills
Horsley Hills, a hill station in Chittoor, Andhra Pradesh is 273 km from Chennai. It was previously known as Yengu Mallamma Konda. The best time to visit is February to May. The main attractions here are pleasant weather, scenic beauty, and greenery.
Horsley Hills Highlights
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Name |
Horsley Hills |
|
Distance from Chennai |
273 km |
|
Top attractions |
Gangotri Lake Gali Bandalu Horsley View Point Horsley Hills Zoo Kalyani Tree Engu Mallamma Temple Whisper Winds View Point Chennakesava Temple Kaigal Falls Talakona Waterfalls |
How to Reach Horsley Hills
|
Particulars |
Name |
Distance |
|
Nearest Railway Station |
Madanpalle Junction |
26 km |
|
Nearest Bus Station |
Madanpalle Bus station |
26 km |
Kollimalai
Kollimalai, a hill station in Namakkal District is 350km from Chennai. It is also called Kolli Hills. The best time to visit is June to October. You can spot medicinal plants and herbs here in abundance.
Kollimalai Highlights
|
Particulars |
Details |
|
Name |
Kollimalai |
|
Distance from Chennai |
350 km |
|
Top attractions |
Seeku Parai View Point Aagaya Gangai Water Falls Maasila Falls Boat House Namma Falls Botanical Garden Valappurnadu View Point |
How to Reach Kollimalai
|
Particulars |
Name |
Distance |
|
Nearest Railway Station |
Namakkal Junction |
52 km |
|
Nearest Bus Station |
Kollimalai |
Not Applicable |