Yercaud sometimes called “poor man's Ooty” is a beautiful hill station in Tamil Nadu, known for its orange grove and coffee. Yercaud Lake has a boat house that is surrounded by greenery.
It is also famous for its pleasant climate and serene beauty. The distance from Chennai to Yercaud is approximately 350 km. There are several ways to reach Yercaud from Chennai. All the details are given below.
By Train
Salem station is the nearest train junction to Yercaud. Upon reaching Chennai board a train from Chennai Junction to Salem Junction. Then take a taxi or bus to Yercaud.
Popular trains: Several trains operate daily on this route. Some popular train options are Yercaud Express, Coimbatore Express, and Trivandrum Mail.
Journey time: It typically takes around 5-6 hours.
Distance: From Chennai Junction to Salem Junction 35 km, from Salem station to Yercaud 26 km.
Ticket price: For AC minimum Rs. 1500, for general class minimum Rs. 150.
Taxi cost: From Salem station to Yercaud taxi will cost approximately Rs. 750- Rs. 950.
Tip: Book your train ticket in advance, especially during the weekend and holiday to get a comfortable seat.
By Bus
Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) offers regular bus service to Yercaud. It is a convenient option to Salem followed by a cab or local bus to Yercaud.
Popular bus: There are many private buses as well as Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) that offer buses from Chennai to Salem.
Types of buses: You can choose from regular buses, semi-sleepers, or luxury ones.
Distance: from Salem to Yercaud 30 km
Journey time: It typically takes around 4-5 hours from Chennai to Salem.
Ticket price: Ticket price ranges between Rs. 300 and Rs. 1000 on the bus type.
Taxi fare: from Salem to Yercaud fare is around Rs. 1000 to Rs. 15000
Local bus fare: from Salem to Yercaud fare is around Rs. 20 to Rs. 40
Tip: Book your train ticket in advance, especially during the weekend and holiday to get a comfortable seat.
By Car
The primary routes from Chennai to Yercaud include Via NH79, Via NH45 and NH79, Via NH48 and Via NH44.
Route: Take Chennai Bangalore Highway and then continue on NH79 via Salem. Then finally take the hill road to Yercaud.
Journey time: approximately 6-8 hours.
Best time to leave: early morning to avoid traffic
Rental car option: For those without a vehicle, rental services like Zoomcar, Revv, and Savaari provide self-drive options. This could range between INR 3,000 to 6,000, depending on the car model and duration of your trip.
By Air
Coimbatore International Airport is the closest airport to Yercaud and there are several domestic airlines operate flights from Chennai to Coimbatore. From Coimbatore take a taxi or bus to Yercaud
Journey time: approximately 1 hour.
Taxi time: From Coimbatore to Yercaud the journey takes around 3-4 hours.
Taxi fare: from Salem to Yercaud fare is around Rs. 1000 to Rs. 15000
Bus: You can also opt for a bus from Coimbatore to Salem, followed by a local bus to Yercaud.
Other Places to Visit in Yercaud
| Yercaud Lake | Peeku Park |
| Manjakuttai View Point | Karadiyur View Point |
| Cauvery Peak | Sky Park |
| Pagoda Point | Shevaroy Temple |
