3 days · Madurai, Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi
ஓம் நமசிவாய
Madurai & Rameswaram Tour Package from Chennai 3 days by tempo traveller, car or bus
Three days, two temple towns and one dawn bath at the sea: a Madurai and Rameswaram yatra from Chennai costs ₹33,550 in a 12-seater AC tempo traveller, close to ₹2,800 a head for a full van. The loop runs about 1,270 km, with Meenakshi Amman on day one, Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi on day two, and the 22 theertham bath before breakfast on day three.
- Agni Theertham by 5 AM on day three
- Rooms near both temples on request
- A written fare within 30 minutes
The trip in brief
Madurai & Rameswaram at a Glance
- Route
- Chennai → Madurai → Rameswaram → Chennai, about 1,270 km in all
- Driving
- About 8 hours to Madurai, 3½ to 4 hours on to Rameswaram, and 9 to 10 hours home
- Length
- 3 days and 2 nights; 4 to 5 days if you add Kanyakumari
- Main darshans
- Meenakshi Amman, Thiruparankundram Murugan, and Ramanathaswamy Jyotirlinga with the 22 theertham bath
- Temple hours
- Meenakshi Amman about 5 AM to 12:30 PM and 4 PM to 9:30 PM; Ramanathaswamy about 5 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 8 PM
- Phones
- Not allowed inside Meenakshi Amman Temple; leave them at the counters outside the towers
- Dhanushkodi
- About 20 km past Rameswaram, open by daylight only, roughly 6 AM to 6 PM
- Best months
- October to March; April to June is very hot and July to September can bring rough seas
- Crowded days
- The Chithirai festival in Madurai (April–May), and new-moon days and Maha Shivaratri at Rameswaram
Three-day prices
Madurai–Rameswaram Fares for Every Group Size
These cover the vehicle for all three days and about 1,270 km. Driving inside Madurai and out to Dhanushkodi is already counted. Compare seats, photos and comfort features
Big figure: the whole trip · small figure: the approximate share per head
- Sedan4 seats · ₹14/km · bata ₹500/day ₹19,280≈ ₹4,820 per head Book
- Toyota Innova7 seats · ₹19/km · bata ₹600/day ₹25,930≈ ₹3,700 per head Book
- Innova Crysta7 seats · ₹22/km · bata ₹600/day ₹29,740≈ ₹4,250 per head Book
- 12-Seater Tempo Traveller12 seats · ₹25/km · bata ₹600/dayBest for 8–12 ₹33,550≈ ₹2,800 per head Book
- 17-Seater Tempo Traveller17 seats · ₹28/km · bata ₹700/day ₹37,660≈ ₹2,220 per head Book
- Force Urbania 13-Seater13 seats · ₹31/km · bata ₹800/day ₹41,770≈ ₹3,210 per head Book
- Mini Bus 21–26 Seater26 seats · ₹37/km · bata ₹900/day ₹49,690≈ ₹1,910 per head Book
- Mini Bus 30–35 Seater35 seats · ₹46/km · bata ₹1000/day ₹61,420≈ ₹1,750 per head Book
- Tourist Bus 40–45 Seater45 seats · ₹57/km · bata ₹1200/day ₹75,990≈ ₹1,690 per head Book
- Tourist Bus 49–55 Seater55 seats · ₹65/km · bata ₹1200/day ₹86,150≈ ₹1,570 per head Book
Covered by the fare
- Vehicle and driver for 3 days
- Up to 1,270 km, extra km at the listed rate
- Driver's daily allowance for all 3 days
- Local runs in Madurai and to Dhanushkodi
- Door pickup in any Chennai area we serve
Added at cost, receipts shared
- Tolls and parking
- Night allowance if the van runs between 10 PM and 6 AM
- GST, if applicable
Three days, step by step
The 3-Day Madurai & Rameswaram Plan
The order most families prefer: the long drive first, the sea bath fresh on the last morning, and a full day to come home.
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Day 1Chennai to Maduraiabout 460 km
- 5:00 AMPickup in ChennaiBreakfast near Villupuram, lunch at Trichy.
- 2:00 PMCheck in at MaduraiRest through the afternoon heat.
- 5:00 PMMeenakshi Amman TempleEvening darshan, then the Golden Lotus tank and the thousand-pillar hall.
- 8:30 PMDinner and the nightMost groups stay near the temple's east tower.
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Day 2Madurai to Rameswaram and Dhanushkodiabout 220 km
- 6:00 AMThiruparankundramDarshan at the first of Murugan's six abodes, 8 km from town.
- 8:00 AMDrive to RameswaramAcross the Pamban road bridge, with views of the new vertical-lift rail bridge.
- 12:00 PMRamanathaswamy TempleFirst darshan and the long corridors before the afternoon closure.
- 3:30 PMDhanushkodi and Arichal MunaiThe ghost town and the land's end, back before dark.
- 6:30 PMKalam memorial and KothandaramarThen the Panchamukhi Hanuman Temple on the way to your room.
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Day 3Theertham bath and homeabout 560 km
- 5:00 AMAgni TheerthamA sea bath on the beach outside the east gate.
- 5:45 AMThe 22 theerthams and darshanA priest pours water from each well; carry a towel and a change of clothes.
- 9:00 AMBreakfast and departLunch on the way, with tea breaks every 2 to 3 hours.
