Chennai Holiday Travel Shift Due to IndiGo?

• IndiGo flight cancellations strand holiday travelers in Chennai.
• Chennai travelers seek road trips to Pondicherry, Mahabalipuram & Yelagiri.
• Road trips offer scenic festive escapes amid flight disruptions.

New Delhi: IndiGo flight cancellations have thrown Christmas and New Year holiday plans into disarray, prompting travellers to seek the best road trips

from Chennai as reliable alternatives. Amidst road trips from Chennai for short getaways, these scenic drives offer freedom from airport chaos, blending adventure with serene escapes perfect for festive vacations. Discover top road trip ideas from Chennai that promise unforgettable destinations from Chennai to visit, all accessible by car for hassle-free getaways.

As families scramble for road trip ideas from Chennai during the peak holiday season, these routes stand out for their stunning landscapes and proximity. Embrace the best road trips from Chennai for short getaway options that bypass flight uncertainties, ensuring joyful celebrations amidst nature’s embrace.

IndiGo flight cancellations continue: Several flight cancelled from Chennai, Delhi, Kolkata, and more.

IndiGo’s ongoing crisis, triggered by staff shortages, pilot unavailability, and new flight duty time limitations since early December 2025, has severely hit Chennai airport. On December 10, 2025, 36 flights were cancelled at Chennai— including 24 departures to Delhi, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and international routes to Singapore and Penang. It was followed by 70 cancellations the previous day and over 1,000 nationwide by December 5, 2025.

This chaos, peaking during the Christmas and New Year rush, stranded thousands, with dense fog adding to the December 17-18 woes, like the Chennai-Kolkata route. Passengers faced long queues, unclaimed luggage, and frustration, forcing many to pivot to road trips from Chennai for reliable festive escapes.

Best road trips from Chennai

1. Pondicherry

This French-colonial gem on the Coromandel Coast captivates with pristine beaches, vibrant cafes, and spiritual serenity, blending European charm with Tamil culture for an idyllic coastal retreat. ​

• Time from Chennai: 160 km, 3-4 hours via East Coast Road (ECR), a scenic coastal drive.​

• Best places to visit in Pondicherry:

  1. Promenade Beach for seaside strolls.​

  2. Auroville for utopian vibes.​

  3. Paradise Beach for golden sands.​

  4. Shri Aurobindo Ashram for spirituality.​

  5. French War Memorial for history.​

• Top things to do in Pondicherry:

  1. Cycle White Town lanes.​

  2. Boat to Paradise Beach.​

  3. Meditate at Matrimandir.​

  4. Savour crepes at seaside cafés.​

  5. Explore Arikamedu ruins.

2. Mahabalipuram

UNESCO-listed shore temple haven boasts ancient Pallava rock carvings, boulder Balancing Krishna’s Butterball, and crashing waves, evoking mythical seascapes amid golden sands. ​

• Time from Chennai: 55 km, 1.5 hours via East Coast Road (ECR/Old Mahabalipuram Road).​

• Best places to visit in Mahabalipuram:

  1. Shore Temple for ocean views.​

  2. Krishna’s Butterball boulder.​

  3. Pancha Rathas monuments.​

  4. Arjuna’s Penance relief.​

  5. Mahabalipuram Lighthouse.​

• Top things to do in Mahabalipuram:

  1. Surf at the beach.​

  2. Explore cave temples.​

  3. Watch the sunrise at the temple.​

  4. Shop for stone souvenirs.​

  5. Trek to Tiger Cave.

3. Yelagiri

Lush hill station cradled in Eastern Ghats features misty peaks, sparkling lakes, and rose gardens, offering cool respite with panoramic views and adventure trails. ​

• Time from Chennai: 230 km, 5 hours via NH44 and SH130 through Vellore.​

• Best places to visit in Yelagiri:

  1. Punganur Lake for boating.​

  2. Swamimalai Hills for treks.​

  3. Velavan Temple for peace.​

  4. Jalagamparai Falls nearby.​

  5. Rose Garden for blooms.​

• Top things to do in Yelagiri:

