Chennai Airport Guide
Chennai International Airport (IATA: MAA) is the main airport serving Chennai and Tamil Nadu. Located in Meenambakkam, approximately 21 kilometres southwest of the city centre, it is India's third busiest airport by passenger traffic and a major gateway for domestic and international travel.
Terminals
Terminal 1 (Domestic)
The Kamaraj Domestic Terminal, the older domestic building. Used by IndiGo, SpiceJet, Akasa Air and other domestic carriers. The Cab Pick-up Plaza is a short walk from arrivals.
Terminal 2 (International)
The new integrated terminal, in use since July 2023, handles every international arrival and departure. Airlines include Emirates, Singapore Airlines, Air India, SriLankan Airlines and Malaysia Airlines. Phase 2 is extending it over the site of the demolished old Terminal 3.
Terminal 4 (Domestic)
Opened in 2017 as an international terminal and switched to domestic flights once Terminal 2 took over. Used mainly by Air India, Air India Express and Alliance Air. Check your airline app, since the domestic split between T1 and T4 is by carrier.
The terminals sit side by side on the same campus and are linked by a covered walkway and a free shuttle bus, so allow 10 to 15 minutes to move between them.
Getting To & From the Airport
MChennai Metro (Recommended)
The Airport Metro station is on the Blue Line. Direct trains to Guindy (10 min), Nandanam (18 min), Egmore (30 min), and central Chennai. Fare: 20-70 rupees. Trains run 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM at 5-10 minute intervals.
Pre-paid Taxi
Pre-paid taxi counters are located outside both arrival halls. Fixed rates by destination: T. Nagar (~500), Adyar (~550), Anna Nagar (~600), Mylapore (~550), OMR/IT Corridor (~700-900). App-based taxis (Uber, Ola, Rapido) leave from the Cab Pick-up Plaza outside arrivals, typically 10-20% cheaper than pre-paid.
Cab Pick-up Plaza Lanes
Every operator has its own numbered lanes at the plaza. Check the lane range in your app before walking out, then follow the A or B signs from arrivals.
| Operator | Lanes |
|---|---|
| Uber | A1 to A7 |
| Ola | A9 to A12 |
| Fast Track Taxi | A13 to A14 |
| Pre-paid Taxi | B1 to B3 |
| Rapido | B4 to B7 |
| WTi Cabs | B9 to B12 |
| Red Taxi | B13 to B14 |
Lane allocation as published by Airports Authority of India, checked September 2026.
MTC Bus
Several MTC routes connect the airport to the city. Route 70 runs to Broadway via Guindy and T. Nagar. Route 18C connects to Tambaram. Fares are under 30 rupees. Buses operate from early morning to late evening but can be crowded during peak hours.
Suburban Train
Tirusulam railway station is a 5-minute walk from the domestic terminal. Suburban trains connect to Tambaram, Chromepet, Guindy, Mambalam, Egmore, and Beach. Very affordable (5-15 rupees) but can be crowded.
Practical Tips
- Arrive 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights. Security queues can be long during peak hours.
- Free Wi-Fi is available for 45 minutes in all terminals. Connect via the "Chennai Airport" network.
- SIM cards (Airtel, Jio) are available at counters in the international arrivals hall for incoming visitors.
- Currency exchange counters and ATMs are available in all terminals, including post-security areas.
- If arriving late at night (after 11 PM when metro stops), pre-book an app-based taxi or use the pre-paid counter.
Chennai's Second Airport
The Parandur greenfield airport proposed in Kancheepuram district was dropped by the state government on 24 August 2026, after four years of protests over farmland, water bodies, and displacement across the thirteen villages it would have covered. On 6 September 2026 the state shortlisted two replacement sites, Cheyyur in Chengalpattu district off the East Coast Road and Manellore near Gummidipoondi in Tiruvallur district, and asked the Airports Authority of India to run pre-feasibility studies on both. Cheyyur sits inside airspace controlled by the Air Force station at Tambaram, so it would also need defence clearance.
Neither site has been confirmed and no construction timeline exists. Meenambakkam remains Chennai's only airport for the foreseeable future, with capacity growth coming from the new integrated terminal rather than a second site. This section is updated as the site selection progresses.
Location
Related Pages
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get from Chennai Airport to the city centre?
The fastest option is Chennai Metro (Airport station on the Blue Line), which connects directly to central areas like Guindy, Nandanam, and Egmore in 20-40 minutes. Pre-paid taxis are available outside all terminals, costing 400-800 rupees to most city areas. MTC buses (routes 70, 70A, 18C) connect the airport to various parts of the city for under 30 rupees.
Which terminal do I use at Chennai Airport?
Chennai Airport has three passenger terminals in use. Terminal 1 and Terminal 4 handle domestic flights, and Terminal 2, the new integrated terminal that opened in July 2023, handles all international arrivals and departures. The old Terminal 3 was demolished to extend Terminal 2. Check your airline app for the domestic terminal, since T1 and T4 are split by airline. Terminals are linked by a covered walkway and a free shuttle bus.
Is Chennai getting a second airport?
Not yet. The Parandur greenfield airport planned in Kancheepuram district was dropped by the Tamil Nadu government on 24 August 2026 after sustained opposition from farmers. On 6 September 2026 the state shortlisted two alternative sites, Cheyyur in Chengalpattu district and Manellore near Gummidipoondi in Tiruvallur district, and asked the Airports Authority of India to carry out pre-feasibility studies. No site has been confirmed and there is no construction timeline, so Meenambakkam remains the only airport serving Chennai.
Where do I find my Uber or Ola at Chennai Airport?
All cabs leave from the Cab Pick-up Plaza outside arrivals, with numbered lanes per operator. Uber uses lanes A1 to A7, Ola A9 to A12, Fast Track Taxi A13 to A14, pre-paid taxis B1 to B3, Rapido B4 to B7, WTi Cabs B9 to B12 and Red Taxi B13 to B14.
Is there a metro station at Chennai Airport?
Yes. The Chennai Airport Metro station is on the Blue Line (Wimco Nagar to Airport). It sits beside the terminal complex and is linked by a walkway. Trains run from approximately 5:30 AM to 11:00 PM.