Skipping Chennai's airport-road traffic is one of the best reasons the metro exists. The Blue Line ends right at Chennai International Airport station, connected to the terminals by a covered walkway - no cab, no surge pricing, no honking. Here's everything you need for the ride.
Fares to the airport
Official token (single journey) fares - knock 20% off if you pay with a Singara Chennai Card, the CMRL app, or WhatsApp QR:
| From | Token fare | With card/QR (20% off) |
|---|---|---|
| Chennai Central (MGR Central) | ₹40 | ₹32 |
| Egmore | ₹40 | ₹32 |
| Koyambedu / CMBT | ₹40 | ₹32 |
| Guindy | ₹30 | ₹24 |
| Alandur | ₹20 | ₹16 |
The system-wide maximum is ₹50, so even from the far north end (Wimco Nagar) the airport costs less than a plate of airport biryani.
Route notes: Central to Airport is a direct Blue Line ride - about 45 minutes end to end. From Egmore, Koyambedu or CMBT you're on the Green Line, so hop off at Alandur and switch to the Blue Line; the airport is just three stops away.
Timings
Trains run roughly 5 AM to 11 PM. During peak hours (morning and evening) frequency is around every 5–7 minutes; off-peak it stretches to 10–15 minutes. Exact first/last departures vary by station, so if you're cutting it fine for a late-night or early-morning flight, check the current timetable on chennaimetrorail.org or the CMRL app before committing.
Real talk: for a 6 AM flight, the first metro will usually be too late for comfort. For anything departing after ~9 AM, the metro is genuinely the least stressful option.
Luggage: what's allowed
CMRL's baggage limit is 25 kg, max size 80 × 50 × 30 cm. That covers cabin bags and most medium check-in suitcases. A giant 30 kg family-wedding suitcase technically exceeds the limit and can be stopped at security - split the load or take a cab if you're moving house.
All bags go through an X-ray scanner at station entry, just like at the airport, so budget a couple of extra minutes.
Station to terminal: the walk
The metro station sits across from the terminals, linked by a covered walkway with travelators. Figure 8–10 minutes to the domestic side, a bit more to international with luggage. It's walkable with a wheelie bag - no stairs drama, there are lifts and escalators throughout.
Quick tips
- Buy your return QR ticket on WhatsApp (+91 83000 86000) while waiting for your bag at the belt
- Traveling in a group? WhatsApp lets you book up to 6 QR tickets in one go
- Airport station has paid two-wheeler parking if someone's picking up your bike later
- Keep ₹50 in UPI-less backup cash - counters accept it if your network dies