Chennai Guide
What are Chennai’s most famous landmarks and monuments?
Marina Beach
There are several beautiful beaches to visit while holidaying on flights to Chennai, and Marina Beach is one of the best. The beach is located right next to the city centre, so it’s easy to get to. Marina Beach is one of the longest urban beaches in the world at 13 kilometres (8.1 miles) long, and market stalls set up along the main portion of the beach where vendors sell everything from homemade crafts and souvenirs to food and cold drinks. Head a bit further down the beach and you can enjoy long stretches of sand without many other people around.
Fort St. George
Fort St. George is one of the most famous landmarks to have on your radar when you book tickets to Chennai. The Fort was built in 1644 as the first British fortress in India. It was managed by the British East India Company, and its control over the region’s trade meant it had a huge impact on the growth of Chennai. Visitors holidaying on return flights to Chennai can learn more about the British East India Company and gain some insight into the British colonial years in India by walking through the grounds of Fort St. George and spending some time at the Fort Museum.
Kapaleeswarar Temple
Learn about Hinduism and the spiritual side to India’s Tamil Nadu region while holidaying on flights to Chennai. The Kapaleeswarar Temple is the perfect place to do so, since its history dates all the way back to the 7th century. The temple was dedicated to the Hindu Lord Shiva and features an elaborate Dravidian design. The Kapaleeswarar and Karpagambal shrines are must-see landmarks in the temple as well as statues dedicated to important Hindu deities. The most exciting time to visit the temple is during the 10-day Arubathimoovar Festival. Book your cheap flights to Chennai between late March and early April to attend.
What is the cost of visiting Chennai?
Have a look at the many accommodation options available to reserve through Webjet after you’ve booked airfare to Chennai. The average nightly rate for a hotel in the centre is $100 to $150 NZD, but there are options as low as $20 NZD if you book cheap flights to Chennai with a tight budget in mind.
Transportation is another aspect to budget for when you book tickets to Chennai. A taxi ride from Chennai International Airport (MAA) into the city centre typically costs between 400 and 450 rupees (between $8.60 and $9.65 NZD). Tuk tuks or auto-rickshaws are a fun and easy way to get from one place to the next in the city. Tuk tuk fare is about 30 rupees (65 cents NZD) for each kilometre travelled. There’s also a metro that you can catch while holidaying on flights to Chennai. Ticket prices vary from 10 to 60 rupees (20 cents to $1.30 NZD), depending on distance travelled. A metro ride within the centre will be on the lower end of the price spectrum.
There are many exciting attractions to visit while holidaying on return flights to Chennai. Entrance to Fort St. George costs 100 rupees ($2.15 NZD), and a ticket to the Government Museum costs 250 rupees ($5.35 NZD). It costs 15 rupees (30 cents NZD) to enter Guindy National Park, and an additional 10 rupees (20 cents NZD) if you’d like to take photos. There are also dozens of free activities you’ll be able to enjoy while visiting India on flights to Chennai, including Marina Beach, Kapaleeswarar Temple, and Burma Bazaar.
When is the best time to visit Chennai?
There are three distinct seasons to keep in mind when you book airfare to Chennai. The dry season falls between November and February and is widely considered as the best time to book flights into Chennai International Airport (MAA). Temperatures are at their coolest – about 30°C – and a nice breeze comes off the ocean. This ideal weather makes dry season the most popular time to travel on return flights to Chennai, so lock in the best hotel deal by booking early.
Temperatures heat up and crowds thin out a bit in the summer season between March and June. Humidity levels are high, and temperatures regularly reach 37°C during the day. Make sure you stay hydrated, and be prepared with a list of indoor activities to enjoy on especially hot days.
Monsoon season takes place between July and October. Temperatures average about 34°C, there are strong winds, and rainfall is regular and heavy. However, rain tends to slow down toward the end of the monsoon season. Consider booking cheap flights to Chennai in October to take advantage of lower hotel rates before the dry season begins.
