Places to Visit near Chennai Airport
Places to Visit near Chennai Airport
Chennai has India’s most popular and busy airports, handling more than 400 flights daily. It is the third busiest airport in terms of international traffic and cargo capacity in India after New Delhi and Mumbai. So, it wouldn’t be surprising to find yourself flying in or out of Chennai airport soon. There are chances that you might even have a layover here as it is one of the main hubs for many Indian and international air service providers. However, most people prefer to avoid layovers or connecting flights as they are boring. But, the good news is that there are plenty of amazing places to visit near Chennai airport.
If you have a long layover in Chennai or your flight is delayed by a few hours, you can easily step out of the airport and visit one or more of these places to see near Chennai airport.
10 Best Places To Visit Near Chennai Airport
1. Vivekananda House
Distance from the Chennai Airport – 15.7 km (Approx. 16 minutes drive)
Things to do – Popular tourist attraction in Chennai, Vivekananda House, is dedicated to one of the Hindu monks, Swami Vivekananda, who led the Ramakrishna movement in South India and stayed here for six weeks in the year 1897. You can see the collection of Swamiji's personal things and paintings that showcase the religion and the pre-religion events. Those interested in beautiful Victorian architecture and looking for a place to meditate should visit the place. It's a must-see among Chennai places to visit near the airport.
Timings – Open from 10 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. and 3 p.m. – 7:15 p.m. Monday closed.
Entry Fee – Rs. 10 for adults and Rs. 5 for child
2.Santhome Cathedral Basilica
Distance from the Chennai Airport – 18.1 km (Approx. 17 minutes drive)
Things to do – Santhome Cathedral Basilica is a historical pilgrimage center for Christians and was built in the 14th to 15th century by the Portuguese. The cathedral is designed in the neo-gothic style and is among Chennai’s most popular tourist attractions.. The place’s main attractions are a map of 16th-century South Asia and the statue of the Virgin Mary from Portugal. Christians visit the place and attend masses that are organized here regularly.
Timings – Open from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. every day
Entry Fee – Free
3.Chennai Rail Museum
Distance from the Chennai Airport – 19 km (Approx. 18 minutes drive)
Things to do – Chennai Rail Museum was inaugurated in 2002 and covers a total of 6.25 acres of land. It has technical and heritage exhibits,an extensive collection of steam engines and vintage coaches from the British era. If you are considering visiting the Chennai Rail Museum, make sure you have enough time for everything that the the place offers. It is a site where you’ll find a rail museum, art gallery, history museum, model rail coaches, and more. In addition, you can enjoy a ride on the toy train within the premises.It is an exciting tourist place near Chennai airport.
Timings – Open from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Monday closed.
Entry Fee – Rs. 40 for general visitors and Rs. 25 for school students. The entry fee includes entry to the museum, one train joyride, tea or coffee, and snacks.
4.Edward Elliot’s Beach
Distance from the Chennai Airport – 16.2 km (Approx. 16 minutes drive)
Things to do – Edward Elliot’s Beachis one of the most popular beaches of Chennai and is situated at the end of the crowded Marina Beach. It is less crowded and much cleaner than the other beaches in Chennai,which makes it one of the top places to visit in Chennai near the airport. Two popular attractions on this beach are the Ashtalakshmi Temple and Velankanni Church. You’ll find many restaurants near the beach offering multiple cuisines. It is a perfect place for walks and those looking to soak their feet in seawater or sunbathe.
Timings – Open 24 hours
Entry Fee – Free
5.Victory War Memorial
Distance from the Chennai Airport – 18.8 km (Approx. 25 minutes drive)
Things to do – Victory War Memorialwas initially known as Cupid’s bow and was built to honor the sacrifice of our soldiers during World War I. But, after World War II, it was renamed Victory War Memorial. Most recently, the names of the soldiers who lost their lives in the 1948 Kashmir operations and the 1963 Indo-China war were added to the marble structure here.
It is ideal for research students and history lovers. People come here to pay their respect to the martyrs and spend a quiet evening here in the beautifully landscaped garden.
