Marava & Ramnad · Eastern Coastal Plains
How to reach
By air
- Madurai International Airport (IXM) — The nearest airport to both Chettinad and Rameswaram — about 90 km to Karaikudi, about 170 km to the island.
- Tiruchirappalli International Airport (TRZ) — About 90 km from Pudukkottai and Karaikudi, and often better connected.
By rail
- Rameswaram (RMM) — The terminus on the island, reached across the new Pamban bridge. Trains resumed over the new bridge in 2025.
- Karaikudi Junction (KKDI) — The base for Chettinad; Kanadukathan and Chettinad have their own small halts on the same line.
- Ramanathapuram (RMD) — For the coast, Devipattinam, Erwadi and the chilli country.
- Sivaganga (SVGA) — For Kalaiyar Kovil, Manamadurai and the northern tank villages.
- Pudukkottai (PDKT) — For Thirumayam and Sittanavasal.
By road
NH 38 — Madurai to Ramanathapuram and across the bridge to RameswaramNH 36 — the Karaikudi and Pudukkottai axis linking the delta to the dry coastNH 87 — the coastal road south from Ramanathapuram towards ThoothukudiVillage roads through Chettinad, which are the best way to see the mansion villages
By water
Fishing harbours at Rameswaram, Mandapam, Kilakarai and ThondiBoats to the Gulf of Mannar islands from Mandapam, with forest department permissionThe Rameswaram–Talaimannar ferry has not run since 1964 and remains suspended
Getting around
Buses connect everything, but Chettinad's mansion villages are spread out and a car or an auto hired for the day is the practical way to see them. Rameswaram island is small enough for autos; Dhanushkodi is now reached by a metalled road to the tip, though the last stretch closes in bad weather.
How to reach Marava & Ramnad by air, rail, road and water, and how to get around once there. (7)