Chennai

Marina Beach

The longest natural urban beach in Asia and the second longest in the world. Marina is less a conventional beach and more a vast public commons — political parties hold rallies here, fishermen haul in their catch in the early morning, and vendors sell corn, mango slices, and sundal along the promenade.

Timing: Open daily
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Fort St George Museum

The museum contains relics of the Raj including portraits of governors and commanders, uniforms, weapons, coins, documents, and a collection of British-era artefacts.

Timing: Saturday to Thursday, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Closed Fridays
Entry Fee: ₹250 (online pay or cash at counter)
Open in Maps | Official Booking Site

Kapaleeshwarar Temple

A 7th century Dravidian temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The temple was originally built by the Pallavas, destroyed by the Portuguese in the 16th century, and rebuilt in the 17th century by the Vijayanagara rulers in the current form. The elaborately carved and painted gopuram (entrance tower) is visible from across Mylapore.

Timing: Open daily, 6:00 AM – 12:30 PM and 4:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Entry Fee: No entry fee. Traditional dress required
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Santhome Cathedral Basilica

A Roman Catholic minor basilica, built by Portuguese explorers in the 16th century over the tomb of St Thomas the Apostle — one of the twelve disciples of Jesus Christ. Santhome is one of only three churches in the world built over the tomb of an Apostle — the others are St Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City and the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela in Spain.

Timing: Open daily, 5:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Government Museum

One of the oldest and most significant museums in India, established in 1851. The museum houses 46 galleries covering archaeology, numismatics, zoology, natural history, botany, and sculpture.

Timing: Saturday to Thursday, 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM. Closed Fridays
Entry Fee: ₹250 (cash at counter)
Open in Maps | Official Booking Site

DakshinaChitra

A living heritage museum, showcasing the traditional architecture, crafts, and performing arts of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh. The museum contains authentic traditional houses relocated from their original sites and reconstructed on the museum grounds.

Timing: Wednesday to Monday, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM. Closed Tuesdays
Entry Fee: ₹350 (cash at counter)
Open in Maps | Official Booking Site

Elliot’s Beach

A beach at the southern end of the Marina stretch, calmer and less crowded than the main Marina stretch. A string of cafes, restaurants, and food stalls lines the road behind the beach. The beach is most active in the evenings.

Timing: Open daily
Entry Fee: No entry fee
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Metro in Chennai

Metro is practical in Chennai. Google the nearest metro station to your starting point and destination. Enter the station, buy a ticket at the counter or vending machine, clear security, scan the ticket at the entry gate, walk towards platform and board the train. Use the same ticket again at the exit gate on destination.

Local buses in Chennai

Local buses are not practical in Chennai. City buses run across the city but routes are difficult to navigate without local knowledge.

Ride-hailing apps in Chennai

Ride-hailing apps like Ola and Uber are practical and operate in Chennai. Select the vehicle type and book through the app; fares are shown upfront before confirmation. Drivers may call to confirm the pickup point. Before getting in, verify the vehicle number and OTP shown in the app. Payment can be made by card through the app or in cash directly to the driver at the end of the trip.

Street-hailing auto rickshaw in Chennai

Street hailed auto-rickshaw is practical in Chennai for short distances (5-10 km) or when apps are unavailable. Tell or show the auto driver your destination — they can refuse, in which case move to the next one. Agree on the fare (approx. ₹20—₹30 per km) before you get in. Know the distance to your destination via maps before negotiating.

Margazhi Music Festival in Chennai

One of the world's most significant classical arts seasons — over 2,000 Carnatic music concerts and Bharatanatyam dance performances staged at sabhas (cultural halls) across Chennai. Most performances are ticketed at low prices; many are free.
2026 Dates:

Pongal in Chennai

Tamil Nadu's harvest festival observed across Chennai over four days — Bhogi (14th, burning of old items), Thai Pongal (15th, boiling the new rice harvest until it overflows), Mattu Pongal (16th, cattle worship), and Kaanum Pongal (17th, family outings to parks and beaches). Kolam designs appear at every doorstep. The beach and city parks are most active during the Pongal days.
2026 Dates:

Chennai's food identity is built on the Tamil Brahmin vegetarian tradition and the coastal non-vegetarian traditions of the Tamil fishermen and trading communities. Filter coffee is the defining drink — served in the dabara-tumbler, poured between the two vessels until frothy.

Local food to eat in Chennai

Idli · Dosa · Vada · Sambar · Filter coffee · Chettinad chicken · Kothu parotta · Biryani (Ambur style) · Banana leaf meals (rice, sambar, rasam, kootu, poriyal) · Murukku · Sundal

Food streets in Chennai

• Mylapore — banana leaf thalis, traditional vegetarian restaurants
• T. Nagar — morning tiffin, street food, snacks around the market
• Triplicane — Food street, biryani, kebabs
• Besant Nagar (Elliot's Beach road) — cafes, restaurants, evening street food

Chennai is well connected by air, rail, and road. Whether arriving or departing, use the station codes, airport, and bus terminal information below.

Chennai — Stations, Airport & Bus Stands

Rail Stations: Chennai Central (MAS) | Chennai Egmore (MS)
Airport: Chennai International Airport (MAA)
Bus Terminals: CMBT (Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus)

By Train
Search “Chennai” as your origin (if departing) or destination (if arriving). Chennai Central (MAS) is the main station. Chennai Egmore (MS) serves trains to southern Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Choose a train based on journey duration, departure time, and class availability.

By Flight
Search by city name across IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa Air. Chennai International Airport (MAA) connect well to other Indian cities.

By Bus
Buses (AC or non-AC) operate from the bus terminal — head to the counter and ask for your destination. Or, use app-based platforms such as redBus to search and book buses on your route. Both state-run (TNSTC) and private operators are listed — prefer buses with ratings of 4★ or higher.

All fees and charges listed on this page are applicable to foreign nationals only.