Tamil Nadu is a southern Indian state renowned for its Dravidian temples, classical dance, and rich cultural heritage spanning over 2,000 years. From the ancient Chola temples of Thanjavur to the pristine beaches of Kanyakumari, the state offers an unparalleled blend of history, spirituality, and natural beauty.
- Public
- Excellent bus and rail network connecting the entire state; Chennai Metro efficient for the city
- Taxi
- Ola and Uber widely available in major cities; auto-rickshaws everywhere
- Rental
- Self-drive rental available but chauffeur-driven recommended for hill roads
- Walking
- Walkable in temple towns; Chennai requires transport for most distances
Transport at a glance
Airport transfers
Getting from the airport to your accommodation.
- Taxi
- ₹500-800 ($6-9.60) from Chennai airport to city center, 30-45 min
- Taxi Info
- Prepaid taxi counters available at all airports; fixes fare before travel
- Shuttle
- ₹150-200 shared van services from Chennai airport
- Shuttle Info
- Limited shared shuttle options; check with hotel for availability
- Bus
- ₹80-100 Chennai Metro Rail from Airport station
- Bus Info
- Chennai Metro connects airport to Alandur and onward to city; fastest during peak hours
- Private
- ₹1500-2500 pre-booked car from airport with fixed rates
- Private Info
- Book through hotel or pre-booking apps for guaranteed rates and meets
Local transport
Getting around the city.
Bus
MTC buses cover all Chennai areas for ₹5-20; TNSTC operates within and between cities
Alternatives
Chennai Metro, auto-rickshaws, Ola/Uber, and share autos cover most needs
Taxis & rideshare
What to expect from taxis and apps.
- Regular
- ₹30 base fare + ₹12-15/km for metered auto-rickshaws
- Apps
- Ola, Uber, Rapido
- App Names
- Ola, Uber, Rapido
- Typical Fare
- ₹150-300 for average city ride in Chennai; ₹80-200 in smaller cities
Intercity travel
Getting between cities and regions.
Bus
TNSTC/SETC long-distance buses from ₹150-400 ($1.80-4.80) for major routes
Shared
Share cabs available on popular routes like Chennai-Pondicherry
Flights
Domestic flights from ₹1500-5000 ($18-60) on IndiGo, SpiceJet, Air India
Private
Private cab hire from ₹2500-4000 ($30-48)/day for intercity travel
Transportation details
Full breakdown of how to get around.
Tamil Nadu has excellent transportation infrastructure with major international airports at Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai, and Tiruchirappalli, an extensive Southern Railway network, and Tamil Nadu State Transport Corporation buses connecting every town and village.
Airports
Chennai International Airport
Coimbatore International Airport
Madurai Airport
Tiruchirappalli International Airport
Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) Airport
Useful apps
Download before you arrive.
Ola
India's largest ride-hailing app; best for city travel; autos, cabs, outstation trips
Uber
Reliable ride-hailing with upfront pricing; available in Chennai, Coimbatore, Madurai
IRCTC Rail Connect
Official Indian Railways booking app for train tickets
Rapido
Affordable bike taxi and auto-rickshaw app; popular in Chennai
redBus
Online bus ticket booking for TNSTC and private buses across Tamil Nadu
Transport tips
Travel smarter, not harder.
Book train tickets on IRCTC.co.in 60 days in advance for popular routes
For Nilgiri Mountain Railway (toy train), book at least 30 days ahead
Chennai Metro runs 5:30 AM to 11 PM daily; AC and comfortable
Auto-rickshaw drivers in tourist areas often try to overcharge - use Ola/Uber instead
TNSTC government buses are very affordable and serve even remote temple towns
Prepaid taxi counters at airports protect against overcharging
Share auto on fixed routes is the cheapest local option (₹10-30)
Tamil Nadu has a good road network but hill station roads require careful driving