Sachin Walls
Chennai International Airport (MAA) is a busy airport located about nine miles from the city centre in Meenambakkam. The airport offers a variety of parking and transport options for travellers, including short-term and long-term parking, taxi services, and a new Chennai Metro train. While auto rickshaws are not allowed inside the airport premises, passengers can board them outside the terminal building to get to the city centre. This option is often preferred by travellers due to its affordability and convenience, especially for senior citizens.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Autos allowed inside the airport | No |
| Autos allowed near the terminal | Yes |
| Autos allowed for pick-up | Yes |
| Autos fare regulation | INR 25 for the first 1.8 km and INR 12 per kilometer thereafter |
| Autos fare from the airport to the city center | INR 252 (regular) and INR 377 (night) |
| Autos availability | Can be picked up anywhere, including outside the terminal building |
| Alternatives to autos | Buggy services, Chennai Metro Rail services, taxis, cabs, trains, buses |
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What You'll Learn
Autorickshaws are not allowed inside the airport
Autorickshaws are not allowed inside the Chennai International Airport (MAA). Officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have stated that autorickshaws have never been permitted inside the airport due to the potential difficulty in regulating the traffic within the premises. This restriction can cause inconvenience for passengers, especially senior citizens, who may find it challenging to walk from the entrance to the terminal.
Despite the unavailability of autorickshaws inside the airport, Chennai International Airport offers a range of transportation options for passengers. The airport is well-connected and provides various choices for travel to and from the city centre. App-based cab services such as Ola and Uber are readily available at the airport, offering convenient booking kiosks and designated pickup areas.
Additionally, passengers can utilise the prepaid taxi service at Chennai Airport. Prepaid taxi booths are located in the arrivals hall, where passengers can pay for their ride and receive a ticket before boarding their taxi. This option helps prevent overcharges. Fast Track Cabs are another popular private taxi service operating at the airport, with competitive fares comparable to those of Ola and Uber.
For those seeking a more economical option, rickshaws can be picked up outside the terminal building to transfer to the Chennai city centre. The fares for rickshaws are regulated, with a base fare of INR 25 for the first 1.8 kilometres, followed by INR 12 per additional kilometre. The night fare, applicable from 11 am to 5 pm, is 50% higher than the daytime rate.
Furthermore, the new Chennai Metro train provides a connection between the airport and Chennai Central on the Blue Line. With departures as early as 4:30 am and as late as 11 pm, passengers can benefit from frequent services during both peak and non-peak hours. The airport also offers regular free golf buggy shuttles between the domestic and international terminals, ensuring a seamless connection for travellers.
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Passengers advocate for autorickshaws to enter the premises
Chennai Airport is well-connected in terms of transport, with numerous options available for passengers to get to and from the airport. App-based cab services such as Ola and Uber operate at the airport, with booking kiosks and dedicated pickup areas. Fast Track Cabs and prepaid taxi booths are also available inside the airport, with fares reduced to compete with Ola and Uber. The new Chennai Metro train connects the airport with Chennai Central on the Blue Line, with trains running from 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Despite these options, passengers have been advocating for autorickshaws to be allowed inside the Chennai airport premises for drop-offs and pick-ups. They argue that autorickshaws are a more affordable option than taxis and would provide easier access, especially for senior citizens, pregnant women, and disabled passengers. N. Subramanian, an 80-year-old resident of the city, shared his inconvenience of having to walk from the entrance to the terminal after the autorickshaw he hired was not allowed inside. Vidyasagar Jagadeesan, a frequent flyer, added that with the drastic increase in air traffic, allowing autorickshaws until the arrival or departure areas would be more convenient for passengers.
However, officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have stated that autorickshaws have never been allowed inside the airport due to the challenge of regulating traffic within the premises. They plan to increase buggy services to ensure that passengers arriving by autorickshaw or bus can be picked up from the entrance and dropped near the terminal. While they acknowledge the need to accommodate certain passengers, such as those who are pregnant or disabled, they emphasize the difficulty of managing traffic if autorickshaws are permitted inside.
The debate around allowing autorickshaws inside the Chennai airport premises highlights the balance between passenger convenience and traffic management. While passengers advocate for affordable and accessible options like autorickshaws, the airport authorities prioritize smooth traffic flow and have proposed alternative solutions through buggy services and public transportation options like the Chennai Metro Rail.
