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32Curated places
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Chennai skyline

Chennai

India's cultural capital on the Coromandel Coast

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Chennai at a Glance

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Best time to visitNovember – February (pleasant 20–30°C)
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MoneyIndian Rupee (₹) · UPI accepted almost everywhere; carry small cash
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Airport to city₹400–600 by taxi, 45–60 min · Metro from airport too
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Getting aroundMetro ₹10–60 · autos/Uber/Ola ₹80–300 in town
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Eating outTiffin ₹80–150 · good dinner ₹300–500 · fine dining ₹1,500+
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LanguageTamil · English widely understood in the city
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Beach ruleMarina & Elliot's are for strolling — swimming is unsafe
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EmergencyDial 112 (all-in-one) · pharmacies open late citywide
Indicative 2026 figures — verify locally before you travel.
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Panchangam

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Daily Thirukkural

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தினசரி திருக்குறள் · Timeless Tamil wisdom, daily
Today’s Kural

A new couplet from Thiruvalluvar every day — watch the short and read it in Tamil with the English meaning.

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Temples

8 curated
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Restaurants

8 curated
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Hotels

8 curated

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Attractions

8 curated
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Plan Your Visit — Itinerary Builder

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Getting to Chennai

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Flights to Chennai (MAA)

Compare fares on Booking.com from the US, UK, Canada and the Gulf to Chennai International. Watching a route early is the single biggest way to save on a long-haul trip.

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Airport pickup

Pre-book a fixed-price car from the airport to your hotel with Booking.com — no late-night haggling after a long flight, and your driver is waiting at arrivals.

Book a transfer →
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Stay connected (eSIM)

Install an India travel eSIM with Airalo before you fly and land with working data — no SIM queue at the airport, active the moment you switch it on.

Get an eSIM →
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Day Trips from Chennai

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Mahabalipuram

UNESCO-listed shore temples and ancient stone carvings right on the sea — the classic half-day escape down the scenic ECR.

58 KM · ~1.5 HR VIA ECR
🗺 Maps
Pondicherry

French Quarter lanes, seaside promenade and café culture — a complete change of pace, perfect for a long day or overnight.

160 KM · ~3 HR
🗺 Maps
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Kanchipuram

The silk city — watch weavers at work, shop authentic Kanchipuram sarees and wander thousand-year-old temple streets.

75 KM · ~2 HR
🗺 Maps
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Vellore

A moated 16th-century granite fort, museums and leafy campuses — an easy inland day out with plenty of history.

140 KM · ~2.5 HR
🗺 Maps
Make a day of it: 🎟️ Book tickets & experiences 🚗 Rent a car for the coast Affiliate links (Booking.com) — we may earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
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Chennai in Photos

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Weather in Chennai

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What’s On in Chennai

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Latest News

🇮🇳 The Hindu — Chennai

🌐 BBC World News

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Tamil Cinema

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Explore Chennai

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Chennai Travel Guides

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