Chennai Destination Current Updates - 2024
- March 28, 2024
Chennai:
Chennai, formerly known as Madras – the capital of Tamil Nadu & a perfect example of the Dravidian movement in India. This vibrant city enthrals visitors with its rich culture, heritage & history which serves as a “Gateway to South India”. It blends ancient culture with modern metropolis & well known for its stunning temples, Churches, museums, beaches & delicious South Indian cuisine. Chennai has a tropical climate with hot and humid summers & warm winters. The best time to visit Chennai is from November to February when the weather is pleasant.
Travelling to Chennai: Chennai city is well-connected by air, rail, and road for visitors:
By Flight – Chennai Airport:
The Chennai International Airport is the third busiest airport in the world in terms of international passenger traffic and cargo movement, just behind the airports in Delhi and Mumbai and is therefore one of the easiest international airports to get into the country. It has two terminals Kamaraj Terminal handles domestic flights connecting the Indian region and The International Terminal, named Anna Terminal connects to the major airports around the world.
Domestic Terminal:
There are two terminals available Terminal 1 and Terminal 4
Terminal 01:
During Domestic arrival, guests arrive through A2 & A3 gate, and they depart through D1, D2, D3 and D4.
The Airlines that are operating in this terminal are Indigo, Spice Jet, and Akasha Air.
Terminal 04:
Guests arrive through the A 10 exit and depart through Gate D 15, and D 16. The Airlines that are operating in this terminal are Air India, Vistara, Air India Express & Alliance Air.
International Terminal is 02:
During International Arrival, guests arrive through the A5 Exit gate and they depart through Gate D6, D7, D8 and D9.
The Airlines that are operating in this terminal are Air Arabia, Air Asia, Air Austral, Air France, British Airways, Cathey Pacific, Emirates, Ethiopian Airlines, Etihad Airways, Fly Dubai, Gulf Air, Jazeera Airways, Kuwait Airways, Lufthansa, Malaysia Airlines, Oman Air, Qatar Airways, Singapore Airlines, Srilanka Airlines, Thai Airways, US-Bangla Airlines.
Walkalator Facility:
There is a moving walkway facility available for passengers from the domestic terminal to the International terminal (T1 to T2 & T4 to T2). We can also access the Airport metro station through this walkway.
Parking Facility:
- There is a Multi-Level Car Parking (MLCP) facility available at Chennai airport. Built on an area of 4.25 acres, the facility includes a covered skywalk facility connecting the domestic and international terminals. A new facility with mechanized car parking on the top floor can accommodate 2,200 vehicles approximately. Here we have given detailed information about the present vehicle parking procedure and Airport Assistance services in detail.
- Domestic Terminal 01 to Multi-level car parking distance is 750-800 meters.
- International Terminal 2 to Multi-level car parking distance is 450 meters.
- Domestic Terminal 04 to Multi-level car parking is 250 meters (just opposite).
- International Terminal 03 is under renovation.
- Only own-board vehicles are allowed to receive the clients from the terminal gate, while all commercial vehicles are not allowed to pick up clients from the terminal.
- Clients who arrive through Terminal 1, will be received by our Guests Relation Executive from A2 / A3 exit gate and accompanied to the pickup point. Driver will report at pick up point to receive the guests but they will be allowed to wait only for a short period at the pickup point
- Clients who arrive through terminal 04, need to walk for 250 meters to reach the pickup point.
- Clients who arrive by international flight need to walk for 200 meters to reach the pick-up point.
South Tourism, has 3 airport passes as of now. During International arrivals – Our Guest Relation Executives are restricted from receiving the guests from inside the terminal. Hence they will meet and greet the guests in front of the A5 exit Gate. However, during departures, our Guest Relation Executives can assist the client till the check-in counter.
For Domestic arrival, Our guest relation Executive will receive the guests from the baggage claim area and for departure till the check-in counter.
Lounge services are offered for both international and domestic departures. Guests can make use of the service by paying directly. Lounges are situated in such a way that guests can only access them after passing the security check.
Airport Facilities:
- Disabled Services. Wheelchair rental services are available which can be arranged in coordination with airport staff.
- Indian Bank ATM is available in Terminal 1 (Inside as well as outside as well)
- Wi-Fi is available for 45 minutes at the different terminals (we should provide a local contact number to get the OTP).
- Apollo Pharmacy is available in Both T1 & T4 Departure’s
- Medical and Health Scan facilities
- Childcare Room
- Conference Rooms
- Prayers Rooms
- Food Courts (like Madras Coffee House, Sangeetha Veg Restaurant, Café Coffee Day, KFC, Burger King, Tea shops, etc., are available outside the Airport
- Other Services available are an information Counter, Tourist and Railway Information Booths, Currency exchange, Lost & Found, Restrooms, Smoking Areas, Telephone, Baggage Assistance, Baggage Wrapping, Self-Check-in & Post office.
