Major city · India
Chennaiசென்னை
Give Chennai 2 nights as a Tamil Nadu staging point: Marina and Mylapore one day, Mamallapuram the next. May–Jun heat and Oct–Dec rain are the months to work around, not to skip the city.
Chennai is the capital of Tamil Nadu and the main gateway to the south: a coastal city of temples, colonial Fort St George, long beaches and Carnatic music, with the airport 19 km south-west of the centre. Most travellers use it for two nights before heading to Mamallapuram, Kanchipuram or Pondicherry. The city is hot and humid all year, wettest from October to December.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Nov–Feb
- avoid May–Jun (35–42°C (95–108°F)), Oct–Dec (northeast monsoon rain)avoid May–Jun (95–108°F (35–42°C)), Oct–Dec (northeast monsoon rain)
- Airport
- MAA
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Chennai112 ▾
- All services112
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Chennai, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyNo official safety rating exists for Chennai.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All services (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportMAA Chennai International (About 19 km (12 mi) south-west of the centre; metro Blue Line and suburban rail from Tirusulam, or prepaid taxi/Ola/Uber.).MAA Chennai International (About 12 mi (19 km) south-west of the centre; metro Blue Line and suburban rail from Tirusulam, or prepaid taxi/Ola/Uber.).
- Getting aroundChennai Metro (Blue and Green lines) links the airport, Alandur and MGR Chennai Central; suburban rail is cheap but packed at peak.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeFilter coffee₹20–60 (≈ under US$1)
- Street or quick mealDosa or idli breakfast₹60–150 (≈ US$1–2)
- Metro or bus rideMetro ride₹10–50 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketMuseum or temple entry₹50–500 (≈ US$1–6)
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per person₹600 (≈ US$7)
- Mid-range bedMid-range double room, a night, per room₹3,500 (≈ US$40)
- High-end bedMid-range double room, a night, per room₹7,000 (≈ US$80)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · Mid ₹3,500 (≈ US$40) · High ₹7,000 (≈ US$80)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- MAA Chennai International (About 19 km (12 mi) south-west of the centre; metro Blue Line and suburban rail from Tirusulam, or prepaid taxi/Ola/Uber.)MAA Chennai International (About 12 mi (19 km) south-west of the centre; metro Blue Line and suburban rail from Tirusulam, or prepaid taxi/Ola/Uber.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Feb
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jun
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Jul
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
not flagged
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Sep
not flagged
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Oct
Avoid
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Nov
Care
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Care
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Jan–Feb. Mixed: Nov–Dec. Avoid: May–Jun, Oct. Month by month →
Warmest May (37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)), coolest Jan (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C) low), wettest Nov (14 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Chennai: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
1 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
1 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
1 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
2 rd
May
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
3 rd
Jun
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
5 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
7 rd
Aug
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8 rd
Sep
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
8 rd
Oct
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
14 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
9 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Chennai Metro (Blue and Green lines) links the airport, Alandur and MGR Chennai Central; suburban rail is cheap but packed at peak. Autos and taxis run on Ola and Uber — agree the fare or use the app meter. Traffic is heavy from 08:00; mornings start early.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Door to door: About 1.5–2 h
Car or bus on the East Coast Road
Shore Temple and the rock-cut panels; a UNESCO site. Start early to beat the heat.
Kanchipuram
goDoor to door: About 2.5 h
Train or car
Temple town; cover the main temples before noon.
Pondicherry
overnightDoor to door: About 3.5 h
Car or bus on the East Coast Road, about 3 h
Too far for a comfortable return day; sleep one night.
Vellore
overnightDoor to door: About 3 h
Train or car
Vellore Fort and the Golden Temple; pair with a night.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Central Chennai (Mylapore, T. Nagar, Egmore)
Temples, museums and Marina Beach within reach; best first base.
South Chennai (Adyar, Guindy, airport side)
Quieter, close to the airport and Mamallapuram road; weaker on sights.
North Chennai (George Town, near Central)
Oldest quarter, Fort St George and both main rail stations; rougher streets at night.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,500–2,500 (≈ US$18–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–5,000 (≈ US$30–60) excl. bed
- High
- ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range double room1 × 2 nights × ₹3,500 | ₹7,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × ₹3,500 | ₹14,000 |
| Airport to centre, prepaid taxi1 × ₹560 | ₹560 |
| Metro or suburban rail ride2 × ₹30 | ₹60 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × ₹700 | ₹1,400 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹2,300 |
| Trip total≈ ₹6,330 per person per day, bed included | ₹25,320≈ US$300 |
2026 estimate in rupees; flights and rail excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Filter coffee | ₹20–60 (≈ under US$1) |
| Dosa or idli breakfast | ₹60–150 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Thali or Chettinad meal | ₹200–500 (≈ US$3–6) |
| Auto across the centreAgree the fare or use the app. | ₹150–350 (≈ US$2–4) |
| Metro ride | ₹10–50 (≈ under US$1) |
| Museum or temple entry | ₹50–500 (≈ US$1–6) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- May–Jun heat is dangerous for walking tours; shift sightseeing to early morning.
- October–December northeast monsoon can flood roads and delay flights: check forecasts.
- Auto drivers near stations and Marina often refuse the meter: use the app or fix the price first.
- Only the official e-visa portal is valid; ignore agent sites.
Emergency numbers
- All services
- 112
Pocket card
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Chennaiசென்னை
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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இந்த முகவரிக்கு போங்கள்To this address, please
Emergency
- All services112
Embassy
The US has a consulate-general in Chennai; most other countries: consulates in Chennai or embassies in New Delhi (check).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- MAA airport → centre, prepaid taxi: about ₹560 (≈ US$7), 45–60 min
- MAA airport → centre, metro Blue Line: about ₹50 (≈ under US$1), 40 min
- Chennai → Mamallapuram, car: about ₹1,500–2,000 (≈ US$18–25), 1.5 h
Say or show
- வணக்கம் — Hello / Vanakkam (vanakkam)
- நன்றி — Thank you (nandri)
- எவ்வளவு? — How much is it? (evvalavu)
- மீட்டர் போடுங்கள் — Please use the meter (meter podungal)
- கழிப்பறை எங்கே? — Where is the toilet? (kazhipparai enge)
- காரம் வேண்டாம் — No chilli, please (kaaram vendaam)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Chennai. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Nov–Feb · avoid May–Jun (35–42°C), Oct–Dec (northeast monsoon rain) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for MAA: metro Blue Line and Tirusulam rail times, prepaid taxi and app fallback, late-arrival rung.
- Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Mylapore, George Town and Fort St George, Marina and Santhome, Egmore museums.
- Place pages with verified cutoffs (Kapaleeshwarar, Fort St George museum, Government Museum, Santhome Basilica) and eat pages with last orders.
- Monsoon and heat fixtures so gates A–D can go green.