
Chennai International Airport, previously known as Madras International Airport, is located in Tirusulam in the Greater Chennai Metropolitan Area, around 21km southwest of the city centre. The airport is situated on the Grand Southern Trunk Road (National Highway 32) and is accessible by public transport, taxi, rental car, and ride-sharing services. Chennai Airport consists of three operational passenger terminals, with Terminals 1 and 4 catering to domestic flights and Terminal 2 handling international flights.
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What You'll Learn

Chennai International Airport is located in Tirusulam
The airport has a long history, with the first air service operated in 1915 and the airport commissioned in 1930. It was previously known as Madras International Airport, and the first domestic flight operated between Karachi and Delhi in 1912. Chennai Airport was one of the primary airports in India, and in 1954, it was the last destination of Air India's first flight from Bombay (now Mumbai).
Chennai International Airport has three operational passenger terminals, with Terminals 1 and 4 dedicated to domestic traffic and Terminal 2 handling international operations. Terminal 1, known as the Kamaraj Terminal, connects Chennai with 20 destinations across India. Terminal 4 also caters to domestic flights, while Terminal 2 manages international departures and arrivals.
The airport is well-connected to the city, with the Tirusulam railway station serving it as part of the Suburban railway network. Additionally, the Chennai Metro provides a direct connection to the airport, ensuring convenient access for passengers.
Chennai International Airport offers a range of facilities for passenger comfort and convenience. These include lounges, sleeping pods, baggage service desks, and free Wi-Fi for the first 45 minutes. The airport also provides golf cart services for easy travel between terminals and a variety of transportation options, such as prepaid taxi booths, ride-sharing services, and car rental companies.
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It is 7km south of Chennai
Chennai International Airport, formerly known as Madras International Airport, is situated 7km south of Chennai. It is located in Tirusulam in Chengalpattu district, in the Greater Chennai Metropolitan Area. The airport is around 21km southwest of the city centre. Chennai Airport is easily accessible by road, rail, and air.
The airport is located on the Grand Southern Trunk Road (National Highway 32) and has a flyover at the entrance to separate traffic. Public bus transport is provided by the Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) of the state-run Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation (TNSTC). Taxi and rental car services are also available at the airport, and ride-sharing companies like Ola and Uber operate outside the terminal.
The closest railway station is approximately 19km away, and it takes around 30 minutes to reach the airport by train. The Tirusulam railway station serves the airport, and the Chennai Metro also connects to the airport.
Chennai International Airport is a significant aviation hub, serving as the southern regional headquarters of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for South India. It is the fifth busiest airport in India by passenger traffic and aircraft movements and the fourth busiest by cargo handled. The airport offers direct flights to three continents and has two asphalt runways.
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The airport is served by Tirusulam railway station
Chennai International Airport is located in Tirusulam, in the Greater Chennai Metropolitan Area, around 21 km (13 mi) southwest of the city centre. The airport is served by the Tirusulam railway station, which is part of the Chennai Suburban Railway Network. The station was opened in 1985 and is situated on the GST Road across the airport, with an elevation of 20 m (66 ft) above sea level. It is conveniently located near Chennai International Airport, providing good connectivity to the central station and metro.
The Tirusulam Railway Station is one of the railway stations on the Chennai Beach-Chengalpattu section of the Chennai Suburban Railway Network. It serves the neighbourhood of Tirusulam, a suburb of Chennai where the airport is located. The distance between Chennai International Airport Station and Tirusulam Station is approximately 1415 feet.
There are various ways to travel between Chennai International Airport and Tirusulam Station. The cheapest option is to take a bus, which costs $1 and takes about 2 minutes. The bus departs from Thirusoolam National Airport and arrives at Tirusulam Station, with services running every four hours. Alternatively, travellers can take a town car, which is the fastest option, taking only 1 minute, although it is more expensive, costing between $19 and $28.