- Shuttle (Battery car) services are available in all terminals as well as at the airport metro station and it’s free for passengers alone, subject to availability.
- There is a shopping mall called “Aero Hub” which is located just opposite the T2 Terminal. Also, PVR Cinemas is available inside the shopping mall.
By Train – Chennai Central railway station which connects major trains from the Northern part of India and Egmore Station connects major parts of Southern India, are the two-train terminus for long-distance trains from other parts of India. Both the stations are of colonial architecture. These stations are well-connected to other parts of the city by metro, bus, and taxi.
By Road – Chennai has a well-developed bus network connecting the city to various parts within itself and nearby areas. Mainly, Dr. MGR BUS Terminus (Koyambedu) is the largest bus terminus and serves as a main hub for inter-state buses connecting Chennai to various cities across India. Kilambakkam Bus Terminus is a relatively new station serving destinations south of Chennai.
Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL): Chennai Metro Rail services are well connected with the whole of Chennai city from Chennai Airport.
By Sea - There are two ports in Chennai - Chennai Port and Ennore Port. Regular ships from Chennai to Port Blair in Andaman and Nicobar Islands, which is a Government vessel. The cruise will be seasonal, and Several cruise lines offer cruises to Chennai as part of a larger itinerary that includes other destinations in India, Sri Lanka, & Maldives.
Places to visit in Chennai:
For your information, metro construction is now underway in most parts of the city. As a result of traffic diversions, clients may need to organize their sightseeing visits with drivers to avoid unnecessary time delays.
Santhome Church: The church in Mylapore, also officially known as St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica and National Shrine of Saint Thomas, is a minor basilica of the Catholic Church in India. The present structure was built over the tomb of Saint Thomas in the 16th century by Portuguese explorers. The British rebuilt the church in 1893 and it was elevated to the status of a Cathedral. It is one of the three basilicas in the world built on the tomb of an apostle of Jesus, the other two being St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City, Rome and Santiago de Compostela Cathedral in Spain. The Saint Thomas enshrined here is believed to be Saint Thomas, the Apostle of Jesus. The church exhibits Neo-Gothic revival architecture with stained glass windows, a rib vault ceiling made of teak wood, and statues depicting biblical scenes.
Time to Visit: 10.00 AM to 05.00 PM
Entrance Fee: No
Video Camera & Still Camera Fee: Free & allowed.
Holidays: No
Church of Our Lady of Light / Mylapore Luz Church: It is a Catholic shrine located in Mylapore, Chennai, India & one of the oldest churches in the city. It is also referred to as one of the oldest European monuments in India. The church exhibits Gothic architectural influences with a simple facade and elegant interiors. Built-in 1516 by Portuguese missionaries, the church is believed to have been named after a chapel in Portugal dedicated to Our Lady of Light. History says that Portuguese sailors lost at sea, prayed to Mother Mary for safe passage and upon reaching land, built a church on the spot where they landed, naming it Luz, which means "light" in Portuguese. The Church of Our Lady of Light is a popular pilgrimage destination for Christians, especially Catholics. It is known for its miraculous powers and many devotees flock to the church seeking blessings and for healings.
Time to Visit: 08.00 AM to 11.00 AM & from 01.00 PM to 05.00 PM.
Entrance Fee: No
Video Camera & Still Camera Fee: Free & allowed.
Holidays: No
Kapaleeshwarar Temple: Kapaleeshwarar temple is one of the most prominent Shiva temples in India & situated in Mylapore. The temple was built around the 7th century CE and is an example of South Indian Architecture. There are some beliefs about the temple's origins that the initial structure was built in the 3rd century BCE. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva, worshipped as Kapaleeshwarar, which means "Lord of the Skull" and is represented by the lingam. Parvati, Lord Shiva's consort, is worshipped as Karpagambal, the goddess of the wish-yielding tree. The Kapaleeshwarar temple is a beautiful example of the Dravidian architectural style, characterized by gateway towers, intricate sculptures, and pillared halls.
Time to Visit: 06.00 AM to 12.30 PM & from 04.00 PM to 08.30 PM.
Entrance Fee: No.
Video Camera Fee: Rs.50 (top view only)
Still Camera fee: Rs.25
Holidays: No
Please note, that non-Hindus will not be allowed to enter the inner sanctum of the temple.
Sri Parthasarathy Temple: The Parthasarathy Temple is a 6th-century Hindu Vaishnavite temple dedicated to Vishnu & it is in Thiruvallikeni also called Triplicane. The name 'Parthasarathy' means the 'charioteer of Arjun' referring to Krishna's role as a charioteer to Arjuna in the epic Mahabharata. It was originally built by the Pallavas in the 8th century by King Narasimha Varman I. The temple has representations of five forms of Vishnu: Yoga Narasimha, Rama, Gajendra Varadaraja, Ranganatha, and Krishna as Parthasarathy. It is classified as one among the 108 Divya Desams dedicated to Vishnu. The most important festival is the Vaikunta Ekadasi, which is celebrated in the Tamil month of Margazhi (December – January). The temple is also a centre for classical Indian music and dance.
