Know Before You Go: Chennai

Chennai International Airport (MAA) is located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) southwest of the city center and is on the Blue Line of the Chennai Metro. The metro station is easily accessible from the terminal via a connecting corridor. Depending on the destination, the journey into the center takes about 30 to 45 minutes and usually costs the equivalent of only a few euros.

Alternatively, taxis and ride-hailing services such as Uber and Ola are available around the clock. Depending on traffic, the journey to the city usually takes 40 to 70 minutes. During rush hour, however, the travel time can be significantly longer.

Chennai is plagued by heavy traffic and is not particularly pedestrian-friendly. On the other hand, public transport is quite well developed: the backbone is the Chennai Metro, whose air conditioned trains reliably connect many central districts. The network is supplemented by regional trains and buses. 

Auto rickshaws are of course part of the cityscape, but prices should be clarified before the start of the journey. For travelers, app-based rides via Uber or Ola are therefore the less complicated choice.

Payment in Chennai is made with the Indian rupee (INR). Card payments and mobile payment services such as Google Pay or PhonePe are widely used, especially in restaurants, hotels, and shops. However, cash is still the best option for markets, smaller shops, or rickshaws.

Tipping is common in Chennai, but less standardized than in Europe or the US. In restaurants, about 5 to 10 percent is considered appropriate, unless a service fee is shown on the bill. Hotel staff or drivers often receive smaller amounts as a token of appreciation. In the case of rickshaws or taxis, the total is usually rounded up slightly.

Type C, D, and M sockets are predominantly used in India. European power supplies only partially fit, so to be on the safe side, a travel adapter is recommended. The mains voltage is 230 volts at 50 hertz and thus largely corresponds to the European standard.

The road traffic in Chennai should not be underestimated. Cars do not automatically stop at zebra crossings. Even red lights are sometimes understood as a loose guide in heavy traffic. At the same time, heat, high humidity, and wide, crowded streets often make longer walks more strenuous than expected.

Chennai is often referred to as the "Detroit of Asia." Numerous international car manufacturers and suppliers have settled around the city, including BMW, Hyundai, and Renault-Nissan. The region around Chennai produces a significant proportion of India's vehicles and car parts. Along the so-called Automotive Corridor in particular, factories, test tracks, and research centers shape entire districts.