Chennai (Madras)

Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, is the place to see Hindu temples, Chola-period bronzes and Marina Beach, with the December to January music season as a major draw.

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Chennai, formerly Madras, is the capital of Tamil Nadu on the Bay of Bengal coast. Go for the Kapaleeshwarar Temple in Mylapore, whose gateway tower is carved with rows of figures, the Chola-period bronzes at the Government Museum, and Marina Beach, which fills with families in the evenings. Egmore, near the main railway station, and T. Nagar, a shopping district, are common places to stay, and the metro, buses and taxis cover the main sights.

Plan two to three days. Mamallapuram, with its rock-cut shore temples, is a short drive south along the coast and makes a common day trip. The December to January music season, called Margazhi, brings concerts across the city, but the northeast monsoon brings heavy rain from October to December, so January to March is the drier, cooler window for most trips.

Chennai (Madras) in five

Visit Mylapore and Kapaleeshwarar Temple earlyThe colorful gopuram is the city's best-known temple, with morning rituals and a market lane around the tank. Dress modestly, remove shoes and avoid midday heat.
Time the music season for mid-DecemberFrom roughly mid-December to mid-January, concerts and dance performances fill the city's halls and hotels fill with it. Book rooms early if you plan around it.
See the Government Museum for bronzesThe Egmore museum holds a renowned collection of Chola-era bronzes. Allow an hour or two, and combine it with nearby sights.
Skip the northeast monsoon if you canRain from about October to December can be heavy, and the city has flooded in past cyclone seasons. January to February is dry and comfortable.
Day trip to Mamallapuram or PuducherryMamallapuram's shore temples are about an hour south and Puducherry about three. Many travelers start in Chennai and continue by road.Mamallapuram

Things to do in Chennai (Madras)

See all attractions in Chennai (Madras)

Sight · Chennai (Madras)Kalakshetra Foundation

Beach · Chennai (Madras)Marina BeachGo early in the morning or in the evening. Weekday evenings are quieter, while weekends and holidays are crowded.

Church · Chennai (Madras)Santhome Cathedral BasilicaGo early in the morning or near sunset, when the spires look their best and the grounds are quieter.

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to Chennai (Madras)Put the places you like in Chennai (Madras) on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Chennai (MAA), about 15 km south, with metro and suburban rail
Getting there: Flights and trains from every major city; the main rail gateway to the south
Getting around: Metro, suburban trains, app cabs and autos; walk Mylapore
Best base: Mylapore for temples; Egmore or Nungambakkam for hotels
Time needed: 1–2 days; 3 with Mamallapuram

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryClear6 rainy daysHigh27°Low23°Dry, mild
FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Dry, warm
MarchClear3 rainy daysHigh31°Low25°Hot, humid
AprilClear3 rainy daysHigh33°Low27°Hot, humid
MayClear6 rainy daysHigh34°Low29°Very hot
JuneRain12 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh34°Low29°Hot
JulyRain16 rainy daysHigh33°Low28°Hot, humid
AugustRain20 rainy daysHigh32°Low27°Hot, humid
SeptemberRain20 rainy daysHigh32°Low27°Humid
OctoberRain21 rainy daysHigh30°Low26°NE monsoon
NovemberRain20 rainy daysHigh28°Low25°Heavy rain
DecemberRain11 rainy daysHigh27°Low24°Music season

Average daily high and low in Chennai (Madras), 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Chennai (Madras)

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 27°
Humidity: 91%
Wind: 16 km/h
Chance of rain: 49%

Chennai (Madras)

04:07 AM

Tuesday, November 3

GMT+5:30

Today31°24°49%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 49%.
Wed30°24°53%Wednesday: Thunderstorms. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 53%.
Thu30°24°55%Thursday: Rain. High 30°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 55%.
Fri29°24°75%Friday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 75%.
Sat28°24°86%Saturday: Drizzle. High 28°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 86%.
Sun29°23°51%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 51%.

Updated 02:06 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 95.08 INR

Amount

Converted to

INR · Indian Rupee

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Mamallapuramabout 1–1.5 hours by roadShore temple, rock carvings and seaside cafes.Read the guide
Puducherryabout 3 hours by roadA French colonial quarter and a calm seafront.Read the guide
Kanchipuramabout 1.5–2 hours by roadA temple town and the home of famous silk saris.

Before you go to Chennai (Madras)

Hotels in Mylapore and EgmoreTemple lanes or station-side staysCheck availability

Chennai to Mamallapuram day tourTemples and shore with a driverCompare day trips

eSIM for Tamil NaduCab apps at a crowded stationRead the guide

Cover for monsoon disruptionsCancelled flights and flooded roadsRead the guide

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Rules for Chennai (Madras), checked

Most foreign nationals need an Indian e-Visa or another visa before arrival; check eligibility and apply only on the official portal.Source
Declare cash and valuables above the customs limits at arrival; check the official baggage rules before you fly.Source
Single-use plastic bags, cups and plates are banned in Tamil Nadu, so carry a cloth bag.
Remove your shoes before entering temples and dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees.

Plan around Chennai (Madras)

Mamallapuram

Pallava shore temples, about an hour south

Read the guide Puducherry

French quarter and seafront cafes, 3 hours south

Read the guide Tamil Nadu

The state guide, from temples to hill stations

Read the guide Andaman Islands

Flights from Chennai reach Port Blair

Read the guide All of India

Regions, seasons and routes

Read the guide India e-Visa

Apply online before landing in Chennai

Read the guide

Chennai (Madras) FAQ

How many days do you need in Chennai?

Two days cover Mylapore, the Government Museum, Marina Beach and a temple food trail. Add a day for Mamallapuram, and another if you continue to Puducherry.

Is Chennai worth visiting?

Yes as a temple and culture stop, and as the best-connected gateway to Tamil Nadu. It is hot and busy, so most visitors give it two days and move on.

What is the best time to visit Chennai?

December to February, with warm days and low humidity. The music season from mid-December adds cultural events. March to September is hot, and October to December brings northeast monsoon rain.

Is Marina Beach good for swimming?

No. Strong currents make swimming unsafe, and the beach is for evening walks, snacks and watching families. Swim at a resort pool or follow local advice at beaches south toward Mamallapuram.

How do I get from Chennai to Puducherry?

By road in roughly 3 hours via the coast, by bus or a hired car. Many travelers stop at Mamallapuram on the way and sleep in Puducherry.