Rameshwaram sits at the eastern tip of Pamban Island, connected to the Indian mainland by a narrow causeway and railway bridge. The island's remoteness is part of its character.
The nearest airport is at Madurai, 173 km away on the mainland. From Madurai, buses and taxis run to Rameshwaram; the journey takes around three to four hours. Trains from Madurai, Chennai, and other major cities cross the Pamban Bridge directly into Rameshwaram station — the bridge journey over open sea is one of the more memorable approaches to any Indian town. Buses from across Tamil Nadu also serve the town, arriving at the bus stand near the temple.