Time to Visit: 06.00 AM to 12.00 PM & from 04.00 PM to 09.00 PM.
Entrance Fee: No
Video Camera & Still Camera Fee: Not allowed.
Holidays: No
Please note, that non-Hindus will not be allowed to enter the inner sanctum of the temple.
St. George Fort Museum: The Fort St. George Museum is a museum located within the Fort St. George, a historical fort in Chennai & the museum was established in 1948. The museum collection consists of over 3,600 antiquities spread across ten galleries over three floors. A collection of objects from the British Raj era, including portraits of the Governors of Madras, military uniforms, and coins minted during British rule. The armaments section features displays of various weapons such as cannons, guns, swords and daggers used during British rule. A gallery dedicated to burial urns and a sarcophagus, providing insights into burial practices in South India during the Neolithic and Iron Age.
Time to Visit: 09.30 AM to 05.00 PM
Entrance Fee: Foreigner-Rs.300 till 9 years child free, above 9 they will charge adult charges / Indian - Rs.40 only online ticket – Entry ticket only online payment through QR Scan Code.
Video Camera Fee: Not allowed.
Still Camera Fee: Allowed with Permission at free of cost and can be used without flash.
Holidays: Friday & Government Holidays.
Government Museum: The Government Museum, Chennai, also known as the Madras Museum, is a treasure trove of human history and culture located in Egmore. It is the second-oldest museum in India & established in 1851. The museum is particularly rich in archaeological and numismatic collections. It has the largest collection of Roman antiquities outside Europe, the country's best collection of South Indian bronzes, and a gallery dedicated to the Indus Valley Civilization. The museum also has a significant collection of Mughal miniature paintings, sculptures, and decorative art objects. It showcases a rich collection of artefacts encompassing archaeology, anthropology, numismatics, geology, botany, and zoology.
Time to Visit: 09.30 AM to 04.30 PM
Entrance Fee: Foreigner Adult – Rs. 250 / Children 3-12 years – Rs. 175 & Indians Adult – Rs. 15 / Children 3-12 years – Rs. 10
Video Camera Fee: Rs.500
Still Camera Fee: Rs.200
Holidays: Friday & National Holidays.
Theosophical Society: The Theosophical Society is headquartered in Adyar, Chennai. It is a large campus with several buildings, a library, a printing press, and a beautiful garden known as the Huddleston Gardens. The Society publishes several journals and books, and it offers a variety of educational programs. The Theosophical Society in Chennai is a popular destination for those interested in philosophy, religion, and spirituality. The campus is a peaceful and serene place, and the library is a valuable resource for scholars.
Time to Visit: 08:45 AM to 10:00 AM & from 02:00 PM to 04:00 PM (Monday to Saturday)
Entrance Fee: No
Video Camera Fee: Rs.500
Still Camera Fee: Rs.200 (Prior permission is required to use both still cameras and video cameras)
Holidays: Sunday and Public Holidays
For your kind information – the Theosophical Society is currently closed & Visitors are not allowed.
Ice House (Vivekananda Illam): The Ice House, also known as Vivekananda Illam, is a historical building located on Marina Beach in Chennai. It was built in 1842 by Frederic Tudor to store ice, a novelty at the time. Later Swami Vivekananda, a famous Hindu monk, stayed here for nine days in 1897 after his return from the West. This is how the building gained its association with him and the name Vivekananda Illam (Illam means house in Tamil). The building has been under the management of Ramakrishna Math, a monastic order founded by Swami Vivekananda's guru, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, since 1917. It houses a museum dedicated to Swami Vivekananda's life and teachings. The museum utilizes modern technology to create an immersive experience, including virtual reality and augmented reality exhibits.
Time to Visit: 10.00 AM to 12.30 PM & from 02.00 PM to 05.00 PM
Entrance Fee: Rs.25 for both Indians & Foreigners
Video Camera Fee: Rs.200
Still Camera Fee: Rs.200
Holidays: All Mondays
St. Marys Church: This Anglican church is the oldest surviving British building in India, completed in 1680. It's located within the grounds of Fort St. George. It is a British style of architecture & is often referred to as the "Westminster Abbey of the East." Some notable figures like Elihu Yale (founder of Yale University) were married here.
