| Chennai (Madras) by Air
Chennai is an international arrival point and an important
domestic airport. The Anna International Airport is
well organised and not too heavily used, making Chennai
(Madras) a good entry or exit point. There's rarely
more than one plane on the ground at any given time.
Right next-door is the relatively new Kamarajar Domestic
Airport, which connects flights with all the major cities
of India.
The International Airport of Chennai (Madras) has flights
to/from Colombo, Dubai, Frankfurt, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur,
London, Penang, Riyadh, and Singapore.
Chennai (Madras) by Rail
The Chennai Railway Station is one of the most important
railheads in southern India. Regular train services
connect Chennai (Madras) directly with all the major
cities of the country. Trains link Chennai to Jammu
in the North, Guwahati in the East and Ahmedabad in
the West. Suburban electric trains run from Beach station
to Tambaram and from Central to Gummidipoondi and Arakonam.
Chennai (Madras) by Road
National highways connect the city with other capitals
and major tourist places in India. There are bus services
from the city to the nearby areas and interstate services
are also available. Both state transport and private
operators have their buses on various routes from Chennai.
For local transportation, taxis, vans, auto rickshaws
and city buses are available.
The Tamil Nadu state bus company, Thiruvalluvar Transport
Corporation (TTC), and its bus terminal (also known
as the Express bus stand) are on Esplanade Road in George
Town, around the back of the High Court building. Interstate
buses, which are run by the affiliated Jayalalitha Jayaram
Transport Corporation (JJTC), also leave from here.
The state bus stand is on the other side of Prakasam
Road. The main reason to use this stand is for buses
to Mahabalipuram. There are a number of services, the
most direct being No 188 and 188A / B / D / K. The journey
takes two hours.
There are also a number of private bus companies with
offices in the Egmore area, which run super deluxe video
buses on a daily basis to cities such as Bangalore,
Coimbatore, Madurai and Trichy. Prices are similar to
the state buses, although the private buses tend to
be more comfortable.
Chennai (Madras) by Sea
There is a sea line to Andaman and Nicobar islands.
There is currently on boat, the MV Nancowry, which sails
from Chennai every 10 days to Port Blair, on South Andaman.
The trip takes about 52 hours. Once a month, the boat
sails via Car Nicobar. This voyage takes an extra two
days; foreign nationals are not allowed to disembark
at Car Nicobar.
Tickets are issued at the Directorate of Shipping Services
at Rajaji Salai (opposite the Customs House) in George
Town. Foreigners must get a permit for the islands before
they buy a boat ticket.
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