Chennai is among the top destinations in South India and it’s definitely worth exploring; from ancient temples and amazing cuisine to stunning landscapes, there’s an exciting activity for everyone. If you’re arriving at Chennai Airport, you have many different ways to reach the city centre. Taking an airport taxi or pre-booking a private personalised transfer is both a fast and comfortable choice at a very reasonable price that will take you directly to your accommodation. If you’re looking for even more budget-friendly alternatives and you wish to explore Chennai like a local, you have three different options to get from Chennai Airport to the city centre; by bus, train or metro. Taking bus line 60A is the slowest option but also the cheapest. The train and the metro are also convenient and budget-friendly options and take about the same time to reach the downtown area so you can choose whatever suits your needs and budget.
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How to Get from Chennai Airport to Downtown Chennai
Comparison of the options
How to get from Chennai Airport to the City Centre by taxi
Taking an airport taxi to get from Chennai Airport to downtown Chennai is the most convenient transportation option. Depending on traffic, the travelling duration might differ but it’s still one of the fastest ways to reach your accommodation quickly and comfortably. The cost also varies depending on the operator so if you prefer a fixed, competitive rate you can book your Chennai Airport taxi in advance.
How much is the fare for a taxi from Chennai Airport to downtown?
Most official taxis in Chennai aren’t metered but the taxi service is still safe and reliable. The average fare from Chennai Airport to the city centre is about €6 (INR 530) for up to 4 passengers but it’s best to ask how much the ride will cost before you get in.
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Chennai airport taxi
Cost
€6
Trip Duration
45 min
The total fare might vary depending on the operator; make sure to ask 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?
No matter what time your flight arrives, you’ll find local taxis available at Chennai Airport 24/7. They’re parked in front of the main terminal building as you reach the exit.
Convenience
If you value comfort and speed, taking a Chennai airport to city taxi to reach your accommodation is definitely the best option. Buses tend to get overcrowded so if you’re carrying many pieces of luggage or travelling with young children you’ll have a much smoother experience with a private ride. 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 the ultimate stress-free travel experience.
Editor’s Note
The cost of a Chennai taxi is very low so it's still a good option even if you're travelling alone or on a budget. If you're not in a hurry and you wish to experience Chennai like a local, then taking the bus can offer a more adventurous experience.
Useful Tips
How to get from Chennai Airport to the City Centre by bus
Getting from Chennai Airport to downtown by bus is a very economical transportation option to reach your accommodation. There are several bus lines that stop at Chennai Airport so you can choose the one that most suits you, depending on the exact location you’re heading to. Bus line 60A will take you from Chennai Airport directly to the downtown area, stopping also at the central train station.
How much does the bus ticket cost from Chennai Airport to downtown?
The fare for the Chennai Airport to city bus service is very low at about €0.50 (INR 45) per passenger. The total fare is calculated based on the distance travelled and is collected with a cess, which is a type of tax, of €0.01 (INR 1) per passenger.
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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 by 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 ground level on your left as you exit the terminal building; you’ll need to cross Airport Rd and head onto Service Rd.
Convenience
The Chennai airport to city bus service is a budget-friendly transportation option to reach your accommodation in the downtown area. Keep in mind that the bus is slower than taking a taxi, especially if there’s heavy traffic along the way and it can get extremely crowded on board during peak hours. If you’re in a hurry, or you prefer to travel comfortably, it’s best to take an airport taxi or pre-book a personalised airport transfer.
Editor’s Note
For solo travellers, the bus can be a good option both as a way to stay within budget and to meet locals or other travellers during the ride. For families with young children, taking the bus can be stressful, so it's best to take a taxi and reach your destination directly.
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How to get from Chennai Airport to the city centre by train
Another quick transportation option to get from Chennai Airport to the city centre is by train. The train station is located at Trisulam, which is less than 10 minutes away and you can reach it either on foot or by the shuttle buses that connect the airport to the train station. Choose the line to Chennai Beach and the train will take you to the Egmore or the Central Train Station downtown; from there you can get to your accommodation by taxi, by bus or on foot.
How much does the train ticket from Chennai Airport to downtown cost?
The cost of the train ticket from Chennai Airport to downtown varies depending on the ticket class you’ll choose. The cheapest adult fare is €0.50 (INR 45) per traveller.
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Chennai train from the airport to the city centre
Cost
€0.50
Trip Duration
40 min
The cost refers only to the train ticket and not to additional expenses for a taxi or bus.
Convenience
Safety
Value for Money
Train service from Trisulam to the central station in Chennai is available daily from 04:08 until 00:12 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
Taking the train to get from Chennai Airport to the city centre is a fast and budget-friendly option. Keep in mind that like all public transport in Chennai, the train can get rather crowded. Also, Tirusulam train station is a 10-minute walk away; if you’re carrying many pieces of luggage or you’re travelling with young children, you might be better off taking a taxi instead.
Editor’s Note
Taking the train can be a good transportation option for solo travellers and people with light luggage as you'll need to walk a bit to reach the train station in Tirusulam. If you prefer comfort and to avoid walking, it's best to take an airport taxi as soon as you reach the exit.
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How to get from Chennai Airport to the city centre by metro
Getting from Chennai Airport to the city by metro is another budget-friendly option you can choose from. There is a direct connection from the airport to the downtown area so you can find the stop that is closest to your accommodation. The travel duration is about 45 minutes from the airport to the Puratchi Thalaivar Dr M.G. Ramachandran Central Metro station downtown.
How much does the metro ticket from Chennai Airport to downtown cost?
The metro ticket fare is calculated based on the distance travelled. From Chennai Airport to Puratchi Thalaivar Dr M.G. Ramachandran Central Metro station downtown the ticket costs €0.45 (INR 40) per traveller.
Photos (1)
Chennai metro from airport to city
Cost
€0.45
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?
You can reach the metro platform through the main terminal building at Chennai Airport; simply follow the respective signs and head to Level 2 at the station.
Convenience
Taking the metro to get from Chennai Airport to downtown Chennai can be convenient if your accommodation is located close to one of the metro stations downtown. It’s the cheapest of all the available transportation options from Chennai Airport but it’s not the fastest one. 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.
Editor’s Note
If you're a solo traveller and you're not carrying many pieces of luggage, taking the metro can be a good option to reach the city centre. For larger groups or families, the cost will be more or less the same as taking an airport taxi so you might as well choose that in the first place and travel in comfort.
Useful Tips
Frequently asked questions
How do I get from Chennai airport to the city?
There are many different transportation options to get from Chennai Airport to the city centre. A fast and comfortable option is to take an airport taxi or pre-book your private airport transfer. Alternatively, if you prefer to use public transport, you can take a bus, the train or the metro. Bus line 60A directly connects Chennai Airport to the city centre, while the railway and the metro can also both take you directly downtown from Trisulam station.
Is there a direct Chennai airport to city bus service?
Despite being 20 kilometres away, Chennai Airport is very well connected to the city centre. There are several bus lines that stop at Chennai Airport so you can choose the one that will take you closer to your destination. Bus line 60A will take you directly from Chennai Airport to the downtown area, stopping also at the central train station.
What’s the cost of a taxi from Chennai airport to the city?
The taxi service in Chennai is regulated and safe but there aren’t set rates for airport transfers. Most taxis aren’t metered so make sure to ask how much the ride will cost before you get in. The average fare from Chennai Airport to the city centre is about €6 (INR 530) for up to 4 passengers.
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