Time to Visit: 10.00 AM to 06.00 PM
Entrance Fee: No
Video Camera Fee & Still Camera Fee: Not Allowed
Holidays: No, but Visitors are not allowed on Sunday due to the mass
Aringar Anna Zoological Park: It is also well known as the Vandalur Zoo & first public zoo in India established in 1855. This Zoological park is in Vandalur which is 31 Km away from Chennai city centre. It is affiliated with the Central Zoo Authority of India and spread over an area of 602 hectares (1,490 acres) including a rescue and rehabilitation centre. The Zoo houses several species of flora and fauna and is known for its wide variety of animals, including lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, zebras, and many more. It also has a collection of birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Time to Visit: 09.00 AM to 05.00 PM (Ticket Booking Counter closes at 4:30 PM
Entrance Fee: Foreigners Adult – Rs. 500, Foreigners Child – Rs. 250 & Indians Adult: Rs. 100, Indians Child – Rs. 50
Video Camera Fee: Rs.750
Still Camera Fee: 350
Holidays: Tuesday
St. Thomas Mount: St. Thomas Mount is a small hillock located in Guindy which is also locally called “Parangimalai”. This place holds significance for its religious history as it is believed to be the place where St. Thomas, one of the Twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ travelled to South India to spread Christianity & he spent many years here and was martyred in 72 AD. A shrine dedicated to "Our Lady of Expectation" (Mother Mary) was built in 1523 on the top of the mountain. The altar of this shrine was built on the spot where St. Thomas' death is traditionally believed to have occurred. Over the centuries, a church has been built atop the mount, commemorating St. Thomas.
Time to Visit: 07.00 AM to 07.00 PM
Entrance Fee: No
Video Camera & Still Camera Fee: Not allowed.
Holidays: No.
Kalakshetra: Kalakshetra is a cultural academy founded in 1936 by Rukmini Devi Arundale, a renowned dancer. It was dedicated to preserving traditional values in the field of Bharatanatyam dance and Gandharvaveda music. The institute is known for its unique style of Bharatanatyam dance, which emphasizes grace, purity, and spiritual expression. Kalakshetra also offers courses in other Indian classical dance forms like Kuchipudi, Odissi, and Mohiniyattam. Besides dance, the institute offers training in music, yoga, and traditional crafts like weaving, painting, and sculpture. This foundation regularly hosts cultural events, workshops, and lectures throughout the year.
Time to visit: 08:00 to 08:30 hrs prayer / Class: 10:00 hrs to 12:00 hrs (Between Monday to Friday) / 1, 3rd & 5th Saturday: 09:00 AM to 01:00 PM
Entrance Fee: Foreigners Rs. 400, Indians – Rs. 200, Guides – Rs.200 / Entrance should be paid only online using a QR code and clients need to get permission one week before the visit through email id - outreach@kalakshetra.in directly to visit the academy.
Video Camera & Still Camera Fee: Not Allowed
Holidays: Saturdays, Sundays, Public / National Holidays & School Summer Holidays.
Cholamandal Artist’ Village: Cholamandal is a haven for art enthusiasts and a significant landmark for contemporary Indian art in located 09 Kms from Adayar along the New Mahabalipuram Road, Chennai. It was established in 1966 by innovation of artist K.C.S. Paniker, who envisioned a space where artists could live, work, and interact with each other in an inspiring environment. Some prominent galleries include Cholamandal Artists' Village Main Gallery, Coomaraswamy Hall, Shilpa Sadan, and Kala Raksha showcasing a diverse range of contemporary Indian art, including paintings, sculptures, and prints. Cholamandal Centre for Contemporary Art (CCCA) established in 2009 is a major attraction within the village and has two exhibition halls, Laburnum and Indigo, that showcase contemporary art exhibitions on a regular basis. The village has several shops selling art supplies, handcrafted souvenirs, and traditional Indian artifacts. Cholamandal Artists' Village often hosts cultural events such as art workshops, artist talks, and music and dance performances.
Time to Visit: 09.30 AM to 06.30 PM
Entrance Fee: Foreigners – Rs. 50, Indian – Rs. 30
Video Camera & Still Camera Fee: Not allowed.
Holidays: No
Drive passes visit as follows, which can only be seen from outside:
Ripon Building
The High Court
Thousands Lights Mosque
Madras University
The Secretariat
The Victory War Memorial
Beaches in Chennai:
Marina Beach: Undoubtedly, the most famous beach in Chennai. Marina Beach is the second longest urban beach in India, stretches for 114 km and is by far Chennai's most frequented beach. In 1885, the then-governor of Madras, Mount Stuart Elphinstone Grant Duff, built a promenade along the beach and named it the Madras Marina. It's a perfect spot for a stroll, enjoying the cool breeze or simply unwinding and people-watching. The beach is lined with food stalls offering a delightful array of local snacks and refreshments, catering to all taste buds. The beach offers stunning views of the Bay of Bengal, making it a perfect spot to witness the magical play of colours during sunrise and sunset. Marina Beach is home to several memorials dedicated to some of the most revered figures in Tamil Nadu's political and social history including Dr. C.N Annadurai, Dr. M. G Ramachandran, Dr. M. Karunanidhi and Dr. J. Jayalalithaa.
