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Airport Transportation

Chennai International Airport

Also known as: Chennai Airport, MAA Airport, Meenambakkam Airport, Madras Airport.

MAA · VOMM · Chennai

Airport facts

Name
Chennai International Airport
IATA code
MAA
ICAO code
VOMM
City
Chennai
Country
India
Address
GST Road, Meenambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600027, India
Coordinates
12.9940, 80.1707
Time zone
Asia/Kolkata
Terminals
Terminal 1 and Terminal 4 for domestic flights; Terminal 2, the new integrated terminal, for international flights

About Chennai International Airport

Chennai International Airport (MAA) is the main airport for Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu in southern India. It sits at Meenambakkam and Tirusulam on GST Road, about 21 km (13 miles) southwest of the city center, and the Airports Authority of India runs it. It handled about 23 million passengers in the year to March 2026.

IndiGo flies the most routes, linking Chennai with cities across India and with Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Colombo, Dubai and Doha. Air India, Air India Express, Akasa Air and SpiceJet add more domestic flights. Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Singapore Airlines, Lufthansa, British Airways, Thai Airways, Malaysia Airlines and SriLankan Airlines connect Chennai with the Gulf, Southeast Asia and Europe.

Domestic flights use Terminal 1 and Terminal 4, and international flights use the new integrated Terminal 2. The terminals stand side by side along one frontage, with a multilevel parking garage in front and the airport Metro station beside them.

From the airport, most travelers head north into the city, to T. Nagar, Mylapore, Egmore, Guindy and the stations at Chennai Central and Egmore, or southeast to the IT offices along Old Mahabalipuram Road (OMR).

Airport operator, runways and traffic

Operator

Airports Authority of India

Passengers per year

About 23 million in the year April 2025 to March 2026

Runways

Two: 07/25, 3,661 m, and 12/30, 2,890 m

Terminals

Terminals 1 and 4 (domestic) and Terminal 2 (international)

Opened

Commissioned in 1930

Arrival tips for Chennai International Airport

On an international flight you arrive at Terminal 2 and go first to immigration. Foreign nationals, including OCI cardholders, need a valid visa or e-Visa and an e-Arrival Card filed online within 72 hours before landing, and show its QR code at the counter.

After immigration, collect your bags in baggage claim and walk through customs, using the green channel if you have nothing to declare. Domestic flights arrive at Terminal 1, where you go straight from the gate to baggage claim.

Only passengers with a ticket may enter Indian terminal buildings, so people meeting you, including pre-booked drivers, wait outside the arrivals exit. Yellow-board taxis and other pickups load at the pick-up plaza outside Terminal 1, and signs lead to the multilevel parking garage and the airport Metro station.

India uses the Indian rupee and is on India Standard Time (UTC+5:30) all year.

Ground transportation

The Metro is the quickest way into the city by rail; a taxi or pre-booked car is easier with luggage, at night or for addresses away from the stations.

  • Chennai Metro from the airport

    Airport station, beside the terminals, is the southern end of the Blue Line, which runs north through Guindy and the city center. It is quick and avoids road traffic, but you carry your own bags to the platform.

  • Suburban train from Tirusulam

    Tirusulam station on the Chennai suburban railway is joined to the Metro station. Trains are frequent but crowded at peak hours and not built for large suitcases.

  • Taxi from Chennai airport

    Yellow-board taxis and other pickups wait at the pick-up plaza outside Terminal 1. Taxis go door to door, but at busy times you may wait in line.

  • App cabs

    Ride-hailing cabs pick up at the signposted pickup areas near the terminals and the multilevel parking garage. Allow time to find the right zone after you request a ride.

  • Private transfer

    A pre-booked car meets you outside the arrivals exit, useful for families, late-night arrivals and trips to OMR or along the coast.

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Moving between terminals

  1. Walking

    Terminals 1, 2 and 4 stand side by side along one frontage, so you can walk between them outside the buildings, following the signs.

  2. Battery-operated vehicles

    Battery-operated vehicles run between the terminals and the multilevel parking garage for passengers who need help with the distance.

Terminals

Terminal 1

The main domestic terminal. All IndiGo arrivals, including its ATR turboprop flights, use Terminal 1.

Terminal 2

The new integrated international terminal, which replaced the older international buildings. All international flights arrive and depart here.

Terminal 4

A former international terminal now used for domestic flights. IndiGo's ATR turboprop departures (flight numbers 7000 to 7999) leave from Terminal 4.

Airlines and destinations

International airlines use Terminal 2. Domestic flights use Terminal 1 or Terminal 4, so check your boarding pass for the terminal.

