Special train between Chennai Egmore – Karaikkudi (T. No. 02605/02606) time table, route, frequency and fare
Special train between Chennai Egmore – Karaikkudi (T. No. 02605/02606) time table, route, frequency and fare
T. No. 02605/02606 Chennai Egmore – Karaikkudi – Chennai Egmore Superfast Special (daily) on and from 7th September 2025
Train No.02606 will leave Karaikkudi at 04.55 hrs and reach Chennai Egmore at 12.10 hrs.
In the return direction, Train No.02605 will leave Chennai Egmore at 15.45 hrs and reach Karaikkudi at 23.10 hrs.
With a composition of 3 AC Chair Cars, 13 Second Class Chair Cars, 1 pantry Car, 3 General Second Class Coaches and Two Generator cum Brake Vans.
Here’s the verified information on the Chennai Egmore ↔ Karaikkudi Junction Special (Train Nos. 02605 / 02606), popularly referred to as the Pallavan Special:
Contents
🚆 Frequency & Status
- Operated daily (all days of the week) in both directions. It is a COV‑Reserved Special train from Southern Railway. However, some railway websites indicate it may be discontinued or renumbered, so double-check on IRCTC before planning
🕒 Timetable & Route
02605 – Chennai Egmore → Karaikkudi Junction
- Departs Chennai Egmore (MS) at 15:45
- Arrival at Karaikkudi Junction (KKDI) around 22:55–23:00
- Journey time: ~7 hours 10–15 minutes
- Distance: ~426 km, average speed ~59 km/h
Major Halts (~13 stops)
Tambaram, Chengalpattu, Melmaruvathur, Villupuram Jn, Vridhachalam Jn, Ariyalur, Lalgudi, Srirangam, Golden Rock (Ponmalai), Tiruchchirappalli, Pudukkottai, before terminating at Karaikkudi Jn (~11–13 intermediate halts)
02606 – Karaikkudi → Chennai Egmore (Return)
- Departs Karaikkudi Jn at 04:55
- Arrives Chennai Egmore around 12:10
- Mirrors the same route in reverse with similar halts
🛋️ Coaches & Classes
- Offers AC Chair Car (CC) and Second Class Sitting (2S) seating only—no sleeping berths.
- Rake composition includes 3 AC Chair Cars, 13 Second Class Chair Cars, 3 General Unreserved, a Pantry Car, and 2 Generator‑cum‑Brake Vans. Catering is available onboard via pantry arrangements
💰 Fare (Approximate — subject to confirmation via IRCTC)
Typical fares on comparable special services:
- AC Chair Car (CC): ₹600–650
- Second Seating (2S): ₹180–200
- Unreserved General (GN): ₹150–180
Exact fares may vary and are best confirmed through IRCTC’s official booking platform
📋 Quick Summary Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Train Nos. | 02605 (MS → KKDI), 02606 (KKDI → MS) |
| Frequency | Daily |
| Departure (Egmore) | 15:45 |
| Arrival (Karaikkudi) | 22:55–23:00 |
| Return Departure | 04:55 (from KKDI) |
| Return Arrival | ~12:10 (at MS) |
| Distance | ~426 km |
| Duration | ~7 h 10–15 m |
| Halts | ~13 stops: TBM, CGL, MLMR, VM, VRI, ALU, LLI, SRGM, GOC, TPJ, PDKT, etc. |
| Classes | AC Chair Car (CC), 2nd Class Sitting (2S), General (GN) |
| Catering | Pantry car + onboard catering |
| Fares (approx.) | CC ₹600–650, 2S ₹180–200, GN ₹150–180 |
✅ Notes & Travel Tips
- Many sources warn this COV‑Reserved train could be discontinued or renumbered; confirm availability before your journey via IRCTC or official train enquiry sources
- The better-known fully regular service on this corridor is the Pallavan Superfast Express (12605/12606), which runs daily with similar schedule (~15:40 departure and ~22:30 arrival) and takes ~6 h 50 min over the same 426 km route using LHB rakes, with catering onboard
- If you’re planning travel, it might be safer to use the regular 12605/12606 service instead of the special 02605/02606, unless confirmed otherwise.
- For Tatkal or general booking, check coach availability and fare rules on IRCTC.
Would you like:
- A station-by-station timetable with arrival/depart times?
- Seat maps or coach layout?
- PNR status tracking or Tatkal booking information?
Happy to help further!