So you're visiting Chennai! Whether you're here for a work trip, a holiday or a stopover on a bigger India adventure, you're in for rich culture, amazing food and a vibrant coastal city with deep heritage.
Here's everything worth knowing before you land, from getting out of the airport to ordering your first filter coffee like a local.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Chennai?
Chennai sits on the Coromandel Coast, so it stays warm and humid for much of the year. However, from October to December the city gets a good spell of rainfall which offers a pleasant weather for exploring.
October to February:
The best time to visit. Days are pleasantly warm and e venings are cool. It's also festival and cultural season, so you can experience Margazhi festival, Pongal or Deepavali.
March to June:
Peak Summer. It gets very hot and humid, so plan outdoor activities for early mornings or late evenings.
Arriving in Chennai
Chennai International Airport is in Meenambakkam, about 15-20 km from the city centre. Depending on traffic, the drive can take anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour and a half.
You have a few ways to get into the city:
App cabs:
Uber and Ola both have dedicated pickup zones at the airport. Easy, and you'll know the price upfront.
Airport taxis:
There are official taxi counters at arrivals, if you'd rather not book on an app.
Airport buses:
The Chennai Metro directly connects the airport to key hubs like Central and Egmore. It is fast, comfortable and avoids road traffic.
One tip: if you're arriving late at night, book your cab before you leave the terminal. It's much easier than sorting it out at the curb.
Money and Payments
Cash, cards and UPI:
Hotels, malls, bigger restaurants and shops all take cards. But most locals pay for almost everything with UPI, India's instant payment system that runs on phone apps. Small shops, tiffin centers, street food stalls and autos often prefer UPI or cash. UPI usually needs an Indian bank account, so as a visitor, keep some cash on you, especially small notes.
ATMs:
ATMs are easy to find all over the city, and most accept international cards. Check your bank's foreign transaction fees before you fly.
Tipping:
Tipping isn't compulsory, but it's appreciated. At restaurants, 5-10% is a nice gesture if a service charge isn't already on the bill. For autos and cabs, rounding up the fare is plenty.
SIM Cards, Apps and Getting Around
Get a local SIM:
You can pick up a prepaid SIM from Airtel or Jio at the airport or in the city. Carry your passport and visa, since you'll need them to register. A local number makes cabs, food delivery and almost everything else much easier.
Apps worth downloading before you land:
- Uber, Ola and Rapido - for cabs, autos and bike taxis
- Google Maps - for directions and checking traffic
- Swiggy and Zomato - for food delivery, and for finding good places to eat
Getting around:
Autos are great for short distances, and the Chennai Metro or Suburban Railway are excellent ways to skip traffic. Cabs are ideal for longer journeys across the city. Remember to account for peak-hour traffic during mornings and evenings.
What to Pack and Wear
Clothes:
Light, breathable clothes work for most of the year.
An umbrella:
Useful for protection against sudden rain during Oct-Dec or intense sun during warmer days.
Comfortable shoes that slip off easily:
You'll be taking your shoes off a lot - at temples, and at the door of anyone's home you visit.
Something modest for temples:
Casual clothes are fine around the city, but for temples, cover your shoulders and knees. A light scarf or shawl is handy to keep in your bag.
Staying Safe and Healthy
Chennai is generally a safe and welcoming city for visitors. The usual travel common sense applies, plus a few local tips:
- Drink bottled or filtered water. Most hotels and restaurants serve filtered water, but if you're unsure, stick to sealed bottles.
- Ease into street food. It's some of the best food in the city, so don't skip it. Just start with busy stalls where the food is cooked fresh in front of you.
- Cross roads carefully. Traffic doesn't always stop for pedestrians. People don’t always follow the signal diligently. Just look out on all sides before crossing the road.
- Use the meter or an app for autos. It keeps the fare fair most of the time. But autos do tend to bargain above the app fares in the city during busy traffic hours. But apps or meter at least give you a base price to start the bargaining from.