Elliot’s Beach: It is simply called Besant Nagar Beach, marks the end point of the Marina. The beach was named after Edward Elliot, a chief magistrate and superintendent of police of the Madras Presidency in colonial India. In contrast to the bustling Marina Beach, Elliot's Beach offers a more peaceful and serene atmosphere for its cleaner shores & calmer waves, making it ideal for families and relaxation. Numerous restaurants and cafes line the beachfront, serving a variety of cuisines and offering stunning views of the beach. A prominent landmark on the beach is the Karl Schmidt Memorial, erected in memory of a Dutch sailor who lost his life trying to save the lives of others. The beach boasts scenic beauty with golden sand and clear waters, perfect for a refreshing dip or a leisurely walk along the shore.
Shopping In Chennai – everyone likes to do shopping in Chennai while they visit. City offers a delightful shopping experience, catering to all budgets and preferences.
Pondy Bazaar: Often referred to as “Little Pondicherry”, this vibrant market is a paradise for shopaholics, offering a dazzling array of clothes, footwear, fashion accessories, and household items. From trendy outfits to traditional sarees, you can find everything here at pocket-friendly prices.
Parry's Corner: Located in the heart of George Town, Parry's Corner is a bustling wholesale market famous for electronics, hardware, and stationery items. You can find a great variety of products at incredibly low prices here.
Sowcarpet: A haven for everything wedding-related, Sowcarpet is a must-visit for those seeking traditional Indian clothing, jewellery, and decorations. The market is also known for its vibrant flower market and its wide variety of spices and dry fruits.
T. Nagar Ranganathan Street: Renowned for its textile shops and retail outlets. T. Nagar, Ranganathan Street is a popular shopping destination for locals and tourists alike. It offers a wide range of sarees, dress materials, and readymade garments at various price points.
Anna Nagar: This upscale neighbourhood is known for its trendy boutiques, designer wear stores, and home decor shops. It's a great place to find unique and stylish items.
Kapaleeshwarar Temple Bazaar: It is a great place to buy pooja items, spices, dry fruits, souvenirs and handicrafts.
Shopping – include the following Malls in Chennai:
- Spencer Plaza - This is a prestigious shopping cum business mall on Mount Road (Anna Salai) in Chennai. It is credited with being Chennai's first, oldest, and largest mall. This is a major land mark in Chennai.
The South Tourism office in Chennai is also located in Spencer Plaza.
- Phoenix – Velachery
- Express Avenue – Mount Road
- VR Mall – Anna Nagar
- Nexus Vijaya Mall (previously known as Forum Mall) – Vadapalani
Important Local Festivals in Chennai: This metropolitan city celebrates a vibrant mix of festivals throughout the year. These festivals reflect the city's rich cultural tapestry, with influences from Hinduism, Christianity, Islam, and other religions. Here few are mentioned below.
Music Festival – Chennai
Every Year during December and January, the Music Festival will be celebrated in Chennai. Clients have to book the tickets in advance to witness the performances that are conducted in various halls, sabhas and academies in Chennai. The performance will be done by various vocal artists, instrumental artists and even dancers. It is a feast for the Music lovers.
Chariot Festival – Kapaleeshwarar temple
On this occasion, the idol of God Kapaleeshwarar and his consort Goddess Karpagamabal will be placed in the two separate decorated Chariots and will take through a procession in the main four streets of Mylapore along with three more chariots which are dedicated to Lord Ganesha, Lord Karthikeya (also known as Subramaniya), Lord Chandikeswarar. Devotees from various cities will come to witness this Grand Festival and a few of them play a musical instrument & participate in the procession. As there will be a huge crowd, vehicles will be restricted and parked far away from the temple parking area and guests must walk for approximately 1.5 Kms.
Tentative date – 8th April 2025
Aurbathimoovar Festival
It is another Grand festival of Mylapore, This day all the 63 idols of Nayanmar (Shaivite Saints), the idol of God Kapaleeshwarar, Goddess Karpagamabal
Lord Ganesha, Lord Karthikeya (also known as Subramaniya), and Lord Chandikeswarar were taken to the holy parade in a decorated palanquin. Approximately the procession starts at 15:00 hrs and ends at 22:30 hrs. Devotees from various cities will gather to witness this festival. Vehicles will be restricted to access in this area, they will be parked far away from the temple parking area and guests must walk for approximately 1.5 Km.
Tentative date – 9th April 2025
These are just a few of the many important local festivals celebrated in Chennai. The city also observes major Indian festivals like Pongal (harvest festival), Tamil New Year, Diwali (festival of lights), and Christmas with great enthusiasm.
Suggestions of the below activities may be of interest, to clients who enjoy a minimum of two nights stay in Chennai.
Cooking Demonstration followed by lunch for FITs:
Clients will be taken to a local family in Chennai to participate in a cooking demonstration and have their meal. Clients will have an opportunity to interact with the family members and know about their traditions and culture. If the clients are interested, they will be taken to a local market.
