Major city · India
Nagapattinamநாகப்பட்டினம்
One day is enough for Nagapattinam: see the temples, walk the beach and take the ferry to Sri Lanka if you have a paper visa.
Nagapattinam is a quiet port town on the Coromandel Coast, known for its 10th-century Kayarohanaswami Temple, the Nagore Dargah and the ferry to Jaffna, Sri Lanka. Most travellers pass through for a night or use it as a base for Velankanni and Kodiakkarai.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Apr–Jun (very hot), Oct–Dec (cyclone season)
- Airport
- TRZ
- Nights
- 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 Nagapattinam100 ▾
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 Nagapattinam, 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
- SafetyNagapattinam is generally safe, but watch your belongings on buses and at the ferry terminal.
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 numbers100 police · 101 fire · 108 ambulance (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.
- AirportTRZ Tiruchirappalli International Airport (About 150 km (93 mi) away; bus or train to Nagapattinam, about 3–4 h).TRZ Tiruchirappalli International Airport (About 93 mi (150 km) away; bus or train to Nagapattinam, about 3–4 h).
- Getting aroundAuto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws are the main local transport; agree on the fare before you ride.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealIdli or dosa breakfast₹30–60 (≈ under US$1)
- Metro or bus rideBus to Velankanni₹20–30 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedDorm bed in a lodge, a night, per person₹500 (≈ US$6)
- Mid-range bedDouble room in a budget hotel, a night, per room₹2,000 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedDouble room in a budget hotel, a night, per room₹3,500 (≈ US$40)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹2,000 (≈ US$25) · Mid ₹3,500 (≈ US$40) · High ₹6,000 (≈ US$70)
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
- TRZ Tiruchirappalli International Airport (About 150 km (93 mi) away; bus or train to Nagapattinam, about 3–4 h)TRZ Tiruchirappalli International Airport (About 93 mi (150 km) away; bus or train to Nagapattinam, about 3–4 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
not flagged
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Apr
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jul
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Avoid
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Care
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Care
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Jan–Feb. Mixed: Nov–Dec. Avoid: Apr–Jun, Oct. Month by month →
Warmest May (36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Oct (11 rain days), driest Feb (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Nagapattinam: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Mar
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
2 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
3 rd
Jun
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
4 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
5 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
7 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
11 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 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
Auto-rickshaws and cycle-rickshaws are the main local transport; agree on the fare before you ride. Buses connect the town to Velankanni, Kodiakkarai and Karaikal.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 45 min
Bus from Nagapattinam bus stand, about 30 min
The Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health is a major pilgrimage site; go early to avoid crowds.
Kodiakkarai
goDoor to door: About 1.5 h
Bus from Nagapattinam, about 1 h
A coastal village with a bird sanctuary and a long beach; half-day trip.
Karaikal
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus or train, about 30 min
A former French enclave with colonial buildings and a quiet riverfront.
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.
Town centre near the bus stand
Budget hotels and lodges within walking distance of the railway station and bus stand.
Velankanni
12 km (7.5 mi) south; more accommodation options for pilgrims, with frequent buses to Nagapattinam.7.5 mi (12 km) south; more accommodation options for pilgrims, with frequent buses to Nagapattinam.
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
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–4,000 (≈ US$30–50) excl. bed
- High
- ₹4,000 (≈ US$50)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room in a budget hotel1 × 1 night × ₹2,000 | ₹2,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹3,500 | ₹7,000 |
| Ferry to Jaffna, one way2 × ₹6,500 · check | ₹13,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹2,200 |
| Trip total≈ ₹12,100 per person per day, bed included | ₹24,200≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Idli or dosa breakfast | ₹30–60 (≈ under US$1) |
| Thali meal | ₹80–150 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Auto-rickshaw ride within town | ₹50–100 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Bus to Velankanni | ₹20–30 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Ferry to Jaffna requires a paper visa sticker or a previously used e‑visa; newly issued e‑visas are not accepted.
- Cyclone season runs October to December; check weather before you travel.
- ATMs are limited; carry enough cash for a day or two.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Fire
- 101
- Ambulance
- 108
Pocket card
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Nagapattinamநாகப்பட்டினம்
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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இந்த முகவரிக்கு, தயவு செய்துTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police100
- Fire101
- Ambulance108
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Nagapattinam → Velankanni: about ₹25 (≈ under US$1), 30 min
- Auto-rickshaw town centre → railway station: ₹50–80 (≈ under US$1)
Say or show
- எவ்வளவு? — How much? (evvaḷavu)
- பேருந்து நிலையம் எங்கே? — Where is the bus stand? (pēruntu nilaiyam eṅkē)
- எனக்கு ஒரு அறை வேண்டும் — I need a room (eṉakku oru aṟai vēṇṭum)
- நன்றி — Thank you (naṉṟi)
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 Nagapattinam. 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: Nov–Feb · avoid Apr–Jun (very hot), Oct–Dec (cyclone season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Sources
Ask about Nagapattinam
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