About 16779/16780 Tirupati – Rameswaram (Meenakshi) Express
The Meenakshi Express connects the sacred cities of Tirupati (TPTY) in Andhra Pradesh and Rameswaram (RMM) in Tamil Nadu. Operating three times a week, train 16779 departs Tirupati around 11:55 AM and travels through 22 intermediate stations—such as Katpadi, Villupuram, Thanjavur, and Madurai—over approximately 831 km, arriving at Rameswaram in about 16 hours and 55 minutes.
The return leg, 16780, leaves Rameswaram around 16:30, arriving at Tirupati by 10:10 the next morning after roughly 17 hours and 40 minutes .
This train uses ICF or refurbished Utkrisht rakes and offers Sleeper (SL) and Third AC (3A) coaches. There is no pantry car, but passengers can use on-board and e-catering services. It travels at an average speed of about 54 km/h, with a maximum permissible speed of 110 km/h.
Named after the famed goddess Meenakshi of Madurai, this express is ideal for devotees and tourists alike. It traverses scenic southern India and links two major pilgrimage destinations with dependable, budget-friendly service and multiple sleeping-class options.
16779/Tirupati – Rameswaram (Meenakshi) Express, TPTY/Tirupati Main – VM/Villupuram Route, Schedule & Time Table-
| Code | Station Name | Arrives | Departs | Halt |
| TPTY | Tirupati Main» | 12:40 | ||
| PAK | Pakala Junction | 13:18 | 13:20 | 2m |
| KPD | Katpadi Junction | 15:40 | 15:42 | 2m |
| VLR | Vellore Cantt. | 15:53 | 15:55 | 2m |
| TNM | Tiruvannamalai | 17:53 | 17:55 | 2m |
| VM | Villupuram Junction | 19:45 | 19:55 | 10m |
| TDPR | Tirupadripulyur | 20:43 | 20:45 | 2m |
| CUPJ | Cuddalore Port Junction | 20:52 | 20:53 | 1m |
| CDM | Chidambaram | 21:28 | 21:30 | 2m |
| SY | Sirkazhi | 21:49 | 21:50 | 1m |
| MV | Mayiladuturai Junction | 22:18 | 22:20 | 2m |
| KMU | Kumbakonam | 22:48 | 22:50 | 2m |
| PML | Papanasam | 23:04 | 23:05 | 1m |
| TJ | Thanjavur Junction | 23:28 | 23:30 | 2m |
| TPJ | Tiruchchirappalli Junction | 0:55 | 1:00 | 5m |
| DG | Dindigul Junction | 2:35 | 2:37 | 2m |
| KQN | Kodaikanal Road | 2:58 | 3:00 | 2m |
| MDU | Madurai Junction | 4:00 | 4:10 | 10m |
| MNM | Manamadurai Junction | 5:00 | 5:05 | 5m |
| PMK | Paramakkudi | 5:29 | 5:30 | 1m |
| RMD | Ramanathapuram | 5:58 | 6:00 | 2m |
| MMM | Mandapam | 6:29 | 6:30 | 1m |
| RMM | Rameswaram | 7:45 |
16780/Rameswaram – Tirupati(Meenakshi) Express, VM/Villupuram – TPTY/Tirupati Main Route, Schedule & Time Table-
| Code | Station Name | Arrives | Departs | Halt |
| RMM | Rameswaram» | 16:00 | ||
| MMM | Mandapam | 16:28 | 16:30 | 2m |
| RMD | Ramanathapuram | 16:58 | 17:00 | 2m |
| PMK | Paramakkudi | 17:28 | 17:30 | 2m |
| MNM | Manamadurai Junction | 18:00 | 18:05 | 5m |
| MDU | Madurai Junction | 18:55 | 19:00 | 5m |
| KQN | Kodaikanal Road | 19:34 | 19:35 | 1m |
| DG | Dindigul Junction | 20:00 | 20:02 | 2m |
| TPJ | Tiruchchirappalli Junction | 22:00 | 22:10 | 10m |
| TJ | Thanjavur Junction | 22:53 | 22:55 | 2m |
| PML | Papanasam | 23:09 | 23:10 | 1m |
| KMU | Kumbakonam | 23:28 | 23:30 | 2m |
| MV | Mayiladuturai Junction | 0:03 | 0:05 | 2m |
| SY | Sirkazhi | 0:29 | 0:30 | 1m |
| CDM | Chidambaram | 0:48 | 0:50 | 2m |
| CUPJ | Cuddalore Port Junction | 1:26 | 1:27 | 1m |
| TDPR | Tirupadripulyur | 1:33 | 1:35 | 2m |
| VM | Villupuram Junction | 3:10 | 3:20 | 10m |
| TNM | Tiruvannamalai | 4:33 | 4:35 | 2m |
| VLR | Vellore Cantt. | 6:30 | 6:32 | 2m |
| KPD | Katpadi Junction | 7:40 | 7:42 | 2m |
| PAK | Pakala Junction | 9:14 | 9:15 | 1m |
| TPTY | Tirupati Main | 10:15 |
16779/16780 Tirupati – Rameswaram (Meenakshi) Express Fare and Coach Position Seat Map
The 16779/16780 Meenakshi Express connects Tirupati and Rameswaram, running three times a week. It covers around 808 km in about 17 hours, passing through landmark cities like Madurai and Villupuram.
Onboard seating includes Third AC (3A) and Sleeper (SL) classes. Unreserved general coaches (UR) are also available. The total coach count is 18, arranged from the engine as follows:
SLRD → UR → UR → B1 → B2 → B3 → S1–S9 → UR → UR → SLRD
Estimated fares:
- Sleeper Class (SL): around ₹410
- Third AC (3A): about ₹1,120
There’s no pantry car, but onboard catering and e‑catering services are available at certain stations .
Knowing the coach layout helps you board near your coach:
- AC coaches (B1–B3) stand just after the first two general coaches.
- Sleeper coaches span from S1 to S9.
- General unreserved coaches are at both ends.
In short, the Meenakshi Express offers a simple, affordable journey with clear coach positioning and diverse seating options—ideal for those traveling between Tirupati and Rameswaram.
