Chennai Airports Guide: Terminals, Transport, and Essential Information

Chennai (formerly Madras), the capital of Tamil Nadu and a major cultural and economic hub of South India, is served by one primary international airport. A second, much smaller airport handles limited regional turboprop services. As the gateway to South India, understanding the airport’s layout and the often-chaotic ground transport options is key to a smooth arrival or departure.

This guide explains the airports serving the Chennai metropolitan area, including IATA codes, terminal layouts, and clear, plain-English explanations of how to get to and from each one.

Chennai International Airport (MAA)

Overview: Chennai International Airport, also known as Meenambakkam Airport, is the primary airport serving the city and the fourth-busiest in India. It is located in the suburb of Meenambakkam, approximately 7 km (4.3 miles) south of the city center (Fort St. George/Chennai Central). The airport handles all international and domestic trunk route flights.

Terminals:

• Kamaraj Terminal (Domestic): Named after a former Chief Minister, this terminal handles all domestic flights within India. It is divided into sections for different airlines but functions as one building.
• Anna Terminal (International): Named after former Chief Minister C.N. Annadurai, this terminal handles all flights to and from destinations outside India. It is located directly opposite the Domestic Terminal.

Note: The two terminals are separate buildings but are directly facing each other across a large roadway and forecourt. The walk between them takes 5-10 minutes. A free shuttle bus also operates for passengers with connecting flights, but walking is often faster for those with hand luggage.

Getting to and from Chennai Airport (MAA):

• Chennai Metro (Purple Line): The most efficient and reliable way to reach the city center. The airport has its own metro station, “Airport Metro Station,” located between the two terminals (a short covered walk from either). It connects directly to key hubs like Alandur (transfer to Blue Line), Chennai Central Railway Station (Purple Line), and Egmore. Journeys are fast, affordable, and avoid road traffic entirely. Highly recommended.
• Suburban Railway (Local Train): The closest station is “Tirusulam,” about a 10-15 minute walk from the terminals. It connects to Chennai Beach station via the Chennai Beach–Tambaram line. This is a very cheap option but can be extremely crowded, confusing for first-time visitors, and not suitable with luggage.
• Pre-paid Taxi / Auto-rickshaw: The official and safest option for road transport. Ignore all touts offering taxis inside the terminal. Instead, go to the clearly marked pre-paid taxi or auto-rickshaw counters in the arrivals hall. You pay a fixed fare based on your destination at the counter, receive a receipt, and are directed to a designated vehicle. This eliminates negotiation and overcharging.
• App-based Taxis (Ola / Uber): Operate widely in Chennai. Designated pickup zones are outside the arrivals area. However, congestion at the pickup points and occasional cancellations by drivers can be a hassle. Often comparable or slightly cheaper than pre-paid taxis.
• Car Rental (with Driver): Many companies offer cars with drivers for hire (often called “tourist cabs” or “outstation cabs”). These can be booked in advance for day trips or transfers and are a comfortable option.

Best for: All international travelers, domestic passengers on jet aircraft, and anyone heading to central Chennai, the business districts, or using Chennai as a transit point for South India.

Chennai Civil Aviation Airport – Tambaram (N/A)

Overview: Located near the Tambaram suburb, approximately 30 km (19 miles) southwest of the city center, this is a small, old airport used primarily by the flying club, some charter services, and the regional airline Alliance Air for its government-subsidized UDAN (Regional Connectivity Scheme) flights to smaller cities in Tamil Nadu and neighboring states.

Important: This airport handles very limited scheduled passenger traffic, primarily on small ATR turboprop aircraft to destinations like Salem, Mysuru, and Kadapa. The vast majority of travelers will not use this airport.

Terminals:

• Very small, basic passenger terminal. Minimal facilities.

Getting to and from Tambaram Airport:

• Auto-rickshaw / Taxi: The only practical option. Pre-booking a taxi is advised due to limited on-demand availability.
• Suburban Railway: The main “Tambaram Railway Station” is about 3 km away, requiring an auto-rickshaw connection.

Best for: Travelers on specific, low-frequency regional flights to smaller cities under the UDAN scheme. Not relevant for mainstream domestic or international travel.

Which Chennai Airport Should You Choose?

For over 99% of travelers, the answer is Chennai International Airport (MAA) at Meenambakkam. Always verify your airport code is MAA.

You will only use Tambaram Airport if you have deliberately booked a specific regional flight on Alliance Air or a similar operator to a Tier-3 city. Double-check your ticket carefully if your destination is a small town, as these flights are often not bookable on major global travel sites.

Key Tips for Chennai International Airport (MAA)

Arrival Process (International):

• Immigration: Queues can be long. Have your passport, completed disembarkation card (if provided on flight), and visa ready. E-Visa holders should have a printed copy.
• Customs: The “Green Channel” (nothing to declare) and “Red Channel” (goods to declare) system is used. Baggage is often screened after collection via X-ray machines before exit.
• Money & SIMs: ATMs and currency exchange are available in the arrivals hall. For a local SIM, it is highly recommended but can be time-consuming. Airtel, Jio, and Vi have counters, but you will need passport photos and copies of your visa/passport. Consider an international roaming plan or an eSIM for immediate connectivity.

Departure Process:

• Terminal: Confirm your terminal (Anna for international, Kamaraj for domestic). They are close, but you don’t want to be at the wrong one.
• Check-in: Arrive 3 hours before international flights and 2 hours for domestic. Lines can be chaotic, especially during peak holiday seasons.
• Security: Separate security queues for men and women are common. Be prepared for a thorough check. Keep your boarding pass and ID easily accessible.

The “Tout” Problem:

• You will likely be approached by unofficial taxi touts and “helpers” as soon as you exit baggage claim. They are persistent and often claim pre-paid counters are closed or overpriced.
• POLITE IGNORANCE IS KEY. Do not engage. Walk directly to the brightly lit, government-run pre-paid counter. This is your shield against scams.

Ground Transport from MAA to Key Destinations

To Chennai Central Railway Station / Park Town:

• Chennai Metro (Purple Line): Direct service. ~25-30 minutes, ₹40-60. Best option.
• Pre-paid Taxi: 30-60+ minutes (traffic dependent), ₹400-500.

To Egmore Railway Station / Central Business District:

• Chennai Metro (Purple Line to Egmore): ~20 minutes, ₹30-40.
• Pre-paid Auto-rickshaw: 25-40 minutes, ₹200-250.

To T. Nagar / Mylapore:

• Pre-paid Taxi: 30-50 minutes, ₹300-400.
• Metro + Auto: Take Metro to Alandur, then a short auto-rickshaw ride.

To IT Corridor (OMR – Old Mahabalipuram Road):

• Pre-paid Taxi / Ola/Uber: 45-75 minutes, ₹600-900. Heavily traffic-dependent.

To Mamallapuram (Mahabalipuram) / Covelong:

• Pre-paid Outstation Taxi: 1.5-2 hours, ₹2000-2500. Negotiate fare at the “Outstation Taxi” counter.

To Tambaram (for connections):

• Suburban Train from Tirusulam: The cheapest method (~10 minutes, ₹10).
• Taxi/Auto: 30-45 minutes, ₹300-400.

Bottom Line: For sanity and reliability, use the Chennai Metro if your destination is near a station. If not, go straight to the official pre-paid taxi/auto counter and ignore all solicitation. Factor in significant traffic delays for any road journey, especially during peak hours (9-11 AM, 5-8 PM).