Weather in Chennai

About Chennai

Marina Beach stretches for 4 kilometres of packed sand where families wade, fishermen cast nets, and street vendors hawk flowers—one of Earth's longest urban beaches. Ancient temples rise between colonial-era buildings; centuries of Chola, Pallava, and British architecture layer atop each other. The city smells of jasmine, chaat spice, and salt water; Tamil cinema billboards tower overhead.

Country

India

Best months to visit

January, February, March, April, December

Currency

INR

Language

Tamil, Telugu, English

Things to do in Chennai

Walking Marina Beach at dawn with local joggers and fishermen Visiting Kapaleeshwarar Temple for its ornate gopuram and rituals Exploring Fort St. George and its colonial museum Eating dosas and idlis at South Indian vegetarian restaurants Shopping temple flowers at Flower Bazaar or silk sarees at Nalli Watching Bharatanatyam classical dance performances at cultural centres

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

Recommended

January

28C

Warm and pleasant, with occasional showers.

Recommended

February

29C

Warm and pleasant, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

March

32C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

Recommended

April

34C

Hot and humid, and mostly sunny skies.

May

35C

Very hot, and mostly sunny skies.

June

35C

Very hot, with some rainy days.

July

34C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

August

33C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

September

32C

Hot and humid, with regular rainfall.

October

31C

Hot and humid, with frequent heavy rain.

November

29C

Warm and pleasant, with regular rainfall.

Recommended

December

28C

Warm and pleasant, with some rainy days.

Chennai is Tamil Nadu's gateway — a sprawling, humid coastal capital where Marina Beach stretches for kilometres along the Bay of Bengal, Pallava-era temples sit alongside colonial forts, and the city's deep classical music and dance traditions spill out during the winter Margazhi season. It's less polished than India's other major cities but rewards visitors with some of the country's best filter coffee, temple architecture and South Indian thalis.

Best areas to stay in Chennai

Mylapore

A traditional neighbourhood around the Kapaleeshwarar Temple, known for classical music venues and old-school Tamil eateries.

Marina Beach & Triplicane

The long sandy promenade and the streets behind it, with budget hotels and easy access to the seafront.

Nungambakkam

A leafy, upscale area with boutique hotels, cafes and proximity to galleries and shopping.

T. Nagar

Chennai's famously crowded shopping district, packed with silk sari shops and jewellery stores.

Getting to Chennai

✈

Flights

Chennai International Airport has extensive domestic and international connections, including direct long-haul flights to the Gulf, Southeast Asia and beyond.

⏱

From London

Flight times vary widely — around 2.5 hours from Delhi, 4 hours from Singapore, and roughly 10-11 hours from London.

🚕

Getting around

The Metro and suburban trains cover much of the city; auto-rickshaws and cabs handle the rest.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Chennai?

November to February is markedly cooler and less humid; the Margazhi music and dance season (Dec-Jan) is a major cultural draw during this period.

What's the best area to stay in?

Mylapore offers temples, traditional eateries and culture; Nungambakkam and T. Nagar are central for shopping and dining with a wider hotel range.

How do I get around Chennai?

The Chennai Metro covers key areas efficiently; auto-rickshaws and ride-hailing apps fill in the gaps for shorter or less-connected trips.

What food should I try?

A proper Tamil thali on a banana leaf, filter coffee, idli-sambar for breakfast, and Chettinad-style dishes if you want more heat.

Is Chennai good as a base for day trips?

Yes — Mahabalipuram's shore temples and rock-cut monuments are about 1.5-2 hours south, an easy day trip from the city.

Traveler reviews

★★★★☆

Visited during Margazhi season and caught several wonderful classical concerts. Mylapore in the early morning, with the temple bells and coffee stalls, was a highlight.

Meera S. · December 2024

★★★★☆

Hot and humid even in February, but Marina Beach at sunrise was peaceful before the crowds. Great base for a Mahabalipuram day trip.

James W. · February 2024

★★★★★

The food alone is worth the visit — banana leaf thalis, filter coffee everywhere, and incredible breakfast spots in Mylapore.

Divya R. · January 2024