Major city · India
Covelong
Spend a half‑day to a full day on Covelong beach; add one night if you want a resort stay – otherwise a day‑trip from Chennai.
Covelong is a small coastal town 40 km south of Chennai, known for its beach and the nearby Muttukadu boathouse. The beach can be explored in a few hours; a resort stay adds a night of beachfront relaxation. Most visitors combine it with a day trip to Mamallapuram or Pondicherry.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- avoid Apr–Jun (heat), Jul–Sep (monsoon)
- Airport
- MAA
- Nights
- 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 Covelong100 ▾
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 Covelong, 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
- SafetyCovelong is generally safe for tourists; stay alert to beach touts and ensure auto‑rickshaw fares are agreed beforehand.
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 (About 45 min by taxi or auto‑rickshaw).
- Getting aroundAuto‑rickshaws are the main local transport; negotiate a flat fare in advance and state the destination firmly.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Street or quick mealCoconut water (street stall)₹30–₹50 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedMGM Beach Resort deluxe room, a night, per room₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
- Mid-range bedMGM Beach Resort deluxe room, a night, per room₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
- High-end bedMGM Beach Resort deluxe room, a night, per room₹5,000 (≈ US$60)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,500 (≈ US$18) · Mid ₹2,500 (≈ US$30) · High ₹4,000 (≈ US$50)
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 (About 45 min by taxi or auto‑rickshaw)
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
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
May
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Jun
Avoid
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
Jul
Avoid
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
Aug
Avoid
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
Sep
Avoid
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
Oct
Best
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Nov
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Dec
Best
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Oct–Mar. Avoid: Apr–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Jun (40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)), coolest Jan (20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C) low), wettest Jul (12 rain days), driest Jan (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Covelong: 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
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
2 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
2 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
3 rd
Apr
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
4 rd
May
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
6 rd
Jun
40°C (104°F)104°F (40°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
9 rd
Jul
38°C (100°F)100°F (38°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
12 rd
Aug
37°C (99°F)99°F (37°C)
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
12 rd
Sep
35°C (95°F)95°F (35°C)
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
8 rd
Oct
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
4 rd
Nov
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
2 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°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
Auto‑rickshaws are the main local transport; negotiate a flat fare in advance and state the destination firmly. Private taxis are scarce and pricey.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Mamallapuram
goDoor to door: ≈1 h 15 min
Auto‑rickshaw or hired car, about 40 km (25 mi), 1 h driveAuto‑rickshaw or hired car, about 25 mi (40 km), 1 h drive
Historic shore temple complex; good for a half‑day.
Pondicherry
cautionDoor to door: ≈2 h
Auto‑rickshaw or hired car, about 70 km (43 mi), 1 h 30 minAuto‑rickshaw or hired car, about 43 mi (70 km), 1 h 30 min
Popular tourist town; traffic can be heavy.
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.
MGM Beach Resort
Deluxe room ₹5,000 per night, includes buffet breakfast
Sheraton Grand Chennai Resorts and Spa
Beachfront luxury, ₹12,000 per night
Taj Fisherman's Cove Resort & Spa
Luxury resort and beach cottages, price check
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
- ₹1,200–₹2,000 (≈ US$14–25) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,000–₹3,500 (≈ US$25–40) excl. bed
- High
- ₹3,500 (≈ US$40)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| MGM Beach Resort deluxe room1 × 1 night × ₹5,000 | ₹5,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹2,500 | ₹5,000 |
| Auto‑rickshaw ride from Chennai Airport to Covelong (one‑way)2 × ₹1,200 · price check | ₹2,400 |
| eSIM data for 7 days2 × ₹800 · check | ₹1,600 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,400 |
| Trip total≈ ₹7,700 per person per day, bed included | ₹15,400≈ US$180 |
Includes breakfast
2026 estimate in INR; flights and long‑distance train passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| Coconut water (street stall) | ₹30–₹50 (≈ under US$1) |
| Masala dosa (local eatery) | ₹80–₹150 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Auto‑rickshaw 5 km farenegotiate before boarding | ₹150–₹250 (≈ US$2–3) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Beach touts sell overpriced crafts – ignore.
- Auto drivers may try to add extra stops for commission; keep repeating the exact destination.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 100
- Fire and ambulance
- 101
- General emergency (all services)
- 112
Pocket card
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CovelongCovelong
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
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இந்த முகவரிக்கு, தயவு செய்துTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police100
- Fire and ambulance101
- General emergency (all services)112
Embassy
The US has a consulate in Chennai; other countries use the embassy in New Delhi.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Chennai Airport → Covelong (auto‑rickshaw): about ₹1,200 (≈ US$14), negotiate before boarding (check)
- Covelong → Mamallapuram (auto‑rickshaw): ≈₹800–₹1,200, flat fare
Say or show
- மன்னிக்கவும் — Excuse me / Sorry (mannikkavum)
- நன்றி — Thank you (nandri)
- எவ்வளவு? — How much? (evvalavu?)
- …க்கு மட்டும் போக வேண்டும் — I want to go to … only (…kku mattum poga vendum)
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 Covelong. 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 (heat), Jul–Sep (monsoon) · 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
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night at MGM Beach Resort for a relaxed beachfront stay.
- Combine Covelong with Mamallapuram for a coastal day‑trip itinerary.
Sources
Ask about Covelong
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