Major city · India
Cuddalore
Spend a day in Cuddalore to see the beach and temples, then move on; one night only if you need a rest before Puducherry.
Cuddalore is a coastal town on Tamil Nadu's central coast, about 190 km south of Chennai. Its main draws are Silver Beach, several historic temples and Fort St. David. A half‑day to a full day covers the highlights; an overnight is only needed for a relaxed pace before heading to Puducherry or Chidambaram.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- avoid Apr–Jun (hot, humid)
- Airport
- MAA
- Nights
- 0.5–1
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 Cuddalore100 ▾
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 Cuddalore, 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
- SafetyCuddalore is generally safe for day visitors; stay aware of traffic on busy roads and keep valuables secure.
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 · 102 fire and ambulance · 112 General emergency (all services) (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.
- AirportMAA Chennai International Airport (Main gateway, about 190 km (118 mi) north; train or bus to Cuddalore (≈3½ h).).MAA Chennai International Airport (Main gateway, about 118 mi (190 km) north; train or bus to Cuddalore (≈3½ h).).
- Getting aroundWalk or auto‑rickshaw within town; taxis for longer trips.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeTea/coffee at a tea shop₹30–₹60 (≈ under US$1)
- Metro or bus rideState bus ticket (short distance)₹30–₹80 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedBudget hotel room, a night, per room₹1,200 (≈ US$14)
- Mid-range bedBudget hotel room, a night, per room₹1,800 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedBudget hotel room, a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹800 (≈ US$10) · Mid ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · High ₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
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 (Main gateway, about 190 km (118 mi) north; train or bus to Cuddalore (≈3½ h).)MAA Chennai International Airport (Main gateway, about 118 mi (190 km) north; train or bus to Cuddalore (≈3½ h).)
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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
Jun
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Aug
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Oct–Feb. Avoid: Apr–Jun. 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 Jul (9 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cuddalore: 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
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
3 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
4 rd
May
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
6 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
8 rd
Jul
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
9 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
9 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
6 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
4 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 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
Walk or auto‑rickshaw within town; taxis for longer trips. Buses run along the East Coast Road to Chennai and nearby towns.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Puducherry
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
State bus via ECR, about 18 km (11 mi), 45 minState bus via ECR, about 11 mi (18 km), 45 min
French colonial town, good for a relaxed afternoon.
Chidambaram
goDoor to door: ≈1.5 h total
State bus via NH-32, about 50 km (31 mi), 1 h 15 minState bus via NH-32, about 31 mi (50 km), 1 h 15 min
Famous Nataraja Temple, worth a few hours.
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.
Cuddalore town centre
Several small hotels near the bus stand and railway station; basic rooms, good for one night.
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
- ₹800–₹1,200 (≈ US$10–14) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹1,200–₹2,000 (≈ US$14–25) excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hotel room1 × 1 night × ₹1,800 | ₹1,800 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ₹1,500 | ₹1,500 |
| State bus Chennai → Cuddalore (one way)1 × ₹250 · check | ₹250 |
| Auto‑rickshaw ride within town (5 km)1 × ₹150 · check | ₹150 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹370 |
| Trip total≈ ₹4,070 per person per day, bed included | ₹4,070≈ US$50 |
2026 estimate in INR; flights and long‑distance trains excluded.
Prices of common things
| South Indian meal (rice, sambar, veg) | ₹80–₹150 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Tea/coffee at a tea shop | ₹30–₹60 (≈ under US$1) |
| Auto‑rickshaw (per km) | ₹15–₹20 (≈ under US$1) |
| State bus ticket (short distance) | ₹30–₹80 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Summer heat can be intense; carry water and sun protection.
- Hotel meals stop at 4 PM; plan lunch early.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Fire and ambulance
- 102
- General emergency (all services)
- 112
Pocket card
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CuddaloreCuddalore
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
இந்த முகவரிக்கு, தயவு செய்துTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police100
- Fire and ambulance102
- General emergency112
Embassy
The Indian Ministry of External Affairs provides consular assistance; nearest US consulate is in Chennai.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chennai → Cuddalore, state bus: about ₹250 (≈ US$3), 3½ h (check)
- Auto‑rickshaw 5 km in town: ≈₹150
Say or show
- மன்னிக்கவும் — Excuse me / Sorry (mannikkavum)
- நன்றி — Thank you (nandri)
- எவ்வளவு? — How much is it? (evvalavu?)
- கடற்கரை எங்கே? — Where is the beach? (kadaṟkarai eṅkē?)
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 Cuddalore. 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–Feb · avoid Apr–Jun (hot, humid) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 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 Cuddalore if you arrive late from Chennai.
- Combine with Puducherry overnight for a coastal itinerary.
Sources
Ask about Cuddalore
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