The scenic retreat of Kodaikanal is the most popular hill station of Tamil Nadu. Perched at 2000 meters from the sea-level, this “Princess of Hill Stations” is a fine blend of its colonial heritage, modern trappings, and endless natural beauty.
Table of Contents
- Why travel from Madurai to Kodaikanal?
- Travelling from Madurai to Kodaikanal by car
- Best Time To Visit
- Popular Routes from Madurai to Kodaikanal
- Madurai to Kodaikanal Best Route
- How to Reach Kodaikanal By Train
- How to Reach Kodaikanal By Flight
- Attractions in Kodaikanal for Sightseeing
- Savaari Recommends – Popular Places to Eat in Kodaikanal
- Hotels and Resorts in Kodaikanal
Why travel from Madurai to Kodaikanal?
With the lush valleys, sparkling lakes, old haunts around town, a quaint art community, and travelers from all around the world, Kodaikanal is truly a thing of beauty that will give you joy forever. The best way you can experience all of this, at one go, is to do a nice little road trip from any of the nearest cities, like Madurai. When you book a cab from Madurai to Kodaikanal with Savaari car rentals, you can avail of a completely customized travel itinerary, based on your travel goals, interests, budget, and time. Let us help you plan an incredible road trip from Madurai to Kodaikanal.
Travelling from Madurai to Kodaikanal by car
Like most scenic destinations, Kodaikanal sits far away from the concrete jungle and big city crowds. And the road from Madurai to Kodaikanal will let you experience that slowly. The route passes through the dense greenery and hilly landscape of the Nilgiris, gradually shifting from a gray tone to rich and verdant shades. Along the way, you will pass through small towns, villages, some popular tourist spots and nature hotspots. With our completely customizable Madurai to Kodaikanal tour packages, you can stop at any of these places for a quick tour or even stop for a quick bite.
Important Highway Information about Madurai to Kodaikanal
| Highway Name | Madurai to Kodaikanal Highway |
| Alternate Name | National Highway 85 |
| Highway Number | NH – 85 |
| Distance | 139.6 Km |
| Starting Point | Madurai |
| End Point | Kodaikanal |
| Highway Quality | Good |
Best Time To Visit
Being surrounded by the hills and forests of the Nilgiris, Kodaikanal enjoys pleasant weather most parts of the year. But the ideal time to visit this hilly town is from winter through spring. Summers are also comfortable to travel but can be a little humid. Some people also like traveling to Kodaikanal during the monsoons. But do watch caution while driving around hilly areas during heavy rains. You can opt for a chauffeur-driven cab service in Madurai to have a hassle-free road trip.
Quick Facts about Madurai to Kodaikanal
| Road Distance from Madurai to Kodaikanal | 115.5 kms |
| Aerial Distance from Madurai to Kodaikanal | 77 kms |
| Travel Time for Madurai to Kodaikanal | 3 hours and 5 minutes |
| Travel Time for Madurai to Kodaikanal by Train | 30 minutes |
| Best Routes | Madurai to Kodaikanal Via Laws Ghat Road |
| Best time to visit | October and February |
Popular Routes from Madurai to Kodaikanal
Route 1: Distance and time taken from Madurai to Kodaikanal via Laws Ghat Road
This is the shortest and the best route to travel between Madurai and Kodaikanal. It is also the fastest, because the Madurai to Kodaikanal traffic on this route is very minimal and there are no road closures. The distance between Madurai and Kodaikanal on this route is somewhere around 115 KM and takes about three hours to reach. Opt for a car rental service in Madurai to reach Kodaikanal. Always check live maps and instant traffic updates for the latest information on Madurai to Kodaikanal road conditions.
Here’s the basic route map from Madurai to Kodaikanal:
| Madurai — Nagari — T.Andipatti — Pallapatti — Neelakottai — Batlagundu — Kodaikanal |
|---|
Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:
- 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.
- Manoharan Veluchamy Gardens, Pallapatti – A local public park with abundant greenery, good for a quick break.
- Ghat Road Lake View, Theni Allinagaram – A highway side spot with expansive lake views, good for sunsets.
- 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.
- Dum Dum Rock and Falls View, Kumbarai – A scenic viewing point on the highway with panoramic views of hills and Thalaiyar Falls.
Places to eat along this route:
- Hotel Karisooru, Vadipatti – Local canteen serving traditional South Indian meals, snacks, lunch plates, good for big groups.
- Hotel Aharam Pure Veg Restaurant, Pandiarajapuram – Family restaurant serving pure vegetarian dishes in a casual setting.
- Eden Garden Restaurant, Batlagundu – Standard highway side restaurant serving snacks, meals, beverages, good for big groups, families, and quick stops.
- Ambur Biryani, Batlagundu – Popular chain restaurant specializing in biriyani, good for lunch and dinner.
Madurai to Kodaikanal Road Condition via route 1:
The road conditions from Madurai to Kodaikanal on the route 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 Madurai to Kodaikanal via Kochi – Madurai – Dhanushkodi Rd and NH85
This is an alternative route to travel from Madurai to Kodaikanal. 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 Madurai to Kodaikanal on this route is around 125 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 Madurai to Kodaikanal road conditions.
Here’s the basic route map from Madurai to Kodaikanal:
| Madurai — Palkalai Nagar — Chellampatty — Kamarajnagar — Payalewaram — Annavati — Batlagundu — Kodaikanal |
|---|
Popular sights/monuments that you will encounter along this route:
- Haveypatti Pond and Park, Harveypatti – A scenic nature spot with public park with pathways, overlooking a pond, good to get some fresh air, or a quick break for kids.