- 8:00 PMHome in ChennaiDrop at each door.
Know before you go
Temple Visits: What Helps on the Day
- Darshan needs no advance bookingBoth temples offer free darshan; paid fast-darshan tickets are sold at the counters if you want a shorter queue.
- Leave phones in the vanPhones, cameras and bags can't go inside Meenakshi Amman Temple. Our driver keeps them locked in the vehicle, or use the counters outside.
- Dress the traditional wayDhoti or trousers with a shirt for men; saree, half-saree or churidar for women. Shorts and sleeveless tops are turned away.
- Bathe at Agni Theertham firstThe sea bath comes before the 22 wells. The police stop bathing when the sea is rough.
- Pack for the theertham walkA towel, a dry change of clothes in a plastic bag, and slippers that grip on wet stone.
- Reach Dhanushkodi early or lateThere is little shade or shopping at the tip; carry water and plan for 6–9 AM or 3–5 PM.
Temple hours change on festival days. Our travel desk checks the week's timings before your trip.
What to carry
- Dry clothes and a towel for the theertham bath
- A plastic bag for wet clothes
- Traditional dress for both temples
- Cash for prasadam, archanai and the theertham ticket
- Caps and water for Dhanushkodi
- A light bag; phones stay in the van at Madurai
Our way of running it
Why This Trip Feels Easy with KMS
Built Around Temple Hours
We arrive before the afternoon closures, not into them, so nobody waits outside in the heat.
Rooms Close to the Gopurams
Tell us your budget and we suggest stays near both temples; you book and pay the hotel directly.
Breaks on the Long Legs
Tea and meal stops every 2 to 3 hours on the 460 km and 560 km drives.
Drivers Who Know the Coast
Experienced on the Pamban bridge and the Dhanushkodi road, and rested before the drive home.
Taking a family or temple group of 20 or more?
A mini bus or a 45-seater keeps everyone together across all three days, with one driver who learns the group's pace. Share your headcount and we'll suggest the size.
Madurai–Rameswaram fare
Choose Your Dates for Madurai & Rameswaram
The 3-day yatra is already filled in. Set your start date and group size, compare every vehicle, and send it to our travel desk.
Before you book
Madurai–Rameswaram Trip: Common Questions
How much is a Madurai Rameswaram tour from Chennai by tempo traveller?
₹33,550 for a 12-seater AC tempo traveller for 3 days, about ₹2,800 each for 12 people, with the driver's allowance and about 1,270 km included. Tolls and parking are added at cost.
All vehicle pricesHow many days do we need for Madurai and Rameswaram from Chennai?
Three days and two nights is the minimum that isn't rushed: Madurai on day one, Rameswaram and Dhanushkodi on day two, the theertham bath and drive home on day three. Add a day for Kanyakumari.
How far is Rameswaram from Chennai by road?
About 560 km direct, 9 to 10 hours. Going via Madurai, Chennai to Madurai is about 460 km and Madurai to Rameswaram about 175 km.
What is the 22 theertham bath at Rameswaram?
A ritual bath at 22 wells inside Ramanathaswamy Temple, where a priest pours water from each well over you. Most pilgrims bathe at Agni Theertham beach first, then do the wells from early morning, then take darshan.
Day 3 planAre mobile phones allowed in Madurai Meenakshi temple?
No. Phones, cameras and bags must be left outside, either in your vehicle or at the deposit counters near the towers.
What is the dress code at Meenakshi and Rameswaram temples?
Traditional and covered: dhoti or trousers with a shirt for men, saree, half-saree or churidar for women. Shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed.
Can we visit Dhanushkodi and Arichal Munai?
Yes. Dhanushkodi is about 20 km from Rameswaram and is open by daylight only, roughly 6 AM to 6 PM. Early morning or late afternoon is cooler, and access can be limited when the sea is rough.
Day 2 planCan you add Kanyakumari to the trip?
Yes. Kanyakumari is about 300 km past Rameswaram. A 4-day, 3-night plan covers it; add a fifth day for Suchindram and Thiruchendur.
When is the best time to visit Madurai and Rameswaram?
October to March. April to June is very hot, July to September can be windy at sea, and the Chithirai festival (April–May) brings very large crowds to Madurai.
Do you book hotels too?
We suggest rooms near both temples to suit your budget, and you book and pay the hotel directly. Say "hotel help" in the fare form and our travel desk sends options.
Plan your next darshan
More Temple Trips from Chennai
- Sabarimala Ayyappa Yatra3D / 2N · from ₹38,300 (12 seats)
- Chennai to Tirupati Balaji Darshan1 Day · from ₹9,100 (12 seats)
- Arupadai Veedu: Six Murugan Temples4D / 3N · from ₹44,400 (12 seats)
- Navagraha Temples Tour, Kumbakonam2D / 1N · from ₹20,450 (12 seats)
- Velankanni, Nagore & Thanjavur2D / 1N · from ₹21,700 (12 seats)
- Tiruvannamalai Girivalam & Karthigai Deepam1 Day · from ₹11,100 (12 seats)
மீனாட்சி அம்மன் துணை
Two temple towns. One unhurried journey.
The long drives are planned with breaks, the darshans fall inside temple hours, and the dawn bath at Rameswaram doesn't start with a scramble.