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About Chennai
Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu in southern India, is a vibrant city rich in culture and history, waiting to be discovered by Saudi Arabian travelers. With a population of over 8.5 million (as of 2023), it offers a unique blend of traditional charm and modern energy.
The climate in Chennai is similar to that of Jeddah, with hot and humid summers followed by a monsoon season bringing rain from July to September. The cooler winters, from November to February, are the most comfortable time to visit.
Reaching Chennai is easy. Chennai International Airport offers direct flights to major Saudi Arabian cities like Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam, operated by airlines like Saudia and flydubai.
Food in Chennai is a delightful adventure for the taste buds. Influenced by its coastal location, seafood features prominently. Dishes like fish fry, prawn masala, and Chettinad chicken curry are sure to tantalize your palate. Lentils, rice, and aromatic spices are the foundation of most meals, and don't forget to try the strong and energizing filter coffee, a local favorite.
Chennai offers a variety of experiences for Saudi Arabian tourists. Immerse yourself in history at Fort St. George, a 17th-century British fort, or marvel at the architectural splendor of the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva. Relax on Marina Beach, the second-longest urban beach globally, offering stunning views of the Bay of Bengal.
For a deeper cultural dive, explore the Government Museum's collection of South Indian bronzes, sculptures, and artifacts. Nature lovers can visit the Madras Crocodile Bank, a renowned center dedicated to reptile conservation.
Saudi Arabian citizens can conveniently obtain an electronic Indian Visa (e-Visa) online. The e-Visa comes in categories like Tourist, Business, and Medical, with validity periods ranging from 30 to 180 days. Tourist visas are available for 1 month, 1 year, or 5 years, each with specific entry requirements.
Transportation to Chennai City Center from Airport
Chennai Intl. Airport
The distance between the airport and the crowded Indian city Chennai is approximately 21 kilometers. After landing at the airport, you can find many transportation alternatives for travelling to the city center. You can benefit from many options for travelling to the city center such as taxi, train or bus. You can also rent a car for a more comfortable transportation during your stay in the city.
Train
The railway system of the city is one of the most preferred transportation options. Although there is not a station in front of the terminal of Chennai Airport, you can reach the Tirusulam Railway Station, which is located 2 kilometers away, by walking or using a rickshaw. The cost of the auto rickshaws parking outside the domestic terminal of the airport is 30 Indian Rupee for 2 kilometers but this amount increases at night hours.
If you don’t have any luggage and think that you can find a place for yourself in the crowd, you can prefer this travel which will last 30 minutes. The wagons are clean and air-conditioned. The trains operate from the early hours of the morning until the midnight and you don’t wait too much at Tirusulam station. The ticket price is around 40 Indian Rupee and you can buy your ticket at the station.
Bus
When you go out of the Chennai Airport terminal, you will see the air-conditioned buses of the route 1B which will take you to the city center. The cost of travelling to the city center with these buses departing every 5 minutes is 45 Indian Rupee.
You can get information about the timetables of the bus route 18A, which goes directly to Chennai city center, by visiting the airport information desk. Travelling to the city center by using these buses which depart every hour takes about 40 minutes and it has the same price with the bus route 1B.
Another alternative is getting on one of the buses passing through the highway in front of the airport. You can signal for these buses which do not stop everywhere. You need to get information about the prices from the driver.
Taxi
The most practical and fastest way to get to the city center from Chennai Airport is using a taxi. You can travel to the city center by paying a fare between 200 and 300 Indian Rupee without being subject to a price tariff other than the standard when you get one of the prepaid taxis at the airport. You can make a reservation in advance for using these taxis and pay the fare to the counters found at the arriving passenger gate. You can also get on a taxi outside the terminal and this alternative can cost minimum 350-500 Indian Rupee. The majority of the taxis offering service in Chennai and its surrounding consists of the taxis belonging to the taxi stands like City Taxi (+91 82972 82979), Meru Cabs (+91 44 4422 4422), Aviation Express Taxis (+91 44 2256 2193) and Fast Track (+91 44 2888 9999).
The estimated fares of the taxis that you can use for travelling from Chennai Airport to the city center vary from INR 350 to 500. Note that there can be a slight difference between the domestic and international terminals in terms of the fares. The travel lasts about 30-40 minutes.
Car Rental
You can see the offices of many international car rental companies like Avis, Europcar and Hertz at the arriving passenger section of Chennai International Airport. In addition to these companies, there are also local car rental companies offering service at the airport such as Mary Matha Cabs (+91 98844 69469) Zoomcars (+91 08 4339 37107 / +91 08 4339 37108), Aviation Express (+91 44 2435 4073). However, if you want to benefit from the discounts and have a more budget-friendly travel, you can make an online reservation before your flight.
Since India is a hot country, we advise you to rent an air-conditioned car even if it is a little more expensive. While renting a car, you don’t need to get insurance and pay an additional amount for this.
Ride-Sharing
You can find another passenger going to the city center from the airport and use Uber or taxi together in order to pay less for this travel. Ride-sharing is among the best methods for travelling to the city center as well as being an economic and fast way.
