Flying from London Heathrow (LHR) to Chennai (MAA): what you need to know
Jump on a direct flight from London Heathrow to Chennai and you'll be in the air for an average of 10 hours 10 minutes.
Chennai is five hours 30 minutes ahead of London and follows the UTC+5:30 timezone.
Flights from LHR to MAA start from 12:05 — the first with British Airways. The latest departure is at 14:10 with British Airways. In total, there are seven weekly London Heathrow to Chennai flights.
Get to the airport on time so you don't miss your LHR to MAA flight. Be there at least two hours ahead for international flights and an hour early for domestic departures to avoid sprinting to your gate.
Flying during a peak month like July? School holidays and other popular periods can mean longer lines and delays at check-in and security. Play it safe and arrive up to four hours before an international flight and two hours before a domestic departure.
British Airways has direct flights from London Heathrow to Chennai. Book with this popular carrier, then get ready to discover the sights in Chennai — and maybe even more of India if time allows.
The airline most travellers prefer to fly with on this route is British Airways.
The carrier with the most consistent on-time arrival rate for LHR to MAA flights is British Airways.
We make it a breeze to book a flight with a stopover. To see your options for tickets from London Heathrow to Chennai, deselect 'Direct flights only.' Then, pick a flight with a stop long enough to explore the city of your choice. Popular stopovers between LHR and MAA include:
Frankfurt am Main
Mumbai
Bengaluru
How to find the cheapest flights from London Heathrow (LHR) to Chennai (MAA)
At the moment, ₹ 32,818 is the lowest price we've found for a one-way London Heathrow to Chennai flight. The best price for a return plane ticket is ₹ 54,875. Bear in mind that fares could change due to availability when booking.
It's a good idea to book early if you want to get cheap tickets from LHR to MAA. That's because airlines change prices based on demand, which tends to rise closer to departure.
The cheapest month for flights from London Heathrow to Chennai is May. Use the 'Whole month' tool to find the lowest prices if you have flexible dates.
You won't have to check every day to find out if fares have dropped when you create a Price Alert. We'll send you an update the moment there's a new deal on cheap flights from LHR to MAA.
Discover the ideal flight for you by using the filters. To see the 'Cheapest,' 'Fastest' or 'Best' flights from London Heathrow to Chennai, use the 'Sort by' tool. You can also filter results by airline, arrival and departure times, and number of stops.
Handy information about London Heathrow (LHR)
When it comes to the on-time performance of London Heathrow, 78% of flights complete their journey on time.
London Heathrow is around 24 kilometres from central London. If you're driving, ride-sharing or catching a taxi from the centre, it'll take you 45 minutes or so to arrive, depending on the traffic.
The journey when using public transport typically takes 25 minutes.
Get your break off to a leisurely start by staying near LHR. Whether you're boarding an early flight from London Heathrow to Chennai or want to avoid feeling rushed, these stays have you covered:
What is the baggage allowance on flights from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) to Chennai Airport (MAA)?
Most airlines operating flights from LHR to MAA include a carry-on bag with standard fares, though baggage allowances vary by airline and ticket type. Here is what you can expect with baggage policies on this route:
British Airways
Carry-on allowance: 23kg cabin bag plus personal item
Checked baggage: 23kg included with some economy fares
Departure terminal: London Heathrow Airport (LHR), Terminal 5
Arrival terminal: Chennai Airport (MAA), Terminal 4
Check-in counters: Open 3 hours before departure
IndiGo
Carry-on allowance: 7kg cabin bag (55x35x25cm) plus personal item
Checked baggage: 15kg included with some economy fares
Departure terminal: London Heathrow Airport (LHR), Terminal 2
Arrival terminal: Chennai Airport (MAA), Terminal 1
Check-in counters: Opens 3 hours before departure, closes 60 minutes before departure
Qatar Airways
Carry-on allowance: 7kg cabin bag plus personal item
Checked baggage: 30kg included with some economy fares
Departure terminal: London Heathrow Airport (LHR), Terminal 4
Arrival terminal: Chennai Airport (MAA), Terminal 1
Check-in counters: Open 3 hours before departure
You can access a wide range of facilities at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) including free Wi-Fi throughout the terminals, numerous shops and restaurants, and dedicated baby care rooms. The airport also provides prayer rooms, self-service check-in kiosks, currency exchange services, and multiple lounge options for a comfortable travel experience. London Heathrow Airport (LHR) offers excellent transport connections including the Heathrow Express, Underground services, and comprehensive car parking facilities.
