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.