Chennai's main railway station and commercial hub in George Town area.

About Chennai Central (City Center)

Chennai Central (officially Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central) is one of India's oldest and busiest railway stations, serving as the main terminus for long-distance trains connecting Chennai to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, and other major cities. The red-brick Romanesque station building, dating from 1873, is a protected heritage structure and a gateway to the northern part of Chennai.

The surrounding area forms Chennai's commercial nerve center, with Parry's Corner (one of India's oldest business districts), the Madras High Court (a stunning Indo-Saracenic building on the Marina), and Fort St. George — the first major English settlement in India, now housing the Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly and Fort Museum.

The nearby Marina Beach, stretching 13 km from Fort St. George to Besant Nagar, is one of the longest urban beaches in the world. The beachfront is lined with landmarks including the Parthasarathy Temple, the Vivekanandar Illam ice house, and the University of Madras. George Town, the old mercantile quarter behind the station, offers a chaotic but fascinating maze of wholesale markets for textiles, jewelry, and spices.

Nearby Landmarks

Fort St. George Marina Beach Madras High Court George Town Markets

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost ₹400-₹600 (~\$5-\$7)
Time 30-45 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost ₹250-₹400 (~\$3-\$5)
Time 30-45 minutes

Terminal exit, look for Ola/Uber pickup zone signs

Train (Chennai Metro Blue Line)

Cost ₹60 (~\$1)
Time 35 minutes
Frequency Every 5-10 minutes

Step-by-Step Directions

Take Chennai Metro Blue Line from Airport station directly to Chennai Central. Trains run every 5-10 minutes during peak hours.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi ₹400-₹600 (~\$5-\$7) 30-45 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare ₹250-₹400 (~\$3-\$5) 30-45 minutes Budget-conscious, app users
Train ₹60 (~\$1) 35 minutes Budget, avoiding traffic

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

Pre-paid taxi counters at Chennai Airport operate 24 hours. The Chennai Metro runs until approximately 11:00 PM. After metro hours, app-based taxis (Ola, Uber) and auto-rickshaws are available, though availability decreases after midnight. Late-night taxi fares from the airport to Central area cost ₹500-800 ($6-10). Chennai is generally safe for late-night travel on main roads.

Luggage Tips

The Chennai Metro is clean and has dedicated luggage space. Auto-rickshaws can handle one bag but are impractical for multiple large suitcases. Pre-paid taxis are the best option with heavy luggage. Chennai Central station has a cloakroom for luggage storage (₹30-50 per piece per day). George Town markets are extremely crowded — never explore with luggage. Most hotels offer free luggage storage.

Accessibility

Chennai Airport and the Chennai Metro are modern and fully accessible with elevators and tactile paving. Chennai Central railway station has basic accessibility with ramps to some platforms, though it is an old station with significant gaps in facilities. The streets around Central are chaotic and sidewalks are often blocked. Wheelchair users should use pre-paid taxis for door-to-door transport.