Chennai Airport Guide

sleeping in chennai airport — (photo courtesy of a guest reviewer / January 2015)

Whether you have a layover, overnight sleepover or are just quickly passing through, our Chennai Airport Guide is a great place to start planning your visit. Here, you’ll find information on services and facilities available inside the airport – including details about airport lounges, WiFi, mobile charging points, lockers, 24-hour food options, nearby hotels, and everything in between.

Security would only let me into the Visitor’s gallery because my departure wasn’t within 3 hours. The gallery was cold and the chairs designed specifically with metal separators so you couldn’t lie across. – sophcotton

MAA Airport Overview

To help you plan your layover or overnight sleepover, here is a quick run-down about what to expect during your time at Chennai Airport (Code: MAA).

What to Expect

Chennai Airport operates three passenger terminals: Terminal 1 (Domestic), Terminal 2 (International), and Terminal 4 (Domestic). A new satellite terminal is under construction, and ongoing expansion (Phase II) may impact services. An elevated travelator connects the two. Despite the renovations, travellers report that the facilities still seem outdated, with inefficient and slow passenger processing, security, and rude staff members. Various dining and shopping options are available in both terminals, though prices are considered high. WiFi is available to help pass the time, and additional comfort may be found through fee-based access to one of the airport’s first-class lounges.

Chennai airport sleep chairs — Sleep chairs in the transit area (Photo by a Guest Traveller / September 2022)

Sleeping in Chennai Airport

Passengers are not allowed into the departure areas more than three hours before their departing flight, so most travellers choose to sleep on the landside. The baggage claim area in the International arrivals hall has comfortable padded seats with armrests for upright sleeping, and people have successfully slept on the floor there (though consider a travel mat/sleeping bag for added comfort). One reviewer noted that free sleeping chairs are available after security in the International Terminal.

For uninterrupted sleep, sleeping pods are available within the terminal, and hotels are just a quick shuttle ride away. See Airport Hotels in the guide below.

Read some recent traveller reviews for more tips. For more airport information, continue scrolling down to explore more in our Chennai Airport Guide.

In this guide we may refer to locations as “landside” and “airside”. Landside is the public area of the terminal located in the non-secure zone, before security. Airside is the secure area of the terminal that you must reach by going through security.

Airport Hours

The airport operates 24 hours.

Rest & Relaxation Zones

A reader tells us sleep chairs are available in the transit area. You will find them “right after clearing security when transiting internationally.” (September 2022)

Cots

The airport does not provide cots to stranded travellers. If this has changed, click here to update the guide.

Airport Hotels

If sleeping in Chennai Airport sounds like a nightmare, there are sleep capsules inside the terminal and several nearby hotels:

Hotel inside Chennai airport

Sleepzo – 4 sleep capsules are available in the Arrivals Hall (Belt 1) of the Domestic Terminal. The capsules come equipped with reading lights, a charging station, a USB charger, and luggage storage. Each pod can accommodate one adult and one child. Hourly time slots are available. At the time of this update, we did not have the rates.
Retiring Rooms – currently closed due to renovation

Hotels near the airport

Radisson Blu Hotel & Suites GRT Chennai (1.8 mi)

Airport Lounges

Pay-per-use, Single Visit Passes & Lounge Memberships

Regardless of what class of service you are flying, there are lounges that you can enter by purchasing a lounge pass or through a lounge membership program.

Domestic Terminal

TFS Travel Club Lounge – Location: Airside, Domestic Departures, Terminal 1, 3rd Floor, near Gates 1-3. Hours: open 24 hours. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (starting approx INR 1,700) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit card rewards programs.
TFS Travel Club Lounge – Location: Airside, Domestic Departures, Terminal 1, near Gate 5). Hours: open 24 hours. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (starting approx INR 1,700) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit card rewards programs.

Terminal 2

Travel Club Lounge – Location: Airside – International Departures, Terminal 2, 3rd Floor, after immigration and security. Hours: open 24 hours. Showers: Yes. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit card rewards programs.

Terminal 4

Travel Club Lounge – Location: Airside – Domestic Departures, Terminal 4, near Gate 17. Hours: open 24 hours. Showers: No. Dedicated Rest Zone: No. Sleep Facilities: No. Lounge Access: Pay at the door (rate not published) • Prepaid lounge passes • Lounge membership programs • Credit card rewards programs.

Drinking Water

Thirsty? Drinking water is available at refill stations in terminals.

Food & Drinks

Food outlets throughout the airport operate with varying schedules. There are food options, Landside and Airside, in both terminals. The new Aerohub Mall attached to Chennai Airport offers a 24-hour food court (landside).

Luggage Storage & Lockers

There are dated online references to luggage storage at Chennai Airport, but we do not have current information. If you are able to confirm this information, click here to update this guide.

Mobile Charging

Charging stations and outlets are available at various locations throughout the airport.

