Kodaikanal to Madurai by Road – Distance, Time and Useful Travel Information

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Why travel from Kodaikanal to Madurai?

A flourishing market, a center of power and a cornerstone of divinity, Madurai is a journey that is worth exploring. The ancient temple town, exposed to travelers and traders since the 300 BC, has come to be known for its iconic Hindu temples, historical monuments, all defined by their exceptional artistry on stone. When you take a cab from Kodaikanal to Madurai, you can enhance your experience by enjoying everything that lies on the way. With Savaari car rentals, you can turn your drive into a fun-filled journey and also customize the trip to your liking, travel time, and budget.

Traveling from Kodaikanal to Madurai by car

The road from Kodaikanal to Madurai lets you slowly transition from the dense rolling hills to the land that echoes divinity. Along the way, you will pass through small towns, villages, some popular tourist spots and nature hotspots. With our completely customizable Kodaikanal to Madurai tour packages, you can stop at any of these places and do a quick sightseeing. You can also opt for a car rental service in Kodaikanal to reach Madurai. Let us help you discover the best routes to travel from Kodaikanal to Madurai by car.

Best Time To Visit

Being closer to the Eastern Coast, Madurai experiences a typical hot and humid climate. Summers are usually very hot with temperatures crossing mid-thirties (Celsius). December to February is the winter season and the temperature ranges between 20 and 29 degrees Celsius. It is the best time to visit Madurai by car as the climate is very pleasant at this time of the year.

Popular Routes from Kodaikanal to Madurai

Route 1: Distance and time taken from Kodaikanal to Madurai via Laws Ghat Road

This is the shortest and the best route to travel between Kodaikanal to Madurai. It is also the fastest, because the Kodaikanal to Madurai traffic on this route is very minimal and there are no road closures. The distance between Kodaikanal to Madurai on this route is somewhere around 114 KM and takes about 3 hours to reach. Always check live maps and instant traffic updates for the latest information on Kodaikanal to Madurai road conditions. You can opt for a chauffeur-driven cab service in Kodaikanal to have a hassle-free trip.

Here’s the basic route map from Kodaikanal to Madurai –

Kodaikanal — Oothu — Batlagundu — Neelakottai — Pallapatti — T. Andipatti — Nagari — Madurai

Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:

• Dum Dum Rock and Falls View, Kumbarai – A scenic viewing point on the highway with panoramic views of hills and Thalaiyar Falls.
• Thalaiyar Waterfalls ViewPoint, Kodai Ghat Road – A scenic viewing point overlooking hills and waterfalls on the way to Kodaikanal. You can also visit the Manjalar Dam area nearby.
• Ghat Road Lake View, Theni Allinagaram – A highway side spot with expansive lake views, good for sunsets.
• Manoharan Veluchamy Gardens, Pallapatti – A local public park with abundant greenery, good for a quick break.
• Athisayam, Paravai – A locally popular theme park featuring water slides, wave pools, boat rides, and other aquatic rides and games, good for families with kids.

Places to eat along this route:

• Ambur Biryani, Batlagundu – Popular chain restaurant specializing in biriyani, good for lunch and dinner.
• Eden Garden Restaurant, Batlagundu – Standard highway side restaurant serving snacks, meals, beverages, good for big groups, families, and quick stops. 
• Hotel Aharam Pure Veg Restaurant, Pandiarajapuram – Family restaurant serving pure vegetarian dishes in a casual setting.
• Hotel Karisooru, Vadipatti – Local canteen serving traditional South Indian meals, snacks, lunch plates; good for big groups.

Kodaikanal to Madurai Road Condition via route 1:

The road conditions from Kodaikanal to Madurai via Laws Ghat Road are excellent. It is the fastest route with light traffic, despite some tolls on the way, but there are no road closures.

Route 2: Distance and time taken from Kodaikanal to Madurai via Laws Ghat Road and NH85

This is an alternative route to travel from Kodaikanal to Madurai. This route is slightly longer than the previous route and also takes a little more time. Also, the road conditions on this route are variable. The distance from Kodaikanal to Madurai on this route is around 142 KM and takes a little over three and a half hours. To avoid road closures, always check for latest updates and follow a live map when traveling to get the best idea of Kodaikanal to Madurai road conditions.

Here’s the basic route map from Kodaikanal to Madurai-

Kodaikanal — Oothu — Varunayanpatty — Andippatti — Chellampatty — Kodimangalam — Madurai

Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:

• Dum Dum Rock and Falls View, Kumbarai – A scenic viewing point on the highway with panoramic views of hills and Thalaiyar Falls.
• Manjalar Dam, Kodai Ghat Road – A beautiful dam site with viewing points. Good for a refreshing break and panoramic views.
• Thalaiyar Waterfalls ViewPoint, Kodai Ghat Road – A scenic viewing point overlooking hills and waterfalls.
• Vaigai Dam, Andippati – The Vaigai Dam is a perfect break from the long drive. Spend some relaxing time at the dam before you continue with your trip. It is ideal for kids too.

