# MAA — Chennai (Chennai International Airport)

> MAA (Chennai International Airport) is the main international airport serving Chennai, India. Source: https://www.airportexit.com/airports/maa-chennai

## At a glance

- **Best exit method:** Take Chennai Metro Blue Line
- **Typical fare:** ₹50–₹70
- **Journey time:** 30 min to Central Station
- **Pickup point:** Underground station connected to Domestic Terminal
- **Key warning:** Metro reaches Central but not Velachery/IT Park — Uber for those
- **Fare reality (MAA → Central Station):** expected ₹50 metro / ₹400–₹700 cab · concerning ₹1,200+ · likely scam ₹2,500+ pre-paid van
- **Overall risk:** medium — Metro runs from the terminal but stops short of many areas. Pre-paid taxi counter and Uber/Ola are both safe.
- **Last updated:** June 2026 (high confidence)

## Ways out of MAA, ranked

1. **Chennai Metro Blue Line** _(recommended)_ — cost ₹50–₹70, journey 30 min, wait Every 7–10 min, payment Card & Cash.
   - Pros: Beats traffic; Cheap
   - Cons: Limited coverage
2. **Uber / Ola** _(recommended)_ — cost ₹400–₹700, journey 30–60 min, wait 5–10 min, payment App Payment.
   - Pros: Fixed fare; App-tracked
   - Cons: Surge at peak
3. **Pre-paid taxi counter** — cost ₹600–₹900, journey 30–60 min, wait 5–15 min, payment Card & Cash.
   - Pros: Set price
   - Cons: Pricier than apps
4. **Auto-rickshaw (metered)** — cost ₹250–₹500, journey 40–70 min, wait 5–15 min, payment Cash.
   - Pros: Cheap
   - Cons: Must insist on meter; No bag space

## First 30 minutes after landing at MAA

1. Clear immigration / customs
2. Pick up SIM (Airtel/Jio counter in arrivals)
3. Metro: underground station connects via Domestic Terminal
4. Or use Uber/Ola — designated pickup zone outside
5. 30 min metro to Central, 30–60 min by road

## Common scams at MAA

- **Auto meter refusal** (medium risk): Auto drivers claim meter is broken and quote ₹600+ flat. _How to avoid:_ Use Uber/Ola Auto — same vehicle, fixed price.
- **Pre-paid van upsell** (low risk): Counter staff push 'premium AC sedan' at 2x normal rate. _How to avoid:_ Specify basic taxi, not van/SUV.

## Payment warnings at MAA

- Uber/Ola work with foreign cards but Indian SIM helps for OTP.
- Have ₹100/₹200 notes for autos.

## Arrival checklist for MAA

- Airtel or Jio SIM at airport counter
- Metro for Central/Egmore areas
- Uber/Ola for everything else
- Uber Auto = fixed-price rickshaw

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Canonical URL: https://www.airportexit.com/airports/maa-chennai
Source: Airport Exit (https://www.airportexit.com)
Last updated: June 2026

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