Airport Guides

Here you'll find essential information on Chennai Madras (Meenambakkam) International Airport, India, including contact details, airport transfer facts, details of airport facilities, and how to get there.

Chennai Madras (Meenambakkam) International Airport

Tirisulam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

MAA

91

(044) 2234 1971 (domestic terminal) or 2234 0551 (international terminal)

2

GMT + 5.5

The airport is located at Tirisulam, 19km (11.5 miles) south of Chennai.

A new 'green field' airport is planned for Chennai, with possible opening in 2015, to cope with demand for increased capacity.

The two terminals are next to each other within the main terminal building complex.

It is relatively easy to drive from the city to the airport or the other way. Take the GST Road leading southwest from the city or northeast from the airport and then just follow the signs.

There are 500 parking spaces outside of the terminal building.

Car hire counters are located in the arrivals area. Several local companies, including Aviation Express, are represented at the airport.

Rail: There is a Southern Railway (tel: (044) 600 003; www.southernrailway.org) suburban railway station just outside the airport, called Tirusulam. Trains to Fort George Station and Egmore Station run every 20-40 minutes from early morning until late in the evening.
Bus: There is a bus stop outside the airport gate. Bus 18A departs frequently for the centre of the city. The journey takes around 45 minutes (tel: (044) 600 002; www.mtcbus.org).
Taxi: Taxis are available outside the terminals. Pre-paid taxis are the most commonly used means by international travellers heading for Chennai city. They can be booked from a counter in the arrivals area of the terminal buildings. Autorickshaws are also available.

Information desks are available in both terminals.

Money and communications: Foreign exchange counters are available in both departure and arrival areas. Indian Bank ATMs are available in the domestic terminal. Internet access and video phones for conference calls are available at the airport's communication centre.
Eating and drinking: There are restaurants in both terminals as well as in the building linking them. There are also snack bars and vending machines for snacks, drinks and newspapers.
Shopping: There are duty-free shops, several gift shops, a book store and newsagents at the airport. A pharmacy is located in the domestic terminal.
Luggage: Luggage trolleys are available free of charge. Queries about lost luggage can be directed to the airport information desks or to the airlines.
Other facilities: A medical facility is available. Free mineral water is available for travellers through designated water coolers in both terminals. The airport also has dormitory accommodation and retiring rooms available for transit passengers.

An executive lounge is available, and the airport's communication centre provides Internet access and video phones for conference calls.

The airport offers special assistance, reserved parking spaces and specially adjusted rest spaces and toilets for physically disabled travellers. The airport also has an ambulift facility to aid with boarding and disembarkation.

There are no hotels at the airport. Radisson Hotel Chennai (tel: (044) 2231 0101; www.radisson.com) is a deluxe business hotel located 3km (2 miles) from the airport. The Trident Hotel (tel: (044) 2234 4747; www.tridenthotels.com) is a similar distance from the terminal. Hotel Mars (tel: (044) 2264 1523/211/286; www.hotelmars.net) is a cheaper hotel that is also located 3km (2 miles) from the airport.