A one-day Pondicherry plan from Chennai

Pondicherry is one of the most popular short trips from Chennai, and with an early start a single day is enough to see the best of it. This plan keeps driving to a minimum once you arrive and leaves room to slow down, which is what this town is for.

Getting there: the East Coast Road

The usual route from Chennai is the East Coast Road (ECR), which runs south along the coast past Mahabalipuram. It is a pleasant drive with glimpses of the sea, but traffic leaving Chennai can be heavy, especially on weekends. Leave as early as you can. Buses and cabs also run between Chennai and Pondicherry; there is no need to drive yourself.

Morning: Mahabalipuram or straight to White Town

If you leave very early, stop at Mahabalipuram on the way for the Shore Temple and the rock-cut monuments, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. Otherwise, drive straight through and start in Pondicherry's White Town, the old French Quarter. Park once and explore on foot: the colonial streets, the churches, the Sri Aurobindo Ashram area and the Promenade by the sea are all close together.

Midday: lunch, on land or on the sea

For lunch, either pick one of the restaurants in the French Quarter or spend the middle of the day on the sea with a lunch cruise. A cruise gives you a couple of hours of rest after the drive and the walk, with lunch served on board and the coast in view.

Afternoon: Auroville or the beach

After lunch, choose one: - Auroville, the international township north of Pondicherry, with its visitor centre and the viewing point for the Matrimandir. - Paradise Beach, by boat from the Chunnambar boat house south of town. - A slow afternoon of cafés and shopping on Mission Street.

Evening: the Promenade, then home

End the day on the Promenade as the evening crowd comes out, have an early dinner, and start the drive back before it gets too late. If you can stay the night, a dinner cruise makes a lovely end to the day and you can drive back rested the next morning.

Coming from Bangalore

From Bangalore, Pondicherry is a long drive for a single day. Make it a weekend instead: arrive on the first day for an evening on the Promenade or a dinner cruise, spend the next day in White Town and Auroville, and travel back on the third morning or after lunch.

Coming from other cities

From Hyderabad, fly or take the train to Chennai and continue by road, or check for flights to Pondicherry's own airport. From Coimbatore or Trichy, the drive takes most of a day, so plan at least one night in Pondicherry. From Mahabalipuram, Pondicherry is an easy day trip down the ECR.

Tips for a day trip

• Start early to beat the Chennai traffic on the ECR.
• Carry water, a hat and sun protection.
• Book a cruise or a restaurant ahead on weekends and holidays.
• Keep an hour spare: the day always runs longer than planned.