Wondering how to reach Rameshwaram by train? Well, I’m here to help you with it! Rameshwaram is one of the most sought-after religious tourist spots in India. It has good rail connectivity to various cities in South India to get tourists to Rameshwaram hassle-free. In this article, we are going to look at how to reach Rameshwaram by train from various cities and some of the best places to visit in Rameshwaram.
How To Reach Rameshwaram By Train
What makes it so special to travel to Rameshwaram by train? Well, I would say that it is because of the Pamban Bridge. Most people prefer traveling to Rameshwaram by train to witness the beauty of turquoise waters and the Pamban Bridge, the second-longest sea bridge in India! It is indeed an engineering marvel that a sea bridge of this long has been built with a capacity to withstand tonnes of load.
Trains To Rameshwaram From Various Cities
| Route | Train Name | Train Number | Departing Time | Arriving Time | Duration | Notes |
| Chennai to Rameshwaram | Rameswaram Express | 16701 | Â 21:40 | 11:45 (Next Day) | Â 14 hours 5 minutes | – |
| Coimbatore to Rameshwaram | Coimbatore-Rameswaram Express | 16618 | 19:45 | 06:45 | 11 hours | – |
| Mumbai to Rameshwaram (via Madurai) | NAGARCOIL EXP | 16351 | 12:10 | 20:25 (Day 2) | 32 hours 15 minutes | From Madurai, take a connecting train TPTY RMM EX 16779Â to Rameswaram. |
| Bangalore to Rameshwaram | UBL RMM EXP | 07355 | 15:00 | 04:25 | 13 hours 25 minutes | – |
| Delhi to Rameshwaram (via Chennai) | Tamil Nadu Express | 12622 | 21:05 | 06:35 | 9 hours 30 minutes | From Chennai, take Rameswaram Express 16701 to Rameswaram. |
| Hyderabad to Rameswaram | Hyderabad-Rameswaram Express | 16734 | 17:30 | 19:25 (Next Day) | 25 hours 55 minutes | – |
| Kolkata to Rameshwaram (via Chennai) | HWH CAPE SPL | 02665 | 16:10 | 19:55 (Next Day) | 27 hours 45 minutes | From Chennai, take Rameswaram Express 16701 to Rameswaram. |
How To Reach Rameshwaram By Air
If you ask me how to reach Rameshwaram by train in the fastest way, well, it is of course by air. As there are no direct flights to Rameshwaram, you need to fly to Madurai Airport as it is the nearest one. The Madurai Airport is one of the important airports in Tamil Nadu that provides air connectivity to several cities in India and other countries as well. Here are the flight details to Madurai from various cities.
From Various Cities To Madurai
| From City | To Madurai (Nearest Airport) | Airline | Flight Number | Departing Time | Arriving Time | Duration |
| Chennai | Madurai | Air India | AI-671 | 6:05 AM | 7:15 AM | 1h 10m |
| Mumbai | Madurai | IndiGo | 6E-7117 | 1:30 PM | 3:25 PM | 1h 55m |
| Bangalore | Madurai | IndiGo | 6E-7381 | 5:20 PM | 6:40 PM | 1h 20m |
| Delhi | Madurai | IndiGo | 6E-7191 | 5:25 AM | 8:25 AM | 3h |
| Hyderabad | Madurai | SpiceJet | SG-1091 | 10:25 AM | 12:20 PM | 1h 55m |
| Kolkata | Madurai | IndiGo | 6E – 344 | 5:05 AM | 7:30 AM | 2h 15 m |
Madurai Airport To Rameshwaram
Once you reach the Madurai Airport, you can either take a train or a bus to Rameshwaram. The total distance between Madurai and Rameshwaram is about 200 km. If you choose to go by road, or by train. If you take the road, either the NH 87 or the Aruppukottai – Valinokkam route.
