
Heading from Chennai to Thanjavur? The journey takes about 7h 30m across 303 kms, and zingbus runs 2 direct buses on this route. Buses leave anywhere from 11:25 PM to 11:45 PM, and fares fall between ₹666 and ₹682. Book your ticket with zingbus for a safe, comfortable ride.
| Bus | Departure | Boarding Point | Drop Point | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| zingbus Plus | 11:25 PM | Kelambakkam Bus Stop | Old Bus Stand | Ashok Leyland A/C Semi-Sleeper/Sleeper (With Washroom) |
| zingbus Plus | 11:45 PM | Karapakkam Bus Stand | New Bus Stand | Ashok Leyland A/C Semi-Sleeper/Sleeper (With Washroom) |
All 2 buses on the Chennai to Thanjavur bus route are GPS-tracked, with background-verified drivers and OTP verification at boarding.
Chennai to Thanjavur Route Details
Chennai
Paiyanur
Kalpakam
Puducherry
Cuddalore
Chidambaram
Sirkazhi
Vaitheeswaran Koil
Mayiladuthurai
Kuthalam
Aduthurai
Kumbakonam
Trichy
Thanjavur
zingbus is trusted to provide the most affordable and comfortable ways to travel from Chennai to Thanjavur. Our fares are budget-friendly and vary depending on the bus type, travel season, and the facilities of the bus.
| Minimum Bus Ticket Price | ₹666 |
| Maximum Bus Ticket Price | ₹682 |
The bus schedule offers flexible options for Chennai to Thanjavur journey . Check the schedule below for more details:
| First bus | 11:25 PM |
| Last bus | 11:45 PM |
Booking an online bus ticket from Chennai to Thanjavur is simple, fast, convenient, and affordable with zingbus.
zingbus runs premium coaches across multiple configurations on the Chennai to Thanjavur bus route to match every travel style and budget. Check the table above for exact details on your selected service.
zingbus Plus : Premium coaches with more legroom, priority boarding, and upgraded amenities for travellers seeking extra comfort.
zingbus MAXX : Seven-star luxury fleet featuring airline-style seating, personal entertainment screens, and exceptional onboard service.
zingbus Electric (EV): A sustainable and eco-friendly travel option with zero emissions and modern amenities, ensuring a smooth and responsible journey.
Whether you’re prioritising luxury or budget, zingbus ensures a consistent, high-quality travel experience across all coach categories on the Chennai to Thanjavur route.
zingbus offers convenient boarding and drop-off points for the Chennai to Thanjavur bus route to ensure a seamless travel experience. Simply select your preferred location while booking.
All pickup and drop-off points are verified for passenger safety and convenience. Your confirmed boarding and drop point will be shown on your ticket.
zingbus prides itself on providing the highest quality bus service that is reliable, safe, and affordable. If you plan to travel to and from intercity, zingbus can be your travel partner. Book your return ticket of Thanjavur to Chennai bus and enjoy a comfortable and safe journey.
A: Chennai to Thanjavur bus ticket fare start from ₹666, depending on bus type, seat availability, and how early you book.
A: Approximately 7h 30m under normal traffic and road conditions.
A: Chennai to Thanjavur buses depart between 11:25 PM and 11:45 PM. zingbus operates 2 direct buses daily on this route.
A: The Chennai to Thanjavur bus distance is approximately 303 km.
A: Yes, clean onboard toilets are available.
A: Yes, on eligible bookings.
A: Contact zingbus customer care immediately for assistance.
A: Yes, check available offers on the app or website at checkout.
A: UPI, Net Banking, Credit/Debit Card, and digital wallets.
A: Yes, all zingbus coaches have GPS tracking, accessible via the app.
A: Yes. Female-only seats can be selected at booking for added safety.
A: 15 kg per passenger. Check the website for the full baggage policy.
A: Reach out to zingbus customer support through the app as early as possible changes are handled case by case, subject to seat and route availability.
A: Refunds for eligible cancellations land back in your account within 3–7 business days, depending on your bank or payment provider.
A: The Old Bus Stand, opposite Vasan Medical Centre, is about 0.5 km from the Brihadeeswarar Temple, close enough to walk.
A: The Old Bus Stand suits the temple and palace. The New Bus Stand is about 4 km out, with frequent town buses to the centre.
A: Yes. Sholinganallur, Navalur, Siruseri, Thuraipakkam, Karapakkam and Kelambakkam are among the listed OMR boarding points.
A: No. The library museum closes on Wednesdays and government holidays. The art gallery and Big Temple stay open that day.
