Gandhipuram Central Bus Terminus, commonly called Gandhipuram Bus Stand, is Coimbatore’s central and busiest bus terminal, located in the heart of the city. Opened in 1974, it serves as the hub for northeast-bound and northbound intercity buses, while a separate Town Bus Stand at the same location handles intracity routes. Together with nearby government and private facilities, Gandhipuram forms the nerve centre of road transport for the entire Coimbatore district and one of Tamil Nadu’s busiest terminals.
Details Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Official Name | Gandhipuram Central Bus Terminus |
| Location | Gandhipuram, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu — PIN 641012 |
| Owner | Coimbatore City Municipal Corporation |
| Operator | Department of Transport (Tamil Nadu) — TNSTC Coimbatore Division |
| Station Code | CBE |
| Platforms | 4 (Central Bus Terminus) |
| Opened | 1974 |
| Daily Passengers | Around 70,000 |
| Contact | 0422-2394374 |
| Fare Zone | TNSTC Coimbatore Division CBE/191 |
| Accessibility | Disabled access, parking and cycle facilities available |
Map Location
- Coordinates: 11°01′50″N 76°58′01″E
- Address: Gandhipuram, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641012
- Located centrally within Coimbatore city, Gandhipuram is one of three main mofussil (intercity) bus hubs in the city, alongside Singanallur and Ukkadam
Passenger Facilities
- Sheltered waiting areas with covered seating
- Multiple ticket counters for purchasing tickets and travel information
- Electronic display boards showing real-time bus schedules and routes
- Food stalls and vendors offering snacks and meals
- Restrooms and washrooms
- ATM facilities on-site
- Security personnel and CCTV cameras
- Nearby convenience stores and shops
- Parking and cycle-parking facilities, plus disabled access
Bus Depot and Operations Area
Gandhipuram actually comprises several distinct, closely located bus stands, each handling a different category of service:
- Gandhipuram Central Bus Stand: government TNSTC buses for northbound, northeastbound, and eastbound intercity routes
- Gandhipuram Town Bus Stand: intracity buses serving the Coimbatore metropolitan area (this part dates back further, with town buses in Coimbatore having started in 1921)
- SETC counter: State Express Transport Corporation buses for long-distance/interstate express and sleeper services
- Omni Bus Stand: private mofussil (long-distance) bus operators
- The Coimbatore division operates 119 intercity routes with more than 500 buses, plus over 370 town routes with more than 550 daily buses across the wider TNSTC Coimbatore Region
Full Route Map and Major Destinations
Gandhipuram’s platform/bay system organizes buses by direction:
| Bay | Route |
|---|---|
| 1 | Tiruppur via Palladam |
| 2 | Tiruppur via Avinashi |
| 3 | Mettupalayam, Karamadai |
| 4 | Sathyamangalam, Bannari, Puliampatty |
| 5 | Gobichettipalayam, Anthiyur, Perumanallur, Nambiyur |
| 6 | Erode, Namakkal, Rasipuram, Tiruchengode, Bhavani |
| 7 | Salem, Hosur, Krishnagiri, Dharmapuri |
| 8 | Karur, Kangeyam, Dharapuram |
SETC destinations: Chennai, Ernakulam, Bangalore, Tirupati, Puducherry, Thiruvananthapuram
Hill stations: Ooty (via Mettupalayam), Kodaikanal, Valparai
Simplified Route Direction Map
| Direction | Key Destinations |
|---|---|
| North | Salem, Erode, Namakkal, Dharmapuri |
| Northeast | Hosur, Krishnagiri |
| East | Karur, Dharapuram, Kangeyam |
| Northwest (Hills) | Mettupalayam, Ooty, Sathyamangalam, Valparai |
| South/Interstate | Chennai, Bangalore, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, Tirupati |
| Local (Town Buses) | All zones of Coimbatore city and metropolitan area |
Connectivity from Chennai City
- Chennai to Coimbatore (Gandhipuram): SETC operates express and sleeper buses, taking roughly 7–8 hours, with departures approximately every 30–60 minutes
- Buses typically originate from CMBT (Koyambedu) in Chennai and terminate at Gandhipuram
- Alternative: Coimbatore Junction Railway Station is well connected to Chennai via Vande Bharat and other long-distance trains, offering a faster option for some travelers
- Once in Coimbatore, Gandhipuram is centrally located and easily reached by local town buses, autos, or cabs from anywhere in the city
Why Gandhipuram Bus Stand Matters
- It is Tamil Nadu’s busiest bus terminal outside Chennai, handling around 70,000 passengers daily
- Its central location makes it the natural starting point for both local commuters and long-distance travelers across Coimbatore district
- With 119 intercity routes and 500+ daily buses, plus extensive town bus connectivity, it functions as the true backbone of road transport for the region
- It anchors Coimbatore’s role as a gateway to the Nilgiris (Ooty, Coonoor, Kotagiri) and other hill stations, alongside major interstate corridors to Kerala and Karnataka
- Decades of continuous operation (since 1974, building on town bus services dating to 1921) have made it a deeply embedded part of the city’s daily life
Travel Tips for Passengers
- Identify the correct bus stand — Gandhipuram actually has multiple distinct stands (Central, Town, SETC, Omni) within the same area, so confirm which one your route uses.
- Book SETC express/sleeper tickets in advance, especially for the Chennai route, during festivals and holidays.
- Use the bay/platform numbers listed for intercity routes to save time locating your bus.
- Arrive early during peak hours, as the terminal handles very high daily footfall.
- Carry a printed/digital ticket for smoother boarding, particularly on SETC and private operator services.
- For hill station routes (Ooty, Kodaikanal, Valparai), check schedules carefully as these run less frequently than city-to-city corridors.
- Early mornings and late evenings tend to be less crowded for local town bus travel, per local visitor feedback.
FAQ
Q: What is Gandhipuram Bus Stand officially called?
A: The Gandhipuram Central Bus Terminus.
Q: When did it open?
A: 1974, though Coimbatore’s town bus services date back to 1921.
Q: How many passengers use it daily?
A: Around 70,000.
Q: Which cities can I reach directly?
A: Salem, Erode, Namakkal, Dharmapuri, Hosur, Karur, Chennai, Bangalore, Ernakulam, Thiruvananthapuram, and Tirupati, among others.
Q: How long does it take from Chennai?
A: SETC express/sleeper buses take about 7–8 hours from CMBT, Chennai to Gandhipuram, Coimbatore.
Q: Is there a separate town bus stand?
A: Yes, the Gandhipuram Town Bus Stand handles intracity routes within Coimbatore, distinct from the Central Bus Terminus used for intercity travel.
Q: What’s the contact number?
A: 0422-2394374.
Q: Are there other major bus stands in Coimbatore?
A: Yes, Singanallur and Ukkadam are the city’s other two main mofussil bus stands.