Timing: 11:30 to 13:30 hrs
Bazaar Trail
The pulse of any city is in its markets. From the early morning flower bazaars to the ever-bustling vegetable markets, these vibrant pockets of life in this city are great places to gauge the local way of life. This trail takes you through one such bustling marketplace - Georgetown. Fascinating history, streets teeming with life and spilling over with colour, noise and exuberance; a visit to the heart of Georgetown is an experience one doesn’t forget in a hurry. The well-thought-out route takes you through the best of this marketplace, while intertwining history, mythology, and folklore to give you a true glimpse of the living India.
Timing: 8:00 hrs to 10:30 hrs & 16:00 hrs to 18:30 hrs
Peacock Trail
There are many stories hidden away in the mundane rituals of daily life. And as you walk through any Indian neighbourhood, you’ll discover that every sight you behold has a story to tell. The Peacock Trail is an easy, enjoyable walk through Mylapore, a bustling neighbourhood in the heart of Chennai, that pre-dates the city by at least 2000 years, a walk that comes packed with a bundle of stories – stories of local life, of Gods and demons, of ancient customs and symbolisms, and of Mylapore and Madras – some amusing, some baffling, and some that might just help you make sense of the sights around you. And why is it called the Peacock Trail? Well, of course, there is a story there as well.
Timing: 08:30 am to 11:30 hrs & 16:00 hrs to 19:00 hrs
Food Trail
We will take you to Chennai’s Sowcarpet – which is famous for it is authentic food. We will also share with you the stories of People and their passion for food, of food fetishes that are as laughable as thought-provoking, and of recipes that are jealously guarded secrets. The food trail through the busy streets of Sowcarpet is guaranteed to be an assault on your senses.
Timing: 15:30 hrs to 18:30 hrs
Hotel details at Chennai:
Hotels located near to Airport:
|
Hotel Names |
Category |
Website Link |
Distance from Airport |
|
Trident |
Luxury (5*) |
5 kms |
|
|
Radisson Blu Hotel, Airport Hotel |
Luxury (5*) |
https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-chennai |
4 kms |
|
Southern Comfort (Quality Inn Airport) |
Standard (3*) |
2 kms |
|
|
Accord Chrome |
Standard (3*) |
https://www.theaccordhotels.com/property/accord-chrome-chennai/ |
5 kms |
|
Zone by the Park (ORR Chennai) |
Standard (3*) |
https://www.zonebythepark.com/chennai-hotels/zone-by-the-park-chennai-orr |
10 kms |
|
St Parklane Hotel (Crossway parklane) |
Standard (3*)
|
3 kms |
Hotel Located near Chennai Trade Center
|
Hotel Names |
Category |
Website Link |
Distance from Airport |
|
Feathers A Radha Hotel |
Standard (4*) |
10 kms |
|
|
Lemon tree Hotel Shimona |
Standard (3*) |
8 kms |
Hotels Located near Guindy:
|
Hotel Names |
Category |
Website Link |
Distance from Airport |
|
ITC Grand Chola |
Luxury (5*) |
8 kms |
|
|
Park Hyatt |
Deluxe (5*) |
https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/hotel/india/park-hyatt-chennai/cheph |
10 kms |
|
Hilton Chennai |
Luxury (5*) |
7.5 kms |
|
|
Ramada Plaza Wyndham |
Luxury (5*) |
https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/ramada/chennai-india/ramada-plaza-chennai/ |
10 kms |
|
Le Royal Meridien |
Luxury (5*) |
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/maamd-le-royal-meridien-chennai/overview/ |
6.5 kms |
|
Lemon Tree, Guindy |
Deluxe (4*) |
https://www.lemontreehotels.com/lemon-tree-hotel/chennai/hotel-chennai |
9 kms |
|
Hablis |
Standard (3*) |
7 kms |
|
|
Bloom Hub |
Standard (3*) |
9 kms |
Hotels Located near T. Nagar:
|
Hotel Names |
Category |
Website Link |
Distance from Airport |
|
Accord Metropolitan |
Deluxe (4*) |
https://www.theaccordhotels.com/property/metropolitan-chennai/ |
15 kms |
|
Grand by GRT Hotels |
Deluxe (4*) |
15 kms |
|
|
Residency Towers (Note: Main Street Restaurant is not in operational as renovation work is going on) |
Deluxe (4*) |
15 kms |
|
|
Residency (Note: Suite rooms are under renovation) |
Standard (3*) |
14 kms |
|
|
Quality Inn Sabari |
Standard (3*) |
14 kms |
|
|
Mango Hill Central |
Standard (3*) |
14.5 kms |
|
|
Saibaba Hotel |
Standard (3*) |