Places to eat along this route:

• KDFC Coffee Shop, Theni Hwy– Standard roadside eatery serving coffee and fast food with outdoor seating options, good for breakfast and snacks, and quick stops.
• Madurai Pandian Hotel, Theni Allinagaram – Local eatery serving meals and snacks in a quick-service setting, good for quick stops.
• Rajbhavan Veg Family Restaurant, Andipatti – Standard highway side restaurant serving snacks, meals, beverages, good for big groups, families, and quick stops.
• Vista, Madurai – Plush family restaurant serving Indian, Chinese, and other international cuisine in an upscale setting, good for families and big groups.

Kodaikanal to Madurai Road Condition via route 2:

The road conditions on this route from Kodaikanal to Madurai is also quite good. But it is a slightly longer route than the previous one and can have some road closures, since it passes through some very remote areas.

Kodaikanal to Madurai Best Route

Both the above routes are good for traveling from Madurai to Kodaikanal. Each of these routes have interesting stopovers and there is not a lot of difference in the travel times. However, the first route via Laws Ghat Road has better sightseeing and food options, and is also the faster one. So, if you want to save time and still have a scenic drive, then this route is a better choice.

Other means of traveling from Kodaikanal to Madurai

By Train

You can also travel from Kodaikanal to Madurai by train.The train distance from Kodaikanal to Madurai is about 41 KM and could take about an hour or two, depending on the train and the route. The fastest train to Madurai from Kodaikanal is 16688 NAVYUG EXPRESS. From Kodaikanal, the train takes 35min hours to reach Madurai. You can also hire a car rental in Madurai to reach your destination.

For all Kodaikanal to Madurai train bookings, you can visit the Indian Railways website or check with any online travel portal. For the most updated Kodaikanal to Madurai train timings, always check the latest timetables of IRCTC, before booking.

By Flight

There is no flight service between Kodaikanal to Madurai. The nearest airport service is at Madurai International Airport (IXM) itself. So, the only way to travel from Kodaikanal to Madurai is by road or by train. You can rent a cab to reach Madurai from Kodaikanal by road.

Attractions in Madurai for Sightseeing

• Start with the popular temple tour of the Meenakshi Temple, which is synonymous with the city, followed by the Koodal Azhagar Koli Temple and the Kallazhagar Temple.
• Visit the historical, 17th century Thirumalai Nayak Palace for the awe-inspiring architecture with a mix of Dravidian and Rajputana styles.
• The gothic-style St. Mary’s Cathedral and the Goripalayam Mosque are also two iconic sites worth exploring.
• To visit Madurai like a local, take a walking tour of temples and heritage monuments, or join the famous food trail that extends through the night, shop for traditional textiles, or try your hand at pottery at Potter’s Village.

Book a tourist cab in Madurai to enjoy madurai like a local.

Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Madurai

For centuries Madurai has remained a hub of traders, travelers, and rulers from Rome, Greece, Sri Lanka, Middle East, and more, making the town a melting pot of culture, which had a great impact on the city’s cuisines. 

To sample the best of classic and contemporary, ethnic and international cuisines, explore these places in Madurai –

• Burma Idiyappa Kadai, Deputy Collector Colony
• The Banyan Madurai, Heritage Madurai, 11, Melakkal Rd, Kochadai
• Bhagwati Mohan’s Bhojanalaya, 33, Dhanappa Mudali Street, opposite HOTEL TEMPLE VIEW, Madurai Main
• Phil’s Bistro, 444, 9th Main Rd, Managiri, KK Nagar
• Madurai Kitchen, Courtyard Madurai, No 168, Alagar Kovil Main Rd, next to Circuit House

Book a cab in Madurai to visit these major eateries.

Hotels and resorts – Accommodation in Madurai

Hotel Name	Address	Phone Number
The Gateway Hotel Pasumalai, Madurai	No. 40, Tirupparankundram Rd, Pasumalai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625004	04527133000
Heritage Madurai	11, Melakkal Rd, Near Fenner & Passport Office, Kochadai, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625016	04522385455
JC Residency	14, Lady Doak College Rd, Chinna Chokikulam, Tamil Nadu 625002	07373737302
Astoria Hotels	No: 65, 70 Feet Road, Ellis Nagar, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625016	04522600071
Regency Madurai by GRT Hotels	38, Madakulam Main Road, Vinayai Nagar, Palanganatham, Signal Junction, Madurai, Tamil Nadu 625003	09994454120

Download our Savaari car booking app for a smooth and pleasant journey.