Timings – Open 24 hours
Entry Fee – Free
6.Valluvar Kottam
Distance from the Chennai Airport – 13.4 km (Approx. 20 minutes drive)
Things to do – This temple is dedicated to a famous Tamilian philosopher and poet. Make sure you check out the beauty of the architecture of this monument. You can take a few pictures to capture the stunning work of art. You can also relish the delicious local food available outside the temple.
Timings – 8.30 am to 5.30 pm. Open on all days
Entry Fee – Free
7.Arignar Anna Zoological Park
Distance from the Chennai Airport – 15.4 km (Approx. 30 minutes drive)
Things to do – This is the biggest zoological park in southeast Asia. It is spread over 602 hectares of land, and you can see various animals here. You can hire a battery rickshaw and explore the place. It is fun for kids, and you can also try out some snacks and refreshments. You can also enjoy safari rides and see tigers, lions, jaguars, cheetahs, black bucks, hyenas, ostriches, wolves, etc. In addition, you can visit the library here, read wildlife-related books, and enhance your knowledge about animals and wildlife. It is one of the most fun places to see near Chennai airport.
Timings – 9 am to 5 pm. It is closed on Tuesday
Entry Fee –30/- per person for Adults (above 10 years)
10/- per person for Children (2 to 10 years)
0/- Free entry for children below two years
25/- for Camera / Camera mobile / iPad / tablet
150/- for Handycam
8.Basant Nagar Beach
Distance from the Chennai Airport – 15 km (Approx. 30 minutes drive)
Things to do – Spend quality time with your loved ones at this beach. This beach is a gem for morning and evening beach walks, featuring crystal-clear water and picturesque surroundings. Enjoy sunrise and sunset, and you can also have a fun picnic on the sandy coast. In addition, you can enjoy beach activities like jet skiing and paragliding. It is one of the best places to visit near Chennai airport.
9.Marina Beach
Distance from the Chennai Airport – 18.6 km (Approx. a 1-hour drive)
Things to do – This is one of the most popular Chennai beaches visitors visit daily. You can do all sorts of beach activities here, and the place has a lovely aura that makes it lively and beautiful. There are beach shacks selling fantastic seafood and south Indian delicacies, so having your meal here is worthwhile. You can also do some shopping, as many stalls sell junk jewelry, showpieces, and other artifacts on the beach. You can fly kites and go on ponytail rides to enjoy yourself.
10. MGR Memorial
Distance from the Chennai Airport – 20 km (Approx. 1 hour 15 minutes drive)
Things to do – This memorial structure is a famous sightseeing location built in honor of the former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MGR. You can visit here and witness the beauty of this place with a splendid green cover and lovely fountains. Walk on the pathways and enjoy the view of Marina Beach that forms a backdrop here. .
Timings – 6 AM TO 9 PM
Entry Fee – Free
Why Hiring IndusGo Self Drive Rental Car at Chennai Airport is the Best Option?
Hiring a self-drive rental car in Chennai airport from IndusGo eliminates the stress and the irritation of waiting for the driver to arrive at the airport at the scheduled time. When you hire your car from us, your car will be waiting for you at the airport. You can get out of the airport as planned and stop at places as you please. But, freedom is not the only reason you should hire an IndusGo self-drive rental car from Chennai airport. Here are some more:
We have the most exceptional fleet of well-maintained and sanitized self-drive cars in the market to cater to your requirements.
We offer a transparent pricing structure, and there are no hidden costs.
You can make reservations anytime, as multiple cars are available for hire
We offer a stress-free and easy online booking system with free cancellation services.
We have a 24/7 customer care support system to assist you if you have any queries or questions about our services.
Our self-driven cars will cost you almost half of what taxi services will cost you, allowing you more cost savings.
Taxi and chauffeur-driven cars are part of the culture in India and are still very much prevalent today. But once you discover the joy and the freedom that comes with self-drive rental cars, you will never want to sit in the passenger seat of a taxi again. So, book a car from ndusGo and check out the Chennai tourist places near the airport at your convenience.
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