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How to Get from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central Railway Station

Maria Papakonstantinou

March 9, 2023

Chennai Airport is the main international hub serving the metropolitan area of Tamil Nadu and it’s a great location to start exploring the southern part of India by train. The railway network in India is very extended, making it a very popular means of transport.

Getting from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central Railway Station is possible at any time during the day with one of the many available transportation options. The most convenient choice is to take an airport taxi or pre-book your personalised Chennai airport transfer. The fare is very reasonable and you’ll make your way to the Central Railway Station comfortably and fast, depending on the traffic conditions. When it comes to public transportation, you have three different options to get from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central directly; train, metro, and bus. The ticket fare per passenger is very low and almost the same for all three options and the travelling duration ranges from 40 to 65 minutes with the train being the fastest and the bus being the slowest. Whatever your needs and budget are, there is definitely a suitable option for you to cover this route.

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Comparison of the options

PRICE FOR 2PASSENGERS

OPTION	PRICE	DURATION	AVAILABILITY
Taxi	€6	45min	24/7
Train	€1	40min	04:08–00:12
Metro	€0.90	45min	05:05–23:05
Bus	€1	65min	08:25–18:20

How to Get from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central Railway Station by taxi

Getting from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central is the most convenient transportation option if you want to get there fast. No matter what time your flight arrives, you can simply hop in a taxi and catch your train on time. The cost can vary depending on the operator but you can pre-book your Chennai Airport taxi in advance and secure a competitive fixed rate.

How much is the fare for a taxi from Chennai Airport to the Central Railway Station?

Official taxis in Chennai aren’t metered so it’s always a good idea to ask how much the ride will cost before you get in. The average fare from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central Railway Station is about €‎6 (INR 530) for up to 4 passengers.

Photos (1)

Chennai airport taxi

Cost

€6

Trip Duration

45 min

The total fare might vary depending on the operator; make sure to ask your driver for an estimation before you enter the taxi.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Taxis are available for on-demand service at Chennai Airport 24/7.

Where do I get a taxi from?

Official taxis are available at Chennai Airport 24/7; they’re parked in front of the main terminal building as you reach the exit.

Convenience

If you want to get from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central Railway Station quickly and comfortably, taking an airport taxi is the most convenient option. With an airport taxi, you won’t need to check timetables or worry about catching the train on time even if your flight is delayed. It’s a great choice if you’re travelling with young children or if you simply prefer stress-free transport to your destination. If you want to skip the line at the taxi rank and have a driver waiting for you as soon as you land, you can even pre-book your Chennai airport taxi for peace of mind.

Editor’s Note

Taking a Chennai airport taxi is a very good transportation option even if you're travelling alone and on a budget; the taxi fare is very reasonable, making it a great value-for-money choice.

Useful Tips

Chennai taxis don’t use taximeters; make sure to ask how much the ride will cost before you get in.

Make sure to always carry cash in the local currency and in small bills to ensure you’ll get change if needed.

Tipping your taxi driver isn’t expected but you can round up the total fare if you’re pleased with the service.

How to get from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central Railway Station by train

An alternative transportation option to taking a taxi is to take the train from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central. The airport train station is located at Tirusulam and you can reach it either on foot or by the shuttle buses that connect the airport to the train station. The name of the line that connects Chennai Airport to the Central Railway Station is ‘Chennai Beach’; it takes about 40 minutes to get there.

How much does the train ticket from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central?

The cost of the train ticket from Chennai Airport to the Central Railway Station varies depending on the ticket class you’ll choose. The cheapest adult fare is €0.50 (INR 45) per traveller.

Photos (1)

Chennai Airport train to Chennai Central Railway Station

Cost

€0.50

Trip Duration

40 min

The ticket cost can vary depending on the ticket class you choose.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

Train service from Tirusulam to the Central Station in Chennai is available daily from 04:08 until 00:12 and there's a departure every 10 minutes.

Where do I get the train from?

The closest train station to Chennai Airport is Tirusulam station. You’ll need about 10 minutes on foot to reach it; just exit the arrivals terminal, walk to the right, and pass under a concrete crossing until you see the entrance of the pedestrian subway.

Convenience

If you’re heading to the railway station in Chennai, you’re probably looking to take a train to visit another city in the country. Taking the train from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central is convenient in that you can use the same means of transport for the whole journey, which narrows down the research needed. It’s also a cheap transportation option, which is important if you’re travelling on a budget. Keep in mind that it can get rather crowded during peak hours and there can be delays; if you’re in a hurry to catch another train, it’s best to take a taxi to reach the central train station directly.

Timetables

Indian Railways

Availability and fare search

Indian Railways

Train schedules

Editor’s Note

If you're travelling on a tight budget, taking the train is one of the best options to get from Chennai Airport to the Central Railway Station. For larger groups, the total ticket cost will be more or less the same as taking a taxi so you might as well choose that instead of the train and travel in comfort.

Useful Tips

Hand and checked luggage are included in the ticket price and can be carried in the train compartment as personal belongings.

