Tamil Nadu · 280 km · Compare trains, buses & driving options
| Train | Dep | Arr | Duration | Classes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Central-Coimbatore AC Duronto Express #12243 · Drnt |
06:50 | 11:21 | 4h 31m | CC |
| Tatanagar- Alappuzha (Alleppey) Express #18189 · Exp |
03:25 | 09:00 | 5h 35m | 2A,3A,SL |
| DHANBAD - ALAPPUZHA Exp #13351 · Exp |
03:25 | 09:00 | 5h 35m | 2A,3A,SL |
| Shalimar Tiruvananthapuram Express #16324 · Exp |
04:15 | 09:15 | 5h 00m | 2A,3A,SL |
| Patna - Ernakulam Express #16310 · Exp |
04:15 | 09:15 | 5h 00m | 2A,3A,SL |
| GUWAHATI - TRIVANDRUM CENTRAL EXP #12516 · SF |
04:40 | 09:50 | 5h 10m | 2A,3A,SL |
| GUWAHATI - TRIVANDRUM SF Exp #12508 · SF |
04:40 | 09:50 | 5h 10m | 2A,3A,SL |
| Kovai Express #12675 · SF |
06:15 | 10:55 | 4h 40m | CC |
| Jaipur-Coimbatore Express #12970 · SF |
10:10 | 14:50 | 4h 40m | 1A,2A,3A,SL |
| West Coast Express #16627 · Exp |
11:30 | 16:40 | 5h 10m | 2A,3A,SL,FC |
| ChennaiCentral-Coimbatore InterCity #12679 · SF |
14:30 | 19:17 | 4h 47m | CC |
| Chennai Central-Kollam SF Special #06007 · SF |
15:15 | 19:50 | 4h 35m | 2A,3A,SL |
| Chennai-Thiruvananthapuram Express #12697 · SF |
15:15 | 19:45 | 4h 30m | 2A,3A,SL |
| Chennai Central-Kollam SF Special #06001 · SF |
15:15 | 19:50 | 4h 35m | 2A,3A,SL |
| Chennai Central Kollam (Weekly) SF Special #06011 · SF |
15:15 | 19:50 | 4h 35m | 2A,3A,SL |
| Chennai-Trivandrum SuperFast Express #12695 · SF |
15:25 | 20:05 | 4h 40m | 2A,3A,SL,FC |
| Chennai - Mangalore Express #12685 · SF |
17:00 | 21:35 | 4h 35m | 1A,2A,3A,SL |
| CHENNAI CENTRAL - NAGERCOIL SF Exp #12689 · SF |
18:15 | 23:10 | 4h 55m | 3A,SL |
| Chennai Tiruvananthapuram SF Mail #12623 · SF |
19:45 | 00:05 | 4h 20m | 1A,2A,3A,SL |
| Chennai Mangalore Mail #12601 · SF |
20:25 | 01:05 | 4h 40m | 2A,3A,SL,FC |
| Chennai Central-Kollam Special #06003 · Exp |
20:45 | 01:15 | 4h 30m | 2A,3A,SL |
| Chennai Central-Kollam SF Special #06005 · SF |
20:45 | 01:15 | 4h 30m | 2A,3A,SL |
| Nilgiri (Blue Mountain) Express #12671 · SF |
21:00 | 01:30 | 4h 30m | 1A,2A,3A,SL |
| Chennai- Alapuzha Alleppey Express #16041 · Exp |
21:15 | 01:45 | 4h 30m | 2A,3A,SL,FC |
| Cheran Express #12673 · SF |
22:10 | 02:45 | 4h 35m | 1A,2A,3A,SL |
| Chennai-Coimbatore Express #12681 · SF |
22:30 | 03:10 | 4h 40m | 2A,3A,SL |
| Yercaud Express #16669 · Exp |
22:40 | 04:55 | 6h 15m | 1A,2A,3A,SL |
| Chennai Salem Express Slip #11063-Slip · Exp |
23:00 | 06:20 | 7h 20m | 1A,2A,3A,SL |
| CHENNAI EGMORE - METTUR DAM SLIP EXP #11063 · Exp |
23:00 | 06:50 | 7h 50m | 1A,2A,3A,SL |
| Chennai CentralKollam SF Special #06009 · SF |
23:30 | 04:05 | 4h 35m | 2A,3A,SL |
| Rapti Sagar Express #12511 · SF |
23:45 | 04:45 | 5h 00m | 2A,3A,SL |
| Ahilyanagari Express #16325 · Exp |
23:45 | 04:45 | 5h 00m | 2A,3A,SL |
| Korba Tiruvananthapuram Express #16327 · Exp |
23:45 | 04:45 | 5h 00m | 2A,3A,SL |
| Raptisagar Express #12521 · SF |
23:45 | 04:45 | 5h 00m | 1A,2A,3A,SL |
The straight-line distance from Chennai to Salem is approximately 280 km (174 miles). By road, the distance increases to about 349 km due to terrain, highways, and road networks.
Salem does not have its own commercial airport. The nearest airport is Tiruchirapally (TRZ). Fly to the nearest airport and continue by road or rail.
Search Flights to Nearest AirportIndian Railways connects Chennai and Salem with multiple daily services. The journey takes approximately 6 hrs 21 min. Rajdhani and Shatabdi express trains are faster, while mail and passenger trains make more stops but cost less.
Book in advance through IRCTC, especially during festivals and holidays when seats fill up quickly.
Check Trains on IRCTCBus travel is a popular and affordable option for the Chennai to Salem route. The journey takes approximately 7 hrs 45 min covering ~349 km. Both government and private operators service this route.
Night buses are popular for this distance — travel while you sleep and arrive fresh at your destination.
Search Chennai to Salem BusesA road trip from Chennai to Salem covers approximately 349 km and takes around 4 hrs 30 min. Start early to make the most of daylight hours.
For official travel information, regulations, and booking services:
IRCTC — Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation — Book train tickets online
Airports Authority of India — Airport information and flight status
DGCA — Directorate General of Civil Aviation — Indian aviation regulator
Incredible India — Official tourism portal of India