Chennai to Tirupati by Road – Distance, Time and Useful Travel Information

Tirupati is a world-famous pilgrimage destination situated in the Chittoor region of Andhra Pradesh. At the distance of about 22 km from here is Tirumala, the home of Lord Venkateswara or Balaji. It is also called as Tirumala Tirupati, which is a sacred temple town famous for Sri Venkateswara Temple. It is a truly divine and glorious religious holy place visited by millions of devotees every year.

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Why travel from Chennai to Tirupati?

Sitting on the Venkatachala Hills of the Chittoor, Tirupati also offers a great view of the verdant hills and forests. Hence, Tirupati cannot be limited to religious travel. The best way to experience this is to plan a road trip from the nearest metro city of Chennai. When you book a cab from Chennai to Tirupati with Savaari, you can have a wholesome travel experience, with our completely customizable itineraries and flexible services.

Traveling from Chennai to Tirupati by car

A trip to Tirupati from Chennai by car is one of the best ways to explore this route. The road from Chennai to Tirupati passes through small towns and villages of Tamil Nadu and southern Andhra Pradesh. For a convenient and comfortable journey, book our car rental in Chennai to explore the scenic beauty at your own pace. Let us help you discover the best routes so you can have an interesting Chennai to Tirupati trip by road.

Best Time To Visit

Being landlocked and sitting in the heart of the Deccan Plateau, Tirupati experiences a hot and humid climate most parts of the year. The summers can get scorching hot, if you are planning a lot of outdoor trips. The best time to explore the city and its surroundings are in the winter months. The temperature remains comfortable, making it perfect to explore as much as you want.

Popular Routes from Chennai to Tirupati

Route 1: Distance and time taken from Chennai to Tirupati via Tirupati Road

This is the shortest and the best route to travel between Chennai and Tirupati. It is also the fastest, because the Chennai to Tirupati traffic on this route is regular and there are no road closures. The distance between Chennai and Tirupati on this route is somewhere around 133 KM and takes roughly 3.5 hours. Always check live maps and instant traffic updates for the latest information on Chennai to Tirupati road conditions.

Here’s the basic route map from Chennai to Tirupati

Chennai -> Karonadai -> Periyapalayam -> Nagalapuram -> Puttur -> Tirupati

Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route

• Palem Range, Uthukottai – Expansive stretch of forests with wooded trails and deciduous plants, good for a quick drive around or a short trek.
• Sri Bhavani Periyapalayath Amman Temple, Periyapalayam – Ancient Hindu temple dedicated to goddess Bhavani and known to be the family deity of many devotees.
• Kailasakona Waterfalls, Chittoor – Scenic all-year waterfall observation area at the bottom alongside swimming and walking trails.
• Puttur – A small scenic town known for its natural lakes and views of hills.

Places to eat along this route

• Fresh Dhaba, Vijayanallur – Standard highway side dhaba serving North and South Indian meals, good for late night stops and big groups.
• Maruthi Veg Restaurant – Roadside dhaba with a well-maintained garden for taking a stroll and purchasing organic vegetable from their nursery. Good for South Indian delights.
• Meat & Eat, Puttur – Local fast-food chain serving fried chicken and quick meals.

Chennai to Tirupati Road Condition via Route 1

The Chennai to Tirupati road condition via route 1 is excellent. It is the fastest Route, has tolls, and no road closure.

Route 2: Distance and time taken from Chennai to Tirupati via NH 716

This is a longer route to travel from Chennai to Tirupati than the previous one and also takes a little more time. Also, the road conditions on this route are variable. The distance from Chennai to Tirupati on this route is around 150 KM and takes almost four hours. To avoid road closures, always check for the latest updates and follow a live map when traveling to get the best idea of Chennai to Tirupati road conditions.

Here’s the basic route map from Chennai to Tirupati

Chennai -> Chembarambakkam -> Thiruvallur -> Nagari -> Puttur -> Tirupati

Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route

• Chembarambakkam View Point, Chembarambakkam – A pier and boardwalk on the river, offering stunning views of sunrise/sunset, good for photo ops.
• Arulmigu Thiruthani Murugan Temple, Thiruthani – Local temple and sacred site, sitting on a hill top, good for views, a short trek, or a quick tour.
• Highway Grand World, Veerakaverirajupuram – Local water and amusement park with rides and food options, great for kids and a fun break.

Places to eat along this route

• Lamiya Multi-cuisine Restaurant, MGM Nagar – Casual, local diner serving variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian food.
• Amudham Multi-cuisine Restaurant, Thiruthani – Restaurant in a hotel, serving a la carte and buffet meals, good for families, kid-friendly.
• Sangeetha Pure Veg Restaurant, Veerakaverirajupuram – Standard highway side eatery serving pure vegetarian snacks, and beverages, good for quick stops.
• Five Star Chicken, Puttur – Local fast-food chain serving fried chicken and quick meals.

