Public transport in Chennai

Chennai, India

By the Travel Wiki editorial team

Overview

Chennai's public transport is a patchwork of systems that work best when you combine them. The centrepiece for visitors is the Chennai Metro, a rapid transit system operated by Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL), a joint venture between the Government of India and the Government of Tamil Nadu. As of December 2025 the metro has two operational lines spanning 54.1 km (33.6 mi) with 41 underground and elevated stations, running on standard gauge and powered by 25 kV 50 Hz AC overhead lines. There are no at-grade tracks — every station is either elevated or underground.

Riding it end to end is straightforward. You enter a station, pass through security and the fare gates, descend or ascend to the platform for your direction, board, and exit through the gates at your destination. The system runs from about 4:30 AM to 11:00 PM, with trains roughly every 7 minutes at peak hours and every 14 minutes off-peak. The metro is the first in India to operate an Inter-Corridor Line system, which means some services run through from one line to another — notably an inter-corridor service that follows the Blue Line from the Airport to Alandur before continuing onto the Green Line.

Beyond the metro, you have a large suburban railway network, the elevated MRTS, an extensive city bus system, and a proposed light rail. For most short visitor trips the metro and suburban trains will cover you; buses fill in the gaps.

The network

Chennai's rail-based transit comes in several distinct flavours, each with its own operator, ticketing and character.

Chennai Metro

Three more lines are under construction as part of Phase II, which will add 118.9 km (73.9 mi) and 128 stations:

Phase II construction began on 20 November 2020. Trial runs started in March 2025 on a 3 km stretch between Poonamallee and Mullaithottam on the proposed Yellow Line, and by April 2025 trial runs covered a 10 km stretch between Poonamallee and Porur Junction. Following safety checks, operations on the Poonamallee Bypass to Vadapalani stretch of the Yellow Line are expected to begin in October 2026. A further Phase III of about 93 km has been proposed, extending the Purple Line from Siruseri SIPCOT to Kilambakkam, the Yellow Line from Poonamallee to Parandur, and the Red Line from Koyambedu to Avadi.

Chennai Suburban Railway

Operated by Indian Railways, this is the workhorse of the region and generally reliable and fast. As of June 2023 there are six suburban lines:

Frequency is generally good, and a first-class ticket is advisable during peak hours. The single electrified line from Chennai Beach to Tambaram began operations in 1931; lines connecting Chennai Central to Gummidipoondi and Tiruvallur followed in 1979.

Chennai MRTS

The Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) is operated by Indian Railways and was the first elevated rail line in India, with its initial stretch between Chennai Beach and Chepauk opening in 1995. It later extended to Thirumayilai (1997), Thiruvanmiyur (2004), Velachery (2007) and St. Thomas Mount (2026). The MRTS is planned to be incorporated into the Chennai Metro for interoperability.

Light rail (proposed)

A light rail line has been proposed to connect Tambaram on the Chennai suburban rail network with Velachery on the MRTS. It is not yet built.

Buses

Chennai's bus network is anchored by the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (சென்னை புறநகர் பேருந்து நிலையம், Ceṉṉai Puṟanakar Peruntu Nilaiyam, CMBT) at Koyambedu — one of Asia's largest bus stations, with six platforms in three bus fingers and 180 bus bays. Seven state-owned corporations run buses to and from destinations across southern India, with hourly services to places like Tirupati, Pondicherry, Coimbatore and Tirunelveli, and AC or non-AC options for cities such as Bengaluru, Thiruvananthapuram and Hyderabad. Private operators use the nearby Omni bus terminus (Chennai Contract Carriage Bus Terminus, CCCBT) at Koyambedu, and there is also a terminus at Kilambakkam on the Grand Southern Trunk Road. All buses terminate near Koyambedu, but state-owned and private stands are separate, so tell your driver your exact destination.

Ferries

The reference material does not describe a public ferry network for visitors, so plan on rail and road for getting around.

Tickets & fares

Metro fares are distance-based and range from a minimum of ₹10 to a maximum of ₹50, with six ticket types. These prices are approximate and change, so check current fares before you travel.

On the suburban railway, a regular ticket from Tirusulam (the station across from the airport) into the city centre costs ₹5, while a first-class ticket is around ₹70 to or from the city centre. These are approximate and subject to change. First class is worth the extra during peak periods, when even first-class compartments can get crowded. The reference material does not describe a dedicated tourist pass for Chennai, so treat any pass you see advertised as something to verify locally.

From the airport

Chennai International Airport (MAA) sits on GST Road about 19 km (12 mi) south-west of the city centre. All international flights arrive at Terminal 2, while domestic flights use Terminals 1 and 4; all three terminals are on the same road and next to each other.

Etiquette & customs

Chennai's transit is busy and largely self-policing. A few habits will make your journeys smoother.

Official links

Survival terms

Before you set out, download the CMRL app and top up a QR ticket on your phone, so you can skip the ticket queue and spend your time exploring the city instead.

Sources

  1. Chennai Metro
  2. Wikivoyage: Chennai
  3. Chennai Metro Guide - Routes, Fares, and Tips

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