Chennai is a modern city with a traditional heart. Music, dance and local culture flourish amidst temples, and contemporary high-rise buildings. Formerly known as Madras, this fast growing city has a long beachfront, busy markets, narrow streets, a network of lanes and chaotic bazaars. Chennai has luxury hotels, classy boutiques, contemporary restaurants, bars and night clubs.
The Chennai climate is tropical with high temperatures that can reach 40°C from late May until June. The coolest month is January, with temperatures around 25°C.
The Monsoon season, when cyclones can occur, runs from October until mid December.
Travel there for holidays and festivals: for three days in January the Pongal, a harvest festival is celebrated. Karthikai Deepam, the full moon festival with lights and firecrackers happens in November and December. In September, Vinayak Chaturthi honours Ganesh, with a ten day celebration and a procession on the last day. The Chennai Music and Dance Festival takes place from mid-December to mid-January and showcases classical music from South India.
There is a low to no Malaria risk in this part of India. Routine vaccines should be updated and Hepatitis B, Rabies and Japanese Encephalitis vaccines are recommended. The official language is Tamil but Madras Bashai and some English, is spoken. The cost of living is low with an inexpensive meal costing approximately Rs 20.
A train travels from Chennai International Airport to the city centre. The journey costs ₹ 5 and the train goes to Chennai park and Egmore. Other trains leave from Tirusulam station situated 500m from the airport.
Prepaid taxis are available. Pay at airport booths, the taxi number is written on the receipt. A prepaid taxi to the central city costs around 300 rupees.
Hostel or boarding house accommodation costs around 400 rupees. Hotels in the mid-price range cost around 1000 rupees.
Auto rickshaws are metered but often overcharge. Prices are about Rs. 25 for 1.8 km. Heavy traffic means journeys take a long time. Suburban trains are faster than rickshaws or buses. The cheapest fare is about Rs.5. The MTC bus has a cheap fare of about Rs3. Day passes cost about 50 rupees and a weekly pass costs about 300 rupees.
Taxis do not have air conditioning. A taxi fare is about 100 rs for 4 km, then 12 rupees per km.
| Flight duration | min. 01:50 / max. 03:25 |
|---|---|
| Return flight duration | min. 01:40/ max. 03:25 |
| Distance | 1035 km |
| Flights per week | 180 |
| Departure airport | Airport Mumbai (Bombay) (BOM) |
| Arrival airport | Airport Chennai (Madras) (MAA) |
| Destination country | Flights to India |