Chennai trip planner: best time, cost and things to do
Coastal city known for temples, Marina Beach, classical arts and South Indian food. The best time to visit Chennai is December to February, and April to June is best avoided (extreme heat and humidity). Plan 2 days; on the ground you can expect about ₹1,100 to ₹8,300 per person per day.
Plan your Chennai trip and see the full cost
Chennai at a glance
- State
- Tamil Nadu
- Best months
- December to February
- Best avoided
- April to June (extreme heat and humidity)
- Suggested stay
- 2 days
- Nearest airport
- MAA (in town)
- Nearest railway station
- Chennai Central (MAS)
- Good for
- foodie, beach, heritage
- Ground cost per person per day
- ₹1,100 budget, ₹2,950 mid-range, ₹8,300 comfort
How much does a trip to Chennai cost?
About ₹1,100 (budget), ₹2,950 (mid-range) or ₹8,300 (comfort) per person per day, two sharing a room and a cab, excluding the journey to Chennai.
What to eat in Chennai
- Idli with sambar
- Filter coffee
- Chettinad chicken
- Kothu parotta
Top things to do in Chennai
- Marina Beach: One of the world's longest city beaches; sundal, kites and sea breeze. about 1.5 hours. free entry. It faces east, so come at dawn for the sunrise
- Kapaleeshwarar Temple: A riot of painted gopuram figures above Mylapore's temple tank. about 1 hour. free entry
- Mylapore morning walk: Filter coffee, jasmine sellers and kolams in old Madras. about 2 hours. free entry
- San Thome Basilica: A neo-Gothic basilica built over the tomb of St Thomas. about 0.75 hours. free entry
- Government Museum: India's finest collection of Chola bronzes. about 2 hours. entry about ₹15
- Fort St. George: Britain's first fortress in India (1644), with its museum and St Mary's Church. about 1.5 hours. entry about ₹25
- Parthasarathy Temple: An 8th-century Vishnu temple in Triplicane. about 1 hour. free entry
- Besant Nagar (Elliot's) Beach: The calmer beach, with cafes and the Ashtalakshmi temple. about 1.5 hours. free entry
How to get to Chennai
To reach Chennai, Chennai has its own airport (MAA), and Chennai Central (MAS) is the railway station.
Frequently asked questions about Chennai
When is the best time to visit Chennai?
The best months for Chennai are December to February. April to June: extreme heat and humidity. Prices for stays and flights rise around holidays and long weekends, so book early for those dates.
How much does a trip to Chennai cost?
On the ground in Chennai a budget trip costs about ₹1,100 per person per day, a mid-range trip about ₹2,950 and a comfortable one about ₹8,300, assuming two people share a room and a cab. That covers stay, food and local transport but not the journey to Chennai. TripRoast works out the full cost per person from your city, including transport.
How many days do you need in Chennai?
Plan at least 2 days in Chennai. It works well as a short break.
What should you eat in Chennai?
Try Idli with sambar, Filter coffee, Chettinad chicken, Kothu parotta.
How do you get to Chennai?
To reach Chennai, Chennai has its own airport (MAA), and Chennai Central (MAS) is the railway station.
Similar places to visit
- Madurai, Tamil Nadu
- Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
- Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu
- Chettinad, Tamil Nadu
- Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
- Kanyakumari, Tamil Nadu
Costs are estimates built from public data, official fares and traveller reports. Always check prices before you book. How TripRoast works.