Chennai Airport currently has 2 terminals connected by an internal corridor (via the public section only).
Walking between terminals takes about 2 minutes and you do not have to leave the building.
Due to several pre-departure checks, we recommend arriving at the airport at least 3 hours before departure.
Show the nearest hotels to the terminal
Which terminal?
The buildings are divided into domestic and international flights.
- Terminal 1 - a smaller and often quite crowded building serving all domestic flights within India
- Terminal 2 - a modern and spacious building serving all international flights to international destinations
Before entering the terminal, you will go through a document check. Have your ticket or boarding pass ready, just show it on your mobile phone.
This is immediately followed by a baggage security check before you can check in.
After checking in, there is the usual airport security check.
Transfer between flights
Transfer procedures vary depending on the type of transfer.
Domestic <-> Domestic
Chennai Airport is a major domestic hub and transfers between flights within India are common here.
Follow the "Domestic Transfer" signs, which will take you from the baggage claim area to the right to security and on to the departure gates.
You will not leave the transit area.
- Average transfer time - 15-25 minutes
- Baggage on transfer - will be transferred automatically
International <-> International
The international terminal has a direct transit option so you do not have to leave the transit area.
Follow the "International Transfer" signage which will lead you to security and then straight to the departure gates. There is no immigration check.
- Average transfer time - 15-25 minutes
- Baggage on transfer - will be transferred automatically
International <-> Domestic
When transferring from an international flight to a domestic flight or vice versa, you must always exit the transit area, walk out into the public area and proceed to the adjacent terminal.
The distance between the terminals is a maximum of 5 minutes walking distance through the inner corridor.
When changing from an international to a domestic flight, you must always collect your baggage and check it in again.
On the reverse transfer from domestic to international, the baggage may be transferred automatically. However, always check this situation when you check in at your point of departure.
- Average transfer time - 45 to 90 minutes
- Baggage on transfer - you must collect and re-check-in
Overnight in the terminal - opening hours
The airport remains open 24/7. However, you will only be admitted into the building upon presentation of your ticket or boarding pass, and staff will often refuse to admit passengers who have a departure in more than 8 hours.
As a practical matter, you can stay overnight at the airport for a long layover, for example, but there are minimal comfortable seats in the public area.
Moreover, both terminals are very busy throughout the night.
Hotels near the airport
There is no hotel directly next to the terminal.
There are two large hotels on the main road in the direction of the city centre about 10 minutes away by taxi or hotel shuttle:
The hotels offer airport transfers for a fee approx. 10 usd.
