Planning a train journey from Chennai? Here’s your all-in-one guide covering routes to Madurai, Coimbatore, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and beyond. We’ve included train timings, names/numbers, and trip highlights to help you choose easily.
1. Chennai to Madurai Train
One of the busiest southern routes, Chennai ↔ Madurai has excellent train coverage—around 12 daily trains and many weekly services.
Key Services:
Tejas Express (22671 / 22672) – Semi-high speed, AC-only, completes the 493 km journey in ~6 h 12 m, running six days a week.
Vande Bharat Express (20665) – Fastest on this route, clocking around 5 h 35 m. eRailRailYatri
Vaigai SF Express (12635) – Daily departure around 13:45 from Chennai Egmore, arrival ~21:20 in Madurai.
Popular Departures:
- CDG MDU SF EXP (20494) – Leaves Perambur at ~03:30, reaches Madurai in approx 10 h 15 m.
- MS NCJ VB EXP (20627) – Departs Chennai ~05:00, reaches Madurai in about 5 h 38 m.
2. Chennai to Coimbatore Train
Another well-traveled corridor with around 17–30 train services daily.
Top Trains:
Kovai SF Express (12675) – Fast and affordable; covers it in approximately 7 h 55 m, departs ~06:10.
PNBE ERS Express (22644) – Early morning (~03:05) departure from Perambur, arrives around 10:27.
CBE Vande Bharat – Fastest on the route, clocking 6 h for the journey between Chennai and Coimbatore. ConfirmTkt
3. Chennai to Bangalore Train
With about 25–30 trains daily, this is a high-frequency route connecting two major metros.
Highlights:
- MYS Vande Bharat (20607) – Fastest option: departs around 05:50, arrives by 10:00 (just over 4 h 10 m).
- DBLDECK Express (22625) – Budget-friendly, takes around 5 h 45 m.
- Kaveri Express (16021) – First daily departure; leaves ~21:15, arrives early morning (~04:19).
4. Chennai to Mumbai Train
This is a long-distance overnight journey with fewer but reliable options—3 daily trains on average.
Notable Trains:
- MAS–LTT SF Express (12164) – Fastest: departs ~18:25, arrives LTT by ~15:55 the next day—takes about 21 h
- ADI Humsafar (22919) – Cheapest option; takes around 22 h 20 m, departs ~16:00.
- MS CSMT SF Express (22158) – Early departure (~06:35), reaches by ~05:50 next morning.
5. Chennai to Kerala Train (e.g., Trivandrum / Kollam)
Several trains connect Chennai with Kerala daily, offering comfortable travel for passengers heading to cities like Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kollam.
- 20635 Chennai Egmore – Nagercoil Vande Bharat Express: A premium semi-high-speed train that runs six days a week and connects Chennai with key Kerala border regions via Nagercoil.
- 12623 Chennai – Thiruvananthapuram Central Mail: One of the oldest and most popular overnight trains, providing daily service from Chennai Central to Kerala’s capital.
- 12695 Chennai – Trivandrum Superfast Express: A reliable superfast service connecting Chennai to southern Kerala with shorter travel time compared to regular expresses.
These trains are among the most convenient options for passengers traveling from Chennai to Kerala, with both overnight and daytime choices available.Summary Table
Summary Table
| Route | Fastest Train | Duration | Notable Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai – Madurai | Vande Bharat (20665) | ~5 h 35 m | Speed king of South India |
| Chennai – Coimbatore | CBE Vande Bharat | ~6 h | Fastest Coimbatore connection |
| Chennai – Bengaluru | MYS Vande Bharat (20607) | ~4 h 10 m | Quickest to Karnataka capital |
| Chennai – Mumbai | MAS–LTT SF Express (12164) | ~21 h 30 m | Overnight long-distance ride |
| Chennai – Kollam | Chennai–Kollam Mail (LHB update) | TBD | Enhanced comfort coming soon |
Bonus Info & Traveler Tips
Timings change sometimes: Southern Railway recently revised schedules for some trains in Madurai region to improve punctuality. So, always recheck a day before travel.
Special Trains: During festivals like Chithirai in Madurai and Velankanni Nativity season, extra trains run. For instance, special superfast train 06049 runs from Tambaram to Madurai during Chithirai — a good option if you’re planning travel in May.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re heading south to Madurai, west to Bengaluru or Mumbai, or strategizing a getaway to Coimbatore or Kerala—this guide gives you a clear snapshot of options. Important note: always verify timings and train availability via IRCTC, RailYatri, or trusted booking platforms like Goibibo, Ixigo, or ConfirmTkt before planning your trip.
