How frequent are departures?

Chennai Metro Blue Line – Airport to Chennai Central usually runs every 10-20 minutes. If it pauses, follow the overhead signs to the bus bay for the fallback service.

MAAIndiaTPL: city-transfer-guide

Chennai International Airport

Chennai, India

Drop-off

Chennai Central (Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station)

Pin before customs

Fastest

Chennai Metro Blue Line – Airport to Chennai Central

metro · 10-20m

Data

Nov 28

Audit

Quick verdict

Fastest into town

Service: Chennai Metro Blue Line – Airport to Chennai Central
Headway: 10-20
Backup: Chennai Suburban Railway – Tirusulam to Park/Chennai Central area · 10-15m

Note

Metro trains on Corridor 1 run between Chennai International Airport and Chennai Central (Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran) via Alandur, CMBT and Egmore, with frequent services from roughly 05:00 to 23:00 and peak headways around 10–12 minutes and off-peak 18–20 minutes. This is the most convenient and comfortable rail link for reaching the central city area and main railway hub.

Arrivals decoded

Chennai: City Transfer Guide

Fast, easy ways to reach the primary city center after landing. Targets queries likechennai airport busandmaa to city centerfor eSIM funnels.

Budget path

Brief

Cheapest door-to-door option; expect extra stops and tighter luggage space.

Service: MTC Bus 18A – Airport to Broadway/George Town
Mode: bus
Freq: 15-30m
Note: Metropolitan Transport Corporation route 18A operates from the bus stop outside Chennai International Airport towards Broadway, near the traditional city centre and major bus interchanges. Useful for budget travellers, but journey times vary with traffic and buses can be crowded.

Priority path

Brief

Fastest connection with wider aisles and better luggage handling.

Service: Chennai Metro Blue Line – Airport to Chennai Central
Mode: metro
Freq: 10-20m
Note: Metro trains on Corridor 1 run between Chennai International Airport and Chennai Central (Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran) via Alandur, CMBT and Egmore, with frequent services from roughly 05:00 to 23:00 and peak headways around 10–12 minutes and off-peak 18–20 minutes. This is the most convenient and comfortable rail link for reaching the central city area and main railway hub.

Fare math

Brief

Express trains tend to be twice as expensive but half the time. Budget routes take longer yet often have more frequent departures after work.

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FAQs

01Where will the downtown drop-off be?: Most services target Chennai Central (Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station), so drop a pin in your maps app before boarding.
02How frequent are departures?: Chennai Metro Blue Line – Airport to Chennai Central usually runs every 10-20 minutes. If it pauses, follow the overhead signs to the bus bay for the fallback service.