Lois Larson
Chennai International Airport (MAA) is located in Tirusulam, about 21 kilometres from the heart of Chennai. It takes approximately 30 minutes to reach the city centre from the airport. The airport is served by the Chennai International Airport Metro Station and the Tirusulam railway station. The airport has two asphalt runways and offers direct flights to three continents. Terminals 1 and 4 handle domestic traffic, while Terminal 2 handles international operations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Tirusulam, Kanchipuram district |
| Distance from city centre | 21 km |
| Travel time to city centre | 30 minutes |
| Area | 1,301 acres |
| Number of terminals | 3 (1 and 4 for domestic, 2 for international) |
| Number of runways | 2 |
| Number of passengers (2023-24) | 21 million |
| Number of aircraft flying in and out daily | 400+ |
| Cargo (2023-24) | 0.34 million tonnes |
| Public transport access | Chennai International Airport Metro Station, Tirusulam railway station |
| Amenities | Lounges, restaurants, ATMs, currency exchange, food options, duty-free shopping, luggage storage, massages and spa facilities, first aid room, pharmacy, sleeping pods, free Wi-Fi |
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What You'll Learn
- By metro: Take the Chennai International Airport Metro to the airport
- By train: Get off at Tirusulam railway station
- By road: Drive to the airport, located 21km from the city centre
- By bus: Check for buses that go to the airport from the city centre
- Airport facilities: ATMs, currency exchange, food, and free Wi-Fi are available. Luggage storage, massages, and first aid are also offered
By metro: Take the Chennai International Airport Metro to the airport
The Chennai International Airport Metro Station is served by the Chennai Metro's Blue Line. The station is located on the North-South Corridor and is elevated, with five levels: a basement, ground floor, metro ground floor, concourse, and platform. The concourse will be linked to a glass connector tube connecting the international and domestic terminals, allowing passengers to alight directly from the terminals. The Chennai International Airport Metro Station is the only elevated airport metro station in India, with other stations in the country being underground.
The metro station serves the neighbourhoods of Meenambakkam, Tirusulam, Pallavaram, Pammal, Kundrathur, and Tambaram. Around 9,000 passengers board trains at the metro station as of December 2019, making it the third busiest metro station in Chennai.
To reach Chennai Domestic Airport, you can take the Chennai International Airport Metro to the airport, which is served by this metro station. The station enables rapid transit connectivity with the airport, making Chennai the second city in India after Delhi to achieve this.
The Tamil Nadu government has approved the Phase I extension of the Chennai Metro Rail project from Chennai Airport to Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus at Kilambakkam. This 15.46 km distance will cost ₹9,335 crore and will have stations at key locations, including Pallavaram and Tambaram.
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By train: Get off at Tirusulam railway station
The Chennai Suburban Railway connects Chennai International Airport with the city. The closest train station to Chennai Airport is Tirusulam station, where the Chennai Beach line will take you to Chennai Central Railway Station in around 40 minutes. To get to the station from the airport, exit the arrivals terminal, turn right, and pass under the concrete crossing. You'll see the entrance to the pedestrian subway, which will take you to the station in about 10 minutes. You can also take a shuttle bus to the station.
The Chennai International Airport is located in Tirusulam, in the Kanchipuram district. The railway network in India is very extensive, making trains a popular mode of transport. Getting from the airport to Chennai Central by train is possible at any time of day, and it is one of the fastest ways to travel between the two points.
The train station at the airport is easily accessible on foot, and you can also reach it by shuttle bus. The shuttle buses connect the airport to the train station, and the bus station is located on the ground level. When you exit the main terminal, head left and cross Airport Road to reach Service Road, where you can board bus line 60A. This will take you directly to Chennai Central Railway Station in about an hour.
The cost of the train ticket depends on the class you choose, with the cheapest adult fare starting at €0.50 (INR 45) per traveller. The metro is another affordable option, with tickets costing €0.45 (INR 40) per traveller, and there is a direct connection from the airport to Chennai Central.
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By road: Drive to the airport, located 21km from the city centre
If you're driving to Chennai Airport from the city centre, you'll be covering a distance of 21km. The airport is located on the Grand Southern Trunk Road (NH 32) at Meenambakkam and Tirusulam, and is well-connected by road to all major cities in Chennai.
