Rs 20–40 gets you from MAA into the city
Metropolitan Transport Corporation Airport Services run standard blue-and-white city buses between Chennai International Airport and key areas like Tambaram, Broadway, and CMBT for roughly Rs 20–40 one-way, depending on distance. These are regular MTC routes, not special airport shuttles, and they mainly suit travellers with light luggage and time to spare.
Buses stop outside both T1 (domestic) and T4 (international) on GST Road, a 5–10 minute walk from arrivals depending on traffic and where you exit. You do not need to enter any terminal or re-clear security; everything is landside. Look for MTC stop boards on the main road and ask for buses heading toward Broadway, CMBT, or Tambaram if you want central-city connections.
Service typically starts around 05:00 and runs past 22:00, with many daytime routes operating every 10–20 minutes, though frequencies thin out after 21:00. There’s no fixed airport timetable on a single website; routes operate like any other Chennai city line, so build in at least 30 minutes of slack if you have a firm check-in time.
Fares are paid in cash directly to the conductor after you board, and small notes (Rs 10 and Rs 20) make the transaction easier; some buses accept exact-change UPI via the conductor’s device, but you should not count on it. Tickets are printed on a small paper slip that shows the amount and the start and end points of your ride.
Most buses on these airport-serving routes are non-AC, high-floor models with two steps at the door and limited dedicated luggage space, so a 23 kg checked suitcase plus a cabin bag is already awkward. AC “Deluxe” variants do run on some trunk routes like the GST Road corridor and cost a bit more, usually in the Rs 30–60 range for longer rides, but still much cheaper than a taxi by several hundred rupees.
Expect a full load during Chennai’s office peaks: roughly 08:00–10:00 and 17:00–20:00, especially on buses toward Guindy and Broadway, and standees are normal for at least part of the ride. If you land at T2 and need the bus, follow signs to T1/T4 and the metro, then continue to GST Road; count on 10–15 minutes from baggage claim to the bus stop when planning your exit.
Quick tip: if you’re unsure about the right bus number, ask for “Tambaram side” or “Broadway side” at the stop and confirm the destination board on the front of the bus before you hop on.