Is there a Kodaikanal railway station? No — the town has none of its own; the nearest railhead is 66 km away which is Palani railway station. The Kodai road railway station (கொடை ரோடு ரயில் நிலையம்) to Kodaikanal distance is 80 km away, is the main rail route if you’re coming from Chennai or Bangalore. This guide covers the four nearest railway stations to Kodaikanal (கொடைக்கானல் அருகில் உள்ள ரயில் நிலையம்) — Palani, Dindigul, Kodai Road, and Madurai — with exact distances, travel times by cab, and tips to help you choose the best one for your route.
Last Updated: 13 October 2026
Table of Contents
- Is there a railway station in Kodaikanal?
- What are the best railway stations near Kodaikanal?
- Palani Railway Station (PLNI)
- What is the distance between Kodaikanal and Palani Railway Station?
- Dindigul Railway Station (DG)
- What is the distance between Kodaikanal and Dindigul Railway Station?
- Kodai Road Railway Station (KQN)
- What is the distance between Kodaikanal and Kodai Road Railway Station?
- Madurai Railway Station (MDU)
- What is the distance between Kodaikanal and Madurai Railway Station?
- Which Railway Station Should I Choose for Kodaikanal?
- What is the closest station to Kodaikanal?
- Are you traveling from Coimbatore, Palakkad, Ooty, or Kozhikode?
- Are you traveling from Chennai, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, or South Tamil Nadu?
- Nearest Railway Station to Kodaikanal from Major Cities
- Tips for Travelling to Kodaikanal by Train
- What is the travel time from the railway stations to Kodaikanal by cab?
- Nearest railway station to Kodaikanal
- FAQ
Is there a railway station in Kodaikanal?
No, Kodaikanal does not have a railway station. Kodaikanal nearest railway station is Palani Railway Station (பழனி ரயில் நிலையம்), 66 km away. However, there are several other railway stations near Kodaikanal. We will see more details about the railway stations near Kodaikanal.
What are the best railway stations near Kodaikanal?
There are several railway stations near Kodaikanal in major cities. They include:
- Palani Railway Station
- Dindigul Railway Station
- Kodai Road Railway Station
- Madurai Railway Station
We will now see more details about these stations one by one.
Palani Railway Station (PLNI)
What is the distance between Kodaikanal and Palani Railway Station?
This railway station is located 66 kilometers from Kodaikanal and 1.3 kilometers from the Palani bus stand.
- Palani is the nearest city to Kodaikanal (பழனி டூ கொடைக்கானல் ரயில் நிலையம்) for train travel and also famous for Lord Murugan Temple.
- If you are planning a trip for both Kodaikanal and Lord Murugan temple then this station is best option.
- Palani railway station is well connected with railway station from Chennai, Bangalore, Kanyakumari, Palakkad, Coimbatore.
- If you are looking for cab service from Palani to Kodaikanal, visit Kodaikanal Cab Service
- If you are traveling to Kodaikanal via Palani bus stand, Explore Palani to Kodaikanal Bus Timing
Palani station is a good mid-sized junction with basic facilities — waiting hall, food stalls, and pre-paid auto counters. Trains from Coimbatore, Pollachi, and Palakkad side connect well here. If you’re arriving late at night, cabs are still available but pre-booking is strongly recommended. The drive from Palani to Kodaikanal via the ghat road takes about 2 to 2.30 hours and is one of the most scenic approaches to the hill station.
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private cab | 2 to 2.30 hrs | ₹ 2500 to 5000 | Most reliable. Pre-book this cab to avoid the time waste and last minutes difficulties. |
| Bus | 4.00 AM to 6.00 PM | ₹ 60 to 80 | Budget options but limited buses only available |
Dindigul Railway Station (DG)
What is the distance between Kodaikanal and Dindigul Railway Station?
This railway station is situated 95 Km away from Kodaikanal.
- This station is well connected with railway station from Chennai, Bangalore, Kanyakumari, Palakkad, Mangalore.
