Major city · India
Arcotஅர்கோட்
Spend a half‑day in Arcot: see the Fort, Delhi Gate and Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple, then catch a bus to Vellore or Chennai.
Arcot is a historic town in northern Tamil Nadu, about 70 km south of Chennai. Its main sights cluster around the old fort area and can be visited in 4‑5 hours. Most travellers use it as a brief stop en route to Vellore, Kanchipuram or Chennai.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Apr–Jun (hot)
- Airport
- MAA
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Arcot112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Arcot, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyArcot is generally safe; petty theft can occur in crowded buses.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 police / all services · 108 Hospital (general) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportcheckMAA Chennai International Airport (Bus or train connections; check schedules).
- Getting aroundBuses run frequently on NH‑48; local auto‑rickshaws and cycle‑ricks are common for short trips.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Budget bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room₹800 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room₹1,200 (≈ US$14)
- High-end bedGuesthouse room (double), a night, per room₹1,800 (≈ US$25)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹600 (≈ US$7) · Mid ₹1,000 (≈ US$12) · High ₹1,500 (≈ US$18)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MAA Chennai International Airport (Bus or train connections; check schedules)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Apr
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
May
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Jun
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jul
not flagged
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Aug
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Sep
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Oct
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Jun. Month by month →
Warmest May (40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)), coolest Jan (18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C) low), wettest Oct (8 rain days), driest Feb (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Arcot: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
2 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
1 rd
Mar
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Apr
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
2 rd
May
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
3 rd
Jun
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
4 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Sep
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
6 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
6 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
3 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Buses run frequently on NH‑48; local auto‑rickshaws and cycle‑ricks are common for short trips. No city‑wide public transport.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Vellore
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus from Arcot Bus Stand
Visit Vellore Fort and the Golden Temple.
Kanchipuram
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Train from Walajah Road Junction
Renowned for silk and temples.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Arcot town centre
A few basic guesthouses near the bus stand; check for cleanliness and AC.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹500–₹800 (≈ US$6–10) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹800–₹1,200 (≈ US$10–14) excl. bed
- High
- ₹1,200 (≈ US$14)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Guesthouse room (double)1 × 1 night × ₹1,200 | ₹1,200 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹1,000 | ₹2,000 |
| Bus Chennai → Arcot (one‑way)2 × ₹200 · check | ₹400 |
| Auto‑rickshaw short ride (5 km)2 × ₹100 · check | ₹200 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × ₹500 · check | ₹1,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹480 |
| Trip total≈ ₹2,640 per person per day, bed included | ₹5,280≈ US$60 |
2026 estimate in INR; flights and long‑distance train passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Makkan Peda sweet | ₹30–₹60 (≈ under US$1) |
| Arcot Star Biriyani plate | ₹120–₹180 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Vegetarian thali (Sri Durga Bhavan) | ₹100–₹200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Bus ticket Chennai → Arcotcheck | ₹150–₹250 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Auto‑rickshaw (5 km) | ₹80–₹120 (≈ US$1–2) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat can be intense; carry water and sun protection.
- Road traffic on the highway can be heavy, especially near Chennai.
Emergency numbers
- Police / All services
- 112
- Hospital (general)
- 108
Pocket card
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Arcotஅர்கோட்
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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இந்த முகவரிக்கு, தயவு செய்துTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / All services112
- Hospital (general)108
Embassy
US consulate in Chennai; Indian visa e‑visa portal official.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chennai → Arcot bus: about ₹200 (≈ US$3), 1.5 h (check)
- Arcot → Vellore bus: ≈₹150, 1 h (check)
Say or show
- மன்னிக்கவும் — Excuse me / Sorry (mannikkavum)
- நன்றி — Thank you (nandri)
- எவ்வளவு? — How much is it? (evvalavu?)
- கழிவறை எங்கே? — Where is the toilet? (kazhivarai engē?)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Arcot. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Mar · avoid Apr–Jun (hot) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Vellore for deeper heritage exploration.
- Combine Arcot with a Chennai day‑trip for coastal contrast.
Sources
Ask about Arcot
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