Chennai Airport (MAA), officially Chennai International Airport, is the main airport for Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu on India's south-east coast. It stands at Tirusulam, in Chengalpattu district on the southern edge of the Greater Chennai area, roughly 17 to 21 km south-west of the city centre. The Airports Authority of India owns and runs it. Passengers use three terminals: T1 and T4 for domestic flights and T2 for international flights.

The airport is open around the clock, with customs and immigration staffed 24 hours. It also has its own stop on both the Chennai Metro and the suburban railway, so you can reach it without a car.

Terminals and airlines at Chennai Airport

The operator's older pages call the two sides of the airport the Kamaraj Domestic Terminal and the Anna International Terminal. Today's duty desks are listed as T1 and T4 for domestic and T2 for international.

T1 and T4 (domestic)

Flights within India leave from T1 or T4. The Airports Authority of India does not publish which domestic airline uses which of the two buildings, so read the terminal on your e-ticket or boarding pass before you set off.

T2 (international)

International departures and arrivals are handled at T2, the integrated international terminal.

Airlines at Chennai Airport

The operator lists these passenger airlines at MAA. Its list covers the whole airport and does not say which terminal each one uses:

• Air India
• Air India Express
• Alliance Air
• Akasa Air
• IndiGo
• SpiceJet
• AirAsia
• Thai AirAsia
• Malaysia Airlines
• Singapore Airlines
• Scoot
• Thai Airways
• Cathay Pacific
• Myanmar Airways International
• SriLankan Airlines
• FitsAir
• Biman Bangladesh Airlines
• US-Bangla Airlines
• Emirates
• Etihad Airways
• Qatar Airways
• Gulf Air
• Oman Air
• Kuwait Airways
• Jazeera Airways
• SalamAir
• Air Arabia
• Air Mauritius
• Ethiopian Airlines
• Lufthansa
• British Airways

Assignments can change, so the terminal printed on your ticket is the one to follow.

Moving between terminals

Free battery-operated carts and courtesy coaches carry passengers between the domestic and international terminals, running by way of the airport metro station. An elevated, covered walkalator also joins T1, T2 and T4 to the multi-level car park and the metro.

Getting to and from Chennai Airport

Rail, road and app cabs all serve MAA. The operator does not publish journey times, and Chennai traffic varies a lot through the day, so give yourself a margin. Fares are shown at the counter or in the app.

Chennai Metro

The airport metro station is linked to the terminals by the covered walkalator. Metro (CMRL) counters sit outside both the domestic and the international arrivals exits.

Suburban train

Tirusulam station, on the Tambaram to Chennai Beach suburban line, is next to the airport. Trains towards the city run via Egmore and Park, which is the stop for Chennai Central.

Prepaid taxi and app cabs

A prepaid taxi booth is in the arrivals hall. Ola, Uber and other app cabs use a unified pick-up point at the West multi-level car park, and a free buggy runs there from T1.

City bus

MTC city buses link the airport with the rest of Chennai. The main city bus terminal is CMBT at Koyambedu, where you can change for routes across the city and beyond.

Parking at Chennai Airport

Multi-level car parks stand on the city side of the terminals, including the West MLCP, and the covered walkalator connects them with each terminal. Rates are not listed here; check them at the car park.

Facilities at Chennai Airport

Duty free and shops

Duty free shops are open in both the arrivals and the departures areas of the international terminal. Gift shops are in the security hold area, after screening.

Terminal layout

At T1 and T4, departures are on the top level, reached by an elevated approach road, and arrivals are on the ground level. Airline ticketing counters sit on the domestic departure level.

Food and drink

Restaurants operate at Chennai Airport. Outlets change often, so look at what is open on the day.

Lounges

Lounges are open round the clock in both domestic and international departures. They serve airline premium passengers and holders of eligible cards and memberships, so check your access before you go.

Smoking areas

Smoking lounges are provided in the security hold area of both the domestic and the international terminals.

Rest, Wi-Fi, money and other services

The airport's retiring rooms are not available while the modernisation works continue; this is a temporary arrangement. Free Wi-Fi is offered for a limited time in all terminals and needs a valid Indian mobile number, with more time available for a fee. ATMs and foreign exchange counters are in both the domestic and international terminals. There is a prayer room in the international security hold area, child care rooms on both sides, and first aid on site. For accessibility, the terminals have ramps, lifts with Braille and audio signals and accessible toilets; ask your airline for a wheelchair, and an ambulift is available for a fee.

Tips for flying from Chennai Airport

The operator does not publish a set time to arrive before your flight, so follow your airline's advice and allow for traffic on the way in. Check which terminal you need first: domestic flights use T1 or T4 and international flights use T2. Entry rules for India and for your destination depend on your passport, so check the official guidance before you travel. For updated times on the day, use the Traveloka flight status page.

Flights and flight schedule from Chennai Airport

The fare cards on this page show fares on popular routes from MAA. Below them, the schedule tables list upcoming departures and arrivals at Chennai Airport by date, with the airline and scheduled times. They show a selection of flights rather than the full timetable. Pick your route, compare airlines and times for your dates, and set a Price Alert if you would like to wait for a better fare.

Popular routes from Chennai Airport include:

• Chennai to Singapore flights
• Chennai to Kuala Lumpur flights
• Chennai to Bangkok flights
• Chennai to Colombo flights
• Chennai to Dubai flights
• Chennai to New Delhi flights
• Chennai to Mumbai flights
• Chennai to Bangalore flights

Heading to South India? Compare flights to and from Chennai Airport on Traveloka and book the one that suits your trip.