Flights to Chennai

Heathrow to Chennai direct flights: timings and cabins

BA's London to Chennai flight, a Boeing 787, leaves Heathrow around lunchtime and reaches Chennai before sunrise, so book an airport pick-up or a hotel with early check-in. Premium economy and business class are available as well as economy. The non-stop usually costs more than one-stop options.

Chennai flights from Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh

All four have Qatar Airways and Emirates, which also serves Stansted, Newcastle and Glasgow. Manchester also has Gulf Air and Etihad, both of which leave from Heathrow too, as do Kuwait Airways and Oman Air. Air India's Heathrow and Birmingham flights connect via Delhi or Mumbai, and Lufthansa via Europe. Very cheap self-transfer combinations, often from Luton, aren't protected if you miss the connection.

E-visa, arrival forms and Chennai airport transport

If you hold an OCI card, skip the visa; other British passport holders apply online at indianvisaonline.gov.in. Two online declarations are also needed: an e-arrival card, open from three days before you land, and for now an Air Suvidha self-declaration on the final day. Long-haul arrivals come into Terminal 2 at Tirusulam, roughly 21 km from the centre. The Blue Line metro heads north via Guindy and Anna Salai to Chennai Central, and prepaid taxis, Uber and Ola pick up at arrivals.

When to fly to Chennai and what to see

Expect heat all year, easing between December and February and peaking around 37 °C in May and June. Heavy rain comes with the northeast monsoon from October to December, and cyclones sometimes close the airport. Fares rise for Margazhi, Chennai's December concert season, for the Pongal harvest festival in mid-January and in British school holidays. Watch the sunset on Marina Beach, visit Kapaleeshwarar Temple and San Thome Basilica in Mylapore, and set aside a day for Mahabalipuram's Pallava-era shore temples.

Ask for a Chennai quote on 020 7871 4545 with your dates, nearest airport and cabin. We'll set out the BA non-stop and one-stop choices side by side, return or one-way, and book the fare you prefer.