15 kms |
|
|
Benzz Park Note: Property is under renovation |
Standard (3*) |
14.5 kms |
|
|
Saravana’s Golden Fruits Business Suites |
Standard (3*) |
13 kms |
|
|
S Hotels |
Budget |
14 kms |
|
|
Taz Kamar Inn |
Budget |
13 kms |
|
|
Urvashi Residency |
Budget |
13.5 kms |
|
|
Upar Hotel |
Budget |
14 kms |
Hotels Located in City Centre:
|
Hotel Names |
Category |
Website Link |
Distance from Airport |
|
Radisson Blu Hotel, City Centre(Egmore) |
Luxury (5*) |
https://www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-chennai-city-centre |
18 kms |
|
Novotel Chennai (Chamiers Road) |
Luxury (5*) |
13.5 kms |
|
|
Vivanta by Taj Coromandel (Nungambakkam) |
Luxury (5*) |
16 kms |
|
|
Leela Palace (MRC Nagar ) |
Luxury (5*) |
17 kms |
|
|
Clarion Hotel President (Mylapore) |
Deluxe (4*) |
18 kms |
|
|
Welcome Hotel by ITC (Cathedral Road ) |
Deluxe (4*) |
16 kms |
|
|
Savera (Mylapore) |
Deluxe (4*) |
17 kms |
|
|
The Pride Hotel (Kilpauk) |
Deluxe (4*) |
19.5 kms |
|
|
The Raintree Hotel, St Mary’s Hotel (Alwarpet ) |
Deluxe (4*) |
13.5 kms |
|
|
Regenta Central Deccan (Royapetta) |
Standard (3*) |
https://www.royalorchidhotels.com/regenta-central-deccan-chennai/overview |
17.5 kms |
|
Ramada plaza Wyndham (Egmore) |
Standard (3*) |
https://www.wyndhamhotels.com/ramada/chennai-india/ramada-plaza-chennai/ |
18 kms |
|
Radha Regent (Koyambedu) |
Standard(3*) |
13 kms |
Hotels located near Anna Salai:
|
Hotel Names |
Category |
Website Link |
Distance from Airport |
|
|
Hyatt Regency |
Deluxe (5*) |
https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/chenn-hyatt-regency-chennai |
14 kms |
|
|
Vivanta by Taj Connemara, Chennai |
Luxury (5*) |
17.5 kms |
||
|
Taj Club House |
Luxury (5*) |
17 kms |
||
|
The Park, Chennai |
Luxury (5*) |
15 kms |
||
|
The Westin Hotel (Velachery) |
Luxury (5*) |
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/maavw-the-westin-chennai-velachery/ |
13 kms |
|
|
The Raintree, Anna Salai (note: Entire Property is Under Renovation) |
Deluxe (4*) |
13.5 kms |
||
|
Courtyard by Marriott |
Luxury (4*) |
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/maacy-courtyard-chennai/overview/ |
16 kms |
|
|
La Woods |
Standard (3*) |
17 kms |
||
|
E Hotel |
Standard (3*) |
17 kms |
||
|
IBIS Chennai City center (Mount Road ) |
Standard (3*) |
15 kms |
||
|
Lotus Hotel Sameera |
Standard (3*) |
18 kms |
||
Hotels located in OMR Road:
|
Hotel Names |
Category |
Website Link |
Distance from Airport |
|
Vivanta by Taj IT Expressway |
Luxury (5*) |
https://www.vivantahotels.com/en-in/vivanta-chennai-it-expressway/ |
19 kms |
|
Novotel, Sholinganallur |
Luxury (5*) |
20 kms |
|
|
Novotel, Sipcot |
Luxury (5*) |
27 kms |
|
|
Taj Wellington Mews |
Luxury (5*) |
https://www.tajhotels.com/en-in/taj/taj-wellington-mews-chennai/ |
13 kms |
|
Turyaa |
Luxury (5*) |
16 kms |
|
|
Holiday Inn Express, Thoraipakkam |
Deluxe (4*) |
https://www.ihg.com/holidayinnexpress/hotels/us/en/chennai/maatp/hoteldetail |
16 kms |
|
Fairfield by Marriott |
Deluxe (4*) |
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/maafc-fairfield-chennai-omr/overview/ |
22 kms |
|
Regenta Central RS |
Deluxe (4*) |
https://www.royalorchidhotels.com/regenta-central-rs-chennai/overview |
27.5 kms |
|
Four Points by Sheraton |
Deluxe (4*) |
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/maafo-four-points-chennai-omr/overview/ |
22 kms |
|
Gokulam Park Sabari |
Deluxe (4*) |
26 kms |
|
|
Ibis, Sholinganallur |
Standard (3*) |
20 kms |
Service Apartment:
|
Hotel Names |
Area |
Website Link |
Distance from Airport |
|
Kolam Service Apartment |
Adyar |
13 Kms |
|
|
Somerset Greenways Chennai |
RA Puram (MRC Nagar) |
16 kms |
|
|
Lotus Apartment Venkatraman Street |
T Nagar |
10 kms |
|
|
Hanu Reddy Residency |
Poes Garden |
13 kms |
|
|
Sri Devi Residency |
T Nagar |
https://www.google.com/maps/place/Sree+Devi+Residency+Serviced+Apartments+T.Nagar/ |
12 kms |
|
Niketana (Boat Club) |
Adyar |
13 kms |
Restaurant Details in Chennai:
Chinese Restaurants:
- Mainland China – SRINIVAS TOWERS, NBR 5, Cenotaph Rd, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600018
- China Town, #74, Third Floor, Cathedral Road, Padupet, Gopalapuram, Chennai.
