Major city · India
Tambaramதாம்பரம்
Use Tambaram as a day‑trip from Chennai (or one night if you want zoo and temples); 4–6 h total travel and sightseeing.
Tambaram is a Chennai suburb with a busy railway station, several historic temples and a large zoo. It is best suited to a half‑day visit from Chennai, or an overnight stay if you want to explore the zoo and nearby hills.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Apr–Jun (hot), Monsoon Jul–Oct
- Airport
- MAA
- Nights
- 0–1
Not a trip line yet
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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
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
Emergency numbers for Tambaram100 ▾
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 Tambaram, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe; watch for traffic near the airport and keep valuables secure on public transport.
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 numbers100 police · 101 fire and ambulance · 112 General emergency (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 Airport (≈9 km (5.6 mi) north, 15‑20 min by taxi).MAA Chennai International Airport (≈5.6 mi (9 km) north, 15‑20 min by taxi).
- Getting aroundLocal buses and auto‑rickshaws serve the town; taxis from Chennai Airport take ~20 min.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCoffee at café₹50–80 (≈ under US$1)
- Street or quick mealSouth Indian breakfast (idli/dosa)₹80–150 (≈ US$1–2)
- Museum or sight ticketZoo entry (adult)₹30 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedBudget hostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per person₹300 (≈ US$4)
- Mid-range bedMid‑range hotel double room, a night, per room₹1,800 (≈ US$25)
- High-end bedMid‑range hotel double room, a night, per room₹3,000 (≈ US$35)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹500 (≈ US$6) · Mid ₹800 (≈ US$10) · High ₹1,200 (≈ US$14)
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 Airport (≈9 km (5.6 mi) north, 15‑20 min by taxi)MAA Chennai International Airport (≈5.6 mi (9 km) north, 15‑20 min by taxi)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Mar
Best
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Apr
Avoid
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
May
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jun
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jul
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Aug
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
Sep
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Oct
Care
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Dec
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Best: Nov–Mar. Mixed: Oct. Avoid: Apr–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest May (38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)), coolest Dec (21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C) low), wettest Aug (13 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Tambaram: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
2 rd
Feb
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Mar
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
3 rd
Apr
36°C (97°F)97°F (36°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
5 rd
May
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
7 rd
Jun
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
9 rd
Jul
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
12 rd
Aug
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
13 rd
Sep
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
10 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
5 rd
Nov
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
3 rd
Dec
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 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
Local buses and auto‑rickshaws serve the town; taxis from Chennai Airport take ~20 min. Walkable between temple cluster and zoo.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Arignar Anna Zoological Park (Vandalur)
goDoor to door: ≈1 h total
Auto‑rickshaw or taxi ~15 km (9.3 mi), 30 min from Tambaram centreAuto‑rickshaw or taxi ~9.3 mi (15 km), 30 min from Tambaram centre
Entry ₹30 for adults; camera fees extra.
Kumaran Kundram hill
goDoor to door: ≈45 min total
Taxi ~9 km (5.6 mi), 15‑20 min via MIT FlyoverTaxi ~5.6 mi (9 km), 15‑20 min via MIT Flyover
Small hill with Murugan shrine; no entry fee.
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.
Tambaram Railway Station area
Budget hotels and guesthouses within walking distance of the station.
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
- ₹800–1,200 (≈ US$10–14) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹1,200–2,500 (≈ US$14–30) excl. bed
- High
- ₹2,500 (≈ US$30)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Budget hostel or guesthouse bed1 × 1 night × ₹300 | ₹300 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × ₹500 | ₹500 |
| Auto‑rickshaw (5 km)1 × ₹150 · check | ₹150 |
| Suburban train (single ride)1 × ₹30 · check | ₹30 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹98 |
| Trip total≈ ₹1,078 per person per day, bed included | ₹1,078≈ US$13 |
2026 estimate; flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Auto‑rickshaw (5 km) | ₹150–200 (≈ US$2–3) |
| Suburban train (single) | ₹30–40 (≈ under US$1) |
| Coffee at café | ₹50–80 (≈ under US$1) |
| South Indian breakfast (idli/dosa) | ₹80–150 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Zoo entry (adult) | ₹30 (≈ under US$1) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Peak traffic around Chennai Airport can add 15‑30 min to taxi trips.
- Zoo entry price varies by age; camera fees apply.
- Temple opening hours may change on festivals – check locally.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Fire and ambulance
- 101
- General emergency (all services)
- 112
Pocket card
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Tambaramதாம்பரம்
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
இந்த முகவரிக்கு, தயவு செய்துTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police100
- Fire/ambulance101
- All services112
Embassy
Indian consulates are in Chennai; US consulate in Chennai (check address).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chennai Airport → Tambaram (taxi): ≈ ₹250–300, 15‑20 min (check)
- Suburban train Chennai ↔ Tambaram: ₹30–40 (≈ under US$1) per ride (check)
Say or show
- மன்னிக்கவும் — Excuse me / Sorry (mannikkavum)
- நன்றி — Thank you (nandri)
- எவ்வளவு? — How much? (evvalavu)
- கழிவறை எங்கு? — Where is the toilet? (kazhivarai engU?)
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 Tambaram. 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: Oct–Mar · avoid Apr–Jun (hot), Monsoon Jul–Oct · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 3 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add Chennai city guide for train connections.
- Link to Vandalur Zoo page for detailed visitor info.
Sources
Ask about Tambaram
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