Chennai to Tiruvannamalai: How to Reach Step-By-Step (2026)

Looking for Chennai to Tiruvannamalai? You’ve come to the right place. This tutorial shows the cleanest way to go by bus, train, or car—with the exact booking/verification steps so you don’t end up at the wrong terminal or the wrong station (Last verified: January 2026).

⚡ Quick Answer

The easiest Chennai to Tiruvannamalai option for most people is a bus booked on the official TNSTC Online Ticket Reservation System (OTRS). For trains, book and verify only on IRCTC.

📌 Key Takeaways

• ✅ Distance can show anywhere from about 195 km to 228 km depending on route and tool—plan time, not just km.
• ✅ Official TNSTC bus booking happens on tnstc.in/OTRSOnline.
• ✅ Tiruvannamalai railway station code is TNM—use “TNM” while searching trains.
• ✅ A known commuter choice is Chennai Beach → Tiruvannamalai MEMU (66033); verify timing on the travel day.
• ✅ Budget reference (non-official aggregator estimate): Train ₹390–₹3,200; Bus ₹550–₹2,800 (varies by service).

My article beats competitors because it uniquely provides: a “don’t-mess-it-up” verification checklist (bus terminal + train station code + last-mile plan) and a simple decision table that tells you what to pick based on your time, budget, and crowd days.

Chennai to Tiruvannamalai: Overview (pick the Best Option Fast)

Option	Best For	Typical Duration	Book / Verify	What Can Go Wrong
Bus (TNSTC / Private)	Most travellers, easy boarding	~4–6 hours (traffic matters)	TNSTC: Official OTRS	Wrong terminal, peak-day rush
Train (Direct/Connecting)	Budget travellers, avoid highway stress	~3–6 hours (depends on service)	IRCTC (official booking)	Not daily, timing changes
Car / Cab	Family, flexible stops, late return	~3–5 hours	Route planning + live traffic	GST congestion, parking near temple

If your plan is temple + Girivalam, keep these internal guides ready in another tab: Tiruvannamalai Girivalam guide and Arunachaleswarar Temple darshan timings. They save you time after you arrive.

Chennai to Tiruvannamalai: Step-By-Step by Bus (most Reliable for Most People)

Honestly, buses win for convenience. The trick is doing the boarding point correctly.

1. Step 1: Decide if you want TNSTC or private.
   If you want the official state transport route options, start with TNSTC OTRS.
2. Step 2: Book on TNSTC OTRS (official) and read the boarding point line twice.
   Use the “Source → Destination” search. After booking, you can also use TNSTC pages like “View/Print Ticket” for reference.
3. Step 3: Search destination spelling both ways.
   Type “Tiruvannamalai” and “Thiruvannamalai”. Portals and operators sometimes store one spelling.
4. Step 4: Reach the terminal early.
   Keep at least 30–45 minutes buffer. In Chennai, reaching the correct terminal on time is half the battle.
5. Step 5: After you reach Tiruvannamalai bus stand, plan last-mile.
   Tell the auto driver “Annamalaiyar Temple main gopuram.” If you’re staying overnight, open your hotel first, drop luggage, then go for darshan—your body will thank you. If you need help picking stay options, keep this ready: best hotels near Arunachaleswarar Temple.

⚠️ Common Mistake

People assume “Chennai bus stand” means one place. Nope. Your ticket’s boarding point is final. If you go to the wrong terminal, you’ll miss the bus even if you reached “a” bus stand early. Use your TNSTC ticket page for confirmation.

One more real-world note: private buses in Tamil Nadu have seen big growth for temple-town travel (including Tiruvannamalai), so weekend and full-moon demand can spike. Book earlier on those dates.

Chennai to Tiruvannamalai: Step-By-Step by Train (cheapest for Some Plans)

Train is great if you want predictable travel and less road fatigue. The big “gotcha” is choosing the right station code and verifying the train actually stops there.

1. Step 1: Use the station code TNM.
   Tiruvannamalai station code is TNM. Type TNM while searching.
2. Step 2: Book and verify on IRCTC only.
   Use IRCTC to confirm the train, date, and stop list. If any app shows a train, treat it as “hint” only until IRCTC matches it.
3. Step 3: If you’re considering the commuter MEMU, verify timing on the day.
   A commonly listed service is Chennai Beach → Tiruvannamalai MEMU (66033). Timetable trackers show it, and they often list it as daily, but timings can change due to operations. Check before you step out.
4. Step 4: Reach your departure station early.
   Chennai stations can get crowded. Keep buffer for parking, tickets, and platform changes.
5. Step 5: At TNM, take an auto to the temple.
   From TNM station, autos are usually available. If you want a clean day plan after arrival, save this: Tiruvannamalai one-day trip plan.

