Public Transport in Chennai

PLaneMad

reliable- depends on your definition of reliable. its reliable as far as im concerned, cause it can get you to the vicinity of your destination within 24 hours :P
schedule- sorry, we dont have that in india
pre announce- whats that?
safety for ladies- perfectly safe, but be prepared for the occaisional body contact as with the case for any overcrowded public transit system. the buses/trains itself are very safe, but the stations/streets may become a little creepy especially after dark. although the crime rates are far far lower than one would think it would be.

the cabs here are three wheeled contraptions called an autorickshaw. if you stand on the road, they will practically come to you, so you can never be stuck. but be prepared to for significant shrinkage of the wallet thickness if using the autos.

if you arent afraid of crowds, and have a little time and energy to spare, trains and buses are the way to go. i know plenty of ladies, even from indiamike who commute using the buses. but id recommend it only if the route is convenient enough or you are looking to cut down on travel costs in a big(huge) way

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Dacoit Chief

And don't forget that you can use the special ladies "Compartment", on a lot of public transport. That may limit the 'body contact' aspect slightly... but don't expect only ladies in there!

pinaypie

Thanks guys! Just wanna know what to expect..believe me, it happens everywhere, not only in India...even here in Toronto, as well!

drsacha

Saw some queries about travel from Airport to city centre. I found best option is to use the prepaid taxi. Auto-rickshaw might skin you if you hire them all the way to the city. If still energetic after the air travel; cheaper option is to walk across about 200 meters to the Tirusulam railway station. Ticket to most city centre stations would be within 10 rupees and travel time would be 25 mins to Mambalam and max 45 mins to the Central station (metro train station is Park Town, walk 300 mts to the central station). Considering the traffic situations on road, train travel is quicker.

Travelling to OMR (Old Mahabalipuram Road) or ECR (East Coast Road) best option is to take prepaid taxi. Ask them to take the Palavaram or Tambaram bypass depending on where you are travelling.

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suresh77

regarding transport from airport, please check my post in "Pre-Paid Cabs at Chennai Airport"

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karthik2020

good experience it seems.
I would say Chennai is developing a lot in public transport.
Chennai population keeps growing a lot and hence lil difficult to manage for authorities

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Hayden91

how is the best way to go from Chennai downtown to the airport?

palerider

Yee Hah. Now I know how to get from the airport to Egmore. And it's only 200 metres. I arrive at night, 11pm, but it may still be an option. I don't have baggage(well, not travel baggage), just hand luggage, so life is a breeeze.
If I can avoid a drama with an auto guy, after 15 hours travel, I'll probably go the train option.

Great work by the way Planemad.
I'm gonna print this out and use it.

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Raghu.Kumar

Hi hayden,

The best way is to take a call taxi. They might charge you around 350 INR.

The cheaper way is to go by the electric train, may be you can get a first class ticket, not sure abt the cost, could be 50 Rs ( 1 USD ) as I have never travelled by train since many years.
Get down at Trisulam station opposite the airport and cross over.

This is fine if you dont have much luggage and you travel during day time between 6 AM and 7 PM , better to be safe than be sorry.
Which part of the downtown are you staying, so that i can suggest the nearest train station.

Raghu

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Hayden91

ok thanks. i dont know where im staying. somewhere in downtown at cheap hostel. i have heard something about a place called Kennet Lane. maybe i stay there

Raghu.Kumar

Hi Hayden,

Kennet Lane is just opposite the Chennai Egmore Railway station. The first five platforms are for long distance trains. the ones at the rear side are the electric trains that take you to the airport ( Trisulum )

When you come out of Kenneth lane you would see a overbridge on to your right. Take it and cross over to the station and again get on the flight of stairs and walk towards the rear platforms to board the electric train moving westwards.

Raghu

Singlemalt

This is such an informative and useful thread. Thanks, PlaneMad. Great Job!

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eshaan

Hi All

PlaneMad & the gang... this is an excellent thread...

I have a question about my trip next week.

I need to go to Irungattukottai race track on sunday september 6 which is approximately 40kms from the city

Can you help me how to reach there from Triplicane in the morning at about 10am by bus or any other cheap mode of transport and return by 9pm

I am on a shoestring budget

kshastry

Guys,

I am arriving at Chennai Central around 9:30 pm. I have an international flight at 12:20 am. Do you think its doable if I take the train from Park station?

Also, can anybody confirm the presence of pedestrian sub-way in Trisoolam to cross the NH? Last time when I had used the station, it was a hit-or-miss adventure to cross NH by jumping deviders.

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kshastry

A quick follow-up question.

Are there any early morning buses plying from CMBT-Koyambedu to Bangalore (1am, 2am, 3am departures). A confirmation would save me from waiting at the terminal from mid-night to dawn.