How to Reach Pondicherry University?

Pondicherry University is located at Kalapet, 12 km north of Pondicherry town, along the scenic East Coast Road (ECR) facing the Bay of Bengal. The campus is well connected by road, rail, and air.

First lets look at the options of Travel

  • By Air
  • By Train
  • By Road
  • Local Transport

By Air

Puducherry Airport (PNY) is a vital aviation hub located around 11 km from the Pondicherry University. This airport primarily serves domestic flights, connecting Puducherry with major Indian cities such as Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad. Nearest Major Airport:
The closest major airport is Chennai International Airport (MAS), located at Meenambakkam, Chennai, approximately 150 kilometers from Pondicherry University. Visitors coming through Chennai Airport (MAS) can travel to Puducherry by train or by road. (refer below)

By Train

The nearest railway station is Puducherry Railway Station, which connects to Chennai, Villupuram, Bangalore, and other major cities.

  • Chennai Egmore (MS) → Pondicherry (PDY)

    • Multiple daily passenger and express trains such as MS PDY Express (Train No. 16115) and TPTY-PDY MEMU EXP (16111) are available.

    • Other trains like COA PDY EXPRESS (17655) runs on certain days of a week.

    • Please check their date and exact timing from the station you plan to start

  • From Chennai Airport

    • The Tirusulam Railway Station is located within walking distance of the airport.

    • You can board the MS PDY EXPRESS (Train No. 16115) at 6:30 PM from Tirusulam Station. The train arrives at Puducherry at approximately 10:15 PM daily.

  • Trains from Villupuram Junction (VM) → Pondicherry (PDY)

    • Multiple daily and weekly passenger and express trains such as PUDUCHERRY EXP (16862), VM-PDY MEMU (66063), PUDUCHERRY EXP (16573), HWH PDY EXP (12867), MS PDY MEMU (66051) are available.

    • Please check their date and exact timing from the station you plan to start

By Bus

Pondicherry is well connected by road with frequent government and private buses from Chennai, Bangalore, and Trichy.

  • By Bus from Chennai Airport / Chennai

    Puducherry can be reached via two main bus routes from Chennai: Bypass Route and East Coast Road (ECR) Route (Recommended).

    • Direct bus service to Puducherry is not available from the airport itself. You will need to reach one of the following bus terminals to board a Puducherry Bus:

      • Kilambakkam Bus Terminal (17 km from the airport) for Bypass Route buses.

      • Koyambedu Bus Terminal (13 km from the airport) for ECR Route buses (recommended).

    • Both terminals are accessible by Chennai Metro or MTC city buses.

    • Alternatively, you may board ECR route buses from Guindy Bus Stop (approximately 7 km from the airport); however, seat availability may be limited at Guindy.

    Note: Buses operating on the ECR route are recommended, as all of them provide direct drop-off at Pondicherry University Campus. NeuGo Electric Premium AC Bus services are available in ECR route (Pre-booking may be done).

    Travel time from Chennai International Airport to Pondicherry University is approximately 3 to 3.5 hours, depending on traffic conditions.

Local Transport (Last-Mile Connectivity to Pondicherry University)

  • From Villupuram Junction (for trains not terminating at Puducherry):

    • Villupuram Junction is approximately 40 km from Puducherry.

    • Taxis and frequent bus services are available from Villupuram Railway Junction to Puducherry city, and onward to the University campus.

  • From Puducherry Railway Station:

    • After arriving at Puducherry Railway Station, you can hire a taxi (OLA, Uber), auto-rickshaw, or take a local bus to reach Puducherry Bus Terminal.

    • From the bus terminal, board a Kalapet-bound bus which will drop you directly at the Pondicherry University Campus.

  • From Puducherry Airport:

    • After arriving at Puducherry Airport, you can hire a taxi (OLA, Uber), auto-rickshaw, or take a local bus to reach Puducherry Bus Terminal.

    • From the bus terminal, board a Kalapet-bound bus which will drop you directly at the Pondicherry University Campus.

  • From Puducherry Bus Terminal:

    • From the bus terminal, board a Kalapet-bound bus which will drop you directly at the Pondicherry University Campus.

You may also hire a cab / Auto Rickshaw from anywhere around Puducherry to Pondicherry University where you shall be charged approximately around Rs.500 to Rs.700 to reach the Pondicherry University campus.

Travel Tip:
Advance reservation is recommended for long-distance trains, especially during peak seasons and holidays.