Cheap flights to Chennai
Set your departure airport and maximum budget: SniperAir tracks prices to Chennai and alerts you the moment a deal matching your criteria appears.
Quick summary
Country
India
Continent
Asia
Airport
MAA
Currency
Indian rupee
Time zone
UTC+5:30
Deals already spotted to Chennai
Real flight examples detected by SniperAir, with their reference price.
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Airport and transfer
An airport to the south-west, linked to the metro
Chennai International (Tirusulam)
The airport is at Tirusulam, about 20 km south-west of the centre. International flights arrive at Terminal 2, domestic flights at Terminals 1 and 4, all on the same road. Chennai Metro's Blue Line links the airport to MGR Chennai Central station; the suburban train (Tirusulam station, opposite Terminal 2) is the cheapest option. Prepaid taxis leave from each terminal. Allow more than an hour by car at rush hour.
Distances and times are indicative (Wikipedia EN and DE, Wikivoyage EN) and vary with traffic. Sources give 19 to 21 km for the airport and 50 to 56 km for Mahabalipuram.
Chennai, city of Madras
Temples, fort and seafront
Chennai, long known as Madras (the official name has been Chennai since 1996), is the capital of Tamil Nadu, on the Coromandel Coast by the Bay of Bengal. The city grew around Fort St George, founded by the British East India Company around 1640. Part of the fort now houses the Tamil Nadu government offices. Indo-Saracenic architecture, blending Indian, Islamic and Gothic Revival styles, marks many 19th-century buildings.
The temples of Chennai
The city has thousands of temples. In the Mylapore district, the Kapaleeshwarar Temple and its large tank are a centre of religious life; nearby, Santhome is tied to the tradition that the apostle Thomas died there. In Saidapet, the polychrome gopuram of the Karaneeswarar Temple, covered in carved deities, is one of the most colourful. Remove your shoes at the entrance and dress modestly.
Chennai's coast
The long Marina Beach, about 13 km, is among the longest in India, with promenades full of people in the evening. Go late in the day or at dawn, as the heat is strong during the day. Along the coast, colourful fishing boats drawn up on the sand recall the city's maritime vocation.
Mahabalipuram
A UNESCO site about 55 km south
The Shore Temple
About 55 km from Chennai, Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its Pallava monuments of the 7th and 8th centuries. The sandstone Shore Temple stands facing the sea and remains one of the oldest stone temples in southern India. Allow a full day including the journey.
The twin towers
The Shore Temple has two shrines with tiered towers, their carvings worn by sea spray and centuries. It is a group of shrines sharing one platform.
The Pancha Rathas
The Pancha Rathas, or five rathas, are monolithic shrines cut from granite, visited on foot near the village. Their simple, massive forms foreshadow later architecture in southern India.
Museums and culture
Government museum, art gallery and Carnatic music
The Government Museum
The Government Museum, opened in the 19th century, and the National Art Gallery, completed in 1909 in pink sandstone, are among the oldest in the country. They share a campus in the heart of the city; check closing days before you go.
Fort St George and Mylapore
The fort and the Mylapore district suit a historical walk: the fort and the Kapaleeshwarar temple tank are landmarks of the old city.
Music and dance
Chennai is a centre of Carnatic music, the classical tradition of southern India. The Madras Music Season, created in 1927, takes place every December, with many concerts. Bharatanatyam, the region's classical dance, is also very present.
Food and drink
Idli, dosa and meals on a banana leaf
Idlis and sambar
The classic Tamil breakfast pairs idlis, steamed rice and lentil cakes, with chutney and sambar, a vegetable and lentil stew. In many restaurants the meal is served on a banana leaf, an old custom.
Dosa and filter coffee
Dosa, a crisp rice and lentil crepe, is another classic, along with milky filter coffee served in steel cups. Vegetarian restaurants serve "tiffins" in the morning and evening and full meals at lunch.
Drinks and precautions
Drink bottled or boiled water, especially in the heat. Alcohol sales are regulated: bars are generally attached to hotels.
Getting around
Metro, suburban trains and rickshaws
Metro and train
Chennai Metro has two lines (blue and green); the six suburban train lines, very cheap, are reliable and fast. At rush hour, choose a higher class and use the women's compartment if needed.
Buses, taxis and rickshaws
City buses are plentiful; black taxis with yellow tops and cars with drivers complete the picture. Rickshaws ("autos") have a reputation for overcharging: fix the fare before getting in.
Traffic
Traffic is heavy in the centre. The city wakes early, and journeys are more pleasant before 8 a.m.
Budget
An affordable budget compared with Europe
Chennai is affordable compared with Europe for meals, transport and simple accommodation, though pricier than other Indian cities for getting around town. We give no figures because they vary with the season and the exchange rate: check the official sites.
The plane ticket remains the most variable item of a trip. SniperAir tracks flights to MAA closely and compares them with the route's price history.
When to go
When to visit Chennai?
Spring
March to May: strong heat and humidity, with highs often above 35 °C.
Summer
June to September: the south-west monsoon brings little rain, but the humid heat remains strong; April to June is the hottest period, at 35 to 42 °C.
Autumn
October to December: north-east monsoon, which brings most of the year's rain; cyclones are frequent at this time.
Winter
December to February: the mildest season, with average temperatures of 19 to 28 °C.
The climate is tropical, hot and humid all year. The best period runs from November to February, after the heaviest rains; about 120 to 150 cm of rain falls per year depending on the source. In case of a cyclone, follow the authorities' instructions.
By length of stay
What to do in Chennai depending on your stay
The essentials
Mylapore, a colourful temple, Marina Beach late in the day and a Tamil breakfast.
Going deeper
Add the Government Museum, Fort St George and a Carnatic music concert.
Mahabalipuram
A day at Mahabalipuram (about 55 km), then the beaches of the Coromandel Coast.
In pictures
Chennai in pictures
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions about flights to Chennai
How do I get from Chennai airport to the centre?
Chennai airport (MAA) is about 20 km south-west of the centre. The Blue Line of the metro and the suburban train link it to the city, and prepaid taxis leave from each terminal; allow over an hour at rush hour.
When is the best time to visit Chennai?
From November to February, which is milder. April to June is very hot; the north-east monsoon, from October to December, brings most of the rain and cyclones are possible.
Is Chennai an expensive city?
It is affordable compared with Europe for meals and simple accommodation, but getting around town costs more than elsewhere in India.
How many days do you need in Chennai?
Two days cover Mylapore, a temple, Marina Beach and a museum. Add a day for Mahabalipuram, about 55 km away.
How do you get around Chennai?
Metro, suburban trains, buses, taxis and rickshaws. Fix a rickshaw fare before getting in and avoid rush hour.
Which dishes should I try in Chennai?
Idlis and sambar, dosa, filter coffee and a meal served on a banana leaf.
How much does a flight to Chennai usually cost?
The price depends mainly on your departure city, the time of year and how far ahead you book. The "opportunities" section above shows real examples of prices already detected by SniperAir for this destination.
How do I get alerted when a flight to Chennai drops below my budget?
Create an alert profile with your departure airport, Chennai as the destination and your maximum budget. You are notified automatically as soon as a matching price is detected.
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