Cheapest Flights to Chennai
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* Ticket prices are subject to change.From the Most Popular Cities to Chennai
About Chennai
Chennai, the capital city of Tamil Nadu, is a major cultural, economic, and educational center in southern India, with a population of approximately 11 million people as of 2023. Located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal, Chennai is renowned for its historic landmarks, vibrant arts scene, and diverse cuisine.
Chennai experiences a tropical wet and dry climate, with hot, humid summers and mild winters. The monsoon season, from October to December, brings the majority of the city's annual rainfall. The best time to visit Chennai is from November to February when the weather is cooler and more pleasant.
The city is served by Chennai International Airport, located about 21 kilometers from the city center. Numerous airlines, including Emirates, Etihad Airways, Air India, and IndiGo, offer direct flights from Abu Dhabi and Dubai, making travel convenient for UAE residents.
Chennai's culinary scene is a rich tapestry of flavors, heavily influenced by Tamil cuisine. Dishes like dosa, idli, and sambar are staples, and the city is famous for its filter coffee. Street food is also popular, with items like vada pav, pani puri, and various types of biryani available at numerous stalls and eateries throughout the city.
For tourists, Chennai offers a wealth of attractions that highlight its historical and cultural significance. The iconic Marina Beach, one of the longest urban beaches in the world, is a must-visit for its scenic views and vibrant atmosphere. The Kapaleeshwarar Temple, with its Dravidian architecture, and the San Thome Basilica, built over the tomb of St. Thomas the Apostle, are important religious sites.
The Government Museum, one of the oldest museums in India, houses a vast collection of artifacts that provide insight into the region's rich history. The Guindy National Park, located within the city, offers a natural retreat and is home to a variety of wildlife and plant species.
For outdoor enthusiasts, the Arignar Anna Zoological Park provides a large and diverse habitat for animals and is a popular destination for families. The city's numerous parks and green spaces, like the Semmozhi Poonga, offer serene environments for picnics and leisurely strolls.
UAE nationals who have previously obtained an e-visa or a regular paper visa for India are eligible for a Visa-on-Arrival when they visit India again. However, this facility is not available to those visiting India for the first time, who must instead apply for an e-visa or a regular visa. To obtain a Visa-on-Arrival, eligible UAE nationals need to fill out an application form (Annexure I), which can be downloaded and completed in advance or filled out upon arrival in India.
Transportation to Chennai City Center from Airport
Chennai Intl. Airport
The distance between the airport and the crowded Indian city Chennai is approximately 21 kilometers. After landing at the airport, you can find many transportation alternatives for travelling to the city center. You can benefit from many options for travelling to the city center such as taxi, train or bus. You can also rent a car for a more comfortable transportation during your stay in the city.
Train
The railway system of the city is one of the most preferred transportation options. Although there is not a station in front of the terminal of Chennai Airport, you can reach the Tirusulam Railway Station, which is located 2 kilometers away, by walking or using a rickshaw. The cost of the auto rickshaws parking outside the domestic terminal of the airport is 30 Indian Rupee for 2 kilometers but this amount increases at night hours.
If you don’t have any luggage and think that you can find a place for yourself in the crowd, you can prefer this travel which will last 30 minutes. The wagons are clean and air-conditioned. The trains operate from the early hours of the morning until the midnight and you don’t wait too much at Tirusulam station. The ticket price is around 40 Indian Rupee and you can buy your ticket at the station.
Bus
When you go out of the Chennai Airport terminal, you will see the air-conditioned buses of the route 1B which will take you to the city center. The cost of travelling to the city center with these buses departing every 5 minutes is 45 Indian Rupee.
You can get information about the timetables of the bus route 18A, which goes directly to Chennai city center, by visiting the airport information desk. Travelling to the city center by using these buses which depart every hour takes about 40 minutes and it has the same price with the bus route 1B.
Another alternative is getting on one of the buses passing through the highway in front of the airport. You can signal for these buses which do not stop everywhere. You need to get information about the prices from the driver.
Taxi
The most practical and fastest way to get to the city center from Chennai Airport is using a taxi. You can travel to the city center by paying a fare between 200 and 300 Indian Rupee without being subject to a price tariff other than the standard when you get one of the prepaid taxis at the airport. You can make a reservation in advance for using these taxis and pay the fare to the counters found at the arriving passenger gate. You can also get on a taxi outside the terminal and this alternative can cost minimum 350-500 Indian Rupee. The majority of the taxis offering service in Chennai and its surrounding consists of the taxis belonging to the taxi stands like City Taxi (+91 82972 82979), Meru Cabs (+91 44 4422 4422), Aviation Express Taxis (+91 44 2256 2193) and Fast Track (+91 44 2888 9999).
The estimated fares of the taxis that you can use for travelling from Chennai Airport to the city center vary from INR 350 to 500. Note that there can be a slight difference between the domestic and international terminals in terms of the fares. The travel lasts about 30-40 minutes.
Car Rental
You can see the offices of many international car rental companies like Avis, Europcar and Hertz at the arriving passenger section of Chennai International Airport. In addition to these companies, there are also local car rental companies offering service at the airport such as Mary Matha Cabs (+91 98844 69469) Zoomcars (+91 08 4339 37107 / +91 08 4339 37108), Aviation Express (+91 44 2435 4073). However, if you want to benefit from the discounts and have a more budget-friendly travel, you can make an online reservation before your flight.
Since India is a hot country, we advise you to rent an air-conditioned car even if it is a little more expensive. While renting a car, you don’t need to get insurance and pay an additional amount for this.
Ride-Sharing
You can find another passenger going to the city center from the airport and use Uber or taxi together in order to pay less for this travel. Ride-sharing is among the best methods for travelling to the city center as well as being an economic and fast way.
