Major city · India
Kanchipuram
Spend 1–2 days in Kanchipuram to see the main temples and silk market; travel from Chennai about 1.5 h by train or bus.
Kanchipuram is a historic temple town in northern Tamil Nadu, famed for its Pallava-era Shiva temples and silk weaving. The sights cluster around the town centre, so a short stay (one full day plus a half day for shopping) covers the highlights. Arrive from Chennai by train or bus, then use auto‑rickshaws or taxis for short hops between temples.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Apr–Jun (high heat)
- Airport
- MAA
- Nights
- 1–2
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 Kanchipuram112 ▾
- All services112
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 Kanchipuram, 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
- SafetyKanchipuram is generally safe for tourists; stay alert on crowded sidewalks, keep valuables hidden, and avoid walking alone after dark.
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 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 (≈70 km (43 mi), 1.5 h by car or bus).MAA Chennai International Airport (≈43 mi (70 km), 1.5 h by car or bus).
- Getting aroundAuto‑rickshaws (fix price before boarding, ~₹20 point‑to‑point), taxis (negotiate daily rate), and walking where sidewalks are clear.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at a café₹30–₹50 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedBudget guesthouse bed, a night, per person₹600 (≈ US$7)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range double room, a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
- High-end bedMid‑range double room, a night, per room₹4,000 (≈ US$50)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,200 (≈ US$14) · Mid ₹1,800 (≈ US$25) · High ₹2,800 (≈ US$35)
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 (≈70 km (43 mi), 1.5 h by car or bus)MAA Chennai International Airport (≈43 mi (70 km), 1.5 h by car or bus)
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
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°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 (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Aug (13 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Kanchipuram: 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)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Mar
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
3 rd
Apr
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
5 rd
May
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
7 rd
Jun
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
9 rd
Jul
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
12 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13 rd
Sep
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
9 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
5 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
3 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°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
Auto‑rickshaws (fix price before boarding, ~₹20 point‑to‑point), taxis (negotiate daily rate), and walking where sidewalks are clear. Early morning or evening walks avoid the heat.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: ≈2 h
Train from Kanchipuram station, about 1.5 h; or bus from Koyambedu terminal, 2 h.
duration check
Door to door: ≈1.5 h
Bus from Kanchipuram to Mahabalipuram, about 1 h; or hire taxi.
Rock-cut temples and beach, popular day‑trip.
Vellore
cautionDoor to door: ≈2.5 h
Train via Katpadi, about 2 h; or bus.
Vellore Fort and Christian medical college; longer travel.
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.
Budget hotels and guesthouses
Various options near the bus station; rooms ₹600–₹900 per night, basic amenities.
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
- ₹1,200–1,800 (≈ US$14–25) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹1,800–2,800 (≈ US$25–35) excl. bed
- High
- ₹2,800 (≈ US$35)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid‑range double room1 × 1 night × ₹2,500 | ₹2,500 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹1,800 | ₹3,600 |
| Train Chennai ↔ Kanchipuram (second‑class)2 × ₹30 · check | ₹60 |
| Auto‑rickshaw day pass (multiple short trips)2 × ₹150 · check | ₹300 |
| eSIM data (7 days)2 × ₹800 · check | ₹1,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹810 |
| Trip total≈ ₹4,440 per person per day, bed included | ₹8,870≈ US$110 |
2026 estimate (check)
Prices of common things
| Coffee at a café | ₹30–₹50 (≈ under US$1) |
| Idli/Dosa plate | ₹40–₹60 (≈ under US$1) |
| Auto‑rickshaw short ride | ₹20–₹30 (≈ under US$1) per point |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Sidewalks are often occupied by parked vehicles; stay alert.
- Summers can be exhausting; start temple visits early.
- Some temple areas close to visitors; check opening times.
Emergency numbers
- All services
- 112
Pocket card
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KanchipuramKanchipuram
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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இந்த முகவரிக்கு, தயவு செய்துTo this address, please
Emergency
- All services112
Embassy
US consulate in Chennai (check address); other embassies in Chennai or New Delhi.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chennai → Kanchipuram train (second class): about ₹30 (≈ under US$1) per person, 1.5 h (check)
- Auto‑rickshaw point‑to‑point: ₹20–₹30 (≈ under US$1) per short ride (fix price before boarding)
Say or show
- மன்னிக்கவும் — Excuse me / Sorry (mannikkavum)
- நன்றி — Thank you (nandri)
- எவ்வளவு? — How much is it? (evvalavu?)
- கார்டு மூலம் செலுத்தலாமா? — Can I pay by card? (kāṟṭu mūlām celuttalāmā?)
- கழிப்பறை எங்கே? — Where is the toilet? (kaḻippaṟai 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 Kanchipuram. 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 (high heat) · 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
- 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 Kanchipuram
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