By Air

Chennai is served by the Chennai International Airport (MAA), which has both domestic and international terminals.

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  1. International Flights: Direct flights are available from major international destinations including Singapore, Dubai, London, Frankfurt, and more.

  2. Domestic Flights: Regular flights connect Chennai with major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata, and others.

From the Airport to IIT Madras:

  • Taxi: Prepaid and app-based taxis (Uber, Ola) are available at the airport. The journey to IIT Madras typically takes around 30-45 minutes depending on traffic.

  • Public Transport: The Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) buses and suburban trains are also available, though they might be less convenient with luggage.



By Train

Chennai is well-connected by rail to various parts of India.

  1. Major Railway Stations

    • Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Railway Station (MAS): Connects to major cities in India.

    • Chennai Egmore (MS): Mostly connects to cities within Tamil Nadu and neighboring states.

  2. Reaching IIT Madras from Railway Stations

    • From Chennai Central: Taxis and autos are readily available. The journey takes around 30-45 minutes.

    • From Chennai Egmore: Similar options are available, with a travel time of around 20-30 minutes.



By Road

Chennai interstate/intercity bus terminus is called Kalaignar Centenary Bus Terminus – Kilambakkam. Chennai is accessible via several National Highways and is well-connected to nearby cities and states.

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  1. Buses: Various state-run and private buses connect Chennai to other cities.

  2. Driving: If you are driving to Chennai, use GPS navigation to reach IIT Madras located in the Guindy area.



Reaching IIT Madras

IIT Madras is located in the heart of Chennai and can be reached by various means

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  1. Taxi/Auto-rickshaw: Convenient options from any part of Chennai.

  2. Bus: Several MTC buses stop near the IIT Madras campus. Key bus stops include "Adyar Gate" and "CLRI."

  3. Metro: The nearest metro station is "Guindy," from where you can take a taxi or auto-rickshaw to IIT Madras.

Inside IIT Madras: Once you reach the main gate of IIT Madras, you can use the campus shuttle service to your destination (Eg. ICSR building) within the campus. The campus is lush and spread out, so a map of the campus or directions from the main gate security can be very helpful.



Important Tips

  • Currency: Ensure you have some local currency (INR) for smaller expenses and transport.
  • Language: While Tamil is the local language, English is widely understood, especially in educational and tourist areas.
  • Weather: Chennai has a tropical climate, so dress accordingly and stay hydrated.