Pondicherry has a small airport with limited domestic connections; most travellers arrive from Chennai by road or rail. The bus journey from Chennai takes about 3 hours on the express service from Koyambedu bus stand — comfortable and frequent. The overnight service from Bangalore (8 hours) is another option.
By rail, there is no direct express from Chennai; the practical route is to take a suburban train to Villupuram and change to the metre-gauge line to Pondicherry, or take a bus from Villupuram. The Pondicherry Railway Station is at the western end of town, about 2 km from the French Quarter. From Chennai, the Pondicherry Express runs once daily.
Taxis and shared cabs from Chennai to Pondicherry are widely available and often quicker than the bus, especially for groups.