Tamil Nadu · City · Beach
Chennai
Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is a major gateway to the state, with a long beachfront and colonial-era landmarks. It is about 480 km from Mysuru, about 8.5 hours by road. Most visitors plan 1–2 days. November to February is milder and more pleasant in Chennai.
Why travellers go
Many Tamil Nadu trips start here; Mahabalipuram is an easy add-on.
- Suggested time
- 1–2 days
- State
- Tamil Nadu
- Good for
- City, Beach
Best-known sights in Chennai
- Marina Beach: A long urban beach of about 6 km on the Bay of Bengal, running south from near Fort St. George, with a promenade, the lighthouse and memorials nearby. Bathing and swimming are prohibited because of strong undercurrents.
- Kapaleeshwarar Temple: A Shiva temple in Mylapore, one of the city's old neighbourhoods. It gets very crowded on Fridays.
- Sri Parthasarathy Temple: A temple at Thiruvallikeni (Triplicane), one of the 108 Divyadesams praised in Alvar hymns.
- Fort St. George and Fort Museum: The British fort begun in 1639, now the seat of the Tamil Nadu government. The ASI Fort Museum shows colonial weapons, coins, uniforms and the first national flag flown after independence; St. Mary's Church (1678-80) is inside. Photographs of the flag are not allowed.
- Government Museum: The state museum in Egmore, listed by Tamil Nadu Tourism among the city's sights.
- Santhome Cathedral Basilica: A cathedral near the shore in Mylapore, listed by Tamil Nadu Tourism among the city's sights.
- Elliot's Beach, Besant Nagar: A quieter beach in south Chennai, popular for evening walks. As at Marina, people are not allowed on the beach late at night.
- Guindy National Park: A small national park and nature retreat inside the city.
- DakshinaChitra: A heritage centre in Chengalpattu district, on the way to Mamallapuram, listed by Tamil Nadu Tourism.
- Mamallapuram: A UNESCO World Heritage town about 56-60 km south of Chennai, with the Shore Temple, the Pancha Rathas and the Descent of the Ganges rock relief.
How many days do you need in Chennai?
Plans for one, two or three days. A starting point only, not a Travel Trendzz package.
One day
- Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore
- Fort St. George and the Fort Museum
- Government Museum
- Marina Beach in the evening
Two days
- Day 1: Fort St. George and the Fort Museum, Government Museum, Marina Beach in the evening
- Day 2: Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore, Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, Santhome Cathedral Basilica, Elliot's Beach, Besant Nagar
Three days
- Day 1: Fort St. George and the Fort Museum, Government Museum, Marina Beach in the evening
- Day 2: Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Mylapore, Sri Parthasarathy Temple, Triplicane, Santhome Cathedral Basilica, Elliot's Beach, Besant Nagar
- Day 3: DakshinaChitra, Mamallapuram monuments
How to reach Chennai from Mysuru and Bengaluru
From Mysuru
- By road
- About 485 km, about 8 to 9 hours: about 140 km on NH 275 to Bengaluru, then about 345 km via Hosur, Krishnagiri and Vellore.
- By train
- The Mysuru-Chennai Vande Bharat Express covers about 497 km in about 6 to 6.5 hours, stopping at KSR Bengaluru and Katpadi; it does not run on Wednesdays. The Shatabdi Express takes about 7 to 7.5 hours and does not run on Thursdays.
- By bus
- Long-distance buses arrive at the Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus (CMBT) in Koyambedu.
- By air
- IndiGo is listed as flying from Mysuru Airport to Chennai.
From Bengaluru
- By road
- About 345 km, about 6 to 7 hours, via Hosur, Krishnagiri and Vellore (NH 48).
- By train
- The Vande Bharat and Shatabdi trains from Mysuru stop at KSR Bengaluru; many other trains also run between Bengaluru and Chennai. Book early, as trains are often full.
- By bus
- Many government and private buses run between Bengaluru and Chennai's CMBT in Koyambedu. Weekend buses fill up, so book ahead.
