Transportation in Chennai

Chennai's transport menu runs from the ultra-cheap suburban trains that fan out from Central and Egmore stations to app-based cabs that are a splurge only when the monsoon hits. The backbone for most visitors is the Metro, clean, air-conditioned, and a fraction of a taxi fare, plus the broad fleet of yellow-black auto-rickshaws that are everywhere but require haggling or insisting on the meter. City buses cover every corner for pocket change, but they're slow and signage is in Tamil; Google Maps or the Chalo app shows live bus positions so you don't wait in the heat for a route that's already gone. First-timer tip: buy a Chennai Metro smart card at the airport or any major station. It works on both Metro and the new airport line, sparing you the ticket queue. Skip the prepaid taxi booths inside the terminal unless you're landing after the last Metro, instead, step outside to the official airport taxi rank or use ride-hailing apps where the fare is fixed before you board. Ignore the swarm of freelance drivers near the exit doors; they're the city's classic tourist trap.