The platforms at Tirusulam Railway Station are connected by subways, which can accommodate up to 24 coaches on express trains. The station is unique in Chennai as it is the only one to have subways for entering and exiting. The subways were extended inside the Thirusoolam airport complex in 2006, providing a direct connection to the airport. However, it should be noted that the station does not cater specifically to air travellers due to the lack of proper approach corridors and other facilities.
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It is one of the busiest airports in India
Chennai International Airport is located in Tirusulam, 12 miles (20 kilometres) from the city centre of Chennai. It is one of the busiest airports in India, serving as the southern regional headquarters of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) for South India. In the financial year 2024-25, the airport handled over 22 million passengers and 0.37 million tonnes of cargo. Chennai Airport is the fifth busiest airport in India by passenger traffic and aircraft movements, and the fourth busiest by cargo handled and international traffic.
Chennai Airport has three to four operational passenger terminals, depending on the source. Terminals 1 and 4 cater to domestic traffic, while Terminal 2 handles international traffic. Terminal 1 has a capacity of 16 million passengers per year, covering 67,700 square metres, with seven gates, 52 check-in counters, and eight e-ticketing counters. The new T-2 building features cutting-edge infrastructure and retail, dining, and personal care services for travellers. It also incorporates environmentally friendly features, including a vertical garden with over 40 varieties of plants.
The airport occupies an area of 1,301 acres (526 hectares) and is served by several taxi and rental car companies, as well as ride-sharing companies like Ola Cabs and Uber. The airport is connected to the Chennai Metro and the Suburban railway network via the Tirusulam railway station.
In terms of passenger traffic, Chennai Airport ranks highly in India. In October 2024, it handled 4.44 lakh international passengers, placing it fourth behind Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru. In September 2024, it ranked third in domestic passenger traffic, after Delhi and Mumbai. Overall, including both international and domestic traffic, Chennai Airport handled 35.7 lakh passengers in October 2024, ranking as the fifth busiest airport in India.
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The airport occupies 1,301 acres of land
Chennai International Airport, previously known as Madras International Airport, is a sprawling aviation hub occupying 1,301 acres (526 hectares) of land. The airport is located in Tirusulam, in the Kanchipuram district of the Greater Chennai Metropolitan Area. It is approximately 21 kilometres (13 miles) southwest of the city centre and is easily accessible via various transport options.
The airport's vast expanse encompasses three operational passenger terminals, with Terminals 1 and 4 dedicated to domestic traffic and Terminal 2 handling international operations. Each terminal is meticulously designed to facilitate seamless travel. Terminal 1, capable of accommodating 16 million passengers annually, boasts an impressive size of 67,700 square metres (729,000 square feet), featuring seven gates, 52 check-in counters, and eight e-ticketing counters.
The airport's layout is well-organised, with the departure area conveniently situated on the top level, offering an elevated corridor with approach and exit ramps. The ground level serves as the arrivals section and also houses offices for various airlines and related services. The basement level is dedicated to efficient luggage handling, ensuring a smooth experience for travellers.
Chennai International Airport is a bustling hub, ranking as the fifth-busiest airport in India for passenger traffic, aircraft movements, and cargo handling. The airport is equipped with two asphalt runways and provides direct flights to destinations across three continents.
To accommodate the growing aviation needs of Chennai, plans for a second greenfield airport have been proposed. In August 2022, the state government selected Parandur in Kanchipuram district as the future site for this new airport, which will span an even larger area of 4,970 acres (2,010 hectares).
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Frequently asked questions
The Chennai Domestic Airport is located in Tirusulam in the Greater Chennai Metropolitan Area, around 21km southwest of the city centre.
The airport is approximately 19km from the railway station and can be reached in around 30 minutes. You can hire a taxi from the railway station to the airport. The airport is also served by taxi and rental car companies, as well as ride-sharing companies like Ola and Uber.
The Chennai Domestic Airport offers free Wi-Fi for the first 45 minutes, smoking zones, self-check-in kiosks, self-baggage drop counters, and a sleeping pod facility.


























