Rail:
Balugaon to the west of the lake and Rambha at the southern tip are the nearest railway stations on the South-Eastern Railway. Barkul also has a railway station. These towns are well connected to major cities like Kolkata, Puri, Chennai and Hyderabad.

Road:
From Bhubaneshwar, Balugaon (100 km), Barkul (110 km) and Rambha (130 km), are more or less equidistant. From Behrampur, Balugaon is 84 km away, Barkul (75 km) and Rambha (50 km). These towns on National Highway 5 from Chennai are good access points to Chilika.

You can also take one of the launches run by the Inland Water Transport (Commerce and Transport Department) from Balugaon and Satpada.

Private operators run launches from Barkul, Rambha, Balugaon and Satpada, where country boats can also be hired.

Entry fees are nominal. Separate charges are levied for photography -- the amount is higher for professional photography. This does not apply at Barkul.

Barkul Panthanivas
Balugaon - 752030.
Tel: 06756-220488
Tariff: A/C Double: Rs 700
Double: Rs 350
Checkout time: 8 am.

Rambha Panthanivas
Rambha - 761028.
A pleasant and friendly place, overlooking the lake.
Tel: 06810-78346.
Tariff : A/C Double: Rs 500
Double: Rs 250
50 per cent discount on room rate only from 9 am to 5 pm. Checkout: 12 noon.

Satpada Panthanivas
Satpada.
Located 50 km south of Puri, it offers well-ventilated clean rooms with balconies.
Tel: 06752-262077
Tariff: Double: Rs 150

Hotel Ashoka
Balugaon-752030.
Tel: 06756-20408/ 20409.
Tariff: Single: Rs 150
Double: Rs 350

Yatrinivas
Satpada.
Tariff: Double: Rs 100
Senapati Lodge,
Balugaon.
Ideal for the shoestring budget, the place is close to the main road.
Tariff: Single: Rs 50
Double: Rs 70