Cheap hotel near Chennai railway station & airport transfers

Hi, I am looking for a hotel, near Chennai Central railway station for a day, for not exceeding Rs 500 (double, non a/c). I had called up Hotel Tamilnadu, but they don't book in advance. Any other suggestions for a clean hotel in this budget??

Also, what be the best option to Chennai International Airport, from Chennai Central Railways station....For my onward journey, I would have ample of time, so would prefer to take public transport which dosent have too much of rush....any advises....which train / bus to take....where to change etc etc??/

On return, my flight arrives at 10 pm, would be out by ~11.30 pm, what are my options then to reach Chennai Central Railway station....Is taxi the only option? Is prepaid taxi available? If yes, how much does it cost?

For getting from the Railway station to the Airport, you may use the MRTS (Fort station should be the closest at railway end). On the airport end, the MRTS passes right opposite but on the railway station end, you will need an auto rickshaw (which will cost you a lot more than your train ride). Take a train going to Tambaram and get down at Meenambakkam at airport end.

On the return, if you're sure to be out by 11:30 you can use the same system. The last two trains from Minambakkam are at 23:45 and 00:10 hours respectively. See the link below:

http://www.metrotraintimings.com/Che...ennaiBeach.htm.

I've used MRTS a few times. It's very cheap as well - 10 km ride was about Rs 5. There's no airconditioning though.

It is not actually the "MRTS," which is the line that goes from Beach to Velacherry, and does not go to the airport. Asking for MRTS (without saying where you actually want to go) at Fort could get a person directed to the wrong train.

I have never been from/to the airport by train, but the station is Tirusalam, which is just across the road.

One day, it will be possible to take MRTS and change at St Thomas Mount. I believe they have just finished acquiring the necessary land to finish the line. Give it a year or ten

It's not necessary: there are no doors!

Oh wow ... I never realized these two are different train systems. I've taken only MRTS on the Velacheri-Beach line a few times and it's very convenient. The website link I've provided doesnt differentiate between the two systems.

Nick, What is the line to Airport called then? Metro?

-Vaibhav

Its called as Chennai Sub-urban rail service.... Just now are now building the Metro and Mono rail systems in chennai!!

metro will be open to public in about an year.... but why the heck the government is not considering to construct a line on ECR and OMR?????

I havent ever needed to stay in a hotel in Chennai but I know that a couple of my co-trainees (in 2007) stayed off the Mint Street near the Chennai Central station. The place was called Maheshwari Bhavan and the nearest landmark was the Ekambareshwar temple. This is (very roughly) equidistant from the Chennai Fort station and the Park station. The Broadway bus depot is close at hands as well.


PS: My spellings could be a bit off for the names.

Yes, it is complicated, isn't it!

The MRTS is a city-only system: it stops and starts within the city and has little connectivity to other lines. I suppose other stations are just urban/sub-urban stops on lines that go much further. Does that Tambaram line go further than Tambaram? Yes, that is the same line one takes to the zoo, isn't it? I might know this stuff better if I didn't drive

The "Metro" is going to be another city-only system, like other city systems such as London's underground, Paris's Metro --- and now Delhi's metro. Will it start running in a year? Who knkows!

in continuation of my last query... I would prefer to stay very close to Chennai Railways station, since I have late arrivals at international airport & early morning train to board.

So anyone with decent but cheap hotel nr.Chennai Central Railway

Just adjacent to the Chennai Central is a Road called Waltax road. The Road itself and the area inside its many streets is full of budget hotels at all price points. Some are good, some downright horrible. You can explore some there. See and choose the one you like is the way here.

There is more good news for the public transport lovers. MRTS will be extended to St. Thomas Mount "soon"! The different train systems are:

1. MRTS - Chennai Beach - Park Town (Chennai Central) - Marina Beach - Mylapore - Thiruvanmiyur - Velachery - St. Thomas Mount
2. EMU - A. Chennai Beach - Park (Chennai Central) - Chennai Egmore - T Nagar - Guindy - Airport - Tambaram - Chengalpet
B. Chennai Central - Perambur - Avadi - Thiruvallur - Arakonam
C. Chennai Central - Thiruvottriyur - Tada - Sulurpet
3. Metro - 2 lines. Under construction.
4. Mono - Might happen.


@ Ashish Agrawal -
You can stay at Chennai Central itself! A/C dorm might be less than Rs 500 for sure. And then you can cross the road to Park station and take a EMU to Airport/Tirusulam in the morning.

So what I infer from the above posts is, that I can board a EMU / Suburban train from Park to International airport i.e Tambaram Station.... is tambaram station at walking distance from the airport exits OR ??? Any idea on last EMU from airport to Chennai Central?

And viceversa, is Park Station at walking distance from Central? I couldn't locate it on Google maps?

Also, are EMU's in Chennai, crowded like Bombay local trains & one has to make their way by pushing in other passengers?

- Park is less than 100m from Chennai Central. You just have to cross the road.
- You need to take an EMU to Tirusulam. Take an EMU going towards Tambaram/Chengalpet and get off at Tirusulam.
- EMUs are crowded but not as crazy as Mumbai EMU or Delhi Metro. I guess you should not have problem in non peak hours. Aaram se you can board with your luggage and travel for cheap. Tirusulam station is just opposite Chennai Airport. There is a subway as well connecting the station and airport.
- There are not EMU from Chennai Central to Airport. Only from Park to Airport (Tirusulam not Tambaram). Last EMU would be at around 23 hours or so. You need to check this, I'm not sure.

is Park area, the same as walltax road or around???

Just to avoid any confusion, I am talking about International airport....for which I need to get off at Tirusalam station, right?

It gets little confusing. There are 5 stations nearby that area:
Chennai Central
Park (For airport)
Park Town (MRTS)
Fort
Chennai Central (Moore Market Complex EMU)

Waltax Road is the road between Chennai Central & Southern Railway HQ. Again opposite to Park.
Stay at MAS. Why at Walltax Road?

International & Domestic airport are next to each other. Max 15 min walk from Tirusulam station.

thanks drgrudge for prompt replies

I am absolutely cluess about chennai, some people wrote that walltax road is a good area nearyby MAS at walking distance where I can find a good & clean hotel to stay with my wife.

For onward journey I will be arriving at MAS at 4:30 pm & my flight is next day at 9 pm, so have a lot of time on hand & would infact love time exploring the best food in chennai & any other attraction.

While returning, my fight arrives at 9.30 pm & have a train to board at 9.00 AM, so it makes sense to stay right very near to railway station, so that I can just walk upto it.

But, in all respects looking for the same hotel for both onward & return journey.