Chennai Tour Packages
Chennai is Tamil Nadu's capital and the gateway to the south: a coastal city of Dravidian temples, colonial-era landmarks and Marina Beach, with a serious Carnatic music and dance scene every December. It is also where every Nexara trip starts.
Chennai at a glance
- LocationTamil Nadu, India
- Time zoneIndian Standard Time (UTC+5:30)
- Driving sideLeft
- Calling code+91
- CurrencyIndian rupee (INR)
- LanguagesTamil
- Ideal stay1–2 days
- Getting thereChennai International Airport (MAA)
Best time to visit: November to February
Top Chennai travel packages
A few of our Chennai itineraries in different travel styles. Every one is private and can be changed to suit you.
Couples' holidaysChennai · Mahabalipuram · PuducherryChennai, Mahabalipuram & Pondicherry Coastal Break5 Days | 4 Nights
Pilgrimage toursChennai · Kanchipuram · Thanjavur ·…Temples of Tamil Nadu8 Days | 7 Nights
Cultural holidaysChennai · Mahabalipuram · Puducherry ·…Tamil Nadu Grand Tour11 Days | 10 Nights
Cultural holidaysChennaiChennai City & Culture Short Break3 Days | 2 NightsEssential tips for travelling to Chennai
UPI and cards are widely accepted in cities and hotels; keep some cash for small shops, rural areas, hill towns and tips.
Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Drink bottled or filtered water; it is cheap and easy to find.
112 (all emergencies)
Languages spoken: Tamil.
Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli and Thoothukudi have airports. Trains link every major town, and a car with driver is the easiest way to string temples together.
Most large temples ask men to remove shirts in the inner sanctum and everyone to remove footwear; carry socks for hot stone floors.
Temple inner shrines usually close for a few hours in the early afternoon, so plan visits for the morning or evening.
Use Chennai as a starting day: a morning in Mylapore and an evening on the beach before driving down the East Coast Road.
General guidance. Local rules and services change; we confirm details for your dates.
Where is Chennai?
Who should visit Chennai?
Plan your Chennai trip
Everything you need to know about Chennai
Chennai is Tamil Nadu's capital and the gateway to the south: a coastal city of Dravidian temples, colonial-era landmarks and Marina Beach, with a serious Carnatic music and dance scene every December. It is also where every Nexara trip starts.
Highlights include Kapaleeshwarar Temple, Marina Beach, Fort St. George and San Thome Basilica. Local food worth trying: Idli, dosa and filter coffee, Chettinad chicken, Kothu parotta and Sundal on the beach. Plan 1–2 days here; it suits city breaks, culture, food lovers. Our Chennai itineraries run from 3 to 11 days and every one can be changed to suit you.
When to go
November to February. The most comfortable months, with the December music season as a highlight; summer (April to June) is very hot.
How to reach Chennai
- By air: Chennai International Airport (MAA)
- By rail: Chennai Central and Chennai Egmore stations
- By road: Well connected by national highways to Bengaluru, Puducherry and Madurai
View all Chennai packages
Private, customisable itineraries with prices quoted for your dates, hotel category and group size.
5D / 4NChennai · Mahabalipuram · PuducherryChennai, Mahabalipuram & Pondicherry Coastal Break
A short East Coast Road trip from Chennai: Pallava shore temples at Mahabalipuram, then two easy days in Pondicherry's French Quarter and Auroville.
View itinerary →8D / 7NChennai · Kanchipuram · Thanjavur · MaduraiTemples of Tamil Nadu
The great temple towns in one week: Kanchipuram's silk and shrines, the Chola masterpieces around Thanjavur, Madurai's Meenakshi and the corridors of Rameswaram.
View itinerary →11D / 10NChennai · Mahabalipuram · Puducherry · ThanjavurTamil Nadu Grand Tour
Ten days across the state, from the coast and Pallava monuments through the Chola heartland and Madurai to the Palani and Nilgiri hills.
View itinerary →
3D / 2NChennaiChennai City & Culture Short Break
Two days of Chennai at its best: Mylapore's temple streets, Fort St George, the Chola bronzes at Egmore, filter coffee and the beach at sunset.
View itinerary →
5D / 4NChennai · Kanchipuram · TirupatiTirupati & Chennai Temple Tour
Kapaleeshwarar in Chennai, the temples of Kanchipuram and then Tirumala, ideal for families travelling with elders.