- Kimling Restaurant AC -2, 4909, Teja Towers, Basement, 2nd Ave, opposite to Ayyappan Temple, AC Block, Anna Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600040
- The Cascade - Raj Towers, AD-83, 1st Floor, 5th Ave, Anna Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600040
Continental Restaurants:
- Eden, E-37, 2nd Avenue, Besant Nagar.
- Wild Garden Café – Amethyst Whites Road, Royapettah, Chennai - 600 014
- Swiss Hutte - Apollo Hospital, 168, Graemes Lane, opposite Main, Thousand Lights West, Thousand Lights, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600006
- Basil with a Twist 58 A, Habibullah Rd, near Vidyodaya School, Gangai Karai Puram, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017
- Mozza - 20, 1st Avenue, Shastri Nagar, Adyar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600020
- Little Italy Y Block - 4th floor, No 220, 2nd Ave, Anna Nagar West, Anna Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600040
- Jonahs, #18/70, Halls Road, Kilpauk, Chennai - 600 010
Thai Restaurant:
- Benjarong - 146, TT Krishnamachari Rd, Cooperative Colony, Sri Ram Nagar, Alwarpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600018
Japanese Restaurants:
- Teppan - 1st Floor, 146, TT Krishnamachari Rd, above Benjarong Restaurant, Cooperative Colony, Sri Ram Nagar, Alwarpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600018
- Sushi In Box - Rathna Nagar, Alwarpet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Multi-Cuisine Restaurants:
- Gril Box RK Salai - 25, Dr Radha Krishnan Salai, near Yellow Pages Junction, Dwarka Colony, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600004
- Samco Multicuisine Restaurant- New No. 33, Old No. 21, Opp Phoenix Market City, Velachery Main Road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600042
- Red E Drop, Kodambakkam, near Railway station.
- Savya Rasa - 2/10, Gandhi Mandapam Rd, Chitra Nagar, Kotturpuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600085
- Bhuari Restaurant - 83, Anna Salai, Border Thottam, Anna Salai, Triplicane, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600002
- Zaitoon 1st Floor, Apollo Children's Hospital, 13/33, Shafee Mohammed Rd, opposite to Thousand Lights West, Thousand Lights West, Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600006
- Pind Restaurant 4/19A, 2nd St, Balamurugan Nagar, Sarathy Nagar, Velachery Balamurugan, Nagar, Sarathy Nagar, Velachery Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600042 India
- Copper Kitchen 19B, Gandhi Mandapam Rd, Opp Anna Library, Duraisamy Nagar, Kotturpuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600085
Sea Food Restaurants:
- Dhabba Express, Building No. 9, Cenotaph Rd, Austin Nagar, Teynampet, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600018
- The Marina - 9, College Road, Nungambakkam.
- Savoury Seashell- E Block, 3, 3rd Ave, Block E, Annanagar East, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600102
- Layalee 12A, 100 Feet Rd, near Jaya TV, Thiru Vi Ka Industrial Estate, Ekkatuthangal, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600032
Vegetarian Restaurants:
- Annavillasam Veg Restaurant- Avvai Shanmugam Salai, Royapettah, Gopalapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600086
- BR Mathsya - 29/31, Thanikachalam Rd, Parthasarathi Puram, T Nagar.
- Kaidi Kitchen - Next to St. Ebbas School, 20/3, Bishop Wallers Avenue East, CIT Colony, Mylapore.
- Hotel Saravana Bhavan, KK Nagar, Chennai & in Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai.
- Annalakshmi Restaurant, No 6 Mayor Ramanathan Salai, Spur Tank road, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600031
- Paati Veedu , 2, Bhagirathi Ammal St, Parthasarathi Puram, T. Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600017
- Geetham Restaurant - Thirushoolam, SH 48, SH 48, Arumalai Chavadi, Pallavaram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600043
South Indian Restaurants:
- Karaikudi (Both veg and nonveg) – Dr. Radhakrishna Salai, Mylapore.
- Parambriym - W Floor, 3rd, 126, 1st Street, Santha Avenue, Anna Nagar, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600040
- Ponnusamy No 55, 1, Gowdiamutt Rd, Azad Nagar, Royapettah, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600014
- Manjal - 6/9, Kasthuri Estate, 3rd St, Poes Garden, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600086
- Amma Mess Shop No 3,Old No 134 New No 134,New No 82,Habibullah Road, T Nagar, Nr Habibullah Road, Chennai-600017
- New Pattukottai Kamatchi Mess, T. Nagar Chennai
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