Airfare to Chennai (Madras), India

Please note that these fares do not include applicable taxes and fees. For more information about these taxes and fees, click here.

See more departure cities on our Chennai (Madras) airfare specials page

The capital of Tamil Nadu has an excellent - or at least, plentiful - film industry. A car-manufacturing hub, it has drawn comparisons to Detroit, although some would argue it's a much better place to visit. Temples abound, and the Fort St. George and Marina Beach are worth visits.

Airfare to Chennai will be the cheapest on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday. Mondays are popular with business travellers and weekends are key dates for holidaymakers wanting the longest trips possible - avoid these dates.

Also consider flights into Bangalore, India. To get between the cities, you can grab a spot on a train, bus or flight. Look for cheap flights on no frills airlines. Air Deccan, Alliance Air, Go Air, Kingfisher Airlines, Paramount Airways, spiceJet and Air-India Express fly to Chennai. And although it will take longer to reach your destination, a bus or train could save you enough cash to make it worth your while.

Another possible money-saving tip is to look for flights that go through Bangkok, Thailand; Delhi, India; or another major gateway city instead of flying direct. Because there are more flights - and competition - from these cities on low budget airlines, you can save some cash over flying non-stop to your destination. It is very common to layover in one of these main cities.

Finally, consider traveling on a lesser-known carrier. Air India and Indian Airlines are the national airlines. However, Delta Air Lines, Thai Airways and other airlines also stop in Chennai.

The most expensive air tickets to Chennai are found during peak holiday travel times, such as the New Year. Also be aware of national events or festivals, which can also cause ticket prices to rise.

Summary of Money Saving Tips:

• Fly mid-week
• Book your holiday during the off-peak season
• Consider flying into Bangalore, India and traveling overland to Chennai via train or bus
• Look for flights that go through large cities, with many flights
• Check out carriers besides the national airline - they may undercut the monopolistic competition

For more information on Chennai, check out BootsnAll's Chennai Travel Guide.