After landing at Chennai International Airport around noon, allow roughly 1–1.5 hours for baggage, immigration if needed, and the transfer to your hotel. A prepaid airport taxi or app cab is simplest; the ride into central Chennai usually takes 30–60 minutes depending on traffic. Keep the afternoon light, drink plenty of water, and leave luggage at the hotel if the room is not ready.
Begin in Mylapore at Kapaleeshwarar Temple, usually open in split sessions—approximately 6:00–12:30 and 4:00–9:30, though timings can vary. Spend about an hour looking around the temple streets and nearby tank; modest clothing is expected, and footwear must be left outside. From there, take a short auto-rickshaw or cab ride to San Thome Basilica—allow 10–15 minutes in traffic—and visit for around 45 minutes. The basilica is generally open through the day, but avoid disrupting services and check locally if you hope to enter the tomb area.
Continue by cab toward Marina Beach in Triplicane, allowing 20–30 minutes from San Thome depending on traffic. The beach is best enjoyed in the early evening, when the heat softens and Chennai families gather for snacks and a walk; stay on the main, busier stretch, keep valuables secure, and avoid swimming because currents can be dangerous. Afterward, return to Mylapore for dinner at Saravana Bhavan, where a dosa, thali, or South Indian breakfast-style meal is a reliable first-night choice—roughly ₹250–₹500 per person. Expect a busy, quick-service atmosphere rather than a leisurely dinner, and use a cab or auto for the return to your hotel.
Begin at Kailasanathar Temple, ideally around 8:00 AM. Its quieter setting and pale sandstone carvings make it a lovely introduction to Kanchipuram, and an hour is enough to walk around the shrines and outer walls without rushing. Dress modestly, remove footwear where required, and carry water; temple timings can change around पूजा or festival days, so ask your driver to confirm locally. From here, it is a short taxi ride to Ekambareswarar Temple, one of the city’s largest complexes. Allow about 1½ hours for the courtyards, towering gateway, and ancient mango tree; the stone surfaces can become very hot by late morning.
Continue to Kamakshi Amman Temple in central Kanchipuram for roughly an hour. This is an active pilgrimage shrine rather than a monument to view quickly, so expect queues and a more devotional atmosphere; avoid carrying large bags and follow the temple’s photography rules. For lunch, Saravana Bhavan, Kanchipuram is a dependable vegetarian stop, with dosas, thalis, and South Indian coffee served quickly. Budget approximately ₹250–₹500 per person, and allow a little extra time if the restaurant is busy.
After lunch, drive to Varadharaja Perumal Temple in Vishnu Kanchi. Set aside 1½ hours for its immense halls, carved pillars, and long processional spaces; comfortable footwear is useful because the complex involves plenty of walking, though shoes must be left outside designated areas. Start back toward Chennai by about 4:30–5:00 PM via NH48, allowing two to three hours for traffic. Keep water in the car and agree in advance whether tolls, waiting time, and the return fare are included in the taxi quote; evening congestion is often heaviest as you approach the city.
Start at the Government Museum, Chennai in Egmore, allowing about two hours for the archaeology, South Indian art, and famous Chola bronze galleries. The museum is generally open from around 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM and is usually closed on Fridays, so confirm the opening day before setting out; if it is closed, keep the visit for another day rather than trying to force it. Entry is inexpensive, commonly under ₹100 for Indian visitors, and an auto-rickshaw or cab from central Chennai should take 10–20 minutes depending on traffic. The compound is spacious, but the galleries are warm, so carry water and avoid arriving right at midday.
Take a 15–20-minute cab ride toward Amethyst Café in Royapettah, a relaxed choice for coffee or brunch in a leafy colonial-era setting. Plan on roughly ₹600–₹1,000 per person, and allow 1½ hours rather than rushing through the garden and interiors. From there, Express Avenue is only about 10 minutes away by auto or cab, making it an easy air-conditioned afternoon stop for browsing shops, picking up essentials, or simply escaping Chennai’s heat. Allow around 1½ hours; the mall typically stays open into the evening, with cafés and restaurants available if lunch at Amethyst becomes a lighter meal.
Continue south by cab to St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica in Santhome, usually a 15–25-minute drive depending on Royapettah traffic. Spend about 45 minutes inside and around the basilica, dressing modestly and keeping voices low if services are taking place; the church is generally open during daytime and early evening, though access can pause during Mass. Finish at the Theosophical Society grounds in Adyar, roughly 15–20 minutes away by taxi. The grounds are best treated as a quiet, unhurried walk among old trees rather than a sightseeing checklist, but check visitor hours in advance because access and entry times can vary, and some areas may close before sunset. A cab back to the hotel is simplest after the walk; allow extra time on Adyar’s busier roads.
