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Voykit pocket guide · India
Arcot
அர்கோட்
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.
- Country
- India
- Local name
- அர்கோட்
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Avoid
- Apr–Jun (hot)
- Stay
- 0–1 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹500–₹800 excl. bed · Mid ₹800–₹1,200 excl. bed · High ₹1,200+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- Police / All services 112 · Hospital (general) 108
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Makkan Peda sweet | ₹30–₹60 |
| Arcot Star Biriyani plate | ₹120–₹180 |
| Vegetarian thali (Sri Durga Bhavan) | ₹100–₹200 |
| Bus ticket Chennai → Arcot | ₹150–₹250 |
| Auto‑rickshaw (5 km (3.1 mi))Auto‑rickshaw (3.1 mi (5 km)) | ₹80–₹120 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- MAA · Chennai International Airport
- Bus or train connections; check schedules
Typical fares
- Chennai → Arcot bus
- about ₹200, 1.5 h (check)
- Arcot → Vellore bus
- ≈₹150, 1 h (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Buses run frequently on NH‑48; local auto‑rickshaws and cycle‑ricks are common for short trips. No city‑wide public transport.
See and do
Known for
- Arcot Fort
- Delhi Gate
- Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple
- Makkan Peda sweet
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Vellore | Bus from Arcot Bus Stand | About 1 h |
| Kanchipuram | Train from Walajah Road Junction | About 1.5 h |
Sleep
- Arcot town centre
- A few basic guesthouses near the bus stand; check for cleanliness and AC.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | மன்னிக்கவும்mannikkavum |
| Thank you | நன்றிnandri |
| How much is it? | எவ்வளவு?evvalavu? |
| Where is the toilet? | கழிவறை எங்கே?kazhivarai engē? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- Summer heat can be intense; carry water and sun protection.
- Road traffic on the highway can be heavy, especially near Chennai.
Arcot is generally safe; petty theft can occur in crowded buses. Keep valuables close and avoid isolated streets after dark.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Arcot yet. Suggested stay: 0–1 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Arcot Fort
- Delhi Gate
- Sri Varadharaja Perumal Temple
- Makkan Peda sweet
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Arcot, revision 5326138 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5326138
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/arcot). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.