Major city · India
Pulicat
Visit Pulicat as a day trip from Chennai (≈60 km (37 mi) north); the bird sanctuary and fort can be seen in a few hours. Transport time and route need checking.Visit Pulicat as a day trip from Chennai (≈37 mi (60 km) north); the bird sanctuary and fort can be seen in a few hours. Transport time and route need checking.
Pulicat is a small coastal town on the Pulicat Lake, known for its bird sanctuary and colonial fort. A few hours suffice, making a day trip from Chennai the most efficient use of time. Transport details need verifying.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Apr–Sep (heat, 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 Pulicat112 ▾
- Police / 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 Pulicat, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe; stay alert for traffic, heat, and occasional petty theft.
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 / 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 (≈60 km (37 mi); transit time to Pulicat needs checking).MAA Chennai International Airport (≈37 mi (60 km); transit time to Pulicat needs checking).
- Getting aroundFrom Chennai, take a train or bus to Elavur (≈3 km (1.9 mi) from Pulicat), then an auto‑rickshaw or bus for the last leg — exact route and times need checking.From Chennai, take a train or bus to Elavur (≈1.9 mi (3 km) from Pulicat), then an auto‑rickshaw or bus for the last leg — exact route and times need checking.
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 (≈60 km (37 mi); transit time to Pulicat needs checking)MAA Chennai International Airport (≈37 mi (60 km); transit time to Pulicat needs checking)
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
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
May
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jun
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°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–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest May (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jun (9 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Pulicat: 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
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°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
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
3 rd
Apr
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
4 rd
May
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
6 rd
Jun
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
9 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
9 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
9 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
8 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
5 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°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
From Chennai, take a train or bus to Elavur (≈3 km from Pulicat), then an auto‑rickshaw or bus for the last leg — exact route and times need checking. Within Pulicat, walk or hire a cycle.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Chennai
goDoor to door: About 2 h
Train or bus from Chengalpattu or Chennai Central to Elavur, then auto-rickshaw for the last 3 km (1.9 mi)Train or bus from Chengalpattu or Chennai Central to Elavur, then auto-rickshaw for the last 1.9 mi (3 km)
Pulicat is a day trip from Chennai; return the same day.
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.
Check local guesthouses
Limited options; most visitors stay in Chennai and return same day
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
- ₹500–800 (≈ US$6–10) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹800–1,500 (≈ US$10–18) excl. bed
- High
- ₹1,500 (≈ US$18)+ excl. bed
Watch out
Safety
- Peak bird‑watching season draws crowds; arrive early for best viewing.
- Some historic structures have limited access; verify opening hours on site.
Emergency numbers
- Police / all services
- 112
Pocket card
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PulicatPulicat
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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இந்த முகவரிக்கு, தயவு செய்துTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police / all services112
Embassy
US consulate in Chennai (check address); other nations have consulates in Chennai.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chennai → Pulicat (train): check — 2026 estimate, route and price need verifying
- Auto‑rickshaw 3 km: check — 2026 estimate
Say or show
- எவ்வளவு? — How much does it cost? (evvaḷavu?)
- பறவைகள் பாதுகாப்பு எங்கே? — Where is the bird sanctuary? (paṟavaikaḷ pāṭukāppu 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 Pulicat. 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–Sep (heat, 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
- 1 day-trips, door to door
- 2 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 Pulicat
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