- By air
- Many daily flights. Chennai International Airport is about 19 km from the city centre.
Road times are approximate; check current timings for trains and buses before you travel.
Best time to visit Chennai
November to February is milder and more pleasant in Chennai. April to June is very hot, with highs around 35-37°C. October to December brings the northeast monsoon and most of the year's rain, with occasional cyclones and flooding.
| Month | Weather and what to know |
|---|---|
| Jan | Warm and mostly dry, about 21-29°C The December music season runs into mid-January. |
| Feb | Warm and dry, about 22-31°C |
| Mar | Hot and dry, about 24-33°C |
| Apr | Hot, about 27-35°C |
| May | Very hot, about 28-37°C One of the hottest months; plan indoor sights for midday. |
| Jun | Very hot, about 28-37°C |
| Jul | Hot with some showers, about 26-35°C |
| Aug | Hot with showers, about 26-35°C |
| Sep | Hot with showers, about 26-34°C |
| Oct | Northeast monsoon begins, about 25-32°C Average rain about 280 mm (IMD normals). |
| Nov | Wettest month, about 23-30°C Average rain about 375 mm; heavy spells and local flooding can occur. |
| Dec | Rain easing, about 22-29°C The Madras Music Season of Carnatic concerts is held every December. |
Tips for visiting Chennai
- Do not swim at Marina Beach; bathing is prohibited because of strong currents.
- Beaches are cleared at night (Marina by about 9-10 pm). Early morning, about 6-8 am, is pleasant.
- Agree on the auto fare before you get in, or use an app cab.
- Carry water, an umbrella and oral rehydration salts for the heat.
- In October to December, check the weather before you travel; heavy northeast monsoon rain can flood low-lying roads.
Photos
Travel Trendzz and Chennai
Travel Trendzz has no published package for Chennai yet. The team plans custom trips; ask for a quote with your dates and group. For a car with a driver from Mysuru, see taxi service in Mysore.
Questions about Chennai
When is a good time to visit Chennai?
November to February is a good time to visit Chennai, when temperatures are milder and the weather is pleasant. April to June is very hot, around 35-37°C. October to December brings the northeast monsoon, and November is the wettest month, while December also has the Madras Music Season.
How far is Chennai from Mysuru and Bengaluru?
Chennai is about 345 km from Bengaluru, about 6 to 7 hours by road via Hosur, Krishnagiri and Vellore. From Mysuru it is about 485 km by road. The Vande Bharat Express from Mysuru covers about 497 km in about 6 to 6.5 hours, via Bengaluru.
How many days are enough for Chennai?
Two to three days are enough for Chennai. In two days you can see Fort St. George, the Government Museum, Marina Beach, Kapaleeshwarar Temple and the Mylapore area. A third day lets you drive south to DakshinaChitra and the Mamallapuram monuments, about 60 km away.
Is Chennai good for families with children?
Yes. Chennai has plenty for families: evening walks on Marina and Elliot's beaches, the Fort Museum, the Government Museum and Guindy National Park. Keep children out of the sea at Marina, where swimming is prohibited, and plan indoor visits for the hot middle of the day.
Does Travel Trendzz have a package for Chennai?
Not a published one. The team plans custom trips to Chennai on request.
Places near Chennai
All Tamil Nadu destinations · All South India destinations · See all tour packages
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these sources in November 2026. Rules such as entry passes, timings and road closures change, so check before you travel.
- en.wikipedia.org › Marina Beach
- tamilnadutourism.tn.gov.in › chennai
- en.wikipedia.org › Fort St
- en.wikivoyage.org › Chennai
- en.wikipedia.org › Mamallapuram
- en.wikipedia.org › MGR Chennai Central–Mysuru Vande Bharat Express
- en.wikipedia.org › Chennai Central–Mysore Shatabdi Express
- en.wikipedia.org › Mysore Airport
- mysore.nic.in › how to reach
- savaari.com › blog
- en.wikipedia.org › Chennai
Plan your Chennai trip
Tell the trip planner your dates, group and budget. Nothing is booked until you confirm with the team.
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