Cheap flights to Chennai

Finding cheap flights to Chennai

Chennai is the gateway to Tamil Nadu and South India, with temples, beaches and easy connections to Madurai, Coimbatore and Bengaluru.

Flights from UK airports to Chennai

We book flights to Chennai from London Heathrow, Manchester, Birmingham, London Gatwick and Glasgow. Flying from your nearest airport can save the trip to London, and we compare it with London fares so you can see the difference.

Arriving in Chennai

Chennai International Airport (MAA) is about 15 kilometres south-west of the city centre. The Chennai Metro runs from the airport into the city, avoiding the traffic, and a taxi to T. Nagar or Egmore usually takes 30 to 60 minutes.

Direct and one-stop flights

British Airways flies non-stop from Heathrow to Chennai in about 10.5 hours. One-stop options include Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad through the Gulf, Lufthansa through Frankfurt and SriLankan Airlines through Colombo, which can be good value and lets you add a Sri Lanka stopover.

Baggage allowance

Most fares to Chennai include one or two checked bags. Allowances differ between fare types on the same airline, so we confirm exactly what is included before you pay.

Best time to fly to Chennai

Chennai is warm all year. December to March is the most comfortable time. The north-east monsoon brings most of the city's rain between October and December, and April to June is very hot. Pongal in mid January and Christmas are the busiest weeks for fares.

Visas and entry

British passport holders need a visa for India. Most visitors apply for an Indian e-Visa online before travel, using the official Indian government website. If you hold an OCI card, you can travel on that with your passport. Entry rules can change, so check the GOV.UK foreign travel advice before you book and again before you fly.

Tips for booking

Pongal in mid January and the Christmas holidays push fares up. Late January to March is usually cheaper and drier than the October to December rains.

Airlines we book to Chennai

We regularly book British Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, SriLankan Airlines and Lufthansa. Tell us your preferred airline, or let us find the best value on your dates.