5★Flight
≈ 2 h 15 m
CCU → MAA, non-stop; check current schedules
By land or sea
Train
Coromandel Express and other trains from Howrah
Best time
November to February
the north-east monsoon brings rain in October and November
Stay
3–4 nights
+2 for Mahabalipuram or Pondicherry
Country
India
no passport needed for Indians
Non-stop flights from Kolkata to Chennai take about 2 h 15 m, and the Coromandel Express from Howrah takes roughly 26 to 28 hours. Most visitors stay three or four nights. Egmore and Central suit train connections, T. Nagar shopping, Mylapore temple streets, Nungambakkam a quieter base, and the airport area early flights. November to February is the comfortable window.
Getting from Kolkata to Chennai
By air
Chennai International Airport (MAA) sits south-west of the city centre, with domestic and international arrivals in separate buildings and a newer integrated terminal taking a growing share of traffic. Non-stop services from Kolkata (CCU) take about 2 h 15 m. Allow more time than the flight itself for check-in and the drive into town. Confirm your departure terminal with the Airports Authority of India before travelling.
Chennai Metro's Blue Line connects the airport with the centre, including Chennai Central, and suburban trains stop at Tirusulam nearby; check Chennai Metro Rail and Southern Railway for current timetables. App cabs and prepaid taxi counters are the simplest door-to-door option, and the ride north takes longer in the morning peak.
By train, road or sea
Trains from Howrah cover the roughly 1,350 km straight-line distance in a long haul: the Coromandel Express and other services take roughly 26 to 28 hours, usually leaving in the evening and arriving the next day. Book sleeper or air-conditioned classes well ahead on IRCTC, since this is a popular long-distance route. Flying is the practical choice for a short trip; the train suits travellers who want the journey itself. Check Indian Railways for current timings.
Where to stay in Chennai
Egmore & Central
Best for arriving by train and for the Government Museum. Busy, workaday streets with strong suburban rail and metro links, and quick access to the beach road.
T. Nagar
Chennai's big shopping district: textile shops, gold showrooms and crowds. Good for retail and vegetarian tiffin, less so for quiet evenings.
Mylapore
The old temple quarter around Kapaleeshwarar, with narrow streets, flower sellers and a strong Carnatic music and coffee culture. Best for atmosphere and walking.
Nungambakkam
Leafier and calmer, with consulates, cafés and galleries, and a central position between the centre and the southern suburbs. Suits travellers who want quiet nights.
Near the airport
Practical for early departures or late arrivals. Little of interest within walking distance, and the run into the city is long in traffic.
Top things to do in Chennai
- Marina Beach: A long urban beach along the Bay of Bengal. Go at dawn or sunset for walkers, kites and food stalls; the currents make swimming unwise.
- Kapaleeshwarar Temple: Mylapore's Dravidian temple with a tall painted gopuram. Mornings are quieter, and notices at the entrance explain access for non-Hindus.
- Fort St George: The East India Company's first fortified settlement here, now holding a museum and the state secretariat. The colonial core takes about an hour.
- Government Museum, Egmore: One of India's oldest museums, with a bronze gallery of Chola work and a deep archaeological collection. Good shelter on a hot afternoon.
- San Thome Basilica: A white neo-Gothic church built over the tomb of St Thomas, a short ride from the Mylapore temple streets.
- Mylapore kolam walk: Early mornings bring women drawing kolam outside doorways and flower sellers around the temple tank. Walk slowly and ask before photographing anyone.
- Filter coffee and tiffin: The day starts with idli, dosa and filter coffee at stand-up counters. Pick a busy one with fast turnover.
- Elliot's Beach: A calmer southern beach at Besant Nagar with a promenade and cafés, and the Ashtalakshmi Temple close by. Good for an evening walk.
- Carnatic concert: Sabhas stage dance and music through the main season in December and January. Check local listings and book ahead for well-known artists.
Three days in Chennai
- Day 1: Mylapore and the beach: Start early at Kapaleeshwarar Temple, walk the Mylapore streets and the temple tank, then take the short ride to San Thome Basilica. Finish at Marina Beach for sunset.
- Day 2: Fort St George and the museum: Cover the colonial core at Fort St George in the morning, then spend the hot afternoon at the Government Museum in Egmore. Evening at a concert or a walk in Nungambakkam.
- Day 3: T. Nagar and the southern beaches: Shop for textiles in T. Nagar, eat a full vegetarian lunch, then head south to Elliot's Beach and the Ashtalakshmi Temple for a slower evening.
Add two nights for Mahabalipuram's rock-cut temples and shore temple, or a night in Pondicherry. Kanchipuram works as a long day trip.
Best time to visit Chennai
November to February is the comfortable window, with dry days and cooler evenings. The north-east monsoon brings rain in October and November, sometimes heavy enough to flood roads, so check the India Meteorological Department forecast before booking. March to June is hot and humid, climbing through May. July to September stays warm with occasional showers. Temple festivals follow the Tamil calendar, so check the current year's dates.
