Introduction

Etihad Airways, the fastest-growing airline in history, can transport you to the Indian metropolis of Chennai in comfort and style.

Famed for its historical monuments, national parks, stunning beaches and mouth-watering cuisine, you’re promised a memorable experience in Chennai.
 
Book your flights with Etihad Airways to experience a service so exquisite that we were named the World’s Leading Airline for four consecutive years at the 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 World Travel Awards. Take our video tour to find out more.

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Attractions in Chennai

Attractions in Chennai

Chennai, the capital of South India’s Tamil Nadu state, has emerged as a leading international tourism destination, with an impressive reputation for its historical monuments, national parks, stunning beaches and mouth-watering cuisine.

Located on the Coromandel Coast, the city was founded as a trading settlement by the British East India Company in 1639, initially known as Madras. It was renamed Chennai in 1996 and has since been developed into a world-class hub for the automotive, computer technology, financial services and medical tourism industries. In addition, Chennai is the birthplace of the Tamil film industry, otherwise known as Kollywood.

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More about attractions in Chennai

Chennai boasts a treasure-trove of historical monuments, such as ancient forts, lavish palaces and religious shrines, which are the perfect showcase of Indian culture and heritage. Perhaps the most famous is Fort St. George, which was established as a trading settlement over 400 years ago by the British East Indian Company and marks the founding of Chennai (known as Madras at the time).

The landmark’s architecture is stunning, while onsite facilities such as St. Mary’s Church and the Fort Museum attract massive crowds. The Government Museum is another great place to learn more about Chennai’s past. Launched in 1857, it’s one of the oldest and most spectacular museums in India, consisting of six independent buildings with facilities such as a children’s museum, art galleries, reading rooms and a grand hall.

As a coastal destination overlooking the Bay of Bengal, Chennai has several well-known beaches, such as Edward Elliot’s beach and Breezy Beach, both of which are tourist hotspots. However, ask a local resident for their suggestions and you’ll be pointed in the direction of Marina Beach, a 12km sandy coastline with beautiful views of the sea. This is the perfect location for a relaxing stroll, with Chepauk Palace, Madras University and Senate House all situated nearby, offering a striking backdrop to your holiday photos.

Chennai Airport

Chennai has the third busiest airport in India (behind Mumbai and Delhi), handling around 12 million passengers each year. Previously known as Madras International Airport, it is situated around 7km south of Chennai, in the Tirusulam district. 

The facility includes three terminals; Anna Terminal for international flights (including Etihad Airways), Kamaraj Terminal for domestic flights, and a dedicated cargo terminal. The two passenger terminals, which are located within walking distance of each other, contain onsite facilities such as duty free shops, foreign exchange outlets, restaurants and cafes, book stores and a communications centre for internet access. In addition, guests travelling with Etihad Airways in Pearl Business or Diamond First Class have access to the Oberoi Lounge.

Airports Authority of India (AAI) has commenced a large-scale expansion and modernisation project for Chennai International Airport, which will increase the annual capacity to 23 million passengers once completed (16 million domestic and 7 million international).

Chennai Airport

Chennai Airport

Airport Name: Chennai International Airport
Airport Code: MAA
City: Chennai
Country: India
Time Zone: +5:30 hours from UTC/GMT