[aston_martyr]

Did a Bangalore - Tiruchendur last weekend on April 15th.
Started at 4AM and reached by 2 PM in the noon. Route recommendation- google maps. Roads were really good, except when nearing the tuticorin - tiruchendur junction right near the thermal power plant where we take the deviation towards the temple town. Pitstop was taken at Dindugul A2B for 45 mins, although decent options are available before and after Madurai as well like Nellai Aryas and Sri saravana bhavan.

[mah45]

Hi all,
Does anyone know how is the road condition between Tiruchendur and Tirunelveli.
One year back there was a lot of road work and expansion happening, and it was very difficult to drive.
Any latest updates on this will help.

[mah45]

Originally Posted by aston_martyr

Did a Bangalore - Tiruchendur last weekend on April 15th.
Started at 4AM and reached by 2 PM in the noon. Route recommendation- google maps. Roads were really good, except when nearing the tuticorin - tiruchendur junction right near the thermal power plant where we take the deviation towards the temple town. Pitstop was taken at Dindugul A2B for 45 mins, although decent options are available before and after Madurai as well like Nellai Aryas and Sri saravana bhavan.

Hi, can you please share the route from Madurai to Tiruchendur that you took.
GMaps keeps showing different routes at different times.
Did you go all the way to Kovilpatti and then take the Thoothukudi route ?
Also, any pointers about Madurai bye-pass would help since I hear it's a notorious one.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by mah45

Madurai to Tiruchendur

Madurai-Tuticorin got resurfaced a year back. On Tuticorin-Tiruchendur, roads were good just that they are narrow for the last 15 km leading into Tiruchendur.

The Othakadai-Kappalur ring road that connects Melur to Tirumangalam was 4-laned during Covid. You can expect suicidal moves on the initial half where there is lot of suburban vehicle movement.

If there is work happening on Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur, then I would avoid it. It is a narrow road as-is

[mah45]

Originally Posted by narayans80

Madurai-Tuticorin got resurfaced a year back.


If there is work happening on Tirunelveli-Tiruchendur, then I would avoid it. It is a narrow road as-is

Thanks Narayan

Yes, spoke to one of my relatives, the Tiruchendur - Tirunelveli road work is still ongoing it seems.
He was saying from Tirunelveli until Srivaikundam is Ok, beyond which it gets bad.
I have to anyway take that route the next day since have to travel down near Ambasamudram from Tiruchendur.

With regard to the Madurai bye-pass, do we have to keep an eye on any exits towards Thoothukudi. Thanks.

[mah45]

If you look at the GMaps route in the picture, from Tirumangalam it is suggesting to go via Aruppukottai to reach Thoothukudi.
Where-as I think the route through Kovilpatti is much better highway ?

Can you please recommend the best route here.

[SuperGirl_Dad]

Originally Posted by mah45

If you look at the GMaps route in the picture, from Tirumangalam it is suggesting to go via Aruppukottai to reach Thoothukudi.
Where-as I think the route through Kovilpatti is much better highway ?

Can you please recommend the best route here.

Yes via Arupukottai is lesser traffic compared to Kovilpatti route. However if you plan to visit Kovilpatti, then its also a good option.

OT: Enroute to Tiruchandur there are special delicacies based on the towns/cities. Try them if possible .
For Eg:
Kovilpatti - peanut candy bars (kadala mittai)
Keel Iral - pepper murukku (kara sev)
Tuticorin - Macroon biscuit

[mah45]

Originally Posted by SuperGirl_Dad

Yes via Arupukottai is lesser traffic compared to Kovilpatti route. However if you plan to visit Kovilpatti, then its also a good option.

OT: Enroute to Tiruchandur there are special delicacies based on the towns/cities. Try them if possible .
For Eg:
Kovilpatti - peanut candy bars (kadala mittai)
Keel Iral - pepper murukku (kara sev)
Tuticorin - Macroon biscuit

Thanks, my native is Tirunelveli, so I am aware of these delicacies , but thanks for sharing.

Just that it's been quite a while since I traveled down South especially by road, that's why my route queries.
How is the road condition on the Aruppukottai route, is this also 4-lane Highway all the way to Thoothukudi ?

[luvurride]

Originally Posted by mah45

If you look at the GMaps route in the picture, from Tirumangalam it is suggesting to go via Aruppukottai to reach Thoothukudi.
Where-as I think the route through Kovilpatti is much better highway ?

Can you please recommend the best route here.

The route from Tirumangalam to Thoothukudi via Aruppukottai is a 4 laned toll road. And with much lesser traffic compared to the Madurai-Tirunelveli stretch. It is better to take this.

Also, you will enter the Madurai bye-pass at Tirumangalam just before the toll and turn off before airport. This stretch doesn't see much city traffic. So, you are good here as well.

[narayans80]

Originally Posted by mah45

If you look at the GMaps route in the picture, from Tirumangalam it is suggesting to go via Aruppukottai to reach Thoothukudi.

Where is it showing via Tirumangalam?

There is a proper divider separated 4-lane from Madurai Ring Road (near Madurai airport to Tuticorin) that goes via Aruppukottai, Ettayapuram. This is the shorter route by 15 km also currently is resurfaced a year back.

This turnoff is a good 10 km ahead of Tirumangalam.

Where-as I think the route through Kovilpatti is much better highway ?

While a 'road' exists between Kovilpatti and Ettayapuram. Why would it be better? Since it will take you inside Kovilpatti town.

[ampere]

Originally Posted by mah45

If you look at the GMaps route in the picture, from Tirumangalam it is suggesting to go via Aruppukottai to reach Thoothukudi.
Where-as I think the route through Kovilpatti is much better highway ?

Madurai-Turicorin via Aruppokottai is a 4-lane road. I think thats why Google is suggesting this option.

[mah45]

Originally Posted by narayans80

There is a proper divider separated 4-lane from Madurai Ring Road (near Madurai airport to Tuticorin) that goes via Aruppukottai, Ettayapuram. This is the shorter route by 15 km also currently is resurfaced a year back.

This turnoff is a good 10 km ahead of Tirumangalam.



While a 'road' exists between Kovilpatti and Ettayapuram. Why would it be better? Since it will take you inside Kovilpatti town.

Got it, thank you again for the details.

[subramak]

What are the best hotels in Tiruchendur or does it make sense to stay in Tuticorin and go to tiruchendur?

[ramanan.skr]

Originally Posted by subramak

What are the best hotels in Tiruchendur or does it make sense to stay in Tuticorin and go to tiruchendur?

Hotel Tamilnadu(TTDC) is the best bet. Also, any of the Sivamurugan group of hotels. Besides the temple run Yatri niwas is also there in the low budget segment.

[mah45]

Originally Posted by subramak

What are the best hotels in Tiruchendur or does it make sense to stay in Tuticorin and go to tiruchendur?

I stayed in VKP Residency, Tiruchendur during our recent visit in Oct.

https://maps.app.goo.gl/vWkfWdq4417K4vTT7

Nothing fancy, but decent bed and bathrooms, and felt it's value for money.
There's no restaurant attached to the Hotel but you can walk to one of them nearer to the temple.

As such restaurants in Tiruchendur are very average, including Mani Iyer which I felt was overpriced but poor quality and ambience.