Things to do in Chennai
What are Chennai’s most famous landmarks and monuments?
Marina Beach
There are several beautiful beaches to visit while holidaying on flights to Chennai, and Marina Beach is one of the best. The beach is located right next to the city centre, so it’s easy to get to. Marina Beach is one of the longest urban beaches in the world at 13 kilometres (8.1 miles) long, and market stalls set up along the main portion of the beach where vendors sell everything from homemade crafts and souvenirs to food and cold drinks. Head a bit further down the beach and you can enjoy long stretches of sand without many other people around.
Fort St. George
Fort St. George is one of the most famous landmarks to have on your radar when you book tickets to Chennai. The Fort was built in 1644 as the first British fortress in India. It was managed by the British East India Company, and its control over the region’s trade meant it had a huge impact on the growth of Chennai. Visitors holidaying on return flights to Chennai can learn more about the British East India Company and gain some insight into the British colonial years in India by walking through the grounds of Fort St. George and spending some time at the Fort Museum.
Kapaleeswarar Temple
Learn about Hinduism and the spiritual side to India’s Tamil Nadu region while holidaying on flights to Chennai. The Kapaleeswarar Temple is the perfect place to do so, since its history dates all the way back to the 7th century. The temple was dedicated to the Hindu Lord Shiva and features an elaborate Dravidian design. The Kapaleeswarar and Karpagambal shrines are must-see landmarks in the temple as well as statues dedicated to important Hindu deities. The most exciting time to visit the temple is during the 10-day Arubathimoovar Festival. Book your cheap flights to Chennai between late March and early April to attend.
What is the cost of visiting Chennai?
Have a look at the many accommodation options available to reserve through Webjet after you’ve booked airfare to Chennai. The average nightly rate for a hotel in the centre is $100 to $150 NZD, but there are options as low as $20 NZD if you book cheap flights to Chennai with a tight budget in mind.
Transportation is another aspect to budget for when you book tickets to Chennai. A taxi ride from Chennai International Airport (MAA) into the city centre typically costs between 400 and 450 rupees (between $8.60 and $9.65 NZD). Tuk tuks or auto-rickshaws are a fun and easy way to get from one place to the next in the city. Tuk tuk fare is about 30 rupees (65 cents NZD) for each kilometre travelled. There’s also a metro that you can catch while holidaying on flights to Chennai. Ticket prices vary from 10 to 60 rupees (20 cents to $1.30 NZD), depending on distance travelled. A metro ride within the centre will be on the lower end of the price spectrum.
There are many exciting attractions to visit while holidaying on return flights to Chennai. Entrance to Fort St. George costs 100 rupees ($2.15 NZD), and a ticket to the Government Museum costs 250 rupees ($5.35 NZD). It costs 15 rupees (30 cents NZD) to enter Guindy National Park, and an additional 10 rupees (20 cents NZD) if you’d like to take photos. There are also dozens of free activities you’ll be able to enjoy while visiting India on flights to Chennai, including Marina Beach, Kapaleeswarar Temple, and Burma Bazaar.
When is the best time to visit Chennai?
There are three distinct seasons to keep in mind when you book airfare to Chennai. The dry season falls between November and February and is widely considered as the best time to book flights into Chennai International Airport (MAA). Temperatures are at their coolest – about 30°C – and a nice breeze comes off the ocean. This ideal weather makes dry season the most popular time to travel on return flights to Chennai, so lock in the best hotel deal by booking early.
Temperatures heat up and crowds thin out a bit in the summer season between March and June. Humidity levels are high, and temperatures regularly reach 37°C during the day. Make sure you stay hydrated, and be prepared with a list of indoor activities to enjoy on especially hot days.
Monsoon season takes place between July and October. Temperatures average about 34°C, there are strong winds, and rainfall is regular and heavy. However, rain tends to slow down toward the end of the monsoon season. Consider booking cheap flights to Chennai in October to take advantage of lower hotel rates before the dry season begins.