- Compare to other nearest railway stations, Dindigul railway station (திண்டுக்கல் டூ கொடைக்கானல் ரயில் நிலையம்) have good facilities.
- When you travel from Dindigul to Kodaikanal. You can see the flat plains gradually transform into rolling hills and lush greenery.
- There are many train operate between Chennai to Dindigul.
- Dindigul railway station serves as a crucial transportation hub connecting South Tamil Nadu.
- If you are looking for cab service from Dindigul to Kodaikanal, visit Kodaikanal Cab Service.
Dindigul is a major junction with far better train frequency than the other options — especially for travellers coming from Chennai, Bangalore, and Thiruvananthapuram. The station has good facilities including retiring rooms, a food court, and multiple exit points. From Dindigul, the cab journey to Kodaikanal takes around 2.5 to 3 hours through a mix of plains and ghat roads. If you can’t get a direct train to Kodai Road or Palani, Dindigul is often the easiest fallback.
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private cab | 2.30 to 3.00 hrs | ₹ 3000 to 6000 | Most reliable. Pre-book this cab to avoid the time waste and last minutes difficulties. |
| Bus | 5.00 AM to 7.00 PM | ₹ 100 to 150 | Budget options but limited buses only available |
Kodai Road Railway Station (KQN)
Kodai Road (Kodaikanal Road, KQN) railway station is about 80 km from Kodaikanal by road. A pre-booked cab takes roughly 2 hours 15 minutes to 2 hours 45 minutes via the Batlagundu ghat road. Buses from the station are infrequent, so most train travellers take a cab.
What is the distance between Kodaikanal and Kodai Road Railway Station?
The Kodaikanal road railway station to kodaikanal distance (கொடை ரோடு ரயில் நிலையம்) is 80 km, which is the main railway station for Kodaikanal to connect from major cities.
- This station is well connected with railway stations from Chennai, Bangalore, Kanyakumari, Palakkad, Coimbatore.
- Compared to other nearby railway stations, Kodai Road Railway Station is the closest to Kodaikanal if you’re planning to travel from Kodai Road to Kodaikanal
- When you travel from Kodai Road to Kodaikanal. You can see the beautiful view of valley, dam and small villages.
- Kodai Road railway station is well connected with Madurai and Dindigul.
- Kodai Road serves as the main railway route to Kodaikanal
- If you are looking for cab service from Kodai Road to Kodaikanal, visit Kodaikanal Cab Service
- Need a ride from the station? Check kodai road railway station cab services (கொடை ரோடு டூ கொடைக்கானல் டாக்ஸி கட்டணம்) for fares and booking.
- Heading to Devil’s Kitchen? Check the full kodai road railway station to guna caves distance before you plan your route.
Despite the name, Kodai Road station is a small, quiet halt — don’t expect big-city facilities here. It has a basic waiting area and a few tea stalls, but limited food options. Cabs and autos are usually available outside, but pre-booking a cab through a service like Kodaikanal Travelogue is advisable, especially during peak season. The 80 km drive from Kodaikanal road railway station to Kodaikanal passes through beautiful valley views and small villages and takes about 2.15 to 2.45 hours.
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private cab | 2.00 to 2.30 hrs | ₹ 2500 to 5000 | Most reliable. Pre-book this cab to avoid the time waste and last minutes difficulties. |
| Bus | 5.00 AM to 9.00 AM | ₹ 80 to 120 | Only 2 buses operate. Budget options |
Madurai Railway Station (MDU)
What is the distance between Kodaikanal and Madurai Railway Station?
Madurai railway station is situated 115 Km away from Kodaikanal (மதுரை டூ கொடைக்கானல் ரயில் வசதி).
- This station is well connected to railway stations in South Tamil Nadu, Chennai, Coimbatore, and Thiruvananthapuram.
- If you are planning a trip for both Kodaikanal and Madurai then this railway station is best option.
