Flights from Dammam to Chennai

The gateway to southern India

Chennai attracts travellers of all ages who enjoy visiting Kollywood, the Tamil film industry, or exploring the city's historic sites.

Chennai's annual highlights

Chennai has a tropical climate with annual highs of 40°C in late May and June. The monsoon from mid-October until mid-December brings with it the possibility of cyclones. January is coolest time of the year with temperatures of approximately 25°C. Vinayak Chaturthi a 10-day event ending with a procession to honour Ganesh is in September. Visit in November to December for Karthikai Deepam with its lights and firecrackers. Pongal harvest festival is in January and Chennai Music and Dance Festival features classical music from southern India from mid-December to mid-January.

Basic information for visitors to Chennai

Visas are required and details can be found on the Indian High Commission website. Passports must have 2 blank pages and be valid for a minimum of 180 days from entry.

There is very little risk of Malaria but routine vaccines should be updated if necessary. Rabies, Hepatitis B, and Japanese encephalitis are recommended. Drink bottled water and cook or peel all fruit and vegetables.

English is widely spoken although Tamil is the official language.

Living costs are very low and a basic meal costs about Rs 20.

Basic facts for arrival

A suburban train from Chennai International Airport to the city centre is about Rs 5 for a single fare. Trains leave from Tirusulam station 500m from the airport and call at Chennai Park and Egmore. Prepaid taxis are also available. Travellers should pay at booths and the taxi number will be written on receipts. A trip to central Chennai costs approximately 300 rupees.

Chennai accommodation prices

A single room in a boarding house or hostel costs about 400 rupees while mid-price hotels start at about 1000 rupees.

Chennai transport rates

Auto rickshaws do have meters but overcharging can still be a problem. Travellers should be aware that rates are approximately Rs 25 for 1.8. km. Journeys can take longer in heavy traffic. Suburban trains are faster than buses and rickshaw and cost about Rs 5 for the cheapest fare. The cheapest tickets on MTC buses is around 3 Rs. A day bus pass for all services can be purchased for around Rs 50 while a weekly pass is around 300 rupees. The minimum fare in taxis without air conditioning is approximately 100 Rs for 4 km and then about 12 Rs for each subsequent km.