Getting around Chennai
- Metro: Chennai Metro's lines link the airport, Central and the northern suburbs; check Chennai Metro Rail for current stations and hours.
- Suburban trains: Cheap, frequent commuter services from Central and Egmore, useful for Chengalpattu and the southern suburbs.
- Auto-rickshaw: Metered in theory, negotiated in practice. Agree the fare before setting off, or book an app cab instead.
Chennai vs Kolkata: what feels different
Chennai feels hotter, flatter and more sprawling than Kolkata, with sea breeze instead of river haze. Tamil replaces Bengali on the streets, though English works much the same way. The food shifts from fish curry, luchi and mishti doi to idli, dosa, sambar and filter coffee, and vegetarian kitchens dominate. Colonial buildings survive, but the temple gopuram is the skyline's signature, and the music calendar peaks in December.
Before you go
- Documents: Indian citizens need government photo ID for flights and trains. Foreign nationals need a valid Indian visa; check the official Indian Visa Online portal before booking.
- Language: Tamil is the everyday language, and English is widely understood in hotels, museums and business districts. A few Tamil words help in markets.
- Money: Cards and UPI are accepted in hotels, shops and restaurants. Keep cash for auto-rickshaws, temples and small eateries.
- Temple etiquette: Cover shoulders and knees, remove footwear before entering, and follow notices on access for non-Hindus. Ask before photographing worshippers.
Hotels in Chennai
Hotels from the IMPT hotel database in Chennai’s main areas, listed by star rating (5-star first, then 4-star) and guest score. No prices are shown here: each button opens live availability for your dates in the IMPT app, and every booking removes one tonne of CO₂.
5★
5★
5★The Leela Palace Chennai
≈ 2 km from Mylapore, Chennai · 5-starGuest score 4.6/5 · 15418 reviewsSee live price
5★Park Hyatt Chennai
≈ 4 km from T. Nagar, Chennai · 5-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 9104 reviewsSee live price
5★
5★Taj Wellington Mews Chennai
≈ 5 km from Mylapore, Chennai · 5-starGuest score 4.5/5 · 2032 reviewsSee live price
5★Grand Chennai by GRT Hotels
T. Nagar, Chennai · 5-starGuest score 4.4/5 · 16699 reviewsSee live price
5★Crowne Plaza Chennai Adyar Park
≈ 2 km from Mylapore, Chennai · 5-starGuest score 4.4/5 · 14084 reviewsSee live price
5★Feathers A Radha Hotel
≈ 3 km from Near the airport, Chennai · 5-starGuest score 4.4/5 · 12812 reviewsSee live priceFAQ
How long does it take to get from Kolkata to Chennai?
Non-stop flights from Kolkata (CCU) to Chennai (MAA) take about 2 h 15 m, plus time at the airports and the drive into town. Trains from Howrah, including the Coromandel Express, take roughly 26 to 28 hours.
Are there direct flights between Kolkata and Chennai?
Yes, non-stop services run between the two cities, taking about 2 h 15 m. Schedules and terminals change, so compare departure times when booking and confirm your terminal with the Airports Authority of India before you travel.
Which trains run from Howrah to Chennai?
The Coromandel Express is the best known, and other services run from Howrah as well. Expect roughly 26 to 28 hours on board. Book early on IRCTC, especially for air-conditioned classes, and check Indian Railways for current timings and boarding points.
Where should you stay in Chennai?
Egmore and Central suit rail connections, T. Nagar shopping, and Mylapore temple streets and atmosphere. Nungambakkam is quieter and central, while the area near the airport makes sense only for very early or very late flights.
When is the best time to visit Chennai from Kolkata?
November to February brings the dry, cooler months. The north-east monsoon delivers rain in October and November, sometimes heavy enough to flood roads, so check the India Meteorological Department forecast. March to June is hot and humid, and the sea breeze does little after midday.
How do you get from Chennai airport into the city?
Chennai Metro's Blue Line runs from the airport towards the centre, including Chennai Central, and suburban trains stop at Tirusulam close by; check Chennai Metro Rail and Southern Railway for current timetables. App cabs and prepaid taxi counters offer door-to-door transfers.
Do you need a passport or visa for Chennai from Kolkata?
Indian citizens travelling from Kolkata need government photo ID for flights and trains, and nothing more. Foreign nationals living in or visiting Kolkata need a valid Indian visa for the trip; apply through the official Indian Visa Online portal before booking.
What can you see in Chennai in two days?
Two days cover Kapaleeshwarar Temple and the Mylapore streets, San Thome Basilica and Marina Beach on day one, then Fort St George, the Government Museum in Egmore and an evening at Elliot's Beach. Add a night for Mahabalipuram.
What food should you try in Chennai?
Start with idli, dosa and filter coffee at a busy tiffin counter. Lunch is often a vegetarian thali served on a banana leaf, and beach stalls sell sundal and other snacks. Seafood appears on menus near the coast, though everyday food is largely vegetarian.
More from Kolkata
Sources: airline schedules, Indian Railways (IRCTC), official tourism and immigration authorities. Times are approximate; check before you travel. Editorial review: 3 November 2026.