Are there 24/7 buses?

Most airports keep at least one night bus or coach on standby—check the overhead screens near arrivals for the current stand.

Is it safe to take taxis overnight?

Stick to signed ranks and insist on the meter. Note any official surcharge for night operations before you hop in.

MAAIndiaTPL: night-owl-plan

Chennai International Airport

Chennai, India

Drop-off

Chennai Central (Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station)

Pin before customs

Fastest

Chennai Metro Blue Line – Airport to Chennai Central

metro · 10-20m

Data

Nov 28

Audit

Quick verdict

Fastest into town

Service: Chennai Metro Blue Line – Airport to Chennai Central
Headway: 10-20
Backup: Chennai Suburban Railway – Tirusulam to Park/Chennai Central area · 10-15m

Note

Metro trains on Corridor 1 run between Chennai International Airport and Chennai Central (Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran) via Alandur, CMBT and Egmore, with frequent services from roughly 05:00 to 23:00 and peak headways around 10–12 minutes and off-peak 18–20 minutes. This is the most convenient and comfortable rail link for reaching the central city area and main railway hub.

Late arrivals

Chennai: Night-Owl Operations

After-midnight contingencies for delayed flights and red-eyes. Targets queries likechennai airport busandmaa to city centerfor eSIM funnels.

Lines that keep running

Brief

This is the overnight lifeline when the metro or flagship express shuts down.

Service: MTC Bus 18A – Airport to Broadway/George Town
Mode: bus
Freq: 15-30m
Note: Metropolitan Transport Corporation route 18A operates from the bus stop outside Chennai International Airport towards Broadway, near the traditional city centre and major bus interchanges. Useful for budget travellers, but journey times vary with traffic and buses can be crowded.

Backup when rail sleeps

Brief

If even this pauses, default to the licensed taxi rank or approved ride-hailing pickup outside arrivals.

Service: MTC Bus 18A – Airport to Broadway/George Town
Mode: bus
Freq: 15-30m
Note: Metropolitan Transport Corporation route 18A operates from the bus stop outside Chennai International Airport towards Broadway, near the traditional city centre and major bus interchanges. Useful for budget travellers, but journey times vary with traffic and buses can be crowded.

Ticketing tips

Brief

Load balance onto the local transit card before midnight because some kiosks shut or stop accepting bills after hours.

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FAQs

01Are there 24/7 buses?: Most airports keep at least one night bus or coach on standby—check the overhead screens near arrivals for the current stand.
02Is it safe to take taxis overnight?: Stick to signed ranks and insist on the meter. Note any official surcharge for night operations before you hop in.