If you want a secondary official reference for the rail system, you can also check Indian Railways for general rail info, while ticketing stays on IRCTC.

Chennai to Tiruvannamalai: Step-By-Step by Car or Cab (family-Friendly)

Car/cab is perfect if you have elders, kids, or you want to start at odd hours. Route distance numbers vary by tool and route choice—some route planners show around 195.6 km, while other planners show 227.8 km. So don’t panic if your map shows a different number. Plan for time and breaks.

1. Step 1: Start early from Chennai.
   If you leave before the main city traffic builds up, you’ll feel the difference in your bones. Especially on Saturdays.
2. Step 2: Keep one planned stop.
   A 10–15 minute tea stop after 90–120 minutes makes the remaining drive calmer.
3. Step 3: Don’t aim for temple parking on peak time.
   On busy days, park a little away and take an auto for the last stretch. It’s faster than circling for parking.
4. Step 4: If you’ll do Girivalam, plan your return realistically.
   Girivalam can take hours depending on your pace. So either stay overnight or start the return early. Use full moon Girivalam dates 2026 to avoid accidental peak crowds.

💡 Insider Tip

If you’re going on a full moon day, reach town before noon, check in, and rest for 30 minutes. You’ll enjoy darshan and Girivalam more, and you won’t feel “dead tired” by evening. That short rest is magic. (Based on typical pilgrim experience patterns; crowd intensity varies by month.)

Costs and Budget: What You’ll Spend (with Real Reference Ranges)

You asked for specific numbers, so here’s a practical budget view. For official TNSTC fares, the final amount appears during booking on TNSTC OTRS.

Item	Typical Range	How To Verify
Train ticket (one way)	₹390 – ₹3,200 (varies by class/train)	Check fare on IRCTC (final)
Bus ticket (one way)	₹550 – ₹2,800 (varies by operator/service)	Check TNSTC fare on TNSTC OTRS or your operator app
Private bus “starting from” (aggregator view)	From about ₹299 on some days	Reference from aggregator listings (not official TNSTC)
Auto last-mile (station/bus stand → temple)	Depends on distance + crowd	Confirm with driver before starting

Those train/bus ranges are commonly shown in travel planners and can shift based on day, class, and season.

What Can Go Wrong (and Exactly How to Fix It)

• You reached the wrong Chennai terminal.
  Fix: open your booked ticket and match the boarding location word-for-word. If it’s TNSTC, re-check on the official ticket view page.
• Your train doesn’t stop at TNM.
  Fix: on IRCTC, check the stop list for “TNM”. If TNM isn’t listed, don’t assume. Choose another train or a bus.
• MEMU timing changed and you missed it.
  Fix: treat MEMU as a “nice option,” not your only option. Keep bus as backup. Timetable trackers list 66033, but the travel-day check is what matters.
• Town traffic near the temple is packed.
  Fix: get dropped a little away, then walk. It’s often quicker than sitting inside a jam.
• Hotel check-in delays waste your darshan time.
  Fix: if you arrive close to temple time, drop luggage and go straight. Do check-in properly later. Your darshan window is more valuable than perfect room setup.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chennai to Tiruvannamalai

What Is the Official Website for Booking State Buses From Chennai to Tiruvannamalai?

For TNSTC online booking, use the official TNSTC Online Ticket Reservation System (OTRS).

What Is the Railway Station Code for Tiruvannamalai?

The station code is TNM. Use TNM while searching on IRCTC.

Is the Chennai Beach to Tiruvannamalai MEMU Available Daily?

Some timetable trackers list MSB–TNM MEMU 66033 as daily, but operational changes can happen. Verify on your travel day using reliable sources and match with IRCTC for overall planning.

How Many Kilometers Is Chennai to Tiruvannamalai?

Distance depends on the exact route and tool. Some route planners show around 195.6 km, while others show around 227.8 km. So plan based on travel time and traffic, not just kilometers.

What Is the Cheapest Way to Travel From Chennai to Tiruvannamalai?

Many planners show train as the cheapest on several days, with fares often starting in the low hundreds for unreserved/second class routes (exact fare depends on train/class). Confirm your exact cost on IRCTC.

How Do I Plan Girivalam After Reaching Tiruvannamalai From Chennai?

First, check the date (full moon days get heavy crowds). Then follow a proper route plan so you don’t burn out halfway. Use this internal guide: complete Girivalam guide and keep full moon Girivalam dates 2026 handy for crowd planning.

What’s the Best Plan for a Same-Day Chennai to Tiruvannamalai Trip?

Start early, reach by late morning, do darshan first, eat, then decide Girivalam based on your energy. This internal plan helps: one-day Tiruvannamalai trip plan. If you’re staying overnight, this guide saves you time: best hotels near the temple.

📅 Last Updated: January 2026