Useful Tips for Traveling to Chennai, India

If you are a fan of Indian culture, you definitely cannot miss Chennai – the famous capital of Tamil Nadu. Chennai, India, not only possesses many grand ancient architectures but also hosts numerous meaningful traditional festivals and unique cuisine. Right now, invite you to learn in detail about this unique city and gather some useful travel tips in the following article.

1. About Chennai, India

Chennai (formerly known as Madras) is situated on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. It is the largest city in Tamil Nadu, the fourth largest in India, and the 34th largest in the world. With a history spanning over 368 years, Chennai attracts every traveler at first sight with its magnificent religious landmarks (such as Kapaleeshwarar Temple, St. Mary's Anglican Church...), modern skyscrapers (like VR Chennai, Express Avenue Mall...), and a rare serene atmosphere.

Chennai strongly reflects the traditional Tamil style combined with modern elements.

2. Best Time to Visit Chennai

Most travelers love to explore Chennai from October to November each year. During this time, the southern Indian city transitions into autumn, offering extremely pleasant and refreshing weather, ideal for sightseeing.

3. Detailed Guide on How to Get to Chennai, India

To avoid any surprises on your first visit to Chennai, be sure to note down the following useful transportation suggestions:

3.1 Transportation Options to Reach India

The most common way to reach Chennai is by air. Not only does it save time and ensure maximum safety, but passengers also have the opportunity to enjoy various attractive flying amenities and affordable prices when booking Vietjet airline tickets to India early.

Specifically, passengers can choose to book flights to Bangalore (landing at Kempegowda International Airport, about 340 km from Chennai) or flights to Tamil Nadu (landing at Tiruchirappalli Airport, approximately 335 km from Chennai). Afterward, you can transfer to the city center by bus, subway, bus, or train.

Tips for booking affordable flights to India:

Proactively buy tickets at least 1-2 months before the expected flight date to get a reasonable price.
Follow VietJet's official channels such as Facebook Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, etc. to update flight itineraries, ticket prices and latest promotions.
Prepare complete passenger information, payment methods, and ensure the internet connection is strong enough before the "hunting" for tickets to increase the chance of successfully booking cheap tickets.
Get familiar with the online booking process for a smoother experience (see details).

>> See more: Experience in hunting for cheap air tickets with attractive amenities.

3.2 Travel within Chennai

Visitors can choose from a variety of popular transportation options to begin exploring the city:

Public bus: If you don't have too much luggage and want to minimize costs, consider exploring the city by public bus.
Taxi: This is a highly flexible method of transportation, suitable for groups of 4 or more tourists. Remember that taxis may charge additional baggage fees or specific taxes, so negotiate the price carefully before using the service.
Private car rental: You can also contact car rental services at hotels and motels to plan your journey.
Auto rickshaws: This is the most popular means of public transport in Chennai, with transparent pricing (based on meter).

4. Safe housing options in the City

Visitors can rest assured during their long stays in the city as there are countless safe and comfortable accommodation options such as hotels, motels and resorts.

5. Explore interesting destinations in Chennai

If you don't know where to go in Chennai, take a look at the list of attractive tourist destinations below:

5.1 Marina Beach

Marina Beach is famous as the most beautiful and clean beach in India. It boasts a prime location (only 5 km from the city center), quiet natural scenery and diverse marine ecosystem. At Marina Beach, you can swim, sunbathe, ride horses or learn about Tamil culture..

Marine Beach

If you have the opportunity to visit Chennai in the summer, plan to "beat the heat" at Marine Beach.

5.2 St. George Fort

Built in the 17th century, initially, St. George Fort was a symbol of British colonial rule in India. However, later, the building was used to house a collection of valuable artifacts gifted to the Madras Government by the Raj, and to this day, the collection continues to grow, making it a museum showcasing culturally significant historical artifacts.

5.3 Cholamandalam Artists' Village

Cholamandalam Village was established in 1966 in the southern outskirts of Chennai. It is a place that preserves thousands of precious art forms, making it the largest art repository in India. Visitors to Cholamandalam have the opportunity to witness the captivating beauty of paintings and handcrafted sculptures from the heyday of the Madras Art Movement.

5.4 Kapaleeshwarar Temple

The Kapaleeshwarar Temple is the most important Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva. Built in the 7th century, Kapaleeshwarar Temple boasts distinctive Dravidian architecture with towering Gopuram temple towers (standing at approximately 40 meters). Every year, the people of Chennai come together to offer prayers at the temple, creating a profoundly sacred atmosphere. Tourists can consider embarking on a spiritual journey in India by visiting Kapaleeshwara and experiencing its culturally and spiritually rich environment.

Kapaleeshwarar

Kapaleeshwarar Temple is the most renowned spiritual architectural marvel in Chennai.

5.5 MGM Dizzee World Amusement Park

MGM Dizzee World is a "paradise" for thrill-seekers and those seeking virtual reality experiences. It offers attractions such as roller coasters, giant wheels, airborne Jurong bird shows, and more.

5.6 Prominent Shopping Districts

In Chennai, India, modern shopping districts like Pondy Bazaar, T Nagar, Mylapore, Anna Nagar have flourished. Tourists can visit these areas to shop for items with a strong Indian flavor and capture beautiful memories with stunning photographs.

6. What to Eat in Chennai, India?

To enhance your Chennai trip, do not miss indulging in these enticing local dishes:

Rassam Soup: A flavorful soup that tantalizes the taste buds with its rich aroma and sweet-tangy taste, prepared from chicken bone broth.
Idli Rice Cakes: Dubbed the "royal dish," Idli cakes are steamed to perfection, made from rice flour and hot lentils.
Nandu Grilled Crab: When in South Chennai, don't miss the crispy, succulent grilled crab with a rich and savory sauce.
Mangalorean Chicken Ghee Roast: This dish leaves a special impression on every food enthusiast with its tender chicken and tangy-sweet mouthwatering sauce.
Crispy Dosai Pancakes: Resembling crepes, Dosai is a popular South Indian breakfast dish known for its irresistible fragrance and spicy taste, made from rice flour and mashed potatoes

Crispy Dosai

Dosai is the most characteristic crispy pancake of Tamil Nadu in general and Chennai in particular.

7. Answering Common Questions

Here are some common questions that first-time travelers to Chennai, India often have:

7.1 Where Can Travelers Exchange Currency in Chennai, India?

To facilitate convenient dining and shopping payments, tourists can consider exchanging cash at the airport, hotels, banks, international exchange centers, and more.

7.2 Are There Any Interesting Festivals in Chennai?

Chennai hosts a variety of traditional festivals throughout the year, including Diwali (12th day of the lunar calendar), the Holi Festival of Colors (15th day of the lunar calendar), the monsoon festival (from July to August), the Ganesha festival (from mid-August to mid-September), and more.

From the useful information mentioned above, it's evident that Chennai, India, is one of the fascinating tourist destinations that every traveler should not miss in the near future. "Pocket" the travel experiences in this article and stay updated on all Vietjet information channels below for the latest flight updates, ticket prices, promotions, and more to India.