If you choose to go by train, here are the train details from Madurai to Rameshwaram.
| Train Name | Train Number | Departing Time | Arriving Time | Duration | Running Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| TPTY RMM EXP | 16779 | 01:40 AM | 03:55 AM | 02:15 Hrs | Sun, Tue, Sat |
| MDU RMM EXP SPL | 06651 | 06:50 AM | 10:35 AM | 03:45 Hrs | Daily |
| MDU RMM EXP SPL | 06653 | 12:30 PM | 4:10 PM | 03:40 Hrs | Daily |
| RAMESWARAM EXP | 16734 | 3:25 PM | 05:53 PM | 02:28 Hrs | Fri |
| MDU RMM EXP SPL | 06655 | 6:10 PM | 10:25 PM | 04:15 Hrs | Daily |
How To Reach Rameshwaram By Road
The road trip to Rameshwaram is indeed pleasant and interesting, for those who enjoy the natural scenery throughout the journey. The major roads leading to Rameshwaram, especially from cities like Bangalore, are well-maintained and provide good driving conditions. Along the way, travelers can enjoy a variety of sights and have the opportunity to visit many cultural and historical sites. Here are some of the details of routes from various cities to Rameshwaram.
| From City | Route | Distance (KM) | Duration | Places Covered |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai | NH38 | 602 | 9h | Villupuram, Trichy, Madurai |
| Coimbatore | NH83 | 393 | 5h 47m | Dindigul, Madurai |
| Mumbai | NH48 | 1565 | 26h | Pune, Bengaluru, Salem, Madurai |
| Bangalore | NH7 | 582 | 11h | Salem, Madurai |
| Delhi | NH44 | 2700+ | 40h+ | Agra, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Madurai |
| Hyderabad | NH16 | 1107 | 19h | Nalgonda, Guntur, Chennai, Trichy |
| Kolkata | NH16 | 2200 | 36h+ | Bhubaneswar, Visakhapatnam, Chennai, Madurai |
Best Places To Visit In Rameshwaram
1. Ramnath Swamy Temple
- Spiritual Significance: It is one of the 12 Jyotirlinga temples dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- An architectural marvel: The temple is home to the longest temple corridor in the world.
- Historical Significance: It is believed to have been visited by Lord Rama.
- Places of pilgrimage: Char Dham pilgrimage has an aspect in Hinduism.
- Timings: Open daily from 05:00 am to 12:00 pm.
2. Dhanushkodi Beach Point
- Scenic views: The Dhanushkodi beach point offers breathtaking views of the sea and skyline.
- Historic Ruins: Visit the site of a ghost town that was destroyed in 1964 in a hurricane.
- Mythological connection: It is believed to be the origin of the Ram Setu.
- Calm weather: It is a perfect place for a peaceful walk on the beach.
3. Agni Thirtham
- Sacred Waters: There are about 64 sacred water tirthas or water bodies to take baths in Rameshwaram.
- Purification Rituals: This place is often open to perform rituals here for forgiveness.
- Location of the beach: Explore the nearby Ramanathaswamy temple to relax.
4. Pamban Bridge
- Engineering Marvel: The Pamban Bridge is India’s second-largest sea bridge and gives the best view of Palk Strait.
- Historic Site: The bridge has a historical significance that connects Rameshwaram to mainland India.
- Train Travel: I suggest you experience the travel across this bridge on the train to have the best view.
- Sunset spot: It is also a popular spot to watch spectacular sunsets.
5. Kothandaramaswamy Temple
- Mythological Sites: There are several mythological sites that are associated with the epic Ramayana. Visit them all!
- Isolated location: It is located on the edge of this southernmost Rameshwaram and offers beautiful views.
- Vibrant paintings: Get to see the walls are decorated with colorful murals depicting scenes from the Ramayana.
- Quiet Environment: The place is comparatively less crowded and a peaceful place to relax.
- Wildlife Spotting: There is a chance to see migratory birds in the immediate vicinity.
Also Read:Â Top 5 Best Tourist Places in Kanyakumari
Also Read:Â How To Go Darjeeling From Delhi
