- Distance
- About 120 km by road
- Drive time
- 3–3.5 hours one way
- Pickup
- Madurai
- Destination
- Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu
- Trip type
- Same-day return possible
- Vehicles
- Sedan, SUV, tempo traveller, coach
About the trip
Kodaikanal, the princess of hill stations, sits around a star-shaped lake at over 2,000 metres in the Palani hills. It is the nearest hill station to Madurai, so families come for cool weather, boating, forest viewpoints and homemade chocolates. The drive runs north to Batlagundu and then climbs the ghat past Silver Cascade falls. It is doable in a day, though an overnight stay is more restful.
What to see in Kodaikanal
- Kodaikanal lake
- Coaker's Walk
- Pillar Rocks
- Pine forest and Guna caves
- Bryant Park
- Silver Cascade falls
On the road
Take NH 44 to Vadipatti and Batlagundu, then the ghat road via Oothu. Leave by 6 am and plan to come down before dark, as mist is common in the evening.
A same-day plan
- 6:00 amPick-up in Madurai and drive to Batlagundu
- 7:30 amBreakfast at Batlagundu and start the ghat climb
- 9:30 amSilver Cascade falls and reach Kodaikanal
- 10:30 amCoaker's Walk and Bryant Park
- 12:30 pmLunch in town
- 2:00 pmPillar Rocks, pine forest and a lake boat ride
- 5:00 pmStart the descent to Madurai
Timings are a guide — tell us when you want to leave and what you want to see, and the driver will work around it.
Choose your vehicle
Airport runs, couples and small families on short trips.
The usual pick for family trips, ghat roads and long days on the highway.
Extra room and comfort for special occasions and senior guests.
Extended families, pilgrimage parties and office outings.
Weddings, school trips and temple tours with a big party.
Every car is air-conditioned and comes with an experienced driver. Our quote is all-inclusive — fuel, tolls, parking, interstate permit and driver batta — and is confirmed in writing before you book.
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Send us the date, pickup point, number of people and whether you need a return. We reply with the vehicle and a single all-inclusive price.
