Barely 400 years old, the cultural melting pot of Chennai, in southern India, is nevertheless a fascinating and vibrant city that’s full of surprises. Fly to Chennai with Qatar Airways and discover this rich cultural diversity for yourself.

To describe a city as a “melting pot” or “potpourri” might be a bit of a cliché, but when you take a trip to Chennai, you’ll see that even the most hackneyed sayings can sometimes have special relevance. Book your ticket to Chennai with Qatar Airways and discover a unique location with a captivating character at the edge of the Bay of Bengal. 

Check the price of flights to Chennai further below and book Economy or Premium Class flights to Chennai with Qatar Airways. Every part of Chennai has its own story to tell, making the capital of the eastern state of Tamil Nadu a memorable destination. The French, Dutch, British and Portuguese have all knocked on its doors, each leaving its own imprint.

The iconic JFK airport is representative of the city it serves – big, busy and vibrant. A total of eight terminals and all the major international carriers connect passengers all over the world.

Packed with facilities and friendly staff, JFK is one of the world’s busiest air hubs. Because the airport is so busy, it is important to plan ahead and know which terminal your Qatar Airways flight leaves from.

Transportation and car parking

The easiest way to get to and from the airport is via the JFK AirTrain - a 24-hour service that connects all of the airport terminals with rail and metro stations.

The New York City Airporter Bus runs every 20 minutes from Grand Central Terminal and the Port Authority Bus Terminal to the airport. Taxis are plentiful and a pre-booked limousine service is also available. Car parking for Terminal 8 is in the ‘Red’ Lot, although shuttles from other parking zones provide you with more options if the Red Lot is full.

Arriving in New York

Qatar Airways flights from New York leave from Terminal 8. The free AirTrain service connects the terminals, which is particularly useful if you are transferring from an internal or other international flight.

If your flight leaves from a high-numbered gate, it is advisable to use the free motorized shuttle, due to the distance between the departure area and the gates. The Oasis Lounge (charges applicable) in Terminal 4 is open 24 hours a day and has extensive facilities including showers.

Facilities and amenities

While waiting for your Qatar Airways flight from New York, Terminal 8 offers extensive food and drink outlets serving snacks and fast food, light meals, coffee and refreshments.

There is also a wide range of retail outlets selling everything from watches and sunglasses to a dedicated ‘Metropolitan Museum of Art’ shop. Facilities include baby-care areas, dry cleaning, a pet relief area and a Welcome Centre. Wi-Fi is available throughout the airport for a fee.

Barely 400 years old, the cultural melting pot of Chennai, in southern India, is nevertheless a fascinating and vibrant city that’s full of surprises. Fly to Chennai with Qatar Airways and discover this rich cultural diversity for yourself.

Chennai may not have as many ancient temples and monuments as some of the older Indian cities, but it still manages to surprise and delight visitors nonetheless. A patchwork of districts come together to create a uniquely quirky city that offers visitors an incredibly warm and friendly welcome.

Tourist attractions

Every culture that has had a say in the development of Chennai has left behind a legacy of monuments, architecture and cultural nuances that make this destination so interesting.

However, despite its relatively recent establishment as a city, Chennai has a few little gems of older architecture, such as Kapaleeswarar Temple, which is said to date as far as the 8th century.

European influences (and in particular the English Raj) have also left their architectural mark with a clutch of churches and buildings that are typically Victorian in design.

The main thing that draws visitors to Chennai, though, are its beaches. Marina Beach, is 12-kilometres long and lined with flower beds and colonial buildings, while Covelong – once a small fishing village – is now a luxury resort.

The Wallajah Mosque, located on Wallajah Road in Triplicane, is a historically important building constructed by the Wallajah family in 1795.

Travel considerations

Flights to Chennai with Qatar Airways land at Chennai International Airport. Visa restrictions for entry into the country will depend on your country of origin, length of stay and whether your trip is for business or pleasure.

Before you fly to Chennai please check the visa and passport requirements.