Start around 9:00 AM at Birla Planetarium in Kotturpuram, a good family-friendly choice for a quieter morning. The Tamil and English astronomy shows usually run at scheduled times between late morning and afternoon, so check the day’s programme before leaving; allow about 1½ hours, with tickets generally inexpensive—roughly ₹50–₹100 per person. From there, it is a short auto-rickshaw or cab ride to Anna Centenary Library, also in Kotturpuram. Spend about an hour looking through the impressive public interiors and browsing the ground-floor areas; entry is normally free, though access to some sections may be restricted. A cab is easiest between the two, while parking can be limited at busy times.
Have lunch near Adyar or Thiruvanmiyur, then leave by about 1:00 PM for Cholamandal Artists’ Village in Injambakkam. Expect 45–75 minutes by taxi depending on traffic; take East Coast Road south and ask the driver to wait or return at an agreed time, as app-cab availability is less reliable here. The village is best enjoyed slowly, moving between the galleries, sculpture spaces, and leafy studio lanes. Galleries generally open from late morning into the evening and may close on certain days, so confirm before setting out; allow around two hours and carry water, since much of the walking is outdoors.
Continue roughly 15–20 minutes south along East Coast Road to DakshinaChitra Museum in Muttukadu, arriving by about 3:30 PM. Its traditional houses, courtyards, craft demonstrations, and regional exhibits are much more enjoyable with unhurried wandering; allow two hours. The museum commonly operates from around 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and is often closed on Tuesdays, with adult admission typically around ₹200–₹300—verify current hours and ticket prices before visiting. Finish at Bay View Restaurant in Kovalam, a short drive farther south, for a relaxed coastal dinner. Seafood is the natural choice, but there are vegetarian dishes too; budget approximately ₹800–₹1,500 per person. Arrange the return taxi in advance, especially if heading back to central Chennai, as the ride can take 1½–2½ hours after dinner.
Begin around 7:30–8:00 AM at Semmozhi Poonga in Teynampet, when the paths are cooler and the garden is at its most peaceful. Allow about 1½ hours to wander among the themed plant sections, palms, and shaded walkways. Entry is usually inexpensive—roughly ₹20–₹50 per person—but hours and access can vary, so check locally before setting out. An auto-rickshaw or app cab is easiest; parking around Anna Salai can become difficult later in the morning.
Have breakfast or an early lunch at a traditional T. Nagar tiffin restaurant near the Kalyani Hospital Café area—ask for crisp dosa, soft idli, vada, and strong filter coffee. A simple meal should cost about ₹200–₹450 per person, and it is worth choosing a busy dining room where dishes are turning over quickly. From there, walk or take a short auto ride to Pondy Bazaar. Give yourselves around two hours for textiles, costume jewelry, handicrafts, and practical souvenirs; bargain politely, keep bags zipped in the crowds, and avoid carrying more than you want to manage. Midday heat is intense, so duck into a shop or café for short cooling breaks.
After resting at the hotel, head to Valluvar Kottam in Nungambakkam around 4:30 PM, when the light is softer and the heat begins to ease. Spend about an hour viewing the large chariot-shaped memorial, Tamil poetry panels, and open grounds; admission is generally modest, though the monument’s hours can change. A cab is more comfortable than walking from T. Nagar, especially with shopping bags. Finish at The Raintree, St. Mary’s Road in Alwarpet, where the rooftop setting makes a relaxed final dinner. Expect approximately ₹1,200–₹2,000 per person before extras; reserve ahead if you want a rooftop table, and allow 20–30 minutes by cab from Valluvar Kottam, depending on evening traffic.
Have breakfast near your hotel, then check out by 12:30–1:00 PM. Keep valuables, tickets, identification, medicines, and a change of clothes in your hand luggage rather than in the checked bags. For the transfer to Chennai Central Railway Station, an app cab or hotel-arranged taxi is easiest; allow 45–60 minutes from most central neighborhoods, with extra time for midday traffic and the drop-off area around Park Town. Ask the driver to use the main station entrance and keep luggage accessible—the approach can be busy and confusing for first-time visitors.
Aim to reach Chennai Central Railway Station around 1:45–2:00 PM for the scheduled 3:00 PM departure. Check the electronic boards immediately for the platform and coach position, since platforms can change. The station has porters, lifts, drinking-water points, toilets, and food counters, but it is more comfortable to buy snacks and bottled water before boarding; reliable options include packaged food from the station outlets or a quick takeaway arranged near Purasawalkam before leaving the hotel area. Keep a small amount of cash for porters and station purchases, and avoid accepting unsolicited help unless the person is clearly an authorized porter.
Board the return train from Chennai Central Railway Station by about 2:30 PM, giving everyone time to settle in before the 3:00 PM departure. Chennai’s Central–Park Town area is crowded and warm even in the afternoon, so stay together, especially while moving between the entrance, display boards, and platform. Once aboard, keep phones and wallets secure, store larger bags under the seats or in the luggage racks, and carry water for the journey.