View itinerary →
5D / 4NChennai · Velankanni · NagoreChennai St Thomas & Velankanni Pilgrimage
San Thome Basilica over the tomb of St Thomas, Little Mount and St Thomas Mount in Chennai, then Mass at Velankanni and a visit to the Nagore Dargah nearby.
View itinerary →6 itineraries
More places in Tamil Nadu
Top things to see in Chennai
ChennaiColourful Dravidian temple in Mylapore
ChennaiFamous collection of Chola bronzes
Tamil NaduLiving museum of South Indian homes and crafts
Cultural experiences in Chennai
Heritage and landmarks
ChennaiColourful Dravidian temple in Mylapore
ChennaiSeventeenth-century East India Company fort and museum
ChennaiNeo-Gothic church over the tomb of St Thomas
ChennaiFamous collection of Chola bronzes
Tamil NaduLiving museum of South Indian homes and crafts
Experiences
- December music season concerts
- Shopping for Kanchipuram silk in T. Nagar
On the menuFood to try
- Idli, dosa and filter coffee
- Chettinad chicken
- Kothu parotta
- Sundal on the beach
Outdoor activities in Chennai
Many activities are seasonal. Best time for Chennai: November to February. We check operating seasons for your dates.
Chennai travel tips
Visa and entry
Indian citizens do not need a visa; carry a government photo ID such as Aadhaar or a passport for hotels and flights.
Health and safety
Travel insurance is a good idea, especially for adventure activities. Carry prescription medicines in their original packaging with a copy of the prescription.
Currency and tipping
The currency is the Indian rupee (INR). Tipping is not compulsory; around 5–10% in restaurants and a small tip for drivers and guides is appreciated.
Best time to visit
November to February. The most comfortable months, with the December music season as a highlight; summer (April to June) is very hot.
Getting around
Chennai, Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli and Thoothukudi have airports. Trains link every major town, and a car with driver is the easiest way to string temples together.
Local etiquette
- Dress modestly at temples, churches and mosques, and remove footwear where asked.
- Ask before photographing people, and follow photography rules at religious sites and museums.
What to pack
Pack a light jacket or sweater for cool evenings, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat and swimwear, modest clothing that covers shoulders and knees for religious sites and comfortable walking shoes.
Phone and internet
Mobile data is good in towns and cities.
Budget
We don't publish fixed prices because the season, hotel category, flights and group size change the cost. Your written quote lists exactly what is included, so you can compare like for like.
Chennai FAQs
What is Chennai famous for?
What is the best time to visit Chennai?
How many days are enough for Chennai?
How do I reach Chennai?
Is tap water safe to drink in Tamil Nadu?
What are the emergency numbers in Tamil Nadu?
How much does a Chennai tour package cost?
Can Nexara Holidays plan a Chennai trip from Chennai?
Destinations near Chennai
Andhra PradeshTirupati
Tirupati is the town at the foot of Tirumala hill, home to the Sri Venkateswara Temple, one of the most visited religious sites in the world.
South IndiaPuducherry
Puducherry (Pondicherry) is a former French enclave three hours south of Chennai.
KarnatakaBengaluru
Bengaluru is India's tech capital, but it was a garden city long before: Lalbagh and Cubbon Park, Tipu Sultan's summer palace and the Bangalore Palace remain.
KarnatakaMysuru
Mysuru (Mysore) was the seat of the Wodeyar kings, and its palace is one of the most visited monuments in India.
KarnatakaShravanabelagola
Shravanabelagola is one of the most important Jain pilgrimage sites in India.
KarnatakaKabini
Kabini is a river and reservoir on the edge of Nagarhole National Park, known for large elephant herds in summer and the famous black panther.
Chennai guides and articles
Travel guideBest time to visit Ooty and Kodaikanal from Chennai
When to plan a trip to Ooty, Coonoor and Kodaikanal for cool weather, flower shows, misty monsoons or quiet winter breaks.
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Travel guideChennai to Ooty by the Nilgiri toy train: how it works
How to combine the overnight train from Chennai with the UNESCO-listed Nilgiri Mountain Railway to Ooty, plus booking tips and alternatives.
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Travel guideBooking Indian train tickets for a holiday: classes, timing and tips
How Indian Railways reservations work for holidays: when bookings open, which class to choose, Tatkal, waitlists and when a flight makes more sense.
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BlogWhere to watch India's classical dance forms on holiday
Where travellers can watch Kathakali, Bharatanatyam, Odissi, Kathak and other Indian classical dances, including festival seasons and evening shows.
Read →Plan your Chennai holiday
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