Trip costs · Chilika Lake · from Chennai
How much does a Chilika Lake trip from Chennai cost?
About ₹24,000 for two people for 5 days (4 nights) in November — ₹12,000 each — at rates a travel agent can actually book. That's by train to Balugaon + auto, about 20 hours each way.
What it costs, season by season
Two people, 5 days, leaving Chennai on the 12th of the month.
| When | What it's like | Total for 2 |
|---|---|---|
| November | Best time to go | ₹24,000 |
| April | Good time to go | ₹24,000 |
| May | Very hot at this time of year | ₹24,000 |
Where the money goes
Two people in November.
| Travel there and back — Train to Balugaon + auto | ₹6,720 |
| Stay — 4 nights at about ₹1,500 a night | ₹6,000 |
| Food | ₹6,000 |
| Local travel | ₹2,500 |
| Activities & buffer | ₹2,780 |
| Total | ₹24,000 |
Getting from Chennai to Chilika Lake
- 🚆 Train — train to Balugaon + auto: about 20 hours each way, ₹3,360 per person there and back (3AC).
- ✈️ Flight — flight to Bhubaneswar + bus: about 6 hours door to door, ₹10,760 per person there and back.
Best time to go
Asia's largest brackish lagoon — dolphins, birds and island temples. The best months are November to March. Avoid May and June: very hot at this time of year.
Making it cheaper
- Taking the train instead of flying saves about ₹16,500 for two — 20 hours each way by train, 6 by air.
Questions
How much does a Chilika Lake trip from Chennai cost for 2 people?
About ₹24,000 for a 5-day trip in November — ₹12,000 each — travelling by train and staying at about ₹1,500 a night, at rates a travel agent can book.
How do you get from Chennai to Chilika Lake?
By train to Balugaon + auto: about 20 hours each way and ₹3,360 per person, there and back. Flying (flight to Bhubaneswar + bus) takes about 6 hours and costs about ₹10,760 per person.
When is the best time to visit Chilika Lake?
November to March. Avoid May and June: very hot at this time of year.
How much does a solo or family trip to Chilika Lake from Chennai cost?
Solo: about ₹15,500; Family of 4: about ₹44,000; 4 friends: about ₹47,500.
Estimates as of 28 September 2026, for a 5-day trip (4 nights): stays, food and local travel at the lowest rates a travel agent can genuinely book for that place and season, plus modelled 3AC train or economy flight fares and 10% for activities and extras. Realistic minimums, not live quotes — plan the trip for a day-by-day plan, and the exact price is confirmed before you pay anything.