To get to the airport by car, head south-west towards Anna Salai/Mount Road. Follow this road for about 4km, then take the ramp on the left to merge onto Anna Salai/Mount Road/Omandarai Road. Continue for about 1km, then turn right onto Anna Salai/Mount Road. Drive for another 2km before turning left to stay on Anna Salai/Mount Road. After 1.5km, turn right onto the Grand Southern Trunk Road (NH 32). The airport will be on your left after 12km.
Alternatively, if you're coming from the southern part of Chennai, you can take the Chennai Bypass to the Grand Southern Trunk Road (NH 32) and then head north towards the airport. This route may be slightly longer in terms of distance, but it could save time depending on the traffic conditions in the city.
Once you arrive at the airport, you'll find that parking is available. The airport has multiple terminals for domestic and international flights, so be sure to check which terminal your flight departs from and allow extra time to navigate the airport and reach your gate.
Chennai Airport is a busy airport, handling over 20 million passengers annually. Peak hours for domestic flights are early mornings from 5 am to 9 am, and evenings are also busy. To avoid any delays, it's recommended to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours before your domestic flight departure time.
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By bus: Check for buses that go to the airport from the city centre
The Chennai International Airport is approximately 20 km from Chennai City Centre and it takes about 60 minutes to reach the city centre. The airport offers train, bus, taxi, car rental, rickshaw, and private transfer services.
To get from Chennai Airport to the city centre by bus, you can take bus line 60A, which will take you directly to the downtown area, stopping at the central train station as well. The bus station at Chennai Airport is located on the ground level; once you exit the main terminal building, head left and cross Airport Road to reach Service Road. The bus fare is very economical at about €0.50 (INR 45) per passenger. The fare is calculated based on the distance travelled and includes a cess (a type of tax) of €0.01 (INR 1) per passenger. It is important to note that buses in Chennai can get very crowded during peak hours, which can be uncomfortable if you are travelling with a lot of luggage or with young children.
If you are looking for a more comfortable and faster option, taking a taxi or pre-booking a personalised airport transfer is recommended. The taxi fare is also quite reasonable, with estimated fares from Chennai Airport to the city centre ranging from INR 350 to 500.
Other options to get to the city centre include the train and the metro, which are also budget-friendly and take about the same time to reach downtown as the bus.
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Airport facilities: ATMs, currency exchange, food, and free Wi-Fi are available. Luggage storage, massages, and first aid are also offered
Chennai International Airport offers a range of facilities to cater to the needs of travellers.
ATMs and Currency Exchange:
ATMs are readily available in both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 of the airport, providing convenient access to cash. Currency exchange services are also offered within the airport, with two counters in the Domestic Terminal and five counters in the International Terminal. It is important to note that currency exchange shops at airports typically charge higher rates due to operational costs. As an alternative, travellers can consider using dedicated online currency exchange platforms or offline options like banks or forex brokers before arriving at the airport.
Food and Beverages:
Chennai Airport provides a diverse range of dining options to suit different tastes and preferences. For those seeking authentic Indian cuisine, Copper Chimney at the Departures of the Domestic Terminal offers exquisite culinary delights from the North West Frontier province and Northern India. ID, another restaurant in the airport, serves South Indian dishes in a contemporary setting. Passengers in a hurry can opt for quick service outlets like Nalaas Aappakadai, located at Departures and Arrivals of the International Terminal, serving Kerala, Chettinadu, Andhra, Tandoor, and Chinese cuisines. Additionally, passengers can enjoy popular fast-food options such as Pizza Hut, as well as coffee and snacks from outlets like Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf, Coffee Box, and Coffee & More.
Free Wi-Fi:
Free Wi-Fi access is available at Chennai Airport for 45 minutes. To log in, passengers will need an Indian mobile phone number to receive a PIN via SMS. After the initial 45 minutes, users have the option to purchase additional time if needed.
Luggage Storage, Massages, and First Aid:
Chennai Airport provides luggage storage facilities through partnerships with local shops and hotels in the vicinity. These services can be conveniently booked online, offering secure and flexible options for travellers. Additionally, the airport offers massage services to help passengers relax and unwind. In case of medical emergencies, first aid facilities are available, ensuring immediate medical assistance for travellers.
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Frequently asked questions
The Chennai Suburban Railway serves the Chennai Domestic Airport via the Tirusulam railway station.
The Chennai Metro serves the Chennai Domestic Airport via the Chennai International Airport Metro Station.
The Chennai Domestic Airport is about 21 km away from the heart of the city, which is about a 30-minute drive.
