Last updated:
Chennai Travel Guide: Gateway to the Tamil Nadu Temple Trail
Chennai is Tamil Nadu's gateway city and the usual start of a temple-trail itinerary, with the temple town of Kanchipuram and the UNESCO shore temples of Mahabalipuram both within reach. It has the state's main international airport and full-range city hotels.
By Experience My India Editorial Team
Destination specialists and licensed local guides
Chennai is Tamil Nadu's gateway city, the usual arrival point for a temple-trail itinerary, and the base for the first temples of the trip: Kanchipuram inland and the rock-cut shore temples of Mahabalipuram on the coast.
- Kanchipuram, one of the temple towns that opens the trail
- Mahabalipuram's rock-cut shore temples, a UNESCO highlight
- Chennai itself, as your arrival base
A short taster itinerary gives Chennai and Mahabalipuram together as the first stop, before continuing south to the Chola heartland; on a five-day trip they can be most of the itinerary alongside one or two of the great southern temples.
November to March is the season: warm, dry and festival-rich. Tamil Nadu's coast, including Chennai, takes its main rain from the northeast monsoon between roughly October and December, so expect some showers early in the season.
Chennai has Tamil Nadu's main international airport and is the usual start of a temple trail. From here, the trail is best done by private car with a driver, given the distances to the temples further south; trains are a good alternative for the longer hops.
Why do most Tamil Nadu trips start in Chennai?
It has the state's main international airport and is the natural gateway to the temple trail south, with Kanchipuram and Mahabalipuram both close by.
What is near Chennai worth visiting?
Kanchipuram, one of the temple towns that opens the trail, and Mahabalipuram's UNESCO rock-cut shore temples.
How many days should I spend around Chennai?
On a five-day taster trip, Chennai and Mahabalipuram can be most of the itinerary; on longer trips they are the first stop before heading south.
When should I visit Chennai?
November to March, though expect some showers early in the season from the northeast monsoon, which affects Chennai between roughly October and December.
How do I get around from Chennai?
By private car with a driver for the temple trail south, or by train for the longer hops between cities.
Experiences near Chennai Travel Guide
Shore Excursions
Chennai
Private tour
Related guides
What guests say
- 5 stars3
- 4 stars2
- 3 stars1
- 2 stars0
- 1 stars0
What our guests say
Ana Beatriz Costa
São Paulo, Brazil · Solo · Verified trip
5/51 week agoI travel for work and rarely bother with tours, but this was a proper insider's day. The guide steered us away from the crowds at exactly the right moments, and the lunch he chose was superb.
via Tripadvisor
Deepa Shetty
Bengaluru, Karnataka · Couple · Verified trip
4/51 month agoExcellent guide and a well-paced day. My only note is that lunch was at a fairly touristy restaurant; food was fine but we would have preferred somewhere more local. Otherwise faultless.
via Google
Sarah Mitchell
New York, USA · Family · Verified trip
5/52 months agoThe homestay night was the memory we will keep — cooking with the family, the kids playing cricket in the lane. It was arranged with real thought, and the drive out there was beautiful.
via Google
Lalit Meena
Jaipur, Rajasthan · Group · Verified trip
3/53 months agoMixed feelings. The sites were spectacular and the driver excellent, but our guide's English was harder to follow than we expected and we missed some of the detail. The office apologised quickly when we mentioned it.
via Tripadvisor
Why book with Experience My India
Government-approved operator
Approved by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
500+ vetted local guides
35+ destination specialists plan every trip by hand.
Human help, every day
Mon–Sun, 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM IST · +91 73022 65809
No payment until you approve
You receive a written quote first; nothing is charged to start planning.
Browse by theme
Wildlife Safaris
Heritage & Architecture
Beaches & Islands
Wellness & Ayurveda
Yoga & Meditation
Pilgrimage
Trekking
Adventure
Culinary
Festivals
Craft & Textile Trails
Performing Arts
Luxury Trains
River Cruises
Houseboats
Toy Trains & Railways
Weddings
Roots & Ancestry
Photography Tours
Village & Tribal Tourism
Sports Experiences
Astro Tourism
Glamping & Desert
Shore Excursions
Family Heritage Immersion
Day Trips
Honeymoon & Romance
VIP & Luxury
Plan a trip
Tailor-made quote from a specialist