Arriving in Chennai.

The airport — Chennai International (MAA)

Chennai International Airport (IATA code: MAA) sits in the south-west of the city at Meenambakkam. It has two primary terminals: T4 (international arrivals and departures) and T3 (domestic). The international terminal is modern, air-conditioned, and clean — immigration typically takes 20 to 45 minutes depending on flight pile-up. Baggage reclaim is immediately after immigration; porters are available at a fixed, disclosed rate (₹100 per bag, approximately USD 1.20).

After customs, you will step into the public concourse. Our driver will be waiting at the terminal exit with a printed name board. If you cannot find them within 5 minutes, WhatsApp us on +91 99416 77777 — we pre-share the driver's mobile number 12 hours before arrival.

Free airport Wi-Fi is available for 45 minutes; you will need an India-registered mobile number to activate it. If you do not have one, we provide a hotspot in the pickup vehicle.

Visa — what you need before you fly

Most international guests enter India on one of three visa categories:

• Medical Visa (M) / Medical Attendant (MX) — valid up to 60 days, extendable. Requires our invitation letter, which we issue within 24 working hours of program confirmation. This is the correct category for most wellness stays.
• e-Tourist Visa (eTV) — fast online application, valid 30 days to 1 year depending on country. Suitable for shorter wellness stays (up to 5–7 days of clinical sessions combined with tourism).
• Regular Tourist Visa — if you plan to combine a longer India trip with your program.

Guests from the UAE, Oman, Singapore, Malaysia, the USA, the UK, France, Germany, Russia and 160+ other countries are eligible for the eTV. Always confirm current eligibility on the official portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in) before booking flights.

On arrival, present your passport, visa, return ticket, and the address of your accommodation. Immigration officers occasionally ask for a return flight itinerary — keep it printed.

Mobile SIM and connectivity

India has three major mobile networks — Jio, Airtel, and Vi. All offer pre-paid tourist SIMs at the airport (look for the counters in arrivals). Bring your passport and one passport photo; the activation takes 30 to 60 minutes and the SIM goes live by the time you reach the hotel.

Typical tourist pack: ₹500 (~USD 6) for 30 days of 1.5 GB/day data plus unlimited calls. Coverage in Chennai is excellent everywhere you will go. If you prefer not to swap SIMs, most international roaming plans work fine — but local data is far cheaper.

Currency and payments

The Indian Rupee (₹, INR) is the local currency. Airport exchange counters are competitive but not the best rate — we recommend withdrawing from an ATM in the arrivals hall (₹200–₹250 withdrawal fee, good rate). Your debit/credit card works at most city ATMs too.

Card acceptance is near-universal in Chennai — restaurants, hotels, pharmacies, Uber. For small purchases and tips, keep some ₹100 and ₹500 notes on hand. Most places also accept UPI (India's instant-pay system), though as a visitor you will stick to cards and cash.

Transport — Uber, metro, auto-rickshaw

Uber and Ola are the easiest options for travellers. They work identically to anywhere else in the world — install, add a payment method, request a ride. A 10 km ride costs ₹200–₹350 (USD 2.50–4.00). Chennai roads are busy; allow 30 minutes for anything in the centre during peak hours (8–10 am, 6–9 pm).

The Chennai Metro is modern, air-conditioned, and clean. The Blue Line connects the airport to central areas like Alandur, Nandanam, and Central Station. It is rarely the fastest option to the clinics but is a pleasant way to explore the city on a day off.

Auto-rickshaws are the quintessential Indian ride — three-wheeled, yellow-and-black, open-sided. For first-time visitors we recommend sticking to Uber/Ola, which eliminates fare negotiation.

Weather — what to pack, month by month

• Dec–Feb (mild winter): 20–28°C. Pleasant. Light layers, a light jacket for evenings. Best weather window for visiting.
• Mar–May (hot): 28–38°C, dry. Cotton clothing, sun hat, 2+ L water daily. Clinics are fully air-conditioned; outdoor activity best before 9 am or after 6 pm.
• Jun–Aug (humid pre-monsoon): 28–35°C with high humidity. Breathable fabrics, a light rain jacket. Sea breeze helps after 4 pm.
• Sep–Nov (north-east monsoon): 24–30°C. Chennai's main rain months. Pack a compact umbrella and water-resistant shoes. Great time for indoor-heavy wellness stays.

Distance to each clinic

We operate two clinics, both reachable from the airport in under an hour:

• Velachery clinic — 1st Floor, New No 2, Old No 19, 1st Cross Rd, Vijaya Nagar, Chennai 600042. Approximately 12 km / 15 minutes from MAA. This is our closest-to-airport location and the most convenient for stays of under 7 days.
• Anna Nagar clinic — No 214, AC 130, 4th Ave, opposite Shree Mithai, Shanthi Colony, Chennai 600040. Approximately 22 km / 35–45 minutes from MAA depending on traffic. Better connected to North Chennai accommodations.

Food and water

Stick to bottled or filtered water for the first week — the bottled Bisleri, Aquafina, and Kinley brands are all reliable (₹20 for 1 L). Most hotels provide filtered water in rooms free of charge. For ice, ask for “filter ice” at restaurants — most upscale places use it by default.

If your program includes a diet plan, the clinic will arrange partner restaurants and meal delivery through Swiggy and Zomato (India's food apps). Vegetarian, vegan, and allergen-specific meals are widely available.

Emergency contacts

National emergency number: 112 (police, ambulance, fire — English OK). For non-emergency medical questions, our clinic line (+91 99416 77777) is on WhatsApp 7am to 10pm IST and responds within two hours. Major hospitals within 10 minutes of either clinic include Apollo, MIOT, and Fortis Malar.