Chennai International Airport

Chennai International Airport (MAA) serves Chennai (formerly Madras), the capital of Tamil Nadu and one of India's major metropolitan areas. Located 21 km south of the city center in Tirusulam, it's India's fourth-busiest airport and the main gateway to South India.

The airport has two terminals:

• Terminal 1 (Domestic): Kamaraj Domestic Terminal
• Terminal 4 (International): Anna International Terminal

Terminals are connected by a free shuttle bus (15-minute ride) or the Chennai Airport Metro station.

Key airlines: IndiGo (largest), Air India, SpiceJet, Vistara, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Malaysian Airlines, Sri Lankan Airlines, Scoot, and various Middle Eastern carriers.

Chennai Airport is south of the city:

• To Chennai Central (Egmore): 21 km, 45-75 minutes
• To T. Nagar: 15 km, 35-60 minutes
• To Marina Beach: 18 km, 40-70 minutes
• To Mahabalipuram: 50 km, 60-90 minutes

Chennai traffic is notoriously congested; times vary significantly.

Uber and Ola (Indian rideshare) operate at MAA.

• To Chennai Central: ₹500-800 (~$6-10 USD)
• To T. Nagar: ₹400-600
• To Marina Beach area: ₹450-700

Prepaid taxis available from booths inside arrivals:

• Fixed rates to various destinations
• Pay at counter, receive voucher

Important: Use only prepaid taxis or app-based services. Avoid touts outside the terminal.

Chennai Metro

Chennai Metro Blue Line connects the airport to the city:

• Airport station: Between terminals (walkway connected)
• To Chennai Central: 30-40 minutes
• Cost: ₹60-70 (~$0.70-0.85)
• Hours: 05:00-23:00
• Frequency: Every 5-10 minutes

1. Follow signs to Metro from terminal
2. Take Blue Line toward Chennai Central
3. Transfer at stations for other destinations

The Metro is the fastest way to beat Chennai traffic.

Suburban Rail

MRTS (Mass Rapid Transit System) connects Tirusulam station to the city.

• Station is walkable from domestic terminal
• Connects to Beach and Velachery lines
• Crowded but cheap (₹10-20)

Type	Daily Rate	Notes
Multi-level (Terminal 1)	₹400/day	Covered
Open parking	₹200/day	Short walk
Terminal 4 parking	₹500/day	International terminal

Pre-booking available online.

Chennai Airport has improved dining options:

Terminal 1 (Domestic):

• Saravana Bhavan: Famous South Indian chain—dosas, idlis
• Coffee Day
• Various quick-service restaurants

Terminal 4 (International):

• Flying Chef: Multi-cuisine
• Coffee shops: Starbucks, Café Coffee Day
• Indian and international options

Try: A masala dosa from Saravana Bhavan—Chennai is the home of South Indian cuisine.

Network: Chennai Airport WiFi

• Cost: Free (30 minutes), then paid
• Speed: Variable
• Register via mobile number

SIM cards available from:

• Airtel, Jio, and Vodafone Idea counters in arrivals
• Prices: ₹200-500 (~$2.50-6) for tourist SIM with data

Requirements: Passport and passport photo needed; activation can take 4-24 hours.

ATMs available throughout:

• Arrivals halls (both terminals)
• Departure areas
• Major banks: HDFC, ICICI, SBI, Axis

Currency: Indian Rupee (₹). Approximately ₹83 = 1 USD.

Currency exchange: Thomas Cook and other exchanges available. ATM rates are usually better.

Terminal 4 (Airside):

• Duty-free (electronics, perfumes, alcohol)
• Indian handicrafts and souvenirs
• Silk shops (Chennai is famous for Kanchipuram silk)
• Spices and tea

Best buys: Kanchipuram silk sarees, South Indian spices, filter coffee powder.

TFS Lounge (International)

• Location: Terminal 4
• Access: Priority Pass, various cards, or ₹1,500 ($18) walk-in
• Amenities: Hot food, drinks, WiFi, showers
• Hours: 24 hours

Travel Club Lounge (Domestic)

• Location: Terminal 1
• Access: Priority Pass, credit cards, or walk-in
• Amenities: Food, drinks, WiFi

Air India Maharaja Lounge

• Access: Air India Business, Star Alliance Gold

Hotels near Chennai Airport are in the Tirusulam/Guindy area:

Chennai is South India's largest city and the cultural capital of Tamil Nadu:

Top attractions (with travel time from airport):

• Marina Beach: 50 min—second-longest urban beach in the world
• Kapaleeshwarar Temple: 40 min—stunning Dravidian architecture, active worship
• San Thome Basilica: 45 min—believed to house remains of St. Thomas
• Fort St. George: 55 min—first English fortress in India, museum
• Government Museum: 40 min—excellent collection including bronze gallery
• Mylapore neighborhood: 40 min—traditional Chennai, temples, silk shops

Day trips from Chennai:

• Mahabalipuram: 90 min—UNESCO shore temples and rock carvings
• Kanchipuram: 90 min—temple city, silk saree capital
• Pondicherry: 3 hours—French colonial heritage, beaches, ashrams
• Tirupati: 3 hours—one of world's most visited pilgrimage sites

South Indian cuisine (Chennai specialties):

• Idli/Dosa/Vada: Steamed rice cakes, crispy crepes, savory donuts—breakfast staples
• Chettinad cuisine: Spicy, aromatic dishes from the Chettinad region
• Filter coffee: Strong, sweet coffee brewed through metal filter
• Rasam/Sambar: Tangy soup and lentil stew, served with rice
• Thali: Complete meal with rice, curries, pickles on banana leaf
• Kothu parotta: Shredded flatbread stir-fried with spices

Local tips:

• Saravana Bhavan restaurants are everywhere—consistently excellent vegetarian food
• Chennai is conservative—dress modestly, especially at temples
• Remove shoes before entering temples
• Right hand for eating and handling money
• Silk shopping: Go to Nalli Silks in T. Nagar or Kanchipuram for authentic
• Hot and humid year-round; monsoon season is October-December
• Auto-rickshaws: Negotiate price before boarding or insist on meter
• Tamil is the local language; English is widely understood
• Chennai is known as the health capital of India—medical tourism is significant