AUROVILLE
VISITING
AUROVILLE
Visas, flights, where to sleep, how to get around, and how to meet the projects once you arrive — everything a first-time visitor to Auroville asks, answered in one place.
Auroville is an international township in Tamil Nadu, India. AVI USA is an independent U.S. nonprofit that funds dozens of projects there — we don’t run guest houses or arrange travel, but we know the projects well and are glad to connect you with any of them while you’re in town.
Auroville belongs to nobody in particular. Auroville belongs to humanity as a whole. But, to live in Auroville, one must be a willing servitor of the Divine Consciousness.
—the Auroville Charter
Quick Links
EVERYTHING YOU’LL NEED FOR YOUR AUROVILLE TRIP
The official sites for visas, taxis, guest houses and
what’s on this week.
Planning Your Auroville Trip
On India’s southeast coast, amid traditional villages and restored tropical forest. ~150km south of Chennai, 10km north of Pondicherry. View on Google Maps
Auroville has a semitropical climate, with the main monsoon season typically occurring from October through December. From December to March, daytime temperatures generally range from 74–85°F (23–29°C), making it a pleasant time to visit. From April onwards it rises and reaches its peak in May/June (average 100°F (38°C), with peaks up to 110°F (43°C)). Occasional rainfall in July brings the temperature down. Nights are generally about 10–15°F cooler than the days.
We recommend checking the latest weather forecast before you travel, as temperatures and rainfall can vary from year to year.
Auroville is in India, and all non-Indian visitors require a visa to enter the country. You can enter India on a tourist e-Visa, accessible through the Visa Application Portal.
The official visa site has an easy online application process. Other websites for Visa processing will charge you additional fees for the same official service. For paper visas, the Government of India works with a third party contractor to expedite the process. Learn more at the Indian Embassy Visa Portal.
Tourist visas cover tourism only, not paid work or formal volunteering. If you would like to volunteer in Auroville, we recommend that you visit first on a tourist visa to see the different projects and get to know what inspires you most, and then work with them to arrange the proper volunteer visa paperwork. Rules change periodically, so confirm current requirements before applying.
You must have a valid passport with more than 6 months before expiration in order to obtain a Visa.
The nearest international airport is Chennai International Airport (MAA), about a 2.5 hour drive from Auroville. Many international airlines offer a variety of flight options to Chennai International Airport.
Legally, no vaccines are required for travel to India. Before traveling, consult your healthcare provider and review the latest travel health recommendations from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), or the relevant public health authority in your country, as guidance may change over time.
Auroville is a rural community with limited access to specialized medical care nearby. If you have ongoing medical conditions, mobility needs, dietary restrictions, allergies, or other health considerations, research in advance how your specific needs can best be met during your visit. More comprehensive hospitals and specialists are available in Chennai, approximately 2½ hours away, depending on traffic.
Auroville is not uniformly designed for accessibility. If you have mobility or other accessibility needs, we recommend researching accommodations, transportation, and facilities in advance to determine whether they will meet your requirements.
Using long sleeves and trousers along with various mosquito repellents in the evenings already helps to prevent mosquito bites.
Filtered water is available throughout Auroville — don’t drink local tap water, and check that bottled water has a true seal.
Auroville offers many different kinds of accommodations, from very basic to high comfort. Guest houses and residential stays are both available, and they will often help with organizing transportation and knowing about events and activities. The Auroville Guest Houses website has many housing option as well as a general FAQ page here.
High season (December–February) fills up fast, so book early.
Arriving in Auroville
The following are vetted taxi companies serving Auroville tourists: Unity Transport Service, Integrated Transport Service, and Sunrise Taxi Service.
You will find phone numbers, emails and booking pages on the linked sites.
For longer local trips, as well as travel to and from the airport, booking a taxi is easy, safe and affordable.
Auroville taxi services’ drivers are vetted and know how to find addresses inside Auroville. Outside taxis often don’t, especially at night. They are also experienced working with international travelers. Auroville has security checkpoints at the main entry points, and Auroville Taxis are able to pass through these checkpoints
With few hills and many cycle paths, Auroville is easily accessible by bicycle and e-cycle, though taxis are readily available as well.
Bicycles are available at the Visitors Centre Kiosk, 9am–5:30pm daily. eBicycles and scooters are available to book before or during your trip at Kinisi.in.
There is also an accessible bus service – you can find the schedule and other information on the
Auroville.org Accessible Bus page.
All guests staying longer than 48 hours must register with Guest Services at Town Hall. Please check the Auroville website for the latest registration requirements and applicable fees.
Town Hall is also where you can obtain an Aurocard, which is commonly used for purchases in Auroville. Please refer to the Aurocard information page for the latest information about obtaining and using an Aurocard.
Many Auroville Guest Houses will assist you with registration and securing an Aurocard.
Things to do in Auroville
AVI USA works with dozens of partner projects in Auroville. Visit our partners page and choose a few to visit. You may visit them on-site and informally participate in activities.
If contact info is not available for any partner, feel free to send us an email and we’ll help connect you.
Regulations around visiting Matrimandir change from time to time. There are tours of the Matrimandir Gardens as well as bookings to visit the inner chamber. Visit the official on Auroville.org for the most current updates. For booking a time to meditate in the inner chamber, email mmconcentration@auroville.org.in.
Visit our Matrimandir page and the Matrimandir website to learn more
Auroville hosts a wide array of activities, from sports, learning activities, culture and spiritual gatherings. Find the up-to-date weekly listings on News & Notes, Auroville’s longtime news channel. News and Notes is available in French and Tamil as well.
LINKS AND RESOURCES
First Steps in Auroville
A Quick Guide
Auroville Guesthouses
Official Website
Auroville Guest Service
Settling in Auroville
