Фотогалерея ‒ Pondicherry, India

Guide to Pondicherry

Pondicherry Virtual Tour

Pondicherry, also known as Puducherry or Puttuccherry, is situated along the Bay of Bengal and stands out as one of the most European-influenced cities in India. Its streets are neatly laid out, adorned with charming European-style colonial houses, cozy shops, modern hotels, supermarkets, and numerous attractions. For those fascinated by Indian history, particularly the French colonial era, Pondicherry offers a wealth of experiences. Notably, an old dam constructed in 1735, measuring about two kilometers in length and nine meters in height, played a crucial role in preventing the city center from flooding during the 2004 tsunami, when the water level rose to eight meters. Pondicherry is renowned for its philosophical schools and spiritual teachings. It was home to Sri Aurobindo, whose disciple Mirra Alfassa founded the "City of the Future" known as Auroville. The city boasts several temples, picturesque places for leisurely walks, and a warm bay. However, visitors are drawn to Pondicherry not solely for its beaches; rather, they are enticed by its rich history and the opportunity to immerse themselves in its distinctive atmosphere.

Photos of Pondicherry

Tips for tourists

It used to be difficult to visit Matrimandir in Auroville. Today, however, it is possible to sign up there daily for meditation from 09.30 am and on the following days to get to this amazing place.
This city is considered expensive, so calculate your budget carefully and try to haggle as hard as possible.
Although Pondicherry is an extremely civilized city, you should be careful with food and water, as in the rest of India. Drink bottled water and wash fruits and vegetables thoroughly, ideally with boiled water.
Population
1 244 464
Time zone
+5:30
Language
Hindi
Currency
Indian Rupee (INR)

Interesting places in Pondicherry

Exploring Pondicherry can be a delightful experience with various tours available within the city and its surroundings. The city boasts numerous picturesque streets, squares, parks, beautiful waterfronts, and a wealth of museums. When planning hiking routes in Pondicherry, it's beneficial to design them yourself, allowing you the opportunity to discover the hidden gems that even professional guides might overlook. Alternatively, you can opt for trustworthy guides who can provide you with an enriching experience during your walk. A popular suggestion is to visit the town-community of Auroville, which, despite not fully realizing its original vision, remains an intriguing destination for many. So, where should you begin your exploration?

Sights

Travel budget

Flight ticket prices

To reach Pondicherry, you will need to fly to Chennai, as there are no direct flights from European cities. One option is to fly to Sharjah with Air Arabia and then continue to your destination. This route is not the cheapest, with prices starting from around 480 USD, and the average cost is between 520-550 USD. During January-March, prices are usually higher due to the tourist season. The cheapest options, around 450 USD, can be found with UIA and Oman Air, but they involve two connections, one in Dubai and one in Muscat.

The best hotels in Pondicherry

Pondicherry is considered an expensive resort and this is reflected in the accommodation as well. Of course, you can find rooms in the private sector at the usual Indian prices from 10 to 25 USD per night. But there are more four or five star hotels here than inexpensive apartments. The average price of accommodation in such hotels is from 90 USD and more. These are Anantha Heritage Hotel, Pondicherry Executive Inn Pvt Ltd, The Sunway Manor. In the latter you can stay for 50-55 USD. At Annamalai International Hotel you will find rooms for 45 USD, although it is a four-star hotel. But at Ungal Vasanta Bhavan Residency, you can stay for 25-30 USD. Rooms in the cheapest hotels cost around 20 USD. Carefully study the offer, tourist reviews, photos and hotel websites to see in advance the quality of the vacation and not be disappointed.

The cost of vacation

Typically, the most costly aspect of traveling to India remains the flight. Staying in Pondicherry for three days can be significantly more expensive than other coastal resorts in the country, primarily due to the cost of hotels and restaurants. However, even in Pondicherry, you can find economical options. Inexpensive restaurants can provide a meal for two for around 5-6 USD, while dining in a cafe with more amenities might cost around 40-50 USD per day. Excursions can also add to the expenses, especially if you plan to travel outside the city. On average, budget around 200-300 USD for such trips as a significant portion of your expenses.

The budget for a trip to Pondicherry
Visa 120 USD Flight From 900 USD
Accommodation from 20 USD Average check in a restaurant from 5 USD
Transportation fare 1-2 USD, or 65-130 INR Excursion from 25 USD
Total: about 1450 USD for a week for two people

Pondicherry: tips for tourists

On tripmydream website you will find out all the details of a vacation in the most French city in India - Pondicherry. You just need to find the section you are interested in or write to us with your questions.

Visa to Pondicherry

You don't need a Schengen visa for India. But you will need a local visa. It is issued upon arrival at the airports of Bangalore, Goa, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Kochi, Trivandrum, Hyderabad, Chennai. Visa fee is 60 USD. Arrange documents online, pay a few days before traveling. You are required to bring Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA), an electronic travel authorization that will be sent to you. Such a visa is given for 30 days.

Airports near Pondicherry

The most convenient way for tourists to reach Chennai. The airport itself is located at Meenambakkam 7 km south of Chennai. It is a major airport that can be flown to by many connecting routes to cities in Asia. There is a small local airport in Pondicherry as well, but there are hardly any flights there lately.

Transfer to Pondicherry from the airport

The easiest way to get there is by cab, the cost of which ranges from 35 to 50 USD. The ride is quite far, about 160 kilometers. You can contact Prepaid Taxi service, which offers prepaid cabs. You can book a cab to Coimbatore Bus Stand, only from there there are scheduled buses to Pondicherry.

Car rental in Pondicherry

If you are going to rent a car, rather than bikes or bicycles, focus better on large companies and order a car online. Cars in this region are quite expensive, from 50 USD per day. You can find a bike for 300-500 INR per day.

Pondicherry Public Transportation

The railway station is located at the southern tip of the city. A train comes here from Delhi only once a week. There are trains to Chennai, Tirupati, Mangalore, Bhubaneswar, Villuppuram and Chora. There is a bus stand near the station as well. From Tiruvannamalai at 09.30 and 11.00 a.m. to Pondicherry goes bus number 158, it costs 31 INR, a cab will cost 800-1000 INR. There are shuttle buses to other cities too, ask the drivers directly. There are cabs in the city itself.

Security in Pondicherry

This is quite a large city and the guests are varied. While Europeanized in terms of economy and architecture, Pondicherry remains Indian in terms of the friendliness of the locals. Besides, there are a lot of policemen here, and order is monitored. Be careful though, petty theft is not uncommon in this city, nor is vehicle theft.

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