Chennai to Velankanni by train is 353 km. The dedicated 16185 Velankanni Express runs daily from Chennai Egmore, departing at 10:00 PM and arriving at Velankanni station at 6:30 AM — perfect timing to attend the early morning Holy Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health.
Quick facts
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Distance | 353 km (Chennai Egmore to Velankanni) |
| Best train | 16185 Velankanni Express |
| Departs | 10:00 PM (Chennai Egmore) |
| Arrives | 6:30 AM next day (Velankanni) |
| Duration | 8 hours 30 minutes |
| Sleeper fare | ₹225–320 |
| AC 3-Tier fare | ₹605–880 |
| Classes | Sleeper (SL), AC 3-Tier (3A) |
All trains from Chennai to Velankanni
Daily trains
16185 Velankanni Express is the main daily service and the most popular choice for pilgrims. Departs Chennai Egmore 10:00 PM, arrives Velankanni 6:30 AM (8h 30m). Stops include Tambaram, Chengalpattu, Villupuram, Mayiladuturai, Thiruvarur and Nagappattinam.
11017 LTT–Karaikal Express runs daily, departing around 11:15 AM and arriving ~5:43 PM (6h 28m). This is the faster daytime option.
Weekly trains
- 16368 Kashi Tamil Express – runs daily, early morning (3:30 AM) departure from Egmore
- 22673 BGKT MQ SF Express – Saturdays
- 16179 MS–MQ Express – weekly, departs 10:55 PM
Festival special trains
Southern Railway runs Chennai Egmore – Velankanni Specials (06037 and similar numbers) during the September feast and Christmas season. These fill up extremely fast — book the moment announcements are made. Check the Southern Railway website or IRCTC for current specials.
Complete stop schedule — 16185 Velankanni Express
| Station | Code | Arrival | Departure | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Egmore | MS | – | 22:00 | 0 km |
| Tambaram | TBM | 22:29 | 22:30 | 25 km |
| Chengalpattu | CGL | 22:58 | 23:00 | 56 km |
| Melmaruvattur | MLMR | 23:24 | 23:25 | 92 km |
| Tindivanam | TMV | 23:49 | 23:50 | 122 km |
| Villupuram Jn | VM | 00:35 | 00:45 | 159 km |
| Cuddalore Port | CUPJ | 01:44 | 01:45 | 205 km |
| Chidambaram | CDM | 02:34 | 02:35 | 244 km |
| Sirkazhi | SY | 02:54 | 02:55 | 261 km |
| Mayiladuturai Jn | MV | 03:25 | 03:27 | 281 km |
| Peralam Jn | PEM | 03:44 | 03:45 | 296 km |
| Thiruvarur Jn | TVR | 04:10 | 04:20 | 319 km |
| Nagappattinam | NGT | 04:45 | 04:55 | 343 km |
| Velankanni | VLNK | 06:30 | – | 353 km |
Fare chart
| Class | Fare range |
|---|---|
| General / Unreserved (2S) | From ₹65 (no seat guarantee) |
| Sleeper (SL) | ₹225–320 |
| AC 3-Tier (3A) | ₹605–880 |
| AC 2-Tier (2A) | ~₹1,185 |
Tatkal and Premium Tatkal add a surcharge on top. Fares are subject to IRCTC revisions — check irctc.co.in for the current price before booking.
How to book on IRCTC
- Go to irctc.co.in or the IRCTC Rail Connect app and log in (create a free account if needed).
- Enter From: Chennai Egmore (MS) · To: Velankanni (VLNK) · select your travel date.
- Choose 16185 Velankanni Express for the daily overnight service.
- Select your class (Sleeper is adequate; AC 3-Tier if you prefer a cooler berth).
- Add passenger details, choose berth preference (lower berth recommended for elderly pilgrims), and pay by UPI, net banking or card.
- Save your e-ticket and carry valid photo ID (Aadhaar/PAN/passport) on the journey.
Advance booking opens 120 days before travel. Tatkal quota opens 1 day prior (10:00 AM for AC, 11:00 AM for Sleeper). Book early for weekend and festival travel — the train fills weeks ahead during the September feast.
Travel tips for pilgrims
- No pantry car on 16185 — carry your own food and water for the overnight journey.
- Blanket/shawl recommended for AC 3-Tier; the coast is humid but AC coaches can be cold.
- Morning Mass timing: arriving at 6:30 AM gives you comfortable time to check in and attend the 7:00 AM Mass or 8:00 AM solemn Mass at the basilica.
- Return booking: book your return train before you leave Chennai — seats on the return fill as quickly as the outbound during festival season.
- If a waitlisted ticket does not confirm, apply for a Tatkal ticket one day before travel as a backup.
Compare and book bus tickets
If trains are full, private AC Volvo and SETC buses also connect Chennai to the Nagapattinam / Velankanni region. Search and compare on the links below.
- MakeMyTrip buses →
- Goibibo buses →
- Cleartrip →
Independent guide — train timings are subject to Southern Railway revisions. Always verify on irctc.co.in before booking. Last verified June 2026.