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Prepaid taxis are available at the airport
Chennai International Airport (MAA) does not allow autorickshaws inside the airport premises. Officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have stated that it would be challenging to handle the extra traffic inside the airport grounds. However, passengers can be dropped off near the terminal by autorickshaw, and buggy services are available to transport them to the terminal building.
For those arriving at the airport, prepaid taxis are available. To use this service, passengers must first go to the prepaid taxi booth in the arrivals hall and purchase a ticket. The booth is located around 100m from the terminal building. Once you have your ticket, you can board a taxi. This option is recommended to avoid potential overcharges.
Prepaid taxis are government or airport-operated services where you pay in advance for the journey, depending on the distance. Fares from Chennai Airport to the city centre range from INR 350 to 500, with prices differing according to the destination.
Chennai Airport is well-connected in terms of transport, and numerous other options are available for onward travel. App-based cab services such as Ola and Uber operate from the airport, with booking kiosks and dedicated pickup areas. Fast Track Cabs is another private taxi service available, and the new Chennai Metro train connects the airport with Chennai Central on the Blue Line.
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Buggy services are available for passengers who arrive by autorickshaw
Chennai International Airport is a busy hub, with a constant stream of passengers travelling to and from the airport. While autorickshaws are not permitted to enter the airport premises, buggy services are available for passengers who arrive by autorickshaw.
Autorickshaws are a popular mode of transport in Chennai, known for their affordability and ease of access. However, due to the high volume of passenger traffic at the airport, autorickshaws are not allowed to enter the airport grounds. This can pose an inconvenience to passengers, especially those with limited mobility or time constraints, as they have to walk from the entrance to the terminal.
Recognizing this challenge, Chennai International Airport offers buggy services for passengers arriving by autorickshaw. These buggy services provide a convenient solution, ensuring that passengers can be picked up from the entrance and comfortably transported to the terminal. This initiative is part of the airport's efforts to enhance accessibility and improve the overall travel experience.
The buggy services are readily available for passengers who need them. Pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, and passengers running late for their flights are given priority. By utilizing these buggy services, passengers can avoid the hassle of walking long distances with their luggage and can instead enjoy a seamless transition from their autorickshaw ride to the airport terminal.
In addition to the buggy services, Chennai International Airport provides various transportation options for travellers. The airport is well-connected, offering prepaid taxi services, app-based cab services like Ola and Uber, private taxi companies such as Fast Track Cabs, and even the Chennai Metro Rail and bus services. These diverse options cater to different preferences and budgets, ensuring that passengers can conveniently reach their desired destinations.
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There are various parking options at Chennai Airport
Chennai Airport is well-connected in terms of transport, and there are numerous parking options available. The parking areas are designated and operational 24/7 at both the domestic and international terminals. The parking charges for four-wheelers vary based on the duration of parking (short-term or long-term). Short-term parking is calculated per hour or per block of hours, ranging from INR 80 to INR 120 per hour. Long-term parking is more economical, ranging from INR 300 to INR 500 per day. Two-wheeler parking is also available, with charges of Rs 30 for one to two hours.
Passengers can choose from various transport options at the airport, including prepaid taxis, app-based cab services like Ola and Uber, and private taxi services such as Fast Track Cabs. To avoid overcharges, it is recommended to use the prepaid taxi booth located in the arrivals hall. Chennai Metro Rail services are also available, providing convenient connections to the city centre.
Autorickshaws are not permitted to enter the airport premises, as it would be challenging to regulate the traffic within the airport. However, buggy services are available to transport passengers who arrive by autorickshaw or bus from the entrance to the terminal. Officials recognise the need for alternative drop-off options and plan to increase buggy services to accommodate these passengers.
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Frequently asked questions
No, autos are not allowed inside Chennai Airport. Autos are only allowed to pick up and drop off passengers outside the terminal building.
Officials from the Airports Authority of India (AAI) have stated that allowing autos inside the airport would make it very difficult to regulate the traffic within the premises.
Apart from autos, passengers can use taxis, buses, trains, or app-based cab services like Ola and Uber to get to and from Chennai Airport.
