10 weekend trips from Chennai

By the Nexara Holidays travel desk · 2 min read

Chennai is well placed for weekend escapes. Here are ten ideas, grouped by how you get there.

By road (under four hours)

1. Pondicherry: French Quarter cafés, the promenade and Auroville. See Puducherry.
2. Mahabalipuram: Pallava monuments and seafood by the sea. See Mahabalipuram.
3. Tirupati: darshan at Tirumala; book slots early. See Tirupati.
4. Kanchipuram: temples and silk shopping, often as a day trip.
5. Pulicat Lake: birds and a quiet lagoon north of the city, best in winter.

By overnight train

1. Yercaud: via Salem, for coffee estates and quiet viewpoints. See Yercaud.
2. Ooty and Coonoor: via Mettupalayam and the toy train, better with three nights.
3. Kodaikanal: via Kodaikanal Road station, for lake walks and pine forests. See Kodaikanal.

By short flight

1. Coorg or Kochi: fly to Mangaluru, Kannur or Kochi for coffee estates or Fort Kochi and the backwaters.
2. Colombo: an international weekend just over an hour away, with the right documents in place.

Tips for weekend trips

• Leave on Friday evening by overnight train or an early Saturday flight.
• Choose one base.
• Avoid long weekends unless you book early.

Which weekend suits you?

• Couples: Pondicherry's cafés or Kodaikanal's lake walks.
• Families: Mahabalipuram's monuments and beach, or the Ooty toy train with three nights.
• Pilgrims: Tirupati, often combined with Kanchipuram's temples.
• Friends: Pondicherry's food scene, or Yercaud for a quiet group stay.

When to go

October to March suits the coast and temple towns. The hills are a summer escape in April and May, but busy; book early.

See our Weekend getaways page for ready-made plans.