Chennai International Airport - Flight Information and Guide (MAA)

How to get to Chennai International Airport

Chennai city centre is approximately 12 km from the airport: the transfer takes approximately 30-40 minutes by metro or taxi.

By Car

By car, you reach the city centre of Chennai in approximately 30-40 minutes, depending on traffic.

By Train

Chennai's metro connects the airport directly to the city center in about 35-40 minutes; ticket roughly 40-60 rupees.

By Bus

Various buses connect the airport to different areas of Chennai; ticket roughly 30-50 rupees.

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Tips The metro is generally the most predictable way to reach the city center, not subject to road traffic.

Average travel time to MAA

Train35-40 minutes (metro)

Shuttle busNot a dedicated service

Taxi / Private hire30-40 minutes

Parking near Chennai International Airport

The multi-story parking garage is located right next to the terminal.

The parking is monitored by cameras, with affordable rates.

How to get to Chennai from MAA

By Train

The metro connects the airport to Chennai city center in approximately 35–40 minutes; ticket approximately 40–60 rupees.

By Bus

Various buses connect the airport to different areas of Chennai; approximately 30–50 rupees.

By Taxi

Pre-paid taxis or Uber/Ola apps are available in the arrivals area; approximately 350–500 rupees to the city center.

Need an airport transfer?

Compare taxis and shuttles on Booking.com

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Car rental at Chennai International Airport

Large car rental companies operate with dedicated desks near arrivals.

The agency typically requires a driver's license, passport, credit card and an International Driving Permit.

Hotels near Chennai International Airport

Chennai Airport is the southern terminus of the city's metro Blue Line: in about 35-45 minutes and 40-50 rupees you reach Anna Salai and Chennai Central, with trains every 7-15 minutes, a real alternative to a taxi in GST Road traffic. For short layovers, the Trident is literally across the street from the terminal; for business trips, Guindy is on the same blue line as the airport; for evenings out and the historic centre, Anna Salai and Teynampet remain the heart of the city.

Airport area

Meenambakkam, across from the terminal

About 3 km from the terminal, on the other side of GST Road: just a few minutes by car or shuttle.

Best for: Short layovers and dawn flights, when you want the shortest possible transfer from the terminal.

Pros

The city's original airport hotel, designed specifically for those with just a few hours to spare
No risk linked to GST Road traffic during rush hour

Cons

Only GST Road and the airport area around: for dinner you stay at the hotel
Reaching the centre of Chennai still needs 20-30 minutes by taxi or a change on the metro

Recommended hotels

Trident, Chennai On GST Road in Meenambakkam, literally across from the airport terminal; run by the Oberoi group, with 167 rooms, an outdoor pool and two in-house restaurants. View availability

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Near the airport link

Guindy, on the metro blue line

About 7.5 km from the airport, 13 minutes by car; the Guindy station on the Blue Line, the same one that comes from the airport, is a 12-minute walk from the hotel.

Best for: Business trips and those who want to stay on the same metro line as the airport without changes.

Pros

The same metro line as the airport, with no changes, for those who want to avoid a taxi
Guindy is a hub with a railway station and quick access both to the centre and to the IT districts to the south

Cons

The surrounding area is mainly a business district, with little to do on foot in the evening outside the hotel
Marina Beach and the historic centre remain about 13 km away, so another transfer is needed

Recommended hotels

ITC Grand Chola, a Luxury Collection Hotel, Chennai On Mount Road in Guindy, Chennai's largest hotel with 522 rooms and 78 serviced apartments; 8 restaurants and the Kaya Kalp spa. A 12-minute walk from the Guindy Blue Line station and 13 minutes by car from the airport. View availability

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City centre

Anna Salai and Teynampet

About 19-20 km from the airport; by metro, the Blue Line to a central station takes 35-45 minutes (40-50 rupees), or 30-40 minutes by taxi outside rush hour.

Best for: Those who want the historic centre, Anna Salai and Teynampet's evening life, accepting a longer transfer from the airport.

Pros

The Taj Connemara is 200 metres from Anna Salai, the city's main artery
The Hyatt Regency is a 2-minute walk from the AG-DMS metro station, convenient for getting around the city

Cons

There is no direct metro line without a change from the airport to this area
Heavy traffic on Anna Salai at certain times of day

Recommended hotels

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Airport services

The airport is south India's primary hub, with connections to Southeast Asia and the Persian Gulf.

Shopping & Duty Free

The duty-free area offers a selection of Indian tea, spices, and Kanchipuram silk, the region's traditional textile.

Lounges & relaxation

Lounge entry is granted with airline alliance status, a business-class ticket, or by purchasing a day pass.

Connectivity & Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the terminal area. Mobile operators Airtel, Jio, and Vi have SIM card stands at the airport.

Families & Children

Families in transit have access to dedicated children's play areas in the waiting zones.

Terminal guide

The terminal is appropriately sized for its role as southern India's principal hub.

It is wise to account for longer-than-usual customs checks and to arrive 3 hours in advance on international flights.

Map of Chennai International Airport

Frequently asked questions

Q. Is Chennai a good starting point for the temples of Tamil Nadu?

Yes, it's the main gateway to South India, from which the region's great Dravidian temples can be reached, including nearby Mahabalipuram.

Q. How do you get to downtown Chennai from the airport?

By metro, which connects the airport directly to the center in about 35-40 minutes, unaffected by road traffic.

Q. What is Kanchipuram silk?

A fine traditional fabric produced in the eponymous town near Chennai, among the region's most sought-after souvenirs.

Q. Is Chennai Airport also important for cargo traffic?

Yes: besides passengers, Chennai is among South India's main cargo hubs, a role linked to the region's strong automotive and tech industry, often called the 'Detroit of India'.