Air Arabia T2

Sharjah

Air Arabia Abu Dhabi T2

Abu Dhabi

Air India

Delhi, Madurai, Mumbai, Singapore

Air India Express

Bengaluru, Guwahati, Kolkata, Port Blair, Pune, Siliguri

Air Mauritius T2

Mauritius

AirAsia T2

Kuala Lumpur

Akasa Air

Abu Dhabi, Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Port Blair

Alliance Air

Hyderabad

Biman Bangladesh Airlines T2

Dhaka

British Airways T2

London Heathrow

Cathay Pacific T2

Hong Kong

Emirates T2

Dubai

Ethiopian Airlines T2

Addis Ababa

Etihad Airways T2

Abu Dhabi

FitsAir T2

Colombo

Gulf Air T2

Bahrain

IndiGo

Ahmedabad, Bangkok, Bengaluru, Colombo, Delhi, Doha, Dubai, Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Kuala Lumpur, Mumbai, Pune, Singapore and more

Jazeera Airways T2

Kuwait City

Kuwait Airways T2

Kuwait City

Lufthansa T2

Frankfurt

Malaysia Airlines T2

Kuala Lumpur

Myanmar Airways International T2

Yangon

Oman Air T2

Muscat

Qatar Airways T2

Doha

Royal Brunei Airlines T2

Bandar Seri Begawan

SalamAir T2

Muscat

Scoot T2

Singapore

Singapore Airlines T2

Singapore

SpiceJet

Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Goa, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Patna, Pune, Shimoga

SriLankan Airlines T2

Colombo

Thai AirAsia T2

Bangkok Don Mueang, Phuket

Thai Airways International T2

Bangkok Suvarnabhumi

Thai Lion Air T2

Bangkok Don Mueang

US-Bangla Airlines T2

Dhaka

Facilities

  • Restaurants and snack bars

    Restaurants, cafes and snack bars are in all terminals, on both sides of security.

  • Duty-free shopping

    Duty-free shops are in Terminal 2 for international passengers.

  • Currency exchange and ATMs

    Currency exchange counters and ATMs are available in the terminals, including the international arrivals area.

  • Aerohub mall

    The Aerohub, in front of the terminals, has shops, restaurants and a cinema multiplex.

  • Transit hotel

    A transit hotel with 59 rooms is in the Aerohub, a short walk from the terminals.

  • Pick-up plaza

    A pick-up plaza outside Terminal 1, opened in September 2026, handles taxis and other pickups, with lit signs from Terminal 4 to the multilevel parking garage.

  • Passenger guidance staff

    Guidance staff and help desks at key points direct arriving passengers to the pick-up plaza, the parking garage and the Metro.

  • Metro and suburban rail

    The Chennai Metro airport station and Tirusulam suburban railway station are linked to the terminals.

Airport lounges

  • Travel Club Lounge, Terminal 2

    Airside after security and passport control on Level 3, open 24 hours. Entry for eligible premium-cabin and elite passengers of airlines including Air India, Qatar Airways and Singapore Airlines, lounge memberships such as Priority Pass, eligible cards, or a paid pass.

  • Travel Club Lounges A and B, Terminal 1

    Airside on Level 3, Lounge A near Gate 1 and Lounge B opposite Gate 5, both open 24 hours. Entry with lounge memberships such as Priority Pass, eligible cards, or a paid pass.

  • Travel Club Lounge, Terminal 4

    Airside on Level 3, opposite Gate 17, open 24 hours. Entry for eligible Air India premium passengers, lounge memberships, eligible cards, or a paid pass.

Accessibility and passenger assistance

  • Requesting assistance

    Ask your airline for assistance when you book, and confirm it at least 48 hours before you fly, so a wheelchair and staff meet you at the aircraft.

  • Reduced mobility

    Wheelchairs are available through your airline, and battery-operated vehicles run between the terminals and the multilevel parking garage.

  • Help in the terminal

    Passenger guidance staff and help desks at key points can direct you to assistance, pickups and parking.

Parking

Multilevel parking garage

A six-level parking garage in front of the terminals with room for 2,237 cars, opened in 2022. Battery-operated vehicles link it with the terminals.

Frequently asked questions

How far is Chennai airport from the city center?

Chennai International Airport is about 21 km (13 miles) southwest of the city center, at Meenambakkam on GST Road. The Chennai Metro Blue Line runs from the airport station north through Guindy into the city, and taxis, app cabs and pre-booked cars cover the trip by road, which takes longer at rush hour.

How many terminals does Chennai airport have?

Chennai airport has three terminals in use. Terminal 1 and Terminal 4 handle domestic flights, and Terminal 2, the new integrated terminal, handles all international flights. The old international Terminal 3 was demolished to extend Terminal 2. The terminals stand side by side along one frontage, with the multilevel parking garage in front.

Which terminal is for international flights at Chennai airport?

All international flights use Terminal 2, the new integrated terminal that replaced the older international buildings. Passengers arriving from abroad clear immigration and customs in Terminal 2. Domestic flights use Terminal 1 or Terminal 4, so if you are connecting to a flight within India, check your boarding pass for the terminal.

Which terminal does IndiGo use at Chennai airport?

IndiGo's domestic jet flights use Terminal 1, and all IndiGo arrivals, including its ATR turboprops, come into Terminal 1. Since June 2025, IndiGo's ATR departures with flight numbers 7000 to 7999 leave from Terminal 4. IndiGo's international flights use Terminal 2. Check the terminal and aircraft type on your booking before you travel.

Is there a Metro from Chennai airport?

