Chennai (Madras)

Advertisement

Madras High Court

Introducing Chennai (Madras)

No matter how determined you are, you'd be pretty hard pressed to find much to gush about when it comes to Chennai. The streets are clogged with traffic, the weather oppressively hot, the air heavy with smog, and sights of any interest are uncooperatively thin on the ground. Even the movie stars, as one Chennaiite put it, are 'not that hot'.

Advertisement

While it may not boast the money of Mumbai (Bombay) or the buzz of Bengaluru (Bangalore), Chennai does feel friendlier than most cities its size. Chennai is so modest you wouldn't even know it’s an economic powerhouse, much less a queen of showbiz: India's fourth-largest city is its most humble.

The major transport hub of the region, this 70-sq-km city is a conglomerate of urban villages connected by a maze of roads ruled by hard-line rickshaw drivers. Its central location and excellent plane, train and bus connections actually make it an interesting alternative entry point into India. If you do happen to be caught here between connections, it's certainly worth your while poking around the markets of George Town or taking a sunset stroll along pretty Marina Beach.

Last updated: Oct 19, 2009

Tips & articles

  1. Cities - so misunderstood (update)

    12 January 2010

    Wow - the original version of this article, entitled ‘Cities You Really Hate’ and published on 9 October, certainly ruffled...

    Read more

See all tips & articles for Chennai (Madras)

Thorn Tree forum discussion

Recent posts

  1. flanagan avatar
    Re: Please help with itinery for trip ending in the Andamans

    by flanagan 01 June 2012

    Contrary what Devshan say's, Chennai *is not* best city to visit.On the contrary, city is without almost anything interesting to see,…
  2. flanagan avatar
    Re: India in 8 weeks, tips? (Mumbai, Auroville, Pondicherry, Hill stations..)

    by flanagan 01 June 2012

    Mumbai is by far most expensive.If staying in the city, go to (for example) India guest house on Apollo Bunder road in Colaba.Very cheap…
  3. Grahamapoole avatar
    RE: India in 8 weeks, tips? (Mumbai, Auroville, Pondicherry, Hill stations..)

    by Grahamapoole 01 June 2012

    Just a quick note - Chennai is a waste of time & only a resident would recommend it - a bit like Mumbai Auroville is next door to Pondi…

See all Thorn Tree forum discussions for Chennai (Madras)

In our shop

See all shop products

Hotels & Hostels in Chennai (Madras)

See all hotels and hostels in Chennai (Madras)

Travel Insurance

Going to India? Make sure you're covered.

Get a quote

See all travel services

Advertisement