Chennai Metro Map, Timings, Routes, Fare, Stations, And Other Details

Yes. The Blue Line of the metro network has a metro station that serves the international airport in Chennai. Those traveling by the Green Line can change to the Blue Line at Alandur or MGR Central (Chennai Central) and reach the Chennai Airport Metro Station.

There are direct trains from Chennai Central Metro Station (also called MGR Central Metro Station) to Chennai International Airport Metro Station. It takes around 45 minutes (18.14 km) to reach the airport from Chennai Central.
The ticket charge from Chennai Central to Chennai Airport is INR 40, and the train frequency is every 10 to 20 minutes. After reaching the Chennai Airport Metro Station, you can get to the terminals using the walkalators or shuttle services.

The starting time of the metro network in Chennai is 5:30 am on weekdays (Monday to Saturday). On Sundays and public holidays, it is 7:00 am.

The closing time of Chennai’s metro train network is 11:00 pm on weekdays (Monday to Saturday) and 10:00 pm on Sundays and public holidays.

Yes. The Green Line (Chennai Central to St. Thomas Mount) has a metro station in Egmore. It is the transfer station for Chennai Egmore Railway Station (outstation trains) and Chennai Egmore Suburban Railways Station (local trains).

No. Currently, Tambaram doesn’t have direct metro connectivity. The nearest metro station to Tambaram is the Chennai Airport Metro Station (10 km). After reaching the Airport Metro Station, you can cover the remaining distance by road.
You can also take a local train to Tambaram from Tirusulam Suburban Railway Station, which is located just across the Airport Metro Station (around 5 mins walk).

Yes. Two-wheeler parking facilities are available in all metro stations except Kilpauk and CMBT. Four-wheeler parking facilities are available in all metro stations except Kilpauk, CMBT, Anna Nagar Tower, Vadapalani, AG-DMS, Nanganallur Road, and Meenambakkam.
To know more about the availability of parking space and pass in the metro stations in Chennai, click here.

Currently, there are 40 metro stations in Chennai – 25 stations on the Blue Line and 17 stations on the Green Line. The network has two interchange stations (Chennai Central and Alandur) that serve both Green and Blue lines.

Yes. The Chennai Metro Rail app is the official app of CMRL. If you are an Android user, click here to download the app. The iOS version of the app is available here. You can use the app to:
1.      Get station info
2.      Get live train timings
3.      Know parking facility and availability
4.      Check the distance, route, and fare between any two stations
5.      Find the nearest metro railway station
6.      Recharge your travel card
7.      Buy contactless QR tickets or trip passes
8.      Get information related to travel and the metro network
9.      Contact CMRL helpline

Chennai Airport Metro Station is the nearest metro stop to the international airport in Chennai. The station is connected to the terminals through walkalators and shuttle services

Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Metro Station (MGR Central), popularly known as Chennai Central Metro Station, is the nearest metro to Chennai Central Railway Station. It is connected to the railway station via subway exit/entry points.

Currently, the metro network in Chennai doesn’t have a station in Adyar. The nearest metro stations to Adyar are Nandanam, Guindy, and Little Mount. All these stations are on the Blue Line and within a distance of 7 km of Adyar.

You can buy a Chennai Metro Travel Card (smart card) by visiting the ticket counters or Ticket Office Machines (TOMs) at any of the metro stations in Chennai. The cost of the Travel Card is INR 100 (refundable deposit of INR 50 + top-up of INR 50).
You can recharge your Travel Card online or offline. The minimum and maximum recharge amounts are INR 50 and INR 3000, respectively.

You can recharge your Chennai Metro Travel Card (store value card or smart card) both offline and online.
1.      Using Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) installed at the stations.
2.      Using Ticket Office Machines (TOMs).
3.      Through the CMRL mobile app. Check the next question to see how to recharge your CMRL Travel Card online using the mobile app. 

You can recharge your Metro Travel Card in Chennai using the CMRL mobile app. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Download the app. (Android version or iOS version).
Step 2: Open the app > The home screen will appear > Click on Edit Menu > Add Travel Card Recharge to the home screen > Go back to the home screen > Click on the Travel Card Recharge icon.