- Ghat Road Lake View, Theni Allinagaram – A highway side spot with expansive lake views, good for sunsets.
- 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.
- Dum Dum Rock and Falls View, Kumbarai – A scenic viewing point on the highway with panoramic views of hills and Thalaiyar Falls.
Places to eat along this route:
- Vista, Madurai – Plush family restaurant serving Indian, Chinese, and other international cuisine in an upscale setting, good for families and big groups.
- Tn58 BRIYANI restaurant, Usilampatti – Local biriyani chain serving meals and snacks in a quick-service setting, good for quick stops.
- Cine Café, Batlagundu – Standard roadside eatery serving café menu and fast food with outdoor seating options, good for breakfast, snacks and quick stops.
- Eden Garden Restaurant, Batlagundu – Standard highway side restaurant serving snacks, meals, beverages, good for big groups, families, and quick stops.
Madurai to Kodaikanal Road Condition via route 2:
The road conditions on this route from Madurai to Kodaikanal 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.
Madurai to Kodaikanal 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 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 Laws Ghat Road is a better choice.
Other means of traveling from Madurai to Kodaikanal
By Train
You can also travel from Madurai to Kodaikanal by train. There are 9 weekly trains and 4 daily trains that run from Madurai to Kodaikanal. The train distance from Madurai to Kodaikanal is about 41 KM and could take up to 2 hours, depending on the train and the route. The fastest train is COIMBATORE NAGERCOIL JN EXPRESS (16322). You can also hire a car rental in Kodaikanal to reach your destination.
For all train bookings from Madurai to Kodaikanal, visit any online travel portal or Indian Railways’ website for latest time table and other updates.
| Train Name | Departure | Arrival | Duration |
| 12690 –NCJ MAS SF EXP | 12:45 AM | 01:14 AM | 29 minutes |
| 12641 –TIRUKKURAL EXP | 12:45 AM | 01:14 AM | 29 minutes |
| 22631 – ANUVRAT EXPRESS | 11:55 AM | 12:24 PM | 29 minutes |
| 17616 –MDU KCG EXPRESS | 12:50 AM | 01:20 PM | 30 minutes |
By Flight
There is no flight service between Madurai and Kodaikanal. The nearest airport service is at Madurai International Airport (IXM), about 120 KM away. Other nearby airports are at Trichy, 150 KM away, and at Coimbatore, 175 KM away. So, the only way to travel from Madurai to Kodaikanal is by train or by Madurai airport taxi.
In case you are traveling from any other city, you can fly to Madurai, Trichy, or Coimbatore, and take an airport taxi to reach Kodaikanal by road.
Attractions in Kodaikanal for Sightseeing
With hills, forests, lakes, and coffee and spice plantations, Kodaikanal is as exotic as it can get and makes this quiet town a perfect getaway
- Kodaikanal Lake – A star-shaped, man-made lake, spanning 60 acres, this waterbody is the highlight of the town and a hub of water adventures like boating, kayaking. You can go horse riding and cycling across the nature trails. Visit during sunsets or early mornings for best views.
- Coaker’s Walk – A popular lakeside promenade with walkways and vantage points for mountain views.
- Dolphin Nose Point – A hilltop viewing point, known for panoramic views of the hills, sunsets/sunrises, and general photo ops.
- Silver Cascade Falls – A steep, rocky waterfalls surrounded by greenery and popular spot for hiking, trekking, and picnicking, among locals and tourists alike.
- Bryant Park – A public park featuring tended gardens and a manmade lake with recreational facilities and boating options.
- Guna Caves – A cluster of massive, naturally-formed caves and is inhabited by bats and a popular trekking and spelunking destination.
- Green Valley View Point – A viewing point at the top of a cliff, surrounded by pine forests, good for picnics and day treks.
- Solar Observatory Museum – A local museum and observatory housing astronomical instruments.
Book a cab in Kodaikanal to visit these major tourist places.
Savaari recommends – Popular places to eat in Kodaikanal
When it comes to food, the flavors of Kodai are a heady mix of local, national, and international, owing to its huge international traveler community.
These are some of the best rated places to eat in Kodaikanal –
- Muncheez, Poet Tyagaraja Rd
- Tibetan Kitchen, Poet Tyagaraja Rd
- Silver Oak Restaurant (At The Carlton), The Carlton Hotel, Lake Rd
- Cloud Street, Opposite Govt. Tourist Office, P.T. Road, Sunday Market Road
- Orchard Restaurant, Laws Ghat Road
- Ten Degrees, Poet Tyagaraja Rd
- Altaf’s Café, Dolphin Nose Road, Vattakanal
Hotels and Resorts in Kodaikanal
| Hotel Name | Address | Phone Number |
|---|---|---|
| Villa Retreat | Coaker’s Walk, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101 | – |
| SaffronStays Kurinji Estate, Kodaikanal | Kurinji Temple Road, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101 | 022 6811 0811 |
| The Tamara Kodai | #22, La Providence, St Mary’s Rd, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101 | 08071 077701 |
| Hotel Raindrops | Boat House Road Seven Road junction, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101 | 098652 83788 |
| Jacaranda Villa! Beyond Imagination | Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101 | 098860 80019 |
| Onondaga Kodaikanal | Onondaga, Club Rd, near Van Allen Hospital, Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu 624101 | 099654 10080 |
Download our Savaari car booking app for a smooth and pleasant journey.
