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How to Get to Vellore

How to Get to Vellore

Vellore Tamil Nadu, India Travel Guide

Air Travel & Transfers

Major Gateway Airports

Vellore connects through two significant international airports, both featuring extensive domestic and global connections.

Nearest Hubs

  • Chennai International Airport (MAA): 130 km (80 miles) east of Vellore.
  • Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR): 200 km (124 miles) to the northwest of Vellore.
  • Connectivity: Both serve as major international and domestic hubs.

Flight Options & Fares

Both Chennai and Bengaluru welcome major international and domestic airlines. Plan your flights according to seasonal demand for maximum pricing. For searching plus discovering good deals, consider platforms like Skyscanner or services like Dollar Flight Club.

Information

  • Airlines: Global carriers and major Indian domestic airlines operate.
  • Direct Routes: Available from Middle East, SE Asia, some European hubs to MAA/BLR.
  • Seasonal Fares: Peak season (Oct-Feb) higher prices. Low season (Apr-June) lower prices.

Transfers from Chennai MAA

Options include pre-paid taxis, app-based cabs (Ola/Uber), private services, buses, or trains that go to Katpadi Junction.

Transfers from Bengaluru BLR

Options include pre-paid taxis, app-based cabs (Ola/Uber), private services, or buses/trains to Katpadi Junction.

Airport Facilities

Both MAA and BLR present currency exchange, ATMs, duty-free, dining, lounges, car rentals, and free Wi-Fi.

Transfer Details

Chennai to Vellore 130 km

  • Pre-paid Taxis: Present a convenient, fixed-fare option. Approx. 2.5-3.5 hours.
  • App Cabs (Ola/Uber): Book from designated airport points.
  • Bus: Take a local bus from the airport to Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT), then board an intercity bus to Vellore.
  • Train: Take a local train from the airport area to Chennai Central or Chennai Egmore railway station, after that an express train to Katpadi Junction (Vellore).

Bengaluru to Vellore 200 km

  • Pre-paid Taxis/App Cabs (Ola/Uber): The journey spans approximately 3.5-4.5 hours.
  • Private Taxi Services: Book these in advance or upon arrival.
  • Bus: Use the Flybus service by Bengaluru airport to various cities, or take a bus from Bengaluru's main bus stands to Vellore.
  • Train: Take a bus or cab to Bengaluru City Railway Station (KSR) or Yesvantpur Junction (YPR), then board an express train to Katpadi Junction.

Traveler Conveniences

Currency Exchange

Available at the two Chennai and Bengaluru airports for foreign currency exchange.

ATMs

Accessible in airports and within Vellore, making rupee withdrawals possible.

Connectivity

Free Wi-Fi at main airports; local SIM cards available for purchase.

Land Transportation

Train Travel

Vellore connects to significant Indian cities via Katpadi Junction (KPD). Advance booking comes highly advisable.

Katpadi Junction KPD

  • Connectivity: Links Vellore to Chennai, Bengaluru, Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Delhi, and Kolkata.
  • Booking: Online through the IRCTC website (Irctc.co.in) or authorized agents. Book ahead.
  • Timings: Arrive at the station at least 30-45 minutes before your train's scheduled departure.

Bus Services

Vellore features a large central bus stand, known as the Vellore New Bus Stand (Green Circle). It functions as the main hub for both intercity and many local bus routes.

Vellore Bus Stand

  • Operators: The Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC) and numerous private bus operators present extensive connectivity.
  • Routes: Frequent bus services connect Vellore to cities across Tamil Nadu (e.g., Chennai, Coimbatore, Kanchipuram, Puducherry) and adjacent states like Karnataka (Bengaluru) and Andhra Pradesh (Tirupati).
  • Booking: Purchase tickets at the bus stands, online through private companies' websites (e.g., RedBus, AbhiBus), or at authorized agents. Arrive 15-30 minutes before departure.

Self-Driving Vellore

For greater independence, you can consider renting a vehicle. An International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your home country driving license becomes necessary.

Rental Essentials

  • Requirements: You need an International Driving Permit (IDP), your home country driving license, your passport, and a credit card. The minimum age for rental is typically 21 or 23 years.
  • Rental: Self-drive car rentals are available in major cities like Chennai and Bengaluru (e.g., Zoomcar, Avis, Hertz). Some local providers also operate in Vellore. For car rentals, companies like DiscoverCars.com can be explored.
  • Car with Driver: Hiring a private car with a driver comes highly recommended for those unfamiliar with Indian driving conditions.

Road Conditions

National Highways linking Vellore maintain good quality. State highways and rural roads may vary. Indian roads present an unique driving environment.

Driving Environment

  • National Highways (NH): These are generally good, multi-lane roads.
  • Traffic: Expect mixed traffic, including cars, trucks, motorcycles, auto-rickshaws, bicycles, pedestrians, and sometimes animals. Defensive driving assists.
  • Safety Concerns: Common hazards include aggressive overtaking, a lack of lane discipline, cattle on roads, poorly lit vehicles at night, and two-wheelers without helmets. Drive with heightened caution and awareness.

Road Safety & Laws

  • Road Safety: Drive with heightened caution. Be aware of common hazards.
  • Lane Discipline: Often lacking, necessitating constant awareness.
  • Animals: Watch for cattle and other animals on roads.
  • Driving Side: Drive on the left side of the road.
  • Seatbelts: Obligatory for taxi drivers and front-seat passengers.
  • Helmets: Obligatory for all two-wheeler riders.

Sea/River Arrivals

Sea & River Transportation

Vellore is an inland city; it does not accommodate sea or river ports for commercial passenger arrivals or departures.

No Water Transport

  • Ferry Services: Not applicable.
  • Cruise Ports: Not applicable.
  • River Transportation: Not applicable.

Immigration & Connections

As Vellore lacks sea and river ports, specific immigration procedures at seaports and connections to land transportation from such points do not apply.

Not Applicable

  • Immigration Procedures at Seaports: Not applicable.
  • Connections to Land Transportation: Not applicable.
  • All travel to Vellore involves air or land routes.

Inland City

Vellore is located inland within Tamil Nadu.

Road Travel

The main land routes are by road.

Rail Travel

Rail connections are via Katpadi Junction.

Departure Information

Exit Fees or Taxes

No specific exit fees or taxes typically apply when departing India by air or land, beyond what your flight ticket already includes.

Included in Ticket

  • Air Travel: All applicable fees are part of your flight ticket.
  • Land Travel: No additional fees are usually collected at departure.
  • Transparency: The final ticket price covers these charges.

Departure Procedures

Plan sufficient time for departure, especially for air travel, considering check-in, security, and potential traffic delays to the airport.

Timing Recommendations

  • Air Travel (Intl): Arrive at the airport at least 3-4 hours before scheduled flights.
  • Air Travel (Domestic): Arrive at least 2-3 hours before scheduled flights.
  • Train Travel: Arrive at Katpadi Junction at least 30-45 minutes before departure.

Facilities for Departing Travelers

Airports MAA/BLR

These airports feature check-in counters, bag check, security, immigration (international), duty-free shops, a range of restaurants, lounges, and ATMs.

Katpadi Junction

The rail depot features waiting rooms, food stalls, restrooms, and luggage services.

Vellore Bus Stand

This features waiting areas, small shops, eateries, and restrooms.

Departure Advice

Should flight disruptions occur, services like AirHelp assist passengers with compensation claims.