- When you travel from Madurai to Kodaikanal. You can see the beautiful view of valley, dam and small villages.
- If you are looking for cab service from Madurai to Kodaikanal, visit Kodaikanal Cab Service
Madurai is the largest and best-connected station among the four — with trains arriving from across India including Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. If you’re combining a Madurai temple visit with a Kodaikanal trip, this is the ideal entry point. The cab ride to Kodaikanal from Madurai takes 3 to 3.5 hours and covers beautiful Tamil Nadu countryside before climbing into the Palani Hills. Pre-booking a cab is especially important here as walk-in rates at Madurai can be higher.
| Option | Time | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private cab | 3.00 to 3.30 hrs | ₹ 3500 to 7000 | Most reliable. Pre-book this cab to avoid the time waste and last minutes difficulties. |
| Bus | 1.30 AM to 5.50 PM | ₹ 140 to 180 | Budget options |
Which Railway Station Should I Choose for Kodaikanal? (கொடைக்கானல் செல்ல எந்த ரயில் நிலையம் சிறந்தது?)
Not sure which station to alight at? Here’s a quick decision guide:
| Your Origin | Best Station | Distance to Kodaikanal |
|---|---|---|
| Coimbatore, Pollachi, Palakkad | Palani (PLNI) | 66 km |
| Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad | Kodai Road (KQN) | 80 km |
| Thiruvananthapuram, Madurai city | Dindigul (DG) or Madurai (MDU) | 95–115 km |
| Planning to visit Madurai too | Madurai (MDU) | 115 km |
Quick rule of thumb: If you’re coming from the west (Kerala, Coimbatore side) — choose Palani. If you’re coming from the east or north (Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad) — choose Kodai Road or Dindigul.
What is the closest station to Kodaikanal? (கொடைக்கானல் அருகில் உள்ள ரயில் நிலையம்)
Kodaikanal nearest railway station is Palani railway station as per distance. This railway station is 66 km away from Kodaikanal.
Are you traveling from Coimbatore, Palakkad, Ooty, or Kozhikode?
Then Palani railway station is the best and nearest railway to Kodaikanal.
Are you traveling from Chennai, Bangalore, Thiruvananthapuram, or South Tamil Nadu?
Then Dindigul or Kodai Road railway station are the best and nearest way to Kodaikanal. This Kodai Road is nearest to Kodaikanal.
If you planning to visit Madurai, then choose Madurai Railway Station
Nearest Railway Station to Kodaikanal from Major Cities
- Kodai Road railway station is the nearest railway station to Kodaikanal from Bangalore. This station is approximately 80 kilometers away from Kodaikanal.
- Kodai Road railway station is the nearest railway station to Kodaikanal from Chennai. This station is approximately 80 kilometers away from Kodaikanal.
- Palani Railway Station is the railway station near Kodaikanal from Coimbatore. This railway station is approximately 66 kilometres away from Kodaikanal.
Tips for Travelling to Kodaikanal by Train
- Pre-book your cab: During peak season (April–June, December–January), cabs at railway stations get booked fast. Always pre-book from your origin city to avoid being stranded.
- Travel light on the ghat road: The climb to Kodaikanal involves steep hairpin bends. If you’re prone to motion sickness, take medication before boarding the cab.
- Night arrivals: Kodai Road and Palani stations do see late-night train arrivals. Cabs are available but fewer — pre-booking is essential.
- Best trains from Chennai: Vaigai Express and Pandian Express stop at Dindigul. For Kodai Road, check trains on the Madurai–Palani line via IRCTC.
- Luggage: There are no cloak rooms at Kodai Road station. If you have heavy luggage, plan to carry it directly to your accommodation.
What is the travel time from the railway stations to Kodaikanal by cab?