Yes. Chennai International Airport Metro station, beside the terminals, is the southern end of the Blue Line, which runs north through Guindy and the city center. It is the quickest way into the city by rail and avoids road traffic, though you carry your own bags to the platform and back at the other end.

Is there a train from Chennai airport?

Yes. Tirusulam station on the Chennai suburban railway is next to the airport and joined to the Metro station. Suburban trains run often, but they are crowded at peak hours and have little room for large suitcases, so most travelers with luggage take the Metro, a taxi or a pre-booked car instead.

Where do taxis pick up at Chennai airport?

Yellow-board taxis and other pickups load at the pick-up plaza outside Terminal 1, opened in September 2026, with lit signs from Terminal 4 to the multilevel parking garage. Guidance staff at key points direct arriving passengers there. App-based cabs use the signposted pickup areas, so check the zone your app gives you before you walk out.

Can people meeting me wait inside Chennai airport?

No. As at other Indian airports, only passengers with a ticket for a flight that day may enter the terminal buildings. Family, friends and pre-booked drivers wait outside the arrivals exit of your terminal, usually holding a name sign. Agree on which terminal you arrive at, Terminal 2 for international or Terminal 1 for domestic flights.

What do I need to enter India at Chennai airport?

Most foreign visitors need an Indian visa or an e-Visa approved before departure, and a passport valid for the length of their stay. Since 1 April 2026 all foreign nationals, including OCI cardholders, must also file the e-Arrival Card online within 72 hours before landing and show its QR code at immigration in Terminal 2.

Are there lounges at Chennai airport?

Yes. Travel Club runs lounges in every terminal, all open 24 hours: one in international Terminal 2 after passport control, two in Terminal 1 near Gates 1 and 5, and one in Terminal 4 opposite Gate 17. Entry is with eligible premium tickets, memberships such as Priority Pass, eligible cards, or a paid pass.

Where can I park at Chennai airport?

The six-level parking garage in front of the terminals has room for 2,237 cars and opened in 2022. It serves all three terminals, and battery-operated vehicles run between the garage and the terminals for passengers who need help with the distance. Check the airport's signs for the entry used for pickups.

Is there a hotel at Chennai airport?

Yes. The Aerohub, just in front of the terminals, has a transit hotel with 59 rooms, along with shops, restaurants and a cinema multiplex. It suits travelers with a long layover or a very early departure who want to stay within walking distance of the terminals rather than head into the city.

What time zone is Chennai airport in?

Chennai is on India Standard Time, UTC+5:30, all year. India does not use daylight saving time, so the time difference with Europe and North America changes when those regions switch their clocks. Flight times on your ticket and booking are always shown in local time at each airport.

Why book with Airport Transportation?

We provide private transportation from any airport to any hotel at the best price, and we are licensed with complete insurance liability.

Is the transportation private or shared?

Airport Transportation provides private transportation only, in vans, luxury SUVs, or semi-buses.

Are prices per person or per vehicle?

Prices on our website are per vehicle, not per person, based on a range of passengers.

How many people can a van carry?

Regular vans carry up to 9 passengers, semi-buses up to 16, and luxury SUVs up to 6 passengers.

How do I find you at the airport?

Walk all the way out of the airport. You'll see representatives holding boards. Look for the Airport Transportation logo or your name.

What kind of vehicles do you use?

Commonly Toyota Hiace, Volkswagen Transporter, Mercedes Sprinter, Volkswagen Crafter, Chevrolet Tahoe, and Chevrolet Suburban.

Do you have insurance?

Yes. We carry insurance with complete liability for all passengers while using our services.

Do you provide baby seats?

Baby seats are provided with prior notice, subject to availability, one seat maximum per vehicle.

How far in advance should I book?

You can book any time in advance; we suggest one week to one day ahead. Same-day reservations are available.

What payment methods are accepted?

PayPal is our main payment method; a cash option is also available when booking through our website. Credit cards are accepted through PayPal.

Do vehicles have air conditioning?

Yes. For your comfort all our units have air conditioning.

What if my flight is delayed?

During booking we ask for your airline and flight number so we can track delays and wait for you.

Can I make stops during my ride?

Yes, you can add an extra stop to your service during the booking process.

Do children pay differently than adults?

No. Prices are set per passenger range or per vehicle, not per age.

Is my reservation refundable?

Yes. Cancel free of charge up to 24 hours before your pick-up and you are refunded in full. Cancellations made less than 24 hours before service are not refundable.

Do drivers speak English?

Yes. While their English may not be native-level, drivers have the skills to communicate with passengers.

Are tips mandatory?

Tips are not mandatory but are highly recommended; drivers earn them through service quality.

What currencies are accepted?

All prices are in USD. Via PayPal you can pay in almost any currency; cash payments accept USD only.

Are pets allowed?

We can transport domestic pets kept in cages that fit in a normal vehicle.

Is there room for luggage?

Yes. There is plenty of room for one suitcase and one carry-on per person.

What is included in the price?

Every private transfer includes a professional, licensed driver; an insured, well-maintained vehicle; real-time flight monitoring; meet-and-greet service at arrivals; and door-to-door service with no hidden fees added after booking. Your fixed price covers the full route to your destination.

Book a transfer from MAA