Major city · India
Gingee
Gingee is a half-day stop for the fort: arrive by 9:00, leave by 14:00. Not a base — one night only if you want to see the Jain math the next morning.Gingee is a half-day stop for the fort: arrive by 9:00 AM, leave by 2:00 PM. Not a base — one night only if you want to see the Jain math the next morning.
Gingee is a small town in Viluppuram district, Tamil Nadu, known for the Gingee Fort — a Maratha-era hill fortress often called the 'Troy of the East'. The fort takes 2–3 hours to explore; the town has little else. Most travellers visit as a day trip from Tindivanam or Viluppuram.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid Apr–Jun (extreme heat), Oct–Dec (northeast monsoon)
- Airport
- MAA
- Nights
- 0
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
Emergency numbers for Gingee112 ▾
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 Gingee, 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
- SafetyGingee is safe for tourists during daylight.
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 · 112 fire and 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.
- AirportMAA Chennai International Airport (About 3 h by road; nearest major airport).
- Getting aroundWalk to the fort from the bus stand (15 min).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Metro or bus rideBus Gingee–Tindivanam₹50–70 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedBasic lodge double room, a night, per room₹800 (≈ US$10)
- Mid-range bedBasic lodge double room, a night, per room₹1,500 (≈ US$18)
- High-end bedBasic lodge double room, a night, per room₹2,500 (≈ US$30)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,000 (≈ US$12) · Mid ₹2,000 (≈ US$25) · High ₹4,000 (≈ US$50)
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 (About 3 h by road; nearest major airport)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Feb
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Mar
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Apr
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
May
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jun
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°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
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Jan–Feb. Mixed: Nov–Dec. Avoid: Apr–Jun, Oct. Month by month →
Warmest May (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Oct (9 rain days), driest Feb (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Gingee: 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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Feb
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Mar
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
1 rd
Apr
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
2 rd
May
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
3 rd
Jun
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°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)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
6 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
7 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
9 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
8 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4 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 to the fort from the bus stand (15 min). Auto-rickshaws for the Jain math (about 20 min).
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Tindivanam
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus, about 30 min
Nearest railhead; connects to Chennai and Villupuram.
Door to door: About 2.5 h
Bus to Pondicherry, then auto-rickshaw, about 2 h total
Combine with a day in Pondicherry.
Thiruvakkarai
goDoor to door: About 1 h
Bus or taxi, about 30 min
Fossil tree park and a small Jain temple.
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.
Gingee town centre
Basic lodges near the bus stand; limited options.
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
- ₹1,000–2,000 (≈ US$12–25) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,000–4,000 (≈ US$25–50) excl. bed
- High
- ₹4,000 (≈ US$50)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Basic lodge double room1 × 1 night × ₹800 | ₹800 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ₹1,000 | ₹1,000 |
| Auto-rickshaw to Jain math (return)1 × ₹500 · check | ₹500 |
| Bus Gingee–Tindivanam (one way)1 × ₹50 · check | ₹50 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹240 |
| Trip total≈ ₹2,590 per person per day, bed included | ₹2,590≈ US$30 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Bus Gingee–Tindivanam | ₹50–70 (≈ under US$1) |
| Auto-rickshaw to Jain math (return) | ₹400–600 (≈ US$5–7) |
| Bottle of water | ₹20 (≈ under US$1) |
| Simple meal (rice, dal, curry) | ₹100–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Fort has steep, uneven steps — wear sturdy shoes.
- No ATMs in the fort area; carry cash.
- Monsoon (Oct–Dec) makes the fort slippery.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 112
- Fire and ambulance
- 112
Pocket card
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Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
GingeeGingee
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
இந்த முகவரிக்கு, தயவுசெய்துTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police112
- Fire and ambulance112
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Bus Gingee–Tindivanam: about ₹50–70 (≈ under US$1), about 30 min (check)
- Auto-rickshaw to Jain math: ₹400–600 (≈ US$5–7) return (check)
Say or show
- வணக்கம் — Hello (vanakkam)
- நன்றி — Thank you (nandri)
- எவ்வளவு? — How much? (evvalavu?)
- கோட்டை எங்கே? — Where is the fort? (kottai enge?)
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 Gingee. 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 (extreme heat), Oct–Dec (northeast monsoon) · 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 Gingee
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