Step 3: Log in using your credentials / New users must register on the app by clicking the Create Account option.

Step 4: Click on Add New Card to add your card details. Alternatively, you can recharge the card using the Quick Recharge method.

Step 5: Enter your card number and name > Click on Add Card.

Step 6: Your name and card number will be shown on the screen > To recharge the card, click on it.

Step 7: Your name, card number, card balance, etc. will be shown on the screen > Enter the amount you want to add to the card > Click on Add Money.

Step 8: Choose your preferred method of payment – net banking, credit card, cash card, wallets, debit cards, etc. > Proceed to pay the money.
Step 9: Once your Chennai Metro card online recharge is successful, you must visit any metro station > Insert/tap your card in the Ticket Vending Machine or Card Reader Machine to redeem the recharge.

You can check your Chennai Metro card balance online through the CMRL mobile app. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Download the Android version or iOS version of the Chennai Metro Rail app > Open the app > You can see the home screen > Edit Menu > Add Travel Card Recharge > The icon will now be added to your home screen.

Step 2: Click on the Travel Card Recharge icon on the home screen > You will be asked to log in to your account. If you are a new user, you must first register on the app and then click on the Travel Card Recharge icon.

Step 3: Click on the Add New Card.

Step 4: Enter your card number > Enter a nickname > Click on the Add Card button.

Step 5: The card is now added to the screen > Click on it.  

Step 6: You can now see your card details on the page, including your Chennai Metro card balance.

Alternatively, you can check your Chennai Metro card balance by swiping/inserting your card in the Ticket Vending Machines (TVMs) or Card Reader Machines installed at the metro stations. Your card balance will be shown on the screen.

Chennai Metro’s QR code ticket is a contactless ticketing method that allows you to buy tickets through the mobile app. When you purchase the ticket, you will receive a QR code on the app, which you can scan at the QR code scanners installed at the entry/exit gates.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to buy Chennai Metro’s QR tickets online through the mobile app:
Step 1: Download the Chennai Metro Rail app. (Android version or iOS version).
Step 2: Open the app > Click on QR Ticket.

Step 3: You will be asked to log in or register on the app. If you are a new user, register by filling in the required details and then log in using the credentials.
Step 4: Choose your journey details – single journey or round journey, source station, destination station, number of tickets (max. 6), etc. > Based on the details you enter, the total fare will be shown on the screen > Click on Pay Now > Confirm the ticket details > Continue to Payment.

Step 5: Choose a payment method (credit card, cash cards, debit card, net banking, etc.) > Complete the transaction.
Step 6: You will get a QR code (valid for 8 hours from the time of booking).
Step 7: Swipe it at the QR code scanners installed at the entry/exit gates.

Chennai Metro Trip Passes allow multiple rides between two fixed stations. Unlike the Travel Card, the Trip Pass cannot be used for traveling between any two stations, but only for a fixed route.  
You can purchase the Trip Pass online through the CMRL mobile app and enjoy multiple rides using the QR code you receive. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Firstly, download the Chennai Metro app on your phone. It is available for both Android and iPhone users.
Step 2: Open the app > Select QR Ticket.

Step 3: Log in to your account (existing users) or create an account (new users).

Step 4: After logging in, click on Buy Passes.
Step 5: Enter Source Station and Destination Station > Click on View Passes.

Step 6: You can see your Trip Pass options and the fare – 10 rides with 30-days validity, 30 rides with 90-days validity, and 60 rides with 180 days-validity. Click on the pass you wish to buy.

Step 7: Verify the Trip Pass summary > Pay.
Step 8: Choose a payment method and complete the transaction.
Step 9: Upon successful purchase, you will get your Trip Pass QR code. You can start traveling by scanning the code at the entry/exit gates.

The full form of CMRL is Chennai Metro Rail Limited. A joint undertaking of the Government of Karnataka and the Government of India, CMRL owns and operates the metro network in the city of Chennai.