Hotels in Chennai

Visit Chennai

Chennai, the capital of the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, is located on the Coromandel Coast of Bay of Bengal. Formerly known as Madras, Chennai is the gateway to South India and has a thriving music and art scene. The greatest assets of this city are its people, sharing a sense of kinship and always enthusiastic about matters related to their hometown. Recent years have added a touch of cosmopolitan allure to this city in the form of trendy restaurants, swanky bars and clubs, luxurious hotels, boutiques, lavish shopping malls and more. It is also worth exploring the old temples, museums and beaches that this city nestles.  

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Hotels/ stay in Chennai

Once you know the city layout, deciding where to stay can be pretty easy. Skyscanner brings to you a list of neighbourhoods in Chennai to help you choose your hotel, according to your budget and needs.

Nungambakkam in Chennai

A prime residential area in Chennai, Nungambakkam has almost everything which include luxurious branded clothing stores, important government offices, multi-national commercial establishments, sprawling educational institutions, malls, trendy bars and clubs, temples, cultural centres and more. The hotels found here are usually high-end, starting at INR 4000/USD 60 approx. per night.

Distance from Chennai Airport:  16 km (approx.)

T Nagar in Chennai

A neighbourhood in Chennai, Thyagaraya Nagar or T Nagar is synonymous with shopping. To feel like a local, T Nagar is a must-visit with its bustling, local shopping scenes and crowded streets. Visit the stores that are popular for selling plethora of traditional Indian sarees and jewellery. The hotels here are generally low-priced (starting at INR 1000/USD 15 approx.). However, some mid-range hotels are also available (starting at INR 2500/USD 40 approx.).

Distance from Chennai Airport: 8 km (approx.)

ECR in Chennai

East Coast Road, popularly known as ECR is for those who want to stay away from the hustle and bustle of the city. Lying parallel to the sea, this scenic highway connects Chennai to Pondicherry. The highway is generously sprinkled with numerous attractions for the delight of travellers. The Marundeeswarar temple, Almparai Fort, Dakshina Chitra, Tiger Cave, Manora Fort, Muthupet Lagoon and ISKCON Temple are located here. The accommodation options are varied, ranging from low-priced (starting at INR 900/USD 14 approx.) to mid-range (starting at INR 2000/USD and luxurious.

Distance from Chennai Airport: 24 km (approx.)

For more information on hotels in Chennai, refer the Skyscanner Pages.

Transport in Chennai

Travelling in Chennai can be time-consuming due to the amount of congestion and traffic on the roads. Pollution can be a bit of a problem, so wearing a face mask is advisable.

Train in Chennai

Chennai has an intra-city train network. These include four routes:

Western Line: Chennai Central - Arakkonam.

North Line: Chennai Central - Gummidipoondi-Sulurpet-Nellore

South Line: Chennai Beach - Tambaram and Chengalpet

MRTS Line: Chennai Beach - Velachery (MRTS)

These trains are used more for practical commutes than as a part of a tourist plan, therefore, make sure you know the details of your trip before leaving.

Bus in Chennai

Chennai has certain major termini from where most of the government-run Metropolitan Transportation Corporation (MTC) buses run towards the rest of the city. The bus fare is relatively cheap. There are also deluxe and A/C buses for double the fare.

Auto Rickshaw in Chennai

Auto rickshaw rates in Chennai tend to vary, as the drivers often do not use the meter. As a rule of thumb, you can expect to pay about INR10-15/USD 0.2 approx. for every km you travel.

Food in Chennai

The staple food in Chennai is rice. Rice flour is also used to make dosa (Indian pancake served with spiced vegetable filling) and idli (savoury cake), two other very popular staples in Chennai. The food is flavoured with spices and condiments such as coconut, tamarind and asafoetida and given a distinct taste through the use of Gingelly oil. Sambars (vegetable stew) and chutneys (dips) are an important part of the South Indian vegetarian lunch. The hot and spicy Chettinad cuisine is particularly popular and has a wide variety of mutton, chicken and fish dishes. Their Chettinad Pepper Chicken is a highlight. Chennai is also famous for its filter coffee, usually served in a traditional “dabarah” set, which includes a steel tumbler and saucer with a rim. It is very strong with a lingering sweet taste.

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Note: All the above information is accurate as of 15th June 2016.