Chennai · How to Reach

Chennai is one of the four metropolitan gateways of India and the principal hub for the entire south, so reaching it is rarely the problem — the city is exceptionally well connected by air, rail and road, and onward links deeper into Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh all radiate from here.

By air. Chennai International Airport (MAA), at Meenambakkam/Tirusulam, is South India's busiest international gateway after Bengaluru, with wide domestic coverage and direct international links across South and Southeast Asia, the Gulf and beyond. It sits roughly 16–20 kilometres southwest of the city centre, and the journey in can be done by pre-paid taxi, app cab, or — conveniently — the Chennai Metro, whose airport station connects directly to the main line toward Chennai Central. Because the metro avoids the city's notorious road traffic, it is often the fastest and cheapest way in; confirm current metro hours if you land late at night.

By train. Chennai has two major terminals, and knowing which one you need saves confusion. MGR Chennai Central (station code MAS) — officially Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central — is the grand red terminus that handles most long-distance trains to the north, west and east: Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad and beyond. Chennai Egmore (MS), a short distance away, is the historic hub for trains running south and within Tamil Nadu — to Madurai, Rameswaram, Tirunelveli and the temple towns. A handful of premium services, including Vande Bharat and Shatabdi trains, link Chennai with Bengaluru, Mysuru and Coimbatore. Because live timetables and seat availability change constantly, check current trains and fares in the search box on this page rather than relying on a fixed schedule.

By road. Chennai anchors a web of national highways — north toward Kolkata, west toward Bengaluru, and south toward Tiruchirappalli and Madurai. The scenic East Coast Road (ECR) hugs the shoreline south toward Mahabalipuram and Pondicherry and is one of the finest coastal drives in India, while the Grand Southern Trunk (GST) Road is the faster inland artery. Long-distance and state buses use the vast Koyambedu bus terminus (CMBT), among the largest in Asia, from which government and private operators run to virtually every town in the south. Self-drive and chauffeured taxis are widely available for day trips and onward journeys.

Getting around once you arrive. Chennai's public transport has improved sharply. The Chennai Metro now runs multiple lines linking the airport, the two main railway stations, and key districts, and is air-conditioned, cheap and quick. The older suburban railway fans out along the coast and inland and is useful for reaching Mahabalipuram-direction points and outer suburbs. MTC city buses cover everywhere but can be crowded and hard to navigate for newcomers. For door-to-door travel, app-based cabs and auto-rickshaws are the simplest; agree an app fare or a metered rate before setting off, as auto drivers routinely quote high to visitors. Given the heat and the distances, most travellers mix metro for the long hops with autos or cabs for the last mile.