🚆 Southern Railway Palakkad Division: Complete Timetable & Transit Guide
Discover the complete 2026 train timetable for Palakkad Junction (PGT / Olavakkode) and Palakkad Town (PGTN). Get authentic arrival and departure timings for Superfast, Express, Vande Bharat, MEMU commuters, and the Pollachi-Palani pilgrimage corridor.
📑 Table of Contents
Situated on the historic Palakkad Gap in the Western Ghats, Palakkad serves as the primary railway lifeline connecting the state of Kerala to the rest of India. The Southern Railway Palakkad Division manages the bustling Palakkad Junction (PGT) at Olavakkode and the central Palakkad Town (PGTN) station. Whether you are traveling towards Coimbatore, Chennai, Bengaluru, Delhi, or heading south towards Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram, this comprehensive passenger directory provides complete timetable information.
1. Palakkad Junction (PGT) - Morning Train Timings (04:00 AM to 12:00 PM)
Major long-distance Superfast and Express trains stopping at Palakkad Junction during morning hours:
| Train No. | Train Name | Route | Palakkad Timing (Arr / Dep) | Operating Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16343 | Amrita Express | Thiruvananthapuram ➔ Madurai Junction | 03:55 AM / 04:15 AM | Daily |
| 16526 | Island Express | KSR Bengaluru ➔ Kanyakumari | 04:12 AM / 04:15 AM | Daily |
| 16731 | Palakkad - Tiruchendur Express | Palakkad Junction ➔ Tiruchendur (via Palani) | 06:00 AM (Departs) | Daily |
| 22638 | West Coast Superfast | Mangaluru Central ➔ MGR Chennai Central | 06:17 AM / 06:20 AM | Daily |
| 12625 | Kerala Superfast Express | New Delhi ➔ Thiruvananthapuram Central | 07:12 AM / 07:15 AM | Daily |
| 17230 | Sabari Express | Secunderabad ➔ Thiruvananthapuram Central | 09:22 AM / 09:25 AM | Daily |
| 13351 | Dhanbad - Alappuzha Express | Dhanbad ➔ Alappuzha (via Katpadi) | 09:47 AM / 09:50 AM | Daily |
| 13352 | Alappuzha - Dhanbad Express | Alappuzha ➔ Dhanbad (Bokaro Express) | 10:32 AM / 10:35 AM | Daily |
| 12678 | Ernakulam - Bengaluru InterCity | Ernakulam Junction ➔ KSR Bengaluru | 11:57 AM / 12:00 PM | Daily |
2. Palakkad Junction - Afternoon & Evening Trains (12:00 PM to 08:00 PM)
Popular intercity day connections between Kerala, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka:
| Train No. | Train Name | Route | Palakkad Timing (Arr / Dep) | Operating Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12677 | Bengaluru - Ernakulam InterCity | KSR Bengaluru ➔ Ernakulam Junction | 01:42 PM / 01:45 PM | Daily |
| 17229 | Sabari Express | Thiruvananthapuram Central ➔ Secunderabad | 03:07 PM / 03:10 PM | Daily |
| 16307 | Executive Express | Alappuzha ➔ Kannur (via Shoranur) | 07:05 PM / 07:08 PM | Daily |
| 16843 | Tiruchirappalli - Palakkad Town Express | Tiruchirappalli ➔ Palakkad Town | 07:55 PM / 08:00 PM | Daily |
3. Palakkad Junction - Night Train Timings (08:00 PM to 04:00 AM)
Overnight express connections toward Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, and South Kerala:
| Train No. | Train Name | Route | Palakkad Timing (Arr / Dep) | Operating Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12626 | Kerala Superfast Express | Thiruvananthapuram Central ➔ New Delhi | 08:57 PM / 09:00 PM | Daily |
| 16344 | Amrita Express | Madurai Junction ➔ Thiruvananthapuram Central | 09:15 PM / 09:35 PM | Daily |
| 16525 | Island Express | Kanyakumari ➔ KSR Bengaluru | 09:17 PM / 09:20 PM | Daily |
| 16732 | Tiruchendur - Palakkad Express | Tiruchendur ➔ Palakkad Junction (via Palani) | 10:15 PM (Terminates) | Daily |
| 22637 | West Coast Superfast | MGR Chennai Central ➔ Mangaluru Central | 10:52 PM / 10:55 PM | Daily |
| 12695 | Chennai - Thiruvananthapuram SF | MGR Chennai Central ➔ Thiruvananthapuram | 12:27 AM / 12:30 AM | Daily |
| 12696 | Thiruvananthapuram - Chennai SF | Thiruvananthapuram ➔ MGR Chennai Central | 12:37 AM / 12:40 AM | Daily |
4. Palakkad Town Railway Station (PGTN): Pollachi, Palani & Madurai Corridor
Located adjacent to Fort Maidan and Sultanpet in downtown Palakkad, Palakkad Town (PGTN) is the gateway station for travelers heading along the picturesque broad-gauge route through Pudunagaram, Kollengode, Muthalamada, Pollachi, Udumalaipettai, and the sacred temple town of Palani.
