Tirunelveli to Kanyakumari by cab
Kanyakumari is the southern tip of mainland India, where the Arabian Sea, the Bay of Bengal and the Indian Ocean meet, and it is one of the two or three places every Tirunelveli visitor is told to see. It lies about 85 km south, a drive of 1.5 to 2 hours on the national highway through Nagercoil.
Most guests want sunrise, which means a very early start or a night in Kanyakumari. Others prefer to go after breakfast and stay for the sunset. Either works, and we plan the pickup time around what you want to see, not the other way round.
Route and travel time
The usual route is the national highway through Nagercoil, with Suchindram on the way. The distance is about 85 km, and the drive takes 1.5 to 2 hours. A round trip is about 170 km.The best time to go is october to March for weather, and sunrise or sunset for the views.
What to see in Kanyakumari
Sunrise and sunset
The main draw. Sunrise is best seen from the shore, with the sea on three sides.
Vivekananda Rock Memorial
Reached by a short ferry ride. Queues are longest at weekends and on holidays.
Thiruvalluvar Statue
A 133-foot statue of the Tamil poet-saint, next to the memorial and reached by the same ferry.
Kumari Amman Temple
The shore temple of the goddess, a short walk from the sea front.
Suchindram and Padmanabhapuram
Suchindram is on the road in, and the wooden Padmanabhapuram Palace is a further detour near Thuckalay.
Two ways to plan it
- Sunrise day trip: leave Tirunelveli around 3:30 to 4:00 am, catch sunrise, visit the memorial when the ferry runs, and start back by early afternoon.
- Relaxed day trip: leave after breakfast, add Suchindram on the way, see the memorial in the afternoon and stay for sunset.
- Overnight: book a room near the shore, see sunrise on foot and use the car the next day for Padmanabhapuram or Nagercoil.
Good to know before you go
- Ferry timings are set by the operator and run in daylight hours. Check them on the day.
- Sunrise and sunset can be cloudy in the monsoon months, so treat them as a bonus, not a certainty.
- The town is crowded during holidays and festival weekends. Book the car in advance for those dates.
Which car to book
A sedan works for a couple or small family. Families of six or seven usually take an SUV, and school or friends groups a Tempo Traveller. Tell us about elders and luggage so we can plan parking near the shore.
Fare guide
Taxi fare for Tirunelveli to Kanyakumari
A same-day trip of about 170 km is a little over the 150 km included in our 10-hour local package, so the price is the package plus about 20 extra km. Prices are as of 19 September 2026.
| Vehicle | Suits | Package price | Extra km | Indicative total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swift Dzire / Toyota Etios | Up to 4 guests | ₹2,700 A/C | ₹13 | ₹2,960 |
| Toyota Innova | Family of 6 to 7 | ₹4,000 A/C | ₹18 | ₹4,360 |
| Toyota Innova Crysta | Family of 6 to 7, extra comfort | ₹5,000 A/C | ₹21 | ₹5,420 |
| Tempo Traveller | Groups of 12 and more | ₹6,000 A/C | ₹24 | ₹6,480 |
The indicative total is the package price plus extra kilometres at the published rate. It leaves out extra hours, toll, parking and night charges. We confirm the exact fare before you travel.
See the full cab price list for every vehicle and package.