Avg. Bus Duration
:6 hrs 46 mins
Buses depart from
:Chennai
Bus arrives in
:Salem
Cheapest Bus Ticket Price
:INR 264.00
Bus Companies
:150
First Bus
:00:15
Last Bus
:23:59
Daily Bus Services
:398
| Bus Operator | First Bus | Last Bus | Duration | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jayalakshmi Bus | First Bus - 09:30 | Last Bus - 23:30 | Duration - 6 hrs 42 mins | VIEW PRICE |
| Swamy Ayyappa Travels | First Bus - 14:00 | Last Bus - 23:00 | Duration - 6 hrs 52 mins | VIEW PRICE |
| Sri vijayalakshmi travels | First Bus - 21:00 | Last Bus - 23:00 | Duration - 7 hrs 22 mins | VIEW PRICE |
| MRS Transport | First Bus - 06:00 | Last Bus - 22:45 | Duration - 7 hrs 2 mins | VIEW PRICE |
| SHRI ROADLINES | First Bus - 10:15 | Last Bus - 22:20 | Duration - 7 hrs 30 mins | VIEW PRICE |
The Chennai to Salem bus covers about 344 kms and takes around 6 hrs 46 mins. Around 398 buses run this route every day, operated by around 150 bus operators. The first bus leaves at 00:15 and the last one at 23:59. Ticket prices start at INR 264 and go up to INR 5999.00, depending on the bus type and the booking date.
The table below lists the key details of this route.
|
Detail |
Value |
|
Distance |
344 kms |
|
Duration |
6 hrs 46 mins |
|
Bus departs from |
Chennai |
|
Bus arrives at |
Salem |
|
Earliest bus |
00:15 |
|
Last bus |
23:59 |
|
Cheapest bus ticket price |
INR 264 |
|
Daily bus services |
398 |
Disclaimer: The details mentioned above are subject to change at the operator's discretion.
The first bus from Chennai leaves at 00:15 and the last one at 23:59. A trip takes around 6 hrs 46 mins, though the exact time changes with traffic, the season and the operator.
Departure and arrival times vary by operator and bus type. Both are shown on the bus listing and on the ticket. An early arrival leaves the whole day free at Salem. A late arrival suits passengers who have onward travel or accommodation already arranged.
Bus type has the biggest effect on comfort during the trip. A seater suits a short daytime run. A sleeper is ideal for journeys that run into the night, as passengers can lie down instead of sitting upright for hours. The table below lists the bus types commonly found on this route.
|
Bus type |
Features |
|---|---|
|
Non-AC Seater |
Budget-friendly, basic seating, no air conditioning |
|
Semi-Sleeper |
Reclining seats, moderate comfort for mid-length trips |
|
AC Sleeper |
Reclined berths, privacy curtains, AC cabins, suited to night travel |
|
Volvo AC Coach |
Premium seating, smoother suspension, pushback seats |
Disclaimer: The bus types available depend on the operators running on the route on the date of travel.
Both government RTC buses and private operators run on this route. State corporation buses can be booked online on redBus, alongside private buses. Passengers can compare both before deciding.
Around 150 operators serve this route, including SRL Travels, Jayalakshmi Bus, S R T, VHB Travels, MRS Transport. Government buses often work out cheaper on the same journey. Private operators tend to offer more bus types and more pickup points to choose from.
Passengers can pick a boarding point that is easy to reach from their location. Some major boarding points on this route are Adyar, Akkarai, Alandur, Ambattur, Aminjikarai, Anna Nagar, Anna University, Arumbakkam, Ashok Pillar, Avadi.
The pickup address is printed on the ticket. It shows whether the stop is a bus terminal or a roadside point.
The drop point decides how long the last part of the journey takes. Passengers can choose the one closest to their destination. Some major dropping points on this route are Ammapet Bypass Road, Ariyanur, Attur, Avr Roundana, Ayodhiyapatinam, Deevattipatti, Karipatti Bypass, Karumathampatti, Kondalampatti, Magudanchavadi.
The drop time matters as well. Stops can be quite late at night or early in the morning. It helps to plan onward travel before boarding.
Apart from timings and the route, passengers can check the following safety and convenience details:
Bus Features: This lists the features on the bus, such as CCTV, blankets, pillows and charging points.
Seat Layout: The seat selection screen displays the seat layout, available seats and if the bus has an onboard toilet.
Live Tracking: All buses are GPS enabled. The tracking link is shared 30 minutes before the bus trip, so passengers can track the bus and wait inside rather than at the bus stop.
Cancellation Terms: The operator's cancellation fees are displayed on the ticket at the time of booking.
Women Travelling Alone: The Booking for Women filter displays buses that women prefer. Passengers can view the number of women travelling on the same bus, the seats booked nearby and offers specifically for women travellers.
Tickets on this route start at INR 264 and go up to INR 5999.00. Where the fare falls within that range depends on the bus type, the operator and how close to the travel date the ticket is booked. Prices tend to rise on weekends, during festivals and on long weekends. Booking a few days in advance usually costs less than booking on the day and leaves more seats to choose from.
You can also book Salem to Chennai bus on redBus, hassle-free.
FlexiTicket and Free Cancellation are two different things, and can be purchased separately.
FlexiTicket lets passengers change the travel date for free up to 8 hours before departure, so there is no need to cancel and book again. Free Cancellation gives a full refund if the ticket is cancelled up to 6 hours before departure.
Outside those windows, the operator's own cancellation charges apply. They are shown on the ticket at the time of booking.
Factor |
Bus |
Train |
Boarding and drop points |
Several points across each city, so passengers can pick the ones nearest to them. |
One station at each end, which may be far from where the passenger lives or is headed. |
Departure options |
Multiple services through the day and night, run by different operators. |
Fixed timings set by the railway timetable. |
Seat availability |
Seats are usually open closer to the travel date. |
Seats on busy routes often fill well in advance. |
Comfort on board |
Sleeper and semi-sleeper seats give a place to rest on long or overnight trips. |
Passengers can walk around the coach, and overnight trains offer berths. |
Journey time |
Road traffic and weather can affect the journey time. |
The train type and the number of halts affect the journey time. |
Direct connection |
Often the only direct option on routes with no direct train. |
Suited to routes that have a direct train. |
Book bus tickets on redBus in just a few simple steps.
Step 1: Visit the redBus website or app.
Step 2: Enter the date of the journey, the source and the destination.
Step 3: Click Search to see the list of available buses on your chosen date.
Step 4: Compare fares, bus types, amenities, etc and select your preferred bus
Step 5: Choose convenient boarding and dropping points.
Step 5: Enter passenger details, including name and contact information.
Step 6: Select a payment method and complete your booking securely.
Once payment is successful, your bus ticket will be sent to your email and registered mobile number.
21 redDeals are currently live on this route:
Book early as prices rise on weekends and peak days
Evening and night buses help save hotel costs
Choose highly-rated operators for a smoother journey
Select boarding points closer to metro stations or public transportation
Recheck your boarding location before travel
Keep your ID ready at the boarding point
Reach the boarding point at least 15 minutes early
Use filters to shortlist suitable buses
Track your bus live using the app
Carry water, snacks, a power bank, and earphones
Avoid last-minute bookings during festivals
Pick lower berths in sleepers for easier access
Booking three to seven days ahead usually gets a better price and more seats to pick from. Weekends, festivals and long weekends need earlier booking, as buses fill up faster.
Midweek departures are usually cheaper than weekend ones. Fares tend to rise on Fridays and Sundays, and during festival weeks, when more people are travelling on the same routes.