If you still have questions related to the Chennai to Thanjavur bus trip, please refer to our zingbus FAQ page here.
A Chennai to Thanjavur bus leaves close to midnight, follows the East Coast Road through Puducherry and Chidambaram, then passes Kumbakonam before reaching the Chola capital early the next morning. The Old Bus Stand drop lies about 0.5 km from the Brihadeeswarar Temple, so you can see the Big Temple in soft morning light soon after arriving.
Chennai boarding for this route stretches from Koyambedu, Vadapalani and Guindy to the OMR IT corridor, including Sholinganallur, Navalur, Siruseri and Kelambakkam. Office workers along OMR can board the Chennai to Thanjavur bus near work, while central Chennai travellers have several metro-linked points.
Chennai Metro reaches several central boarding points, and autos or app cabs cover the OMR stops. Late-night traffic is lighter, but allows extra time on OMR, where toll plazas and junctions slow movement.
Two Koyambedu points are listed, at the Omni Bus Stand and opposite CMBT near Geetham Restaurant, so check the exact landmark on your ticket. OMR pickups such as Perungudi and Karapakkam include a road direction, which helps you wait on the correct side.
The Chennai to Thanjavur bus lists five drops, starting at Papanasam and Ayyampettai on the Kumbakonam road before reaching town. For the Big Temple and the palace, the Old Bus Stand is the most useful stop.
Autos are the easiest way to reach hotels, and fares are agreed before starting. Thanjavur’s palace complex is about 1 km from the Big Temple, close enough to walk. Hotel check-in times vary, so plan breakfast first.
Thanjavur’s main sights sit within a short walk of each other in the old town. Darasuram and Gangaikonda Cholapuram, the other two Great Living Chola Temples, suit separate trips.
After the Chennai to Thanjavur bus, the old town suits a day on foot between temple, palace and markets. Thanjavur’s crafts and meals are as much a part of the visit as its monuments.
The bus reaches Thanjavur early in the morning. Get off at the Old Bus Stand, have breakfast and head to the Brihadeeswarar Temple, which opens at 6 AM and closes for the afternoon at 12:30 PM.
After a banana-leaf lunch and a rest, walk to the Maratha Palace complex. The art gallery reopens at 3 PM and closes at 6 PM, while the Saraswathi Mahal Library museum stays closed on Wednesdays, so plan around it.
Return to the Big Temple after it reopens at 4 PM to see the evening lamps and the tower at sunset. Keep Darasuram, about 40 km away, and Gangaikonda Cholapuram, about 70 km away, for another day.
For one adult on the temple and palace plan, ₹1000 covers palace tickets, autos, meals and coffee. The Big Temple is free, and the other figures are planning allowances, as palace fees could not be confirmed officially. Lodge bills and the bus ticket are not counted here.
| Expense | Cost or planning allowance |
| Brihadeeswarar Temple entry | Free |
| Palace complex, gallery and library tickets | ₹150 per person as a planning allowance |
| Auto rides | ₹250 per person as a daily planning allowance |
| Breakfast, lunch and dinner | ₹450 per person as a daily planning allowance |
| Coffee, snacks and water | ₹150 per person as a daily planning allowance |
| Sample day for one adult | ₹1000, excluding craft shopping |
Parts of the palace complex carry separate tickets, and photography can attract an extra charge, so budget a little more if you plan to see every section.
Thanjavur dolls and paintings vary widely in price, so set a shopping budget separately. A Darasuram or Gangaikonda Cholapuram trip needs its own allowance for a hired auto, taxi or bus.
Note: All figures are planning allowances; ticket prices at each site may change.
Thanjavur’s food reflects the rich Kaveri delta, with rice-based meals, sweets and strong coffee. Many of its best-known flavours come from nearby towns such as Kumbakonam and Thiruvaiyaru.
November to February brings the most comfortable weather for temple walks, though the northeast monsoon runs from October into January. Summer heat peaks in May and June.
The Chennai to Thanjavur bus covers a long overnight route along the East Coast Road and through the delta towns. Three core zingbus measures support passengers through the night.
OMR pickups sit on a busy road even late at night, so wait on the footpath on the side named in your ticket. At the Big Temple, footwear comes off before entering, and the stone courtyard heats up quickly, so carry water.
Getting off the Chennai to Thanjavur bus at the Old Bus Stand puts the Big Temple and Maratha Palace within walking distance. For the return, the Thanjavur to Chennai bus drops at Guindy, Vadapalani, Koyambedu and OMR points across Chennai.