Arriving Chennai Airport 10.15 PM - Next day Early 7.30 AM flight - Advice needed

shahronakm

Hi friends,

In first week of Feb. I will be arriving at Chennai Airport from Mumbai @ 10.15 PM. Next day I have an early morning flight 7.20 AM dep. time (But check time two hrs. earlier i.e. 5.20 AM) to Port Blair. I need your advice on what to do between the two flights.

1] Can I stay at the Airport ?
2] Should I find a hotel nearby ? Are there any budget hotels near the airport ?

Any feedback on the matter will be highly appreciated.

Thanks

Ronak.

__________________
My Picture Gallery

capt_mahajan

Would recommend try to get a room at the airport retiring rooms. Very convenient and reasonable. You need to see the airport manager for this.

There are hotels nearby but I don't know much about them.

__________________
.
Humpty Dumpty was pushed. How do you know when push comes to shove?
Indiamike moderating team ..ich bin ein oneliner

shahronakm

Thanks for your reply.
You mean retiring rooms like railways ? Sounds good.

Ronak.

machadinha

http://www.airportsindia.org.in/chen...facilities.jsp mentions "retiring rooms & dormitory accommodation for transit passengers" but is of not much use otherwise

__________________
Reading tips, all picked up at IndiaMike : INDAX's A Comprehensive Guide To India / Dinoj Surendran's Desi Humor / ITHVC on Culture Shock & Travel Health / JetLag Travel Guides For the Undiscerning Traveller / India Travel Links

capt_mahajan

Have stayed there once about four years ago.

Single room, ac, attached bathroom, towel, soap... about 600 bucks four years ago.

Location between the two terminals. In case you are unfamiliar with Chennai airport, there is just one terminal building, you exit the international terminal, walk along its length for 3/5 mins and enter the domestic terminal. The retiring rooms are located halfway into this walk.
And yes, its perfectly safe to walk there anytime with your baggage.

For food etc, you can come down and there are quite a few kiosks outside the terminal.

I was told that in case the retiring rooms filled up, I would have to share (at lower costs), but that didn't happen. There are dormitories too.

All you need is proof that you are a bonafide passenger, and a talk with the Airport Manager, whose office is somewhere along the same walk.

The biggest problem may be that the rooms are likely to be filled up. Otherwise, a very good option.

silicon_brain

You better check this post before making any decision.
http://www.sleepinginairports.net/asia/chennai.htm

So, if you really wants to spend night peacefully better to go out and get a room in nearby hotel.

capt_mahajan

SB, Chennai is one of the better maintained airports in India.

We were talking about the retiring rooms, and sharing a room with a stranger is not my cup of tea either.

But I didn't, and was quite satsified with the experience.

By the way, I have stayed at Mumbai Airport for a few years ago too in the retiring room. Similar. Ideal if all you want is a few hours of shuteye, a bath, and coffee and a snack if you are hungry. And get up and walk to check in.

That link you posted has some legitimate posts but also a few of the usual suspects running down India because its fashionable to do so, in my opinion.

shahronakm

Checked out the link. We are two of us (My wife & I) so sharing will not be a problem. Only thing is that room, bed & bath room should be clean.

By the way any idea about nearby hotels ? How far & what cost ?

Ronak.

shahronakm

Thanks capt mahajan for your replies & feedback. Would like to try out the retiring room facility, if available. Will go there & check out the same.

By the way just few days back I boarded on my first ever air journey (first ever in my life - thanks to Air Deccan) & went to Mumbai Airport & was very much pleased with the experience. However the same can not be said about Bangalore Airport (on my return journey).

Thanks for tips.

Ronak.

praks

When I tried to get a retiring room(Rs.700/-) I was told that it was full but a bed in the dormitory was available for Rs.400/-. The nearest hotel is actually a ten minute walk away but is an absolute dump. I recommend the hotel Mars, which is a ten minute drive away and does airport transfers for guests.

Have a look at:
www.hotelmars.net

shahronakm

Praks,

Thanks for link. Have checked out their website. Will keep this as second option in case I don't get a room at the airport.

Do you have any idea what the rikshaw guy would charge to reach Hotel Mars ?

Ronak.

Nick-H

2Km away... now, according to the new rates, that's Rs14 min for 2Km plus Rs6 for each additional Km.

The hotels site says it is 'hardly' 2Km from the airport.

So that's Rs14. Plus the extra 'night charge' for after 10.00pm, I forget how much that is. Even if it is double that would make it Rs28.

Now, a foreigner arriving at the airport, in the night.... so call it Rs500!!!!

Seriously, try not to pay more than 50. I think autos are not supposed to come inside, but you can probably catch one that has just dropped someone.

__________________
.


Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

gautam

FYI, hotel mars provides complimentry pickup from the airport. so u can save the 500/-

Just called them up they do provide pick up & drop from/to the airport.

Are there any other budget hotels near the airport apart from mars ??

__________________

"Your thoughts could be your prison"

My pics on flickr

Kerela backwaters - by beach

shahronakm

Nick, Thanks for your reply. Rs. 50/- is good enough for late night.

Gautam, Thanks for the info. Will note down their no., in case I don't get a room at the airport (I find that more convenient) I will call them up.

Ronak.