  1. Paraglide over valleys.​

  2. Boat on the lake.​

  3. Trek hill paths.​

  4. Camp under stars.​

  5. Pick seasonal fruits.

​

4. Pulicat

India’s second-largest brackish lake sanctuary teems with flamingos, pelicans, and mangroves, where Dutch fort ruins meet serene waters for birdwatcher’s paradise. ​

• Time from Chennai: 55 km, 1.5 hours via Ennore Express Highway and coastal road.​

• Best places to visit in Pulicat:

  1. Pulicat Lake Bird Sanctuary.​

  2. Dutch Fort Geldria ruins.​

  3. Sriharikota backwaters.​

  4. Mangrove forests.​

  5. Lighthouse viewpoint.​

• Top things to do in Pulicat:

  1. Boat safari for birds.​

  2. Spot flamingos at dawn.​

  3. Explore fort remnants.​

  4. Picnic by the lake.​

  5. Kayak brackish waters.

5. Nagalapuram

Rugged hills hide cascading waterfalls, ancient temples, and forested trails, where invigorating treks lead to natural pools amid rocky crags and wildlife. ​

• Time from Chennai : 80 km, 2 hours via NH16 towards Sulurpet.​

• Best places to visit in Nagalapuram:

  1. Nagalapuram Waterfalls.​

  2. Vedanarayana Temple.​

  3. Natural rock pools.​

  4. Forest trails.​

  5. Hill viewpoints.​

• Top things to do in Nagalapuram:

  1. Trek to falls (10-12 km).​

  2. Swim in pools.​

  3. Camp overnight.​

  4. Spot wildlife.​

  5. Pray at temple.

​

6. Vellore

Fortress city pulses with history via massive granite ramparts, golden temple spires, and biryani trails, merging military legacy with spiritual grandeur. ​

• Time from Chennai: 140 km, 3 hours via NH48 (Bangalore Highway).​

• Best places to visit in Vellore:

  1. Vellore Fort.​

  2. Golden Temple (Sripuram).​

  3. Jalakanteshwara Temple.​

  4. Government Museum.​

  5. Ratnagiri Murugan Temple.​

• Top things to do in Vellore:

  1. Explore fort ramparts.​

  2. Circumambulate Golden Temple.​

  3. Taste Ambur biryani.​

  4. Visit hilltop temple.​

  5. Hike to waterfalls.

7. Yercaud

Shevaroy Hills jewel sparkles with emerald lakes, coffee plantations, and misty viewpoints, where boating and treks unveil colonial-era charm in cool climes. ​

• Time from Chennai: 360 km, 6-7 hours via NH44 to Salem then ghat road.​

• Best places to visit in Yercaud:

  1. Yercaud Lake.​

  2. Pagoda Point viewpoint.​

  3. Lady’s Seat panorama.​

  4. Kottachedu Teak Forest.​

  5. Silk Farm and Rose Garden.​

• Top things to do:

  1. Boat on the lake.​

  2. Sunrise at viewpoints.​

  3. Trek forest paths.​

  4. Tour coffee estates.​

  5. Stroll Anna Park.

​

8. Nandi Hills

Tipu Sultan’s cloud-kissed summer retreat boasts dawn vistas, paragliding cliffs, and historic drops, where forts meet adrenaline amid breezy heights. (30 words)​

• Time from Chennai: 350 km, 6 hours via NH44 through Bengaluru.​

• Best places to visit in Nandi Hills:

  1. Nandi Temple.​

  2. Tipu’s Summer Residence.​

  3. Tipu’s Drop cliff.​

  4. Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple.​

  5. Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple.​

• Top things to do in Nandi Hills:

  1. Catch sunrise views.​

  2. Paraglide over hills.​

  3. Explore Tipu’s fort.​

  4. Cycle scenic roads.​

  5. Trek to viewpoints.

With IndiGo disruptions lingering into the festive peak, these best road trips from Chennai emerge as saviours for seamless Christmas and New Year escapes. Embrace the freedom of the open road, from coastal breezes to hilltop serenity, crafting memories unbound by flight schedules. Pack up, fuel the car, and let these top places to visit from Chennai redefine your holiday adventure.​