Pondicherry, officially known as Puducherry, and commonly referred to as just Pondy, is one of the seven Union Territories of India. This former French colony is a perfect amalgamation of the traditional Indian sensibilities and French architecture, making it a dreamy escape that offers the best of both worlds.
Chennai is the second nearest domestic as well as international airport (MAA) which is approximately 135 kilometres away from Pondicherry. The Chennai airport is well connected to all major cities across the globe. Once you reach at the airport, you can hire a private taxi to reach Pondicherry.
The Villupuram Railway Junction (VM) connects Pondicherry to the rest of India via rail.
The road trip to Pondicherry is a dream for every traveler because of the exotic scenery. However, there are various buses that connect Pondicherry to Chennai, Trichy, Bangalore, Coimbatore etc.. A lot of people prefer to rent their own motorcycle and Car in Pondicherry, since some of the main attractions - Auroville and the Paradise beach are far from the main town. If you would not prefer to drive yourself, there are a lot of taxi and shared autos available which can give you a ride to and from the main promenade.
Pondicherry is best visited during the months of October to March as the temperature usually ranges between 15 - 30 degree Celsius. Over the years, Pondicherry has truly been the gem of South India and an ideal vacation spot. Summers (April-June) are quite hot and the temperature touches 40 degree Celsius occasionally. Monsoons (July-September) is also a good time to visit Pondicherry despite the rainfalls. However, the best time to visit Pondicherry varies from person to person as the place transforms itself every season and celebrates a range of festivals which interest a lot of tourists.
Away from the hustle and bustle of big cities, Puducherry is a quiet little town on the southern coast of India. The unmistakable French connection, the three lined boulevards, the quaint colonial heritage buildings, the spiritual sceneries, the endless stretches of unspoiled virgin beaches and backwaters and a surprising choice of restaurants serving a melange of cuisines provide a heady mix of experience that draws travellers from near and far to the city. It is the perfect place to come if you want to take the pace of life down a few notches.