- Watch out for the rain. During heavy showers, some roads flood quickly. If it's pouring, it's usually worth waiting it out with a filter coffee.
Things to See in Chennai
There is plenty to explore in Chennai. A few places worth fitting into your trip:
- Marina Beach and Elliot's Beach - iconic city beaches, perfect for evening walks and sampling local snacks. Elliot’s Beach tends to be less crowded, cleaner, more relaxed with a younger urban demographic visiting the place whereas Marina Beach has a more bustling local vibe.
- Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore - an ancient Dravidian-style temple surrounded by bustling cultural streets.
- Fort St. George & Museum - historical fortress marking the colonial origins of modern Chennai.
- Santhome Cathedral Basilica - a beautiful neo-Gothic church built over the tomb of St. Thomas.
- Government Museum, Egmore - one of India's oldest museums, famous for its bronze gallery.
- Kalakshetra Foundation - a renowned centre for classical Indian dance, music, and arts.
- T. Nagar and Parry's Corner - vibrant shopping districts for silk sarees, jewelry, and traditional goods.
- Semmozhi Poonga and Guindy National Park - lush botanical spots right inside the city for nature lovers.
Easy Day Trips From Chennai
Mahabalipuram (Mamallapuram)/East Coast Road Drive:
About an hour and a half drive along the scenic East Coast Road. Famous for UNESCO World Heritage rock-cut temples, stone sculptures and beaches.
Kanchipuram:
About two hours away. Known as the 'City of Thousand Temples' and world-renowned for traditional Kanjivaram silk sarees.
Puducherry (Pondicherry):
About three to four hours down the coast. French colonial architecture, serene beaches, cozy cafes, and Auroville.
Pulicat Lake:
About two hours north. Great for birdwatching, particularly flamingos during winter.
Food You Have to Try in Chennai
You could plan a whole trip around the food here. Don't leave without trying:
- Dosai - golden roast dosas served with fresh coconut chutney and sambar
- Idli and Medhu Vadai - steaming soft idlis and crunchy vadas served at local tiffin centers
- Pongal - comforting savory rice and lentil dish tempered with ghee, pepper, and cashews
- Kothu Parotta - shredded layered flatbread stir-fried with spices, vegetables, or meat
- Filter coffee - strong, milky and served in a steel tumbler
- Thalappakatti & Dindigul Biryani - flavorful Tamil-style biryanis made with Seeraga Samba rice
- Jigarthanda or Aththo - refreshing coastal desserts or Burmese-inspired street noodles in North Chennai
- Full South Indian Meals - a traditional unlimited rice feast served on a fresh banana leaf with a variety of curries, side dishes and appalam (thin crisp deep fried wafer).
For street food snacks, head to Sowcarpet or Marina Beach in the evening. And don't be shy about eating with your hands—it's completely normal here, just remember to use your right hand.
A Few Tamil Words for Your Trip
Tamil is the local language of Chennai. English will get you through your trip fine, but a few words of Tamil will get you warmer smiles and easier navigation around the city.
Tamil for your trip:
- Vanakkam - Hello / Greetings
- Nandri - Thank you
- Aamaa / Illa - Yes / No
- Evlo? - How much?
- [Location]-ku vareengala? - Will you come to [location]? (for autos)
- Meter podunga - Please put the meter on (just keep in mind that many of them would refuse or tell you it doesn’t work. Use an app to get an idea for a fair fare)
- Inga niruthunga - Stop here, please
- Oru filter coffee kudunga - One filter coffee, please
- Vendaam - I don't want it / no thanks
- Rumba nalla iruku - It's very good
Want to take it further? Our free list of the 500 most common Tamil words comes with audio, so you can practise saying them before you land.
And if you'd like to actually speak Tamil on your trip, Bhashafy's Complete Tamil Course for Beginners teaches spoken, everyday Tamil through English, taught by native speakers. Bhashafy is one of the most trusted sources to learn Indian languages, with more than 20,000 satisfied learners from 90+ countries.
Have a wonderful trip.
Nandri!
