Cuddalore is connected to other parts of Tamil Nadu through a very good rail and road network. Frequent buses run to nearby towns like Pondicherry (Puducherry), Chidambaram, Panruti, Tindivanam and Viluppuram. Buses to major cities of Tamil Nadu such as Chennai, Tiruchirapalli, Coimbatore, Salem, Tiruvannamalai are also available from Cuddalore.
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Railways
Cuddalore has two railway stations, Thirupadiripuliyur railway station and Cuddalore Port Junction, with station codes TDPR and CUPJ respectively. The station code for Cuddalore Port Junction was previously COT, as the station is located in Cuddalore OT. Thirupadirippuliyur railway station is located in the Cuddalore new town and is at a walkable distance to Cuddalore bus stand.
Cuddalore is served by the railway line Chennai - Viluppuram - Mayiladuthurai - Thanjavur - Tiruchirapalli, popularly known as the Main Line. A number of trains passing through Cuddalore provide connectivity to cities like Madurai, Tirupati, Tirunelveli, Tiruchendur, Karaikal, Mannargudi etc..
Cuddalore Port Junction (CUPJ) has a second railway line going to Salem via Virudhachalam Junction. Currently, there are daily passenger trains going to Tiruchirappalli and Virudhachalam at 6:00 AM and 08:40 PM respectively.
Computerised Reservation Facility is available at both the stations of Cuddalore Port Jn. and Tiruppadirippuliyur. Cuddalore Port Jn. recently has started handling cargo through containers. Parcel Bookings are accepted only at Cuddalore Port Jn.
Cuddalore demand new rail route cuddalore to Tindivanam via Pondicherry(Puducherry) for very long time but, a new rail route proposal from Chennai to Cuddalore via Mamallapuram, Pondicherry was tabled in 2009 Railway Budget.
Roads
Distance between Cuddalore and other major towns and cities:
Government Transport Corporations
TNSTC, Viluppuram formerly known as Periyar Transport Corporation operates buses in this district. As this is bordered by adjacent Union Territory, inter-state coverage is also met. These buses connect Cuddalore and Chidambaram to all major towns and cities in Tamil Nadu. Town buses connects important towns and villages of this district.
Apart from this, SETC, Tamil Nadu and KSRTC, Karnataka also ply in this district thereby enhancing the speedy linking of all the towns in the express tracks of National Highways.