| Train No. | Train Name | Route Details | Palakkad Town Timings | Palani Arrival Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16343 | Amrita Express (TVM - Madurai) | Palakkad Town ➔ Pollachi ➔ Palani ➔ Dindigul ➔ Madurai | 04:28 AM / 04:30 AM | 06:40 AM |
| 16731 | Palakkad - Tiruchendur Express | PGT ➔ Palakkad Town ➔ Palani ➔ Madurai ➔ Tiruchendur | 06:13 AM / 06:15 AM | 08:15 AM |
| 16844 | Palakkad Town - Tiruchirappalli Express | Palakkad Town ➔ Palakkad Jn ➔ Coimbatore ➔ Tiruchirappalli | 06:30 AM (Departs) | (Via Coimbatore Route) |
| 06713 | Palakkad Town - Pollachi Passenger | Palakkad Town ➔ Kollengode ➔ Pollachi Junction | 08:00 AM (Departs) | Pollachi: 09:10 AM |
| 16843 | Tiruchirappalli - Palakkad Town Express | Tiruchirappalli ➔ Erode ➔ Coimbatore ➔ Palakkad Town | 08:15 PM (Terminates) | - |
| 16344 | Amrita Express (Madurai - TVM) | Madurai ➔ Palani ➔ Pollachi ➔ Palakkad Town ➔ Shoranur ➔ TVM | 08:53 PM / 08:55 PM | From Palani: 06:10 PM |
| 16732 | Tiruchendur - Palakkad Express | Tiruchendur ➔ Palani ➔ Pollachi ➔ Palakkad Town ➔ PGT | 09:40 PM / 09:42 PM | From Palani: 07:15 PM |
📌 Palani Murugan Pilgrimage Tip: Pilgrims traveling to Palani temple can board the 16731 Palakkad - Tiruchendur Express departing Palakkad Town at 06:15 AM to arrive in Palani by 08:15 AM (just 2 hours journey). After darshan, you can comfortably return the very same day aboard the 16344 Amrita Express (departs Palani at 06:10 PM) or the 16732 Tiruchendur Express (departs Palani at 07:15 PM).
5. Coimbatore - Palakkad - Shoranur Daily MEMU Services
The daily MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) network is the prime lifeline for students, office-goers, and traders commuting between Palakkad, Kanjikode Industrial Area, Walayar, and Coimbatore:
| Train No. | Service Name | Origin & Departure | Palakkad Jn Timing | Destination & Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06727 | Palakkad - Coimbatore MEMU | Palakkad Jn (07:20 AM) | 07:20 AM (Origin) | Coimbatore Main (08:55 AM) |
| 06728 | Coimbatore - Shoranur MEMU | Coimbatore Main (09:20 AM) | 10:45 AM / 10:50 AM | Shoranur Jn (12:00 PM) |
| 06818 | Palakkad - Erode Special | Palakkad Town (02:40 PM) / PGT (03:00 PM) | 03:00 PM / 03:05 PM | Erode Junction (07:10 PM) |
| 06712 | Shoranur - Coimbatore MEMU | Shoranur Jn (03:30 PM) | 04:35 PM / 04:40 PM | Coimbatore Main (06:20 PM) |
| 06713 | Coimbatore - Palakkad MEMU | Coimbatore Main (06:35 PM) | 08:15 PM (Destination) | Palakkad Town (08:45 PM) |
6. Station Facilities, Amenities & Transit Guide
🏢 Palakkad Junction (PGT / Olavakkode)
- Divisional headquarters of Southern Railway.
- 5 high-capacity platforms equipped with lifts, escalators, and foot overbridges.
- IRCTC Executive Lounge, Air-Conditioned Retiring Rooms, and Dormitories.
- 24x7 Cloakroom, multi-vehicle parking, and Prepaid Auto-rickshaw stand.
- Local Transit: Frequent city buses and auto-rickshaws connect Olavakkode to Palakkad Stadium Bus Stand and KSRTC Terminal (approx. 4 km).
🏛️ Palakkad Town (PGTN)
- Located right in the heart of Palakkad near Tipu Sultan's Fort and Fort Maidan.
- Walking distance to Robinson Road, Sultanpet, and local business hubs.
- Primary boarding station for trains towards Pollachi, Palani, Dindigul, and Madurai.
- 2 platforms, computerized ticket booking counters, and vehicle parking.
- Inter-station distance: Approximately 4.5 km by road from Palakkad Junction (PGT).
7. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is Palakkad Junction the same as Olavakkode Railway Station?
Yes. Palakkad Junction (station code: PGT) was formerly known and is still locally referred to as Olavakkode Railway Station. It is the main divisional junction where trains to North India, Chennai, and Bengaluru intersect with Kerala-bound lines.
How far is Palakkad Town Station from Palakkad Junction?
Palakkad Town station (PGTN) is approximately 4.5 kilometers from Palakkad Junction (PGT). By road, frequent city buses and auto-rickshaws connect the two stations in about 12 to 15 minutes. Select trains including Amrita Express and passenger services halt at both stations.
Which trains connect Palakkad to Palani Murugan Temple?
Two daily direct express trains operate via Palakkad Junction and Palakkad Town to Palani:
1. 16731 Palakkad - Tiruchendur Express: Departs Palakkad Jn at 06:00 AM, Palakkad Town at 06:15 AM, arriving in Palani at 08:15 AM.
2. 16343 Amrita Express: Departs Palakkad Jn at 04:15 AM, Palakkad Town at 04:30 AM, reaching Palani at 06:40 AM.
How can I book Retiring Rooms at Palakkad Junction?
Passengers with a confirmed or RAC train ticket can book AC/Non-AC retiring rooms and dormitory beds through the official IRCTC Tourism Retiring Room Portal (irctctourism.com) using their 10-digit PNR number, or on-arrival at the Platform 1 booking office subject to availability.
