One of Tamil Nadu’s great temples, then a cool hill station three hours up the road. A simple December to January plan for Australian families.
At a glance: a Kodaikanal holiday from Australia
Fly from Australia to Chennai, Bengaluru or Kochi, then take a short domestic flight to Madurai. Spend two days at the Meenakshi Amman Temple and the old city, then drive about three hours up to Kodaikanal for lake walks, cool nights and clear hill views. December to January is dry and pleasant in Madurai and genuinely cold in Kodaikanal at night. Allow seven to ten days including the flights. The homepage shows no Madurai fare, so we quote the gateway cities below.
Why Madurai and Kodaikanal work so well together
Many Tamil families in Melbourne and Sydney already know Madurai. It is where the family temple visit happens and where the summer school holidays often start. Fewer people add Kodaikanal on the same trip, even though it is only about 120 km away.
The two places balance each other. Madurai is warm, busy and full of colour. Kodaikanal is quiet, green and cool. Temple and family meals first, then a few days where the kids run around a lake and everyone sleeps under a blanket.
The timing is right too. Australian summer school holidays run from mid-December to late January, Tamil Nadu’s best weather window. Christmas falls in the middle, and Pongal comes in mid-January 2027.
Getting there from Australia
There are no flights from Australia to Madurai on one ticket at the moment, and our homepage shows no Madurai fare. The usual plan is to fly to a South Indian gateway city, then connect to Madurai Airport (IXM) on a domestic flight. Chennai and Bengaluru both have several Madurai flights a day. Kochi works too.
Route from Australia | Homepage fare today | Then to Madurai |
Sydney to Bengaluru | From AUD $628 per person, checked 13 October 2026, prices change daily | Domestic flight, roughly an hour and a quarter |
Sydney to Kochi (Cochin) | From AUD $559 per person, checked 13 October 2026, prices change daily | Domestic flight, or a long day’s drive |
Brisbane to Bengaluru | From AUD $668 per person, checked 13 October 2026, prices change daily | Domestic flight, roughly an hour and a quarter |
Melbourne or Sydney to Chennai | Check live fares at manntravel.com.au/flights | Domestic flight, roughly an hour and a quarter, or an overnight train |
Domestic flight times are approximate. We can book the domestic leg on the same booking so your bags and timings line up.
Madurai Airport is about 79 km from Kodaikanal, roughly 2 to 2.5 hours by taxi. From Madurai city it is about 120 km, around 3 hours by road. So you can do the temple first and the hills second, or go straight up to the hills to rest first.
Two days in Madurai: the Meenakshi Amman Temple
The Meenakshi Amman Temple is the reason most people come to Madurai. The towering gopurams, the painted ceilings and the Hall of a Thousand Pillars are something children remember for life. Go early in the morning or in the evening when it is cooler and the queues are shorter.
A few things to know before you go:
- Dress modestly. Shoulders and knees covered for everyone. Many families wear traditional dress. Shorts are not accepted.
- Shoes off. There are paid shoe stands at the entrances. Bring socks if the stone gets hot under little feet.
- Phones and cameras are often restricted inside. Rules change, so expect to leave your phone at the counter or keep it in your bag. Take your family photos outside the gopurams.
Madurai in December is warm, with daytime temperatures around 30 to 35°C. Plan the temple for early and late, and a slow lunch for the middle of the day. The old city markets around the temple are good for an evening walk.
Three to four days in Kodaikanal
Kodaikanal sits high in the Palani Hills. In December to February it is cool and dry, with night lows around 5°C and occasional frost. For most children, this is the highlight of the trip.
Spot | Why families like it |
Kodaikanal Lake | The centre of town. Walk or cycle the loop around the water, hire a pedal boat, or take a pony ride. Easy with prams and grandparents. |
Coaker’s Walk | A short paved path along the cliff edge with views over the plains. Best early in the morning before the mist rolls in. |
Bryant Park | Lawns, flower beds and a glasshouse next to the lake. A good picnic stop between the lake and the shops. |
Pillar Rocks | Three giant granite columns a short drive from town. Go on a clear morning, as cloud can hide them by afternoon. |
5 tips for a smooth Kodaikanal holiday from Australia
1. Pack for two climates
Madurai needs light cotton and a hat. Kodaikanal needs a proper jacket, beanies and warm pyjamas. Hill hotels often have no heating, so ask for extra blankets.
2. Book the hill drive with a local driver
The road up to Kodaikanal is winding. A local taxi driver knows the bends and the chai stops. If anyone gets car sick, sit them in the front and travel in the morning.
3. Book Christmas and Pongal weeks early
Kodaikanal is popular with Indian families over Christmas and New Year, and Madurai fills around Pongal in mid-January 2027. Book hotels and the domestic flights as soon as your international flights are confirmed.
4. Keep the domestic connection on one booking
Ask us to add the Madurai flight to your international booking. If the long-haul flight is late, it is much easier to sort out.
5. Sort the visa and travel advice before you book the hills
`Australian passport holders need an Indian visa or OCI card. Apply through the official Indian visa website well before you fly, and check the latest advice for India on Smartraveller.
A simple nine-day plan for families
- Days 1 to 2: Fly Australia to Chennai or Bengaluru, connect to Madurai. Rest.
- Days 3 to 4: Meenakshi Amman Temple at dawn, markets and family visits in the evenings.
- Day 5: Drive to Kodaikanal, about 3 hours. Lake walk in the afternoon.
- Days 6 to 7: Coaker’s Walk, Pillar Rocks, Bryant Park, pedal boats, chocolate shops.
- Day 8: Drive back to Madurai Airport, about 2 to 2.5 hours. Fly to your gateway city.
- Day 9: Fly home to Australia.
Flying from WA? Our new guide to flights Perth to Mumbai covers the one-stop options from Perth.
Why book your Tamil Nadu trip with Mann Travel
Since 2007, Mann Travel has been taking Australian families home to India. Our Melbourne-based team speaks Hindi, Punjabi and English and is on call 24/7, so a missed connection in Chennai gets fixed. We book the international flights, the Madurai leg and hotels together. Spread the cost with PayLite, a low deposit and up to 26 weekly instalments on selected refundable fares, or use Afterpay. Verified Australian students and education staff can join our latest offer for free and take an extra AUD $25 off eligible return flights to India. Contact us and tell us your dates.
Let’s take you home to Tamil Nadu this summer.
Search live fares to Chennai, Bengaluru and Kochi at manntravel.com.au/flights or call our team on 1300 754 002. Ask us to add the Madurai connection.
frequently asked questions
How do I get to Kodaikanal from Australia?
Fly to Chennai, Bengaluru or Kochi, connect to Madurai Airport on a domestic flight, then drive about 2 to 2.5 hours up to Kodaikanal. From Madurai city the drive is about 3 hours.
What is the weather in Kodaikanal in December and January?
Cool and mostly dry. Days are mild and nights drop to around 5°C, with occasional frost. Pack warm layers.
What is the dress code at the Meenakshi Amman Temple?
Modest clothing with shoulders and knees covered. Shoes come off at the entrance, and phones and cameras are often restricted inside.
How many days do I need for Madurai and Kodaikanal?
Seven to ten days including the flights from Australia. Two days in Madurai and three to four in Kodaikanal is a comfortable pace for families.
Can I fly from Australia to Madurai on one ticket?
Not at the moment. You fly to Chennai, Bengaluru or Kochi and connect to Madurai on a domestic flight. We can book both legs together so the timings line up.
Fares and availability change daily and depend on the airline, date and fare type. Temple rules, road times and weather are a guide only. Always check live prices before booking.
