The Chennai-Nagercoil Vande Bharat Express, one of the three trains virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on August 31, will provide the fastest route to Kanyakumari, India’s southernmost point, according to a senior railway official.
The train will cover the 726 km distance from Chennai to Nagercoil in just 8 hours and 50 minutes, offering the quickest travel option between these two destinations. From Nagercoil, Kanyakumari is approximately 20 km away, accessible by rail or road.
Currently, two other trains connect Chennai to Kanyakumari but take around 12 hours. The Vande Bharat Express introduces a faster and more comfortable third option. Commercial operations for this new service will commence on September 1 (Sunday).
Chennai-Nagercoil Vande Bharat Express stoppages
Kanniyakumari, Tirunelveli, Thoothukudi, Virudhunagar, Madurai, Dindigul, Trichy, Perambalur, Cuddalore, Villupuram, Chengalpattu and Chennai.
Chennai-Nagercoil Vande Bharat Express schedule
The train will operate four days a week, except Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, featuring 8 coaches.
Chennai-Nagercoil Vande Bharat Express timings
The Chennai-Nagercoil Vande Bharat Express will depart from Chennai Egmore at 5:00 AM and arrive in Nagercoil at 1:50 PM, with stops at seven stations along the way: Tambaram, Villupuram, Tiruchirappalli, Dindigul, Madurai, Kovilpatti, and Tirunelveli. On the return journey, the train will leave Nagercoil at 2:20 PM and reach Chennai Egmore at 11:00 PM on the same day.
The new train will significantly improve connectivity to major industrial, business, and tourist hubs, including Trichy, Madurai, Dindigul, and Tirunelveli. It is expected to be particularly beneficial for passengers traveling to southern Tamil Nadu, especially during weekends and festivals.