Showers

Showers are not available while retiring rooms are closed for renovation. [ see Airport Hotels above ]

WiFi/Internet

Free WiFi is available for 45 minutes at the Chennai Airport. An Indian mobile phone number is required to receive a PIN via SMS. Once your time expires, you have the option to purchase additional time.

Security & Safety

Sleeping in any airport can include a certain level of risk, especially when travelling alone. It’s important to take certain precautions to ensure your safety and the security of your valuables. Here are a few tips:

Safety First. It’s a good idea to know where the security office is located and look for video cameras where you plan to sleep. You can also ask the security personnel for advice on the safest places to spend the night.
Don’t Seclude Yourself. If you’re travelling alone, we recommend you stay near other travellers or close to security. This will help you feel more secure and deter potential thieves.
Hide Your Valuables. It’s also important to hide your valuables. Don’t leave them out in plain view, as this could make you a target for theft. Additionally, if you are a deep sleeper, you may want to padlock your bag to something or sleep with your bag up against a wall to make it harder for someone to access zippers and pockets. We have received reports of sleepers who woke up without their phones and laptop bags. The travellers were left with just their headphones and laptop bag strap.
Stay Alert. It’s best to stay alert and awake if you feel unsafe or uncomfortable. Drink coffee or other caffeinated beverages to help you stay awake, and remember that you can always catch up on sleep during your flight. These simple precautions can help you enjoy a safe night at the airport.

More Airport Information

More Services, Facilities & Things To Do On A Layover

ATMs / Cash Machines – Need cash? ATMs are available in both terminals. Fees may apply, so check your bank’s fee schedule and daily withdrawal limits if travelling internationally. Notifying your bank before travel is recommended.
Baby Care Facilities – Baby changing facilities are available in both terminals.
Currency Exchange – Currency exchange services are available in both terminals.
Duty-Free & Shopping – Duty-free shopping is available airside in the International Terminal for both arriving and departing passengers. Additional shops selling souvenirs, tea, clothing, and travel items are located throughout the terminals.
Luggage Porters – Porters are available to assist with luggage and airport formalities, from check-in through security.
Luggage Trolleys – Free baggage trolleys are available throughout the terminals.
Luggage Wrapping – Luggage wrapping services are available for travellers who wish to protect their bags.
Massages and Spa – Spa and massage services are available airside in the Domestic Terminal.
Medical Services – Emergency medical assistance is available through the on-site first aid facility. Contact airport staff for access.
Pharmacy – A pharmacy is available airside in the Domestic Departures area and operates 24 hours.
Post Office – A post office is available landside in the Domestic Arrivals area. It operates weekdays and Saturdays; closed on Sundays.
Prayer Room – A prayer room is available airside in the International Terminal.
Smoking Room – Designated smoking rooms are available airside in both terminals.

Airlines

Chennai Airport is served by the following airlines: Air Arabia • AirAsia • Air France • Air India • AIX Connect • Akasa Air • Alliance Air • Batik Air • British Airways • Cathay Pacific • Emirates • Ethiopian Airlines • Etihad Airways • Fitsair • Flydubai • Gulf Air • IndiGo • Jazeera Airways • Kuwait Airways • Lufthansa • Malaysia Airlines • Oman Air • Qatar Airways • Scoot • Singapore Airlines • SpiceJet • SriLankan Airlines • Thai AirAsia • Thai Airways • Vistara.

Airport Transportation: Getting To/From The Airport

Inter-Terminal Transfers

Free shuttle service is available to passengers between the two terminals.

Commuter Train

Travel as the locals do! If your load is light, you can take the suburban commuter trains, which link the airport to two main passenger stations (Chennai Park and Egmore). The closest train station to the airport is “Tirusalam Station,” located about 500m from the terminal.

Hotel Shuttles

See Airport Hotels above.

Metro

A reader sent us this update: Metro Service has improved. Blue and Green lines both start from Airport Metro Station. The Blue Line ends at Washermenpet, and it is the shorter route (30 Minutes) to Chennai Central Railway Station (renamed Dr MGR Central Railway Station now). The Green Line ends at the Chennai Central Railway station; however, it takes a longer route (almost 1 hour) via CMBT (Chennai Moffussil Bus Terminus – Koyambedu). Metro Service is from 4:30 AM – 11:00 PM (Mon-Sat) and 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM.

Taxis

Prepaid taxis are readily available for hire in the ground transportation area. Stop at the Prepaid Taxi booth in the Arrivals hall to pay for your ride. You will receive a ticket to give to your taxi driver before boarding the taxi.
Taxis from Ola or Uber are also authorized. Either can be booked through the app.

Last updated: 2026-01-22

This guide is for informational purposes only to assist with your planning. All information, including rates and hours, is subject to change at any time without notice. The information in this airport guide is based on information collected and/or received from the airports, lounges, hotels, transportation providers, and their websites. We are not representatives of any of the above-mentioned service providers. To report errors or to add/update any items mentioned in the guide: update the airport guide or write a review.