Questions about Chennai/MAA

Daver6

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I'm trying to see how tight I can push a work meeting and still make a flight home on 6E to BLR and then QF. I can get the 13:15 6E flight. Few questions about MAA airport if I may...

1) travelling HLO, how much before the flight would I need to get to the airport
2) looks like I can take a single train from where my meeting is . Google says trains run every 8 minutes. Just wondering a) how reliable the trains are and b) what to expect on a local train. My thinking is a train is usually.

Anyone have insights/experience in MAA? I think @Ade I've seen you've been a few times.

I'll only need a hotel for a night. Where should I stay? And if I have time for one tourist activity/thing to see, what should it be?
 
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1) travelling HLO, how much before the flight would I need to get to the airport
I'd say leave about 2 hours prior to departure would be ideal. 1.5 hours is safe. The only area where you might lose time is the security. If there is a queue, then it can be delayed a bit, but otherwise MAA domestic is easy to navigate. Check-in closes 1 hour prior to departure, so better to check-in online (given you are HLO).

a) how reliable the trains are
If you are talking about Metro to the airport - then I don't have much to offer in terms of info. I have never used the Metro so far. I usually have my driver take me from/to home/airport. Or I take a call-taxi (my parents always use FastTrack call taxi). There is an airport station for the Metro line.

Note: Call Taxi charges from the airport to outside is expensive compared to call taxi from outside to the airport. They are usually outside arrivals area in small kiosks. Depending on how far you like to go and the type of car you choose, you could be paying anywhere between $10 to $25.

But I have been told that Metro is very reliable and easy to use. So depending on where your work place is, Metro might be your ticket. If you are working anywhere near the Olympia Tech Park area, then Metro is your best bet (it is closer to the airport, you can actually see planes landing approach from Olympia)

If you are talking about EMU trains (Southern Railways trains) - then you will need to get down at Thrisulam train station and walk across the road to the airport.

b) what to expect on a local train.
You will need to purchase ticket beforehand. Regular train service, nothing fancy.

I'll only need a hotel for a night. Where should I stay?
Depending on where your workplace is - stay closer I'd suggest. Roads can get very busy during rush hours (say, 0700-1000 and 1600-2000). There are some really good hotels near the airport area (say, 10kms from airport). There is a Hilton near Guindy which is good.

And if I have time for one tourist activity/thing to see, what should it be?
Depending on what you like and how much time you have, you can visit Mahabalipuram. It is approx 2 hours by road and worth a visit.


On the way to/from Mahabalipuram, you can also visit VGP Marine Kingdom. It is the largest marine park in India

 
Thanks for the info. That's super helpful.

I'd say leave about 2 hours prior to departure would be ideal. 1.5 hours is safe. The only area where you might lose time is the security. If there is a queue, then it can be delayed a bit, but otherwise MAA domestic is easy to navigate. Check-in closes 1 hour prior to departure, so better to check-in online (given you are HLO).


If you are talking about Metro to the airport - then I don't have much to offer in terms of info. I have never used the Metro so far. I usually have my driver take me from/to home/airport. Or I take a call-taxi (my parents always use FastTrack call taxi). There is an airport station for the Metro line.

Note: Call Taxi charges from the airport to outside is expensive compared to call taxi from outside to the airport. They are usually outside arrivals area in small kiosks. Depending on how far you like to go and the type of car you choose, you could be paying anywhere between $10 to $25.

But I have been told that Metro is very reliable and easy to use. So depending on where your work place is, Metro might be your ticket. If you are working anywhere near the Olympia Tech Park area, then Metro is your best bet (it is closer to the airport, you can actually see planes landing approach from Olympia)

If you are talking about EMU trains (Southern Railways trains) - then you will need to get down at Thrisulam train station and walk across the road to the airport.


You will need to purchase ticket beforehand. Regular train service, nothing fancy.


Depending on where your workplace is - stay closer I'd suggest. Roads can get very busy during rush hours (say, 0700-1000 and 1600-2000). There are some really good hotels near the airport area (say, 10kms from airport). There is a Hilton near Guindy which is good.
The meeting I need to attend is very close to Chennai Beach · Rajaji Rd, George Town, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600001, India so that would be the station. Not sure if that's the metro line or not? Would the metro line likely be air-conditioned?

Depending on what you like and how much time you have, you can visit Mahabalipuram. It is approx 2 hours by road and worth a visit.


On the way to/from Mahabalipuram, you can also visit VGP Marine Kingdom. It is the largest marine park in India


I have a feeling I'm going to need to stay an extra night in MAA though due to timing. Rather annoying then as needing to get to DEL instead of BLR for a QF flight back to AU. I guess by road it's outside of peak hours though to get to the airport.
 
. Not sure if that's the metro line or not?
I'm not entirely sure if Chennai Beach to Airport would be Metro or EMU. I will check on this and get back.

I know that there is a EMU line from Beach to Chengalpattu that stops at Tirusulam, which is the airport station. This is the link to that timetable


I have a feeling I'm going to need to stay an extra night in MAA though due to timing.
Makes sense. December is winter in India, so it won't be that hot, so a day extra could be relaxing as well.
 

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