6-Day Chennai Itinerary

1. Day 1: Mahabalipuram
   1-hour (37.6 km) from Chennai

   Explore Mahabalipuram's 7th-century seafront Shore Temple, the ancient rock-cut temples of Pancha Rathas, and see the incredible bas-reliefs in the Arjuna's Penance.

2. Day 2: Marina Beach, Fort St. George, and Kapaleeswarar Temple
   20 minutes (5.5km) from Mahabalipuram

   Stroll along the 13-km-long Marina Beach, visit the 17th-century Fort St. George and its museum, and marvel at the colorful Dravidian-style Kapaleeswarar Temple.

3. Day 3: Guindy National Park, Birla Planetarium, and St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica
   30 minutes (12km) from Kapaleeswarar Temple

   Go for a morning hike in the lush Guindy National Park, learn about astronomy at the Birla Planetarium, and visit the stunning St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica, a Roman Catholic church built in 1896.

4. Day 4: DakshinaChitra Museum and Covelong Beach
   40 minutes (20km) from St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica

   Step back in time and see South India's traditional arts, crafts, and architecture at DakshinaChitra Museum. Then, unwind at Covelong Beach, try some water sports, and enjoy fresh seafood.

5. Day 5: Government Museum, Amir Mahal, and Mylapore
   30 minutes (9.5km) from Covelong Beach

   Discover the rich cultural heritage of Tamil Nadu at the Government Museum, admire the stunning Indo-Saracenic style Amir Mahal palace, and visit the ancient Mylapore neighborhood with its temple and colorful markets.

6. Day 6: Crocodile Bank, VGP Snow Kingdom, and East Coast Road
   45 minutes (28km) from Mylapore

   Get up close with the world's largest reptiles at the Crocodile Bank, experience snowfall in the tropics at VGP Snow Kingdom, and take a scenic drive on the East Coast Road, stopping at picturesque fishing villages and beaches along the way.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Mahabalipuram (3-4 hours, INR 500)
• Fort St. George (1-2 hours, INR 50-100)
• Kapaleeswarar Temple (1-2 hours, free entry)
• Guindy National Park (2-3 hours, INR 20)
• Birla Planetarium (1-2 hours, INR 100)
• St. Thomas Cathedral Basilica (1-2 hours, free entry)
• DakshinaChitra Museum (2-3 hours, INR 250)
• Covelong Beach (3-4 hours, free entry)
• Government Museum (2-3 hours, INR 15-35)
• Amir Mahal (1-2 hours, free entry)
• Mylapore (2-3 hours, free entry)
• Crocodile Bank (2-3 hours, INR 50-100)
• VGP Snow Kingdom (1-2 hours, INR 600)
• East Coast Road (5-6 hours, free entry)
• Total Estimated Costs: INR 1685-1900/person

Useful Tips

If you have more time, consider a day trip to Kanchipuram, famous for its temples and silk sarees. For a shorter itinerary, skip the East Coast Road drive and VGP Snow Kingdom. Adjust your schedule according to the opening and closing times of each attraction, and plan for traffic and travel time in Chennai's bustling streets.