Chennai to Tirupati Road Condition via Route 2

The Chennai to Tirupati road condition via route 1 is good but it is the longer route and takes more time. It has tolls, and possible road closures.

Chennai to Tirupati Best Route

Both the above routes are good for traveling from Chennai to Tirupati. Route 2 has more food options but also takes longer. Route 1 is a little more scenic and is faster. So, if you want to save time and have a scenic drive, take Route 1 otherwise, take Route 2 (for food).

Other means of traveling from Chennai to Tirupati

How to Reach Tirupati By Train

You can also travel from Chennai to Tirupati by train. There are 6 weekly trains, and 3 daily trains that run from Chennai to Tirupati. The train distance from Chennai to Tirupati is about 789 KM and could take between 13 to 16 hours, depending on the train. The fastest train is TIRUPATI EXP (12603). For all train bookings from Chennai to Tirupati, visit any online travel portal or Indian Railways’ website for latest information.

How to Reach Tirupati By Flight

You can also travel from Chennai to Tirupati by flight. The pilgrim town is served by Renigunta Aiport (TIR). But flights can take more than driving hours. Unless you are flying from another city/town, the best option to travel from Chennai to Tirupati is to rent a car/book a cab. For all Chennai to Tirupati flight booking, you can visit the website of any airline or any online travel portal for the best deal.

Attractions in Tirupati for Sightseeing

Below listed are somethings you can’t miss when you are visiting Tirupati.

• Tirupati Balaji Temple – The iconic and synonymous temple of the town, inviting millions of tourists and pilgrims.
• Kapila Theertham and Sri Padmavathi Ammavari Temple – Other sacred sites and religious hotspots.
• Tirumala Hills – Rolling hills surrounded by wooded areas, great for a day trek, or enjoying nature.
• Kalyani Dam – Local dam on the Swarnamukhi River, with a catchment area and ample greenery, great for picnics.  
• Talakona Falls – The most famous waterfall of the region located inside the Sri Venkateshwara National Park, surrounded by wooded trails and dense forests, great for hikes.

To know more about offbeat places & hidden gems in and around Tirupati, refer our travel guide.

Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Tirupati

• Being a pilgrimage destination, the flavors of Tirupati are simple, standard, and not as adventurous as you may find in other tourist locales. However, with a heavy influx of regular travelers now, you can expect a variety of food in Tirupati.
• Saarangi Fine Dine Restaurant, Sankumitta Road Guest House Narayanagiri Road, beside Narayanagiri, Tirumala
• Dojin Smart Restaurant, 7-6-232, Mitta Street, beside Srinivasa Palace Apartment, Near, Theerthakatta St.
• Sri Vari Sannidhanam, Bus Stop, Near HVC
• Usha Vasavi Restaurant, Tirumala Bypass Rd, OPP SRIVARI, Srinivasa Nagar, Shiv Jyoti Nagar
• Minerva Coffee Shop, Hotel Minerva Grand

Hotels and Resorts in Tirupati

Place Name	Address	Phone Number
Marasa Sarovar Premiere	12th Cross, Karakambadi Rd, near AGS Company, Upadhyaya Nagar, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517507	0877 666 0000
Hotel Pai Viceroy	18th Ward, 18-1-5/6, Tirumala Bypass Rd, near Kapila Teertham, Srinivasa Nagar, Ramchandra Nagar, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517501	0877 227 5777
Serene by Tommaso	D.NO. 19-3-10/A2 Oppo. HDFC Bank, Renigunta Rd, Srinivasapuram, Korramenugunta, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517501	077028 99729
Hotel MountView Comforts	Tiruchanoor Rd, Korramenugunta, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517501	097874 35111
Hotel Bliss	19-3-45, Near Ramanuja Circle, Renigunta Rd, Tirupati, Andhra Pradesh 517501	0877 223 7773

Things to Keep in Mind

• All religious sites have dress codes and rules, so make sure to dress accordingly and follow the temple policies.
• If you are renting a cab, then keep the car with you for your trip, since local transportation is not reliable.

 Savaari Safety Tips for Road Trips from Chennai to Tirupati 

• Carry all hygiene related items – sanitizer, masks, disinfectant sprays and a bed sheet to cover the seat with, while traveling.
• Use a hand sanitizer before and after your ride.
• Install the Aarogya Setu app before your trip.
• Running the AC continuously during the trip is not recommended. If you were to use the AC, please ensure that it is run in the recirculated mode and the windows are lowered at frequent intervals.
• Dispose of any tissues or pieces of cloth that you may have used outside the car.
• If you have opted for a car rental service, try to load your luggage in the boot of the car yourself to ensure a zero-contact ride.