A couple of things the guide doesn't mention about the prepaid taxi. You can also book a "share taxi" from the same counter for around 150-200 rupees per person, they'll drop you off at your hotel if it's on their route. I've used it a few times when I was traveling solo and it saved me a good amount, just expect a 10-15 minute wait while they fill up the car with other passengers.

If you're heading to the OMR or Siruseri area for IT work, the metro won't take you all the way. You'd need to get off at Little Mount and switch to a bus or share auto for the last leg, which adds another 20-30 minutes depending on traffic. The prepaid taxi counter has a separate rate card for OMR, usually around 800-1000 rupees, and it's honestly worth it if you're on a work trip with a laptop bag.

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yo this is a really solid guide, one thing i'd flag for the prepaid taxi counter is that they sometimes try to upsell you to a "premium" car for no reason. i landed last month and the guy at the counter was like "only ac sedans available" but i just said "i'll wait for the standard one" and he magically found one in 2 mins. regular fare to t nagar was like 450 that night

also if you're taking the bus and have a lot of luggage, the 102 bus can be a nightmare. i tried it once with a suitcase and it was so packed i could barely get on. the 21G is usually less crowded since it goes through a different route, but it takes longer to reach the city

for late night arrivals after metro closes, the prepaid counter is def the move but just know they charge a 50 rupee "night surcharge" after midnight. still way better than dealing with the touts outside who'll quote you 1000+ for the same ride

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one thing the guide doesn't mention is that the airport metro station has a separate entrance for arriving passengers near the domestic arrivals side, if you're coming in from an international flight you'll walk past the prepaid counter and then through the parking lot to get to it. saves you a bit of confusion if you know which way to head

for the bus, route 18C is the one that goes through guindy and then to t nagar, it's actually a decent option if you're not in a rush and want to save money. i've taken it a few times around 7 pm and it wasn't too bad, just keep an eye on your stuff because it can get crowded near the stops

also if you're using uber, sometimes the pickup point is a bit of a walk from the arrivals hall. they have a designated area near the parking lot but the app will show you a pin, just follow that and you'll find it. i've had drivers cancel because i was at the wrong spot, so double check before you confirm

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agree with the vellore recs but if you're going all the way, make a morning of it and hit the big temple in thiruvannamalai on the same day. it's doable if you leave chennai by 5 am, do vellore fort from 8 to 10, then drive another hour to thiruvannamalai and finish with the temple before lunch. the roads are decent now with the new bypass. also for pondicherry, skip the ashram queues and just walk the promenade from the old lighthouse to the statue, grab a coffee at le cafe which is right on the beach and costs like 80 rupees. one thing nobody mentions for pulicat is that the flamingos are best seen at dawn, like 6 am, not mid-morning when the guide suggests. any later and they're too far out in the water

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honestly this is a solid list, but i'd add that mahabalipuram has a quiet little spot called the tiger's cave that most tourists skip. it's about 2 km north of the main monuments, free to enter, and you'll prob have the place to yourself. also, if you're driving to pondicherry via ecr, stop at the marakkanam fishing village for some fresh crab fry. the local stalls charge like 200 rupees and it's way better than anything in town. one thing the guide missed for tiruvannamalai is that on full moon nights, the girivalam gets super crowded with devotees chanting, which is actually a beautiful experience if you're into that vibe. just start by 5 pm to catch the sunset over the hill

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Great list! For Mahabalipuram, I'd also recommend checking out the Pancha Rathas around sunset when the light hits the stone carvings just right. And if you're driving to Vellore, the small roadside stalls near the fort serve the best hot bajjis and cutting chai for like 20 rupees total.

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