🏛️ Chennai to Mahabalipuram — vehicles, fares and route notes
📍 This route at a glance
- 120 KM estimated roundtrip from Chennai
- 1 day typical trip duration
- Commonly booked as a 1 day trip
- Stays within Tamil Nadu — no interstate permit needed
- Same-day return — no overnight driver halt to budget for
🚌 Which vehicle suits Chennai to Mahabalipuram?
- At 120 KM this is a short enough run that the Tempo Traveller (9 + 1 Seats, from ₹3,240) is usually the sensible choice.
- For a large group, compare the 17+1 Tempo Traveller at ₹4,060 against the 16+1 Force Urbania at ₹6,600 — the Urbania seats one fewer but is the more comfortable of the two.
- Because this is a same-day trip, only one day of driver batta applies.
📊 Chennai to Mahabalipuram fare estimate — all six vehicles
Worked out on 120 KM over 1 day, garage to garage. Excludes tolls, parking and state border permits. On this route the range runs from ₹3,240 (9 + 1 Seats, Tempo Traveller (Maharaja Sofa)) up to ₹6,600 (16 + 1 Seats, Force Urbania (Large)).
| Vehicle Model | Seating | Rate / KM | Driver Batta | Est. Trip Fare |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Force Urbania (VIP) | 10 + 1 Seats | ₹38 / KM | ₹1,000 / Day | ₹5,560 |
| Force Urbania (Executive) | 12 + 1 Seats | ₹40 / KM | ₹1,000 / Day | ₹5,800 |
| Force Urbania (Large) | 16 + 1 Seats | ₹45 / KM | ₹1,200 / Day | ₹6,600 |
| Tempo Traveller (Maharaja Sofa) | 9 + 1 Seats | ₹22 / KM | ₹600 / Day | ₹3,240 |
| Tempo Traveller (Executive) | 12 + 1 Seats | ₹24 / KM | ₹600 / Day | ₹3,480 |
| Tempo Traveller (Standard) | 17 + 1 Seats | ₹28 / KM | ₹700 / Day | ₹4,060 |
📍 About Mahabalipuram — what to see and what not to miss
Located 120 km from Chennai in Tamil Nadu, Mahabalipuram makes an ideal destination for a one-day coastal trip focused on historic rock-cut architecture. Visitors can explore the iconic Shore Temple, which stands dramatically overlooking the Bay of Bengal. Nearby, the grand open-air relief carving known as Arjuna's Penance showcases detailed stonework depicting mythical stories, animals, and celestial beings. Another key sight is Krishna's Butterball, a giant natural boulder resting precariously on a smooth rock slope that creates a popular photo spot for visiting groups. A short walk away, the monolithic monuments of the Pancha Rathas, or Five Chariots, display intricately carved structures chiselled from single granite rocks, each reflecting distinct architectural styles.
🗺️ What the Chennai to Mahabalipuram route covers
The Chennai to Mahabalipuram booking is usually made to cover these:
- Shore Temple
- Pancha Rathas (Five Chariots)
- Arjuna's Penance
- Krishna's Butterball
⏱️ Same-day return
120 KM returns comfortably within a day, so only one day of driver batta applies — the reason Chennai to Mahabalipuram sits at the cheaper end of our outstation range, from ₹3,240.
📍 Pickup anywhere in Chennai
Doorstep pickup from any Chennai locality at no extra charge. Common hubs:
