Chennai to Velankanni is 348 km by rail and about 330 km by road. There is one direct train: the 16175 MS–VLNK Express, every day, from Chennai Egmore at 9:00 PM to Velankanni at 4:30 AM, a journey of 7 hours 30 minutes. The return is the 16176, leaving Velankanni at 9:50 PM and reaching Chennai Egmore at 5:15 AM.
Train details on this page are from NTES, Indian Railways’ official train enquiry system, checked on 27 September 2026. Timings can change, so check the train on NTES or IRCTC before you travel.
Direct train: 16175 MS–VLNK Express
| Runs | Every day |
| From | Chennai Egmore (MS), 9:00 PM; Tambaram (TBM), 9:30 PM |
| To | Velankanni (VLNK), 4:30 AM next morning |
| Journey | 7 h 30 min from Egmore, 348 km |
| Classes | 2A, 3A and sleeper (reserved); general (unreserved) |
It’s an overnight train that arrives before dawn. At the Basilica, Morning Prayer is at 5:40 AM and the first Mass at 6:00 AM, so you can go straight to Mass: see the Mass timings.
All stops on the 16175
| Station | Arrives | Departs | Km |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chennai Egmore (MS) | – | 9:00 PM | 0 |
| Tambaram (TBM) | 9:28 PM | 9:30 PM | 25 |
| Chengalpattu Jn (CGL) | 9:58 PM | 10:00 PM | 56 |
| Melmaruvathur (MLMR) | 10:23 PM | 10:25 PM | 91 |
| Tindivanam (TMV) | 10:48 PM | 10:50 PM | 121 |
| Villupuram Jn (VM) | 11:35 PM | 11:40 PM | 158 |
| Cuddalore Port Jn (CUPJ) | 12:20 AM | 12:21 AM | 205 |
| Chidambaram (CDM) | 12:50 AM | 12:52 AM | 243 |
| Sirkazhi (SY) | 1:14 AM | 1:15 AM | 260 |
| Mayiladuturai Jn (MV) | 2:05 AM | 2:07 AM | 280 |
| Peralam Jn (PEM) | 2:24 AM | 2:25 AM | 296 |
| Tirunallaru (TXR) | 2:50 AM | 2:52 AM | 313 |
| Karaikal (KIK) | 3:06 AM | 3:08 AM | 319 |
| Nagore (NCR) | 3:26 AM | 3:28 AM | 330 |
| Nagapattinam Jn (NGT) | 3:43 AM | 3:46 AM | 338 |
| Velankanni (VLNK) | 4:30 AM | – | 348 |
Stay on the train past Nagapattinam: it continues the last 10 km to Velankanni station.
Return train: 16176 VLNK–MS Express
| Runs | Every day |
| From | Velankanni (VLNK), 9:50 PM |
| To | Chennai Egmore (MS), 5:15 AM next morning; Tambaram 4:08 AM |
| Journey | 7 h 25 min, 348 km |
| Classes | 2A, 3A and sleeper (reserved); general (unreserved) |
Main stops: Nagapattinam 10:05 PM, Karaikal 10:38 PM, Mayiladuturai 11:33 PM, Chidambaram 12:13 AM, Villupuram 2:08 AM, Chengalpattu 3:33 AM.
Other trains: Sunday train to Nagapattinam
The only other train NTES lists from Chennai Egmore to Nagapattinam is the 11017 LTT–Karaikal Express, which runs on Sundays only. It leaves Chennai Egmore at 11:15 AM and reaches Nagapattinam at 5:43 PM (6 h 28 min), with 2A, 3A, sleeper and general classes. It does not go to Velankanni station, so from Nagapattinam you continue about 10 km by bus, auto or taxi.
There is no train from Chennai Central to Velankanni; the 16175 leaves from Chennai Egmore.
Feast-season special trains
For the annual feast (29 August – 8 September) and some holidays, Indian Railways can run special trains that aren’t in the regular timetable. We list them only once they’re announced. Closer to the feast, look them up on NTES (Trains Between Stations → special trains) or on IRCTC.
Around the feast, book the 16175 and 16176 as early as you can.
Booking and fares
Book on IRCTC, the RailOne app or at a station counter. Fares depend on the class and change from time to time, so check the current fare when you book.
Arriving at Velankanni station
Velankanni station (VLNK) is about 1.2 km by road from the Basilica (OpenStreetMap routing), roughly a 15-minute walk.
Arriving at 4:30 AM, you may want a room straight away:
- Stays near Velankanni railway station: only two on our list
- Stays near the Basilica, a short auto ride away
- All hotels in Velankanni, compared
- Shrine room booking guide: how the shrine’s own rooms are booked at its counter
By road from Chennai
By road it is about 330 km from Chennai Egmore to the Basilica (OpenStreetMap routing). For buses, see how to reach Velankanni.