- Palani to Kodaikanal is typically 2.00 to 2.30 hours
- Dindigul to Kodaikanal is typically 2.30 to 3.00 hours
- Kodai Road to Kodaikanal is typically 2.15 to 2.45 hours
- Madurai to Kodaikanal is typically 3.00 to 3.30 hours
Depending on the duration of the journey and the chosen mode of transportation, the travel time between railway stations and Kodaikanal may vary. Please note that the time may vary.
Nearest railway station to Kodaikanal
If you are looking to travel Kodaikanal via Kodai Road, then choose the Kodai road or Dindigul or Madurai Railway Station.
If you are looking to travel Kodaikanal via Palani ghat road, then choose the Palani Railway Station.
Explore Kodaikanal Group Tour Package
📦 Also Check Out: Popular Kodaikanal Tour Packages
Planning a trip to Kodaikanal? We offer budget-friendly packages with cab, hotel stay, and sightseeing from major nearby cities. Choose your pickup point below:
- 🚗 Palani to Kodaikanal Tour Package — 1 Night & 2 Days | Local + Mannavanur Sightseeing | Starting from ₹1,900 per person
- 🚂 Kodai Road to Kodaikanal Tour Package — 1 Day / 2 Days / 3 Days | Railway Station Pickup | Best for train travellers
- 🏙️ Dindigul to Kodaikanal Tour Package — 1 Night & 2 Days | Pickup from Dindigul | Local & Village Sightseeing
- 🕌 Madurai to Kodaikanal Tour Package — 2 Days / 3 Days | Airport & Railway Station Pickup | Families & Couples
- 🚌 Chennai to Kodaikanal Tour Package — 2 Days (2026) | Overnight Bus + Hotel + Sightseeing | Starting from ₹15,000
📞 WhatsApp us at +91-6382505650 to get a custom quote for your travel dates and group size.
FAQ
Kodai Road Railway Station is approximately 80 kilometers away from Kodaikanal. From this station, you can travel to Kodaikanal by road, taking a bus or hiring a taxi.
Kodai Road Railway Station is approximately 80 kilometres away from Kodaikanal. From this station, you can travel to Kodaikanal by road, taking a bus or hiring a taxi.
Palani Railway Station is approximately 66 kilometres away from Kodaikanal. From this station, you can travel to Kodaikanal by road, taking a bus or hiring a taxi.
No, Kodaikanal does not have any railway station near the Kodaikanal city. Nearest railway stations are Palani and Kodai Road Railway stations which is 66 km and 80 km away from the Kodaikanal.
From Hyderabad you can reach Kodai Road Railway Station, Which is approximately 80 kilometres away from Kodaikanal. From this station, you can travel to Kodaikanal by road, taking a bus or hiring a taxi.
No, there is no direct train to Kodaikanal as the town has no railway station. From Chennai, the best option is to take a train to Kodai Road or Dindigul and then hire a cab or take a bus to Kodaikanal. The Vaigai Express and Pandian Express are popular choices for this route.
Yes, shared autos and local buses are available from Kodai Road station to Kodaikanal, though they are infrequent. A private cab is the most reliable and comfortable option, taking about 2.15 to 2.45 hours. If you’re on a budget, check local bus timings at the station before your trip.
No by distance. Palani is about 66 km and Kodai Road about 80 km, but Kodai Road is the traditional railhead on the Chennai–Madurai line.
Depend on season and vehicle price may vary starting from Rs 2500 to 6000. Contact us Kodaikanal cab service
2 Buses operate from Kodai road to Kodaikanal. Check the Kodai road to Kodaikanal bus timings
Check out: Which month is best for Kodaikanal?
Also Check out: Best places to visit in Kodaikanal in 1 Day
If you have any questions, feel free to ask in the comment section below. I’ll do my best to provide you with a helpful answer.
Have a great journey,
Thank you
Share this post on social media:
Pingback: Madurai Kodaikanal Tour Package - 2 Days Tour | 3 Days Tour - Kodaikanal Travelogue
Pingback: How to reach Kodaikanal from Mumbai - Kodaikanal Travelogue