The year 1875 was a landmark in the history of Kodaikanal. The Southern Railway extended its routes from Madras to Madurai and Tuticorin. Then tourists from far away places started coming. They would get to the railway station called Ammaiyanayakkanur, which shortly known as Kodai Road. They reached the Kodai road station and travel by bullock up to Tope and then ascend the climbs.

By 1880, a modern vehicle called "Transit" had arrived on the scene. It was a gaily painted, straw- padded bullock cart, and they changed bullock several times on the 33 – mile trip to Tope. It was the South India version of the Wild West they went in convoys, blew loud blasts on their horns, even galloped in short spurts. Fresh animals were harnessed at major centres – Nilakkottai, Batlagundu and Periyakulam.

It was a seven-hour journey to Tope by transit. But it was a "feverish spot" and travelers were advised to start their trip up to kodai as soon as possible. In the early morning, much before sunrises, coolies hoisted 50-pound head-loads, passengers got their chairs and doolies, and the procession started up what became known as the coolie ghat. The supply of coolies, ponies and food came from periyakulam. It is a 12-mile hike from the Tope to kodai, taking in a rise of 2000 meters.

In 1875 the first stem cars were trickling into India. Major law of the Madras Staff Corps was asked to plan and build a road up to kodai for motor vehicles. Work was started on the road and it was over by 1914. But it was not opened for the public use until 1916. Public buses began to ply in the road from 1916.

Now You can reach kodai by three modes i.e, By Road, By Train, By Air