First metro ride in Chennai? It's easier than parking on Anna Salai. Ten minutes of reading and you'll move through the system like you've done it for years.
Know your lines
- Blue Line: Wimco Nagar Depot (north) ↔ Chennai International Airport (south) - runs via Washermenpet, Central, LIC, Guindy and Alandur
- Green Line: Chennai Central ↔ St. Thomas Mount - runs via Egmore, Anna Nagar, Koyambedu, CMBT, Vadapalani and Alandur
Interchanges: switch between lines at Alandur or Chennai Central (Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G.R. Central). Arriving by bus at CMBT? The Green Line's Puratchi Thalaivi Dr. J. Jayalalithaa CMBT station is right there.
Heads up: the first Phase 2 stretch (Vadapalani towards Poonamallee) is expected to open around mid-2026 - check CMRL's site for the latest map.
Buying a ticket
Fares run ₹10–₹50 depending on distance. Options, from most to least effort:
| Option | How | Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Counter / vending machine | Cash, UPI, card → QR token | None |
| WhatsApp ticket | "Hi" to +91 83000 86000, pay via UPI | 20% off |
| CMRL app | QR ticket or Stored Value Pass | 20% off |
| Singara Chennai Card (NCMC) | Free at any station counter, tap-in tap-out | 20% off |
If you'll ride even semi-regularly, grab the Singara Chennai Card - issuance is free and every trip is 20% cheaper.
Getting through the station
- Security first: bags through the X-ray, quick frisk, walk on. Two minutes on a normal day.
- Gates: tap your card or scan your QR on the reader; the flap opens. Do the same on exit - your fare is calculated between the two taps.
- Finding your platform: overhead signs list the terminal station of each direction (e.g., "Towards Airport"). Know your line's end station and you can't go wrong.
- On exit, use the station maps near the gates to pick the right exit - big stations like Central have several, and the wrong one adds a 10-minute walk.
One quirk to remember: QR tickets expect you to exit within 120 minutes of entry, so the metro isn't the place for a mid-journey nap.
When to travel
Trains run roughly 5 AM to 11 PM. Peak crush is 8–11 AM and 5–8 PM on weekdays, when trains come every 5–7 minutes; off-peak and Sundays it's more like every 10–15 minutes. If you want a seat and a peaceful scroll, ride off-peak.
Unwritten (and written) rules
- Let passengers off before you board - the platform markings show where to stand
- No eating or drinking inside stations and trains, and absolutely no smoking
- Keep left on escalators; stand clear of the yellow platform line
- Reserved seats are for elderly people, pregnant women and parents with infants - give them up without being asked
- Phone calls are fine; speakerphone Instagram reels are a crime against humanity (not literally, but the fines for nuisance are real)
That's genuinely it. Tap in, ride, tap out - and enjoy watching the traffic below from the AC comfort of an elevated train.