Arriving at Chennai (MAA)
If you're arriving on a late London Heathrow to Chennai flight, nothing beats the convenience of staying near the terminal. Pick up your bags from the carousel and then be showered and snoozing not long after at one of these options near MAA:
Grab a Chennai rental car and explore Chennai and beyond with your own wheels. Avis, Europcar and North Car Hire are popular providers you can book with here.
Reserving your ride from Chennai around three weeks in advance gives you the best shot at securing a great deal.
Getting from Chennai (MAA) to central Chennai
From Chennai, Chennai is approximately 21 kilometres away. It takes around 35 minutes to drive to the centre.
Getting to the centre by public transport will take you around 1 hour.
When to fly to Chennai (MAA)
It's time to pick your trip dates for your flight from London Heathrow to Chennai. January is the busiest month to visit Chennai. If you want a quieter vibe, go in January.
When booking your flight from London Heathrow to Chennai, consider the type of weather you enjoy. May is the warmest month in Chennai, with the temperature ranging from 28ºC to 37ºC.
Look for cheap tickets from LHR to MAA in January if you like cooler conditions. Temperatures are at their lowest then, ranging between 21ºC and 28ºC on average.
Weather snapshot
The weather in Chennai is tropical with hot, humid conditions year-round and distinct wet and dry seasons. Here's what to expect throughout the year:
December – February: Winter brings cooler, dry weather making this one of the best times to explore Chennai. You'll enjoy warm days and gentle breezes with light cotton clothing ideal for sightseeing.
March – May: Summer arrives with hot, dry weather that intensifies as the season progresses. You'll find early mornings and evenings most enjoyable for outdoor activities, so plan your sightseeing accordingly.
June – September: Chennai's monsoon season delivers warm, humid days with refreshing rainfall that cools the city. You'll want light, quick-dry clothing for the occasional downpour. Indoor attractions and cultural sightseeing work perfectly during rainy spells, while outdoor exploration thrives between showers.
October – November: Post-monsoon season brings welcome relief with gentle breezes and lower humidity levels. You'll find perfect conditions for exploring outdoor attractions, wandering through markets, and enjoying extended sightseeing adventures around the city.
Sightseeing and travel inspiration
Chennai combines South Indian tradition with modern urban life, offering ancient temples alongside contemporary shopping districts and a thriving film industry. The city's beaches, classical music scene, and distinctive cuisine make it an appealing destination for those booking flights to Chennai.
Things to do in Chennai: Stroll along Marina Beach, about 5 kilometres east of the centre, where you can watch fishermen haul in their nets and catch the sea breeze. Head to Express Avenue Mall, roughly 8 kilometres southeast, for shopping and dining, or explore the weekend markets at T. Nagar, just 6 kilometres south, where you can browse everything from silk sarees to street food.
Cultural experiences: Catch a classical Carnatic music concert at the Music Academy in Mylapore, around 8 kilometres south of the city centre, or admire intricate Dravidian architecture at Kapaleeshwarar Temple in the same neighbourhood. Head to Kalakshetra Foundation about 12 kilometres southwest in Thiruvanmiyur to watch traditional Bharatanatyam dance performances and browse handloom textiles in their craft centre.
Seasonal highlights: Experience the Chennai Music Season from December to January when classical performances fill venues across the city. The cooler winter months offer the best time to visit Chennai for comfortable sightseeing and beach visits. Join the Pongal harvest festival celebrations in January or explore local temples during the pleasant post-monsoon season from October onwards.
Explore more of India
Bengaluru is just one of the many places in India waiting to be explored once you've seen Chennai. Around 290 kilometres away to the west, check out popular attractions including Meenakshi Temple, Museum of Art & Photography (MAP) and Sri Meenakshi Sundareshwara Temple.
If you're interested in discovering another major stop in India, head for Coimbatore, roughly 434 kilometres south-west of Chennai. Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, Siruvani Falls and Dam and Sri Ranganathar Temple are the start of reasons to visit.
