Flights from Bangalore to Chennai

Chennai: capital of southern India

A city which is located next to the Bay of Bengal, Chennai has many sites to see. The Kapaleeshwarar Temple is intricate, colourful and impressive, and the Valluvar Temple has magnificent elephant statues and a bright domed roof. Fort St George, the first British establishment in India, is a must-see building as is the Santhome Basilica Cathedral. There is also a zoo to visit and a choice of long sandy beaches for relaxation time.

The weather and festivals in Chennai

Located in a hot and tropical area, the temperature regularly reaches 40°C in May and June. January is the coolest month when the mercury hovers around 25°C. October through to mid-December is monsoon season and cyclones can develop at this time. A good month to visit the city is September when the festival called Vinayak Chaturthi is held for Ganesh. In December to January the Chennai Music and Dance Festival features classical Indian music. A full moon celebration takes place around November to December when there are firecrackers and colourful lights in the streets.

Useful things to know before travelling to Chennai

Hepatitis B vaccinations are strongly recommended for this area, as are rabies and Japanese encephalitis inoculations. The malaria risk is considered very low. In this part of India it is cheap to eat and drink out, with a typical meal costing around RS20. Hotels charge approximately RS1000 a night for a mid-range room, and a hostel will cost on average RS400.

Getting around on public transport

Travelling from the airport to the centre of Chennai is straight forward. The train leaves from Tirusulam Station, which is just 500m away, and goes to Chennai Park and Egmore and costs roughly RS5. For a taxi the fares are around RS300 and these must be prepaid at a booth where a receipt is produced rather like a ticket.

In Chennai itself there are rickshaws available which have meters, but it is still common to be overcharged. Slow traffic conditions will increase the journey time and the fare. Suburban trains are the quickest option with fares starting at RS5. The cheapest way to get around is by bus with a single journey starting at around RS3, and a day ticket costs roughly RS50. Taxis without air-conditioning will be approximately RS100 for 4km and then RS12 for each kilometre more.