City in Tamil Nadu, India
Chennai
South India's big, humid, culture-heavy city: temples, filter coffee, a long beach and a large IT workforce. Cheaper and calmer than Mumbai, but hot, spread out and light on nightlife.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$571–934Comfortable, one person · ₹55,000–90,000Details
- Value for money91/100Better value than 90% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goNov–FebWarmest: May, 36°CDetails
- Air quality26 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2021) · Very pollutedDetails
- Internet64 MbpsFixed broadband, India medianDetails
- Tap waterNo, drink bottledDrink bottled or RO-filtered water.Details
- LGBTQ+3/5Tolerant, but be discreetDetails
- Solo travel3/5English: common in tourist areasDetails
- Doctor's visit$4.2–12.5Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberYou'll need transportDetails
- Cash or cardCards almost everywhereUPI and cards work almost everywhere, including street stalls.Details
Where to stay in Chennai
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Alwarpet–Mylapore | Temples, old Chennai, cafés and good food |
| Nungambakkam–T. Nagar | Central, shopping, hotels, easy metro access |
| Besant Nagar | Beach, cafés and an easygoing expat feel |
| OMR (Perungudi–Sholinganallur) | IT corridor: modern apartments and coworking, far from the center |
Apps that work in Chennai
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp
- IRCTC Rail Connect: Booking Indian Railways train tickets
- CheqUPI: UPI payments without an Indian bank
- Where is my Train: Live train running status
- Taxis: App autos beat street autos, which often refuse the meter. Prepaid taxi booths at the airport give fixed fares.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in India.
- Cards almost everywhere UPI and cards work almost everywhere, including street stalls. Keep small notes for autos, temples and market vendors.
- Currency: Rupee (INR). US$1 ≈ ₹96.37 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: Per-withdrawal limits are often ₹10,000–20,000 and some banks add a fee. Decline the ATM's own currency conversion.
- Tipping: Not obligatory. Leave about 10% in sit-down restaurants without a service charge, ₹50–100 for porters and hotel staff, and tip drivers and guides.
- Paying by phone: UPI One World wallets (e.g. CheqUPI) let visitors pay UPI QR codes with passport, visa and an Indian number.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Most visitors need an e-Visa from indianvisaonline.gov.in; apply at least four days before arrival and avoid look-alike agent sites.
- Since April 2026 foreigners must file the free e-Arrival Card online or in the Su-Swagatam app within 72 hours before landing.
- Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim and parts of Ladakh need Protected or Restricted Area Permits, arranged locally or through registered agencies.
Emergency numbers
Police 100 · Ambulance 108 · Fire 101 · Tourist police 1363 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, D, M · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Airtel kiosks in Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru arrivals halls; passport, visa and photo needed. About ₹350–450 for 28 days with 1.5–2 GB a day. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in India
Going to Chennai solo?
SoloSquare is where travelers, nomads and locals in Chennai meet up for small plans: coffee, dinners, walks and day trips. Join one, or start your own in a minute.
Sources
- Chennai Metro Rail
- Chennai Airport (Airports Authority of India)
- Metropolitan Transport Corporation Chennai
- Southern Railway
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.