Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Take a reserved Tiruppur–Chennai train for all three travellers, ideally an overnight service or an early-morning departure that reaches Chennai with plenty of time for check-in. The journey usually takes around 7–9 hours; allow extra time for delays, breakfast, and the transfer from the railway station to your hotel. Keep your tickets, luggage, and hotel address easily accessible, and carry water and light food for the train.
Choose accommodation near Chennai Egmore if you want easier access to the city and the next day’s onward travel, or near Tambaram if the meeting is the main priority. Allow 45–60 minutes to leave luggage, complete check-in, freshen up, and have a quick meal. From Egmore, walk or take a short auto-rickshaw ride to Chennai Park or Chennai Egmore suburban station, then take a southbound suburban train toward Tambaram; the train is generally quicker and more predictable than road traffic, taking roughly 45–60 minutes including station access. An MTC bus or taxi is a practical alternative if you are carrying bulky luggage, but reserve 60–75 minutes in traffic.
Meet your friend at a café or restaurant around Tambaram for about two hours. Keep the meeting point close to the station or on a main road so that the return is simple; budget approximately ₹200–₹400 per person for coffee or a meal. Afterward, return by suburban train toward Chennai Park/Egmore, checking the last convenient service rather than leaving it too late. Have dinner near the hotel at a reliable South Indian restaurant—allow 45–60 minutes and around ₹150–₹300 per person—then rest early for the Indiawood fair the following day. For the ₹2,000-per-person target, reserve the train tickets and hotel first; local travel and meals can fit the budget, but the room cost may require a modest increase depending on whether you book one or two rooms.
After breakfast at the hotel, allow about 45 minutes to check out and leave your luggage with reception—confirm this is permitted and ask for a luggage tag. Take a suburban train toward Chennai Park/Egmore via the Tambaram–Chennai Beach line, then continue by auto or app cab to Chennai Trade Centre in Nandambakkam. The station-to-venue transfer can take 20–40 minutes depending on traffic, so keep your Indiawood visitor registration and ID easily accessible. Before travelling, verify that the Indiawood event is definitely running on 19 December 2026, along with visitor registration, entry rules, and published hours; do not rely on walk-in admission.
Spend around four to six hours at Chennai Trade Centre, focusing first on the halls and exhibitors most relevant to your work before the crowds build. Wear comfortable shoes, carry a small water bottle, and allow time for registration queues and collecting brochures. The venue is in an exhibition district rather than a sightseeing area, so it is better to stay focused here instead of adding another attraction. Keep your hotel luggage claim details and train booking accessible on your phone.
Have a relaxed vegetarian meal at Saravana Bhavan in Guindy, allowing 45–60 minutes; budget approximately ₹200–₹400 per person. From Guindy, take an app cab or auto to Chennai Egmore Railway Station—normally 30–60 minutes, but leave more time during evening traffic. Collect your luggage from the hotel first if it is not already with you, and aim to reach Egmore at least 30–45 minutes before your reserved Chennai–Tiruppur train. Book an evening or overnight service only after checking the confirmed Indiawood closing time; the train journey is typically 7–9 hours, so carry water and a light snack for the ride.
No packing list attached yet.