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Chennai to Vellore Bus: Koyambedu Boarding, Fares and CMC Tips

Vellore buses still leave from Koyambedu, take under three hours and stop in town near CMC's main hospital. An ordinary seat costs about Rs 81.

31 October 2026

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Buses from Chennai to Vellore leave from the Koyambedu terminus (CMBT) and run along the Bengaluru highway through Poonamallee and Sriperumbudur, covering about 140 km in under three hours. Government fares are modest, about Rs 81 by ordinary bus and Rs 140 by ultra deluxe at the state’s per-km rates.

The numbers

140 kmChennai to Vellore, per CMC and redBus

2h 37mfastest operator time listed

272daily buses listed on redBus

7 kmKatpadi station to CMC hospital

The Chennai to Vellore bus is a short, frequent run, and much of its traffic is patients and families heading to Christian Medical College. Unlike the southern routes, Vellore services stayed at Koyambedu when southbound buses moved to Kilambakkam in January 2024; DT Next reported then that buses via Poonamallee to Vellore, Hosur and Tirupattur would continue from Koyambedu.

That still holds. For this month’s Aayudha Pooja rush, DT Next’s boarding guide again listed Vellore among the Koyambedu destinations. Below: where to board, what it costs, how long it takes, and how to reach CMC from the bus.

Where to board the Chennai to Vellore bus

Koyambedu, officially the Puratchi Thalaivar Dr M.G. Ramachandran bus terminus, handles about 2,000 mofussil buses a day according to the CMDA. Vellore buses also pick up on the way out at Poonamallee, which is useful for western suburbs. Private operators add boarding points across the city; on redBus the list ran from Adyar and Anna Nagar to Ashok Pillar and Central station.

By MTC, route 170ACT runs from Madhavaram to CMBT via Thirumangalam, and 170A passes Koyambedu on its way from Madhavaram to Tambaram and Vandalur. Koyambedu also has a metro station next to the terminus. Frequencies on our route pages are averages from MTC data and may be dated, so check live timings before you leave.

Bus classes and fares to Vellore

On a short route the cheaper classes make sense. The fare rates in the Transport Department’s Policy Note 2025-26, unchanged since 29 January 2018, give these base fares over 140 km. Tolls and stage rounding change the final figure slightly.

Class	Rate per km	Base fare for 140 km (approx.)
Ordinary	58 paise	Rs 81
Semi deluxe	75 paise	Rs 105
Super deluxe	85 paise	Rs 119
Ultra deluxe	100 paise	Rs 140
AC seater	110 to 130 paise	Rs 154 to Rs 182

Source: Tamil Nadu Transport Department, Policy Note 2025-26, mofussil fare table (rates in force since 29 January 2018). Base fares are simple arithmetic: rate per km multiplied by the 140 km route distance listed on redBus; tickets add tolls and reservation charges.

Private buses cost more for the comfort of a reserved AC seat. On 31 October 2026, redBus listed 272 daily services from 78 operators, with fares from about Rs 255 and operator times between 2 hours 37 minutes and 2 hours 57 minutes. Government buses are walk-up on most days, but reserved seats are on tnstc.in, where advance booking opens 90 days ahead and a “Single Lady” option is available.

2,000

Mofussil buses that operate from Koyambedu every day, according to the CMDA, which opened the terminus in November 2002.

Journey time and the road

Buses leave Koyambedu along Poonamallee High Road, join the Bengaluru highway and pass Sriperumbudur, skirt Kanchipuram, and run on through Walajapet, Ranipet and Arcot into Vellore. CMC says train and bus services from Chennai take about three hours, which matches the operator times above. Avoid Friday evening and Monday morning if you can; the Poonamallee stretch is the slowest part.

Schematic of the about 140 km route from Koyambedu via Poonamallee, Sriperumbudur, the Kanchipuram bypass, Walajapet, Ranipet and Arcot to Vellore. — The whole trip is on the Bengaluru highway after Poonamallee.

Getting to CMC Vellore by bus

For patients, the bus has one clear advantage over the train. CMC’s visitor guidance says buses from Chennai bring you into the centre of Vellore town, within walking distance of the main hospital on Ida Scudder Road. The train stops at Katpadi, about 7 km away, where you need an auto, taxi or town bus. Private buses list a “CMC Hospital” drop point as well as the new bus stand.

CMC also runs a newer campus at Kannigapuram near Ranipet, with 14 super-specialities and level 1 trauma care, according to CMC. If your appointment is there, check with the hospital before travelling; Ranipet is on the way to Vellore, so you may not need to ride all the way into town. CMC lists +91 8000338855 for patient queries.

It’s often said you must take the train to Katpadi to reach CMC quickly.

The record shows Buses from Chennai stop in the town centre near the hospital, while Katpadi is about 7 km away, CMC notes. Both take around three hours from Chennai.

What this means for you

Board at Koyambedu (CMBT) or Poonamallee; Vellore buses did not move to Kilambakkam.
An ordinary bus costs about Rs 81 and an ultra deluxe about Rs 140 at the state rates.
For CMC’s main hospital, get off in Vellore town; it is within walking distance.
If your appointment is at the Ranipet campus, confirm the address first and ask the conductor about the nearest stop.

Quick answers

Where do I get the bus from Chennai to Vellore?

From Koyambedu (CMBT). Buses also pick up at Poonamallee, and private operators board at many city points.

How much is the bus fare from Chennai to Vellore?

About Rs 81 by ordinary bus, Rs 140 by ultra deluxe and Rs 154 to Rs 182 by AC seater at the state’s per-km rates. Private fares on redBus started at about Rs 255 on 31 October 2026.