You can book your ticket online through the available mobile application; that way you won't need to print your tickets or worry about misplacing them.

If you book your ticket online, there can be a reservation fee and supplementary charge depending on the train type.

How to get from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central Railway Station by metro

Getting from Chennai Airport to the Central Railway Station by metro is another public transport option if you’re looking to stay within a very tight budget. There is a direct connection from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central and it takes about 45 minutes to get there.

How much does the metro ticket from Chennai Airport to downtown cost?

The metro ticket fare in Chennai is calculated based on the distance travelled. From Chennai Airport to the Central Railway Station in the city centre the ticket costs €0.45 (INR 40) per traveller.

Photos (1)

Metro from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central

Cost

€0.90

Trip Duration

45 min

The cost is calculated based on the distance travelled; the further away from the airport, the more expensive your trip will be.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The metro line connecting Chennai Airport to the city centre runs every 12 minutes during peak hours from 05:05 until 23:05 on weekdays and until 22:45 on weekends.

Where do I get the metro from?

The metro platform is located on Level 2 and can be reached directly through the main terminal building at Chennai Airport; simply follow the respective signs and you should reach it in less than 10 minutes on foot.

Convenience

Taking the metro to get from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central is a convenient and cheap transportation option. Keep in mind that the metro is a very popular means of transport both for locals and travellers and it can get very crowded during peak hours. If you’re carrying many pieces of luggage or you’re travelling with young children, it’s best to take an airport taxi instead.

Timetables

Chennai metro timetable

Weekdays schedule

Chennai metro timetable

Weekends schedule

Chennai metro tickets

Ticket fare

Chennai metro tickets

Online ticket purchase

Editor’s Note

If you're a solo traveller and you're travelling on a budget, taking the metro is a really good option to get from Chennai Airport to the Central Railway Station. For larger groups, the ticket cost can be almost the same as taking a taxi, so you might as well take one in the first place and travel more comfortably.

Useful Tips

You can purchase your ticket online in advance to save time, or at the station.

Children under 90 cm in height can use the metro free of charge.

Metro stations and trains are accessible to wheelchair users.

How to get from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central Railway Station by bus

The Chennai Airport to Chennai Central Railway Station distance can also be covered by bus; it’s another economical transportation option that can take you directly to Chennai Central. Bus line 60A will take you from the bus stop at the airport to Puratchi Thalaivar Dr M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station in about 1 hour.

How much does the bus ticket cost from Chennai Airport to the Central Railway Station?

The fare for the Chennai Airport to Chennai Central bus service is very low at about €0.50 (INR 45) per passenger. The fare is collected with a cess, which is a type of tax, of €0.01 (INR 1) per passenger.

Photos (1)

Chennai bus operated by MTC

Cost

€0.50

Trip Duration

1 h 5 min

The fare is calculated based on the distance travelled and includes a cess; a type of tax collected from each passenger.

Convenience

Safety

Value for Money

The bus line 60A runs daily every 2 hours from 08:25 until 18:20.

Where do I take the bus from?

The bus station at Chennai Airport is located on the ground level; once you exit the main terminal building, head left and cross Airport Rd to reach Service Rd.

Convenience

Taking the bus to get from Chennai Airport to the Central Railway Station is convenient in terms of cost but it’s the slowest transportation option, especially if there’s heavy traffic along the way. Also, keep in mind that buses in Chennai can get very crowded during peak hours, which can be quite uncomfortable if you’re travelling with many pieces of luggage and even unsafe if you’re travelling with young children. In any of these scenarios, you might find it’s more convenient to choose one of the other public transport options, take an airport taxi or pre-book a personalised airport transfer.

Timetables

Bus line 60A

Route Information

MTC buses

Ticket Fare

Editor’s Note

Taking the bus to get from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central is a cheap transportation option but it's also the slowest. If you're travelling on a budget, you can choose the other two alternatives, the train or the metro, which are faster and cost the same.

Useful Tips

You can purchase your ticket on the bus; the fare will be calculated based on your final destination.

There is no extra charge for your luggage; if needed, make sure to store them within sight.

MTC buses aren't wheelchair-accessible; you'll need to look for an alternative transportation option if you have limited mobility.

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What’s the Chennai Airport to Chennai Railway Station distance?

The Chennai Airport to Chennai Central distance is approximately 20 kilometres; getting there by car or taxi takes about 45-55 minutes, depending on traffic.

What’s the taxi fare from Chennai Airport to Chennai Central Railway Station?

The average fare from Chennai Airport to the Central Railway Station is about €‎6 (INR 530) for up to 4 passengers. Keep in mind that Chennai taxis aren’t metered so make sure to ask how much the ride will cost before you get in.

Is there a direct Chennai Airport to Chennai Central Railway Station bus service?

Bus line 60A operated by MTC directly connects Chennai Airport to Chennai Central Railway Station; it runs daily every 2 hours from 08:25 until 18:20 and the bus tickets cost €0.50 (INR 45) per passenger.

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