Bus to Mahabalipuram from Chennai Airport & Accommodation

Three years ago, we flew into Chennai and then went directly from the airport by bus to Mamalapuram (Mahabs). It was easy and quick. Can someone remind me of the bus numbers to take. Is it still #8 and do we change buses in Tamburam?
We want to stay in Mahabs 4 weeks or more in late Nov - Dec. Can anyone recommend a good guest house or private home- quiet, not too far out of town (budget $8- 15 a night).
Shirleyart

Sorry for being so Ignorant Shirleyart, But as far as I know there was never a direct bus from Chennai airport to Mahabalipuram [You should be right as you specify the Bus number too . Just Curious, did you boarded this bus from within the Airport campus itself ?] .. Anyways 2 Years back, City buses started running from Tambram to Mahabalipuram [Deluxe Service]...

You need to come out of airport and cross the road and board "Electric Train" from "Thirusulam Railway station" to Tambaram and you could get this "Tambaram-Mahabalipuram" bus from Tambaram bus stand [ Just outside of Tambaram Railway station] ... But the Frequency is less and if you want better connectivity ,you could board "Guindy" bound bus Or "Electric train" and you could board "Mahabalipuram" bound bus from Guindy !.. [In this circuit, the bus is frequent] !!

Hope this Helps !!

Regards
Velu

If not Tambaram, you can take a pre-paid auto and go to the Bus Stand at Koyambedu and you would find buses to all the places.

Thanks both of you for your help.

When we did this before, we had just arrived after our 24 hour flight from Canada. We were told by the fellow who changed our money to go outside the terminal and head to the mountain, cross over the road outside the airport and pick up a bus, I think it was number 8. This bus which would take us down the road apiece and then we could pick up the second bus for Mahabs. But it was pitch dark about 5 AM. When we got outside, we couldn't see anything much less a mountain. India had very few streetlights anywhere outside the airport...all was black. So we headed out towards the only light we could see, which looked like it might have been either a low lying star or a light on top of a mountain…...all the while we were fending off the touts who were willing to take us all the way to Mahabs by taxi or by auto-rickshaw. We forgot that while many people speak English, we initially have great difficulty understanding them (until we get used to the different cadence)……we had a bus number but didn't know if we were at the right stop. We got on a bus, paid our fare only to be told by the conductor that it was not the right bus and got off at the next stop…then we promptly got on the next bus with the same number and paid again. (about 21 cents…not a serious loss!) However, we were getting scared and coming down from our initial "arrival high", and tiring very quickly. We wondered which of us had gotten us into this mess. That very rickety bus took us about 5 miles. We got off and then waited for another one, getting different bus numbers and differing instructions from each very helpful person we spoke to. Finally along came a bus with the right number but it sure didn't look like any intercity bus we had ever been on before. At least now it was getting light out! This bus bumped along for about an hour and we arrived in Mahabs. What an adventure! We wondered just who was the crazy one between us but managed to avoid getting too irritable with each other.

Now any hints from anyone about where to stay in Mahabs? There is an artist village about halfway between Chennai and Mahabs. The artist sometimes rent out to other artists..anyone know how I could contact a fellow artist about staying in his/her guest room.

Shirleyart

Perfect Shirley..You had a Great Experience as such..Interesting one .... That Moutain name is "Thirusulam" and just before the mountain is "Thirusulam Railway Station"[ Which is just before the Hillet Starts]..And Yes, Airport to Mahabs involves bus changes .As the distance from airport to Mahabs is around 50 kms, Depending upon your Flight arrival, you could take Airport Taxi itself from Airport to Mahabalipuram [Which will take you there in an hour max] for comfort [ May be 50 * 6 * 2 = Around 600 IR] Or you could get to tambaram or Guindy to get the bus...

On the other question, I think you mean "Dakshina Chithra".. If so, you could refer to their official site for complete info..

http://www.dakshinachitra.net/index.htm

Staying at DakshinaChitra [From the same website]

Guestroom Tariffs
(A/c rooms- Rs.800/- per day
Non A/c rooms - Rs. 550/- per day)

Dormitory style rooms: Rs.150 per bed per night (shared wash rooms)

Call Mr. Balakrishnan at 98414 22149 for bookings.



Hope this helps & Have a Fantastic & Safe Journey Ahead
Velu

Dear PMVELU,
We come in from Canada on Nov 21-08 in the early afternoon. So wemay take the bus or take it easier and go by taxi.
Just read your note today. Thanks...thought no one had responded. Know of any reasonable places to stay in Mahabs? I have 2005 LP...how out of date are it's prices for budget places?

I seem to remember the Artist Village as being called Cholomandel or something like that?
Shirley

Hi Shirley,

In Mahabalipuram, Hotel TTDC Beach Resort complex [Government of Tamilnadu ]is a better one and I have posted the write-up as well as the photos of this resort out here..


This is just 5 kms before Mahabalipuram and infact you could walk upto the Mahabs temple in the beach itself from this place.. I didn't stayed there in nights but i did visited quite a few times this place as a Day visit and it's really nice .

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/route-...y-chennai.html [ Post: No: 4]..

And Yes, Cholamandalam Artist Village is there in the Same highway Chennai - Pondicherry East Coast Road..I don't have personal experience with the same.. Sorry about that !!

Hope this helps
Cheers
Velu

Cholamandalam Artists Village
Injambakkam
Thiruvanmiyur
Chennai-600041
Phone: 044-24490092

I hope their number is current! Ask for mural artist by name Ashok (ask for his mobile or landline number) and once you are able to connect to him you can enquire about any stay options.

Thanks to all for your info above.
Shirleyart

Have a Fantastic & Safe Journey Shirley and post us your experiences !

Regards
Velu