The Chennai metro is a vital transport system in Chennai connecting and serving the various locations of the city. Since its inception in 2015, the metro line has been ferrying lakhs of passengers daily, giving them a fast, safe, convenient, and comfortable journey. At present, the Chennai metro has 41 active stations, stretching over 45 kilometers and surrounding two operational lines, Blue Line and Green Line. It serves some of the major hubs, including railway stations, commercial markets, residential areas, corporate spaces, and educational institutions.
Let’s uncover the intricacies of the Chennai metro route along with Chennai metro timings morning to night, ticket prices, and more.
Chennai Metro- Overview and History
- Chennai’s first Suburban Railway Network was operated in 1931 with a single line serving from Chennai Beach to Tambaram.
- Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System is India’s first elevated line, with the first phase founded in 1955.
- Delhi Metro Rail Corporation was hired to complete the Detailed Project report on Chennai metro.
- The project was approved by the government on November 7, 2007, and received in-principle approval from Planning Commission on April 16, 2008.
- Initially, seven lines were planned by DMRC for the Chennai metro network.
- The maiden trial run for the metro from Koyambedu and Ashok Nagar stations was conducted on February 14, 2014.
- The commercial operations started between Alandur and Koyambedu stations on June 29, 2015.
- The first underground line started on May 14, 2017, between Thirumangalam metro station to Nehru Park metro station.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the underground Blue Line on February 29, 2019.
- The services of Chennai Metro operate daily from 4:30 to 23:00 with varying frequencies of 5 to 14 minutes.
- Chennai metro runs at an average speed of 35 km per hour (22mph). The maximum speed is 80 km per hour (50 mpg).
- For five of its elevated corridors, with a production capacity of 200 kW, the Chennai metro is also planning to use solar power.
- The first coach in every metro is first class and the tickets are double the cost of second-class tickets.
- There are certain penalties for offenses starting from Rs 50 and going up to Rs 5000 depending on the offense.
Things to Know About Chennai Metro Route
- As of now, Chennai metro operates two lines- Blue Line (Line 1), and Green Line (Line 2).
- While Line 1 runs from Wimco Nagar to the Airport, spanning around 45 km, the Green Line stretches from Chennai Central to St. Thomas Mount, covering around 22 kilometers.
- Both lines intersect at Alandur station, aiding easy transfers between lines.
- This rapid transit system has elevated and underground sections, connecting various parts of the city.
- Chennai metro is facilitated with various services like Wi-fi, AC, surveillance, ticket vending machines, and more.
- A few more metro lines in Chennai are underway and will soon stretch throughout the city.
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Chennai Metro Blue Line Metro Stations List

These are the stations on the Chennai Metro Blue Line.
Station Name | Interchange/Connections |
Wimco Nagar Depot | Chennai Suburban Railways |
Wimco Nagar | Chennai Suburban Railways |
Tiruvottriyur | Bus Terminus |
Tiruvottriyur Theradi | NA |
Kaladipet | NA |
Tollgate | Bus Terminus |
New Washermanpet | NA |
Tondiarpet | NA |
Sir Theagaraya College | NA |
Washermanpet | Chennai Suburban Railways |
Mannadi | NA |
High Court | Bus Terminus |
Puratchi Thalaivar Dr M.G. Ramachandran Central | Green Line, Inter Corridor Line, Chennai Central Railway Station, Chennai Park Suburban, Chennai Moore Market Suburban, Chennai Park Town MRTS |
Government Estate | Inter Corridor Line |
LIC | Inter Corridor Line |
Thousand Lights | Inter Corridor Line, Purple Line |
AG – DMS | Inter Corridor Line |
Teynampet | Inter Corridor Line |
Nandanam | Inter Corridor Line, Orange Line |
Saidapet | Inter Corridor Line |
Little Mount | Inter Corridor Line |
Guindy | Inter Corridor Line, Chennai Suburban Railways |
Arignar Anna Alandur | Inter Corridor Line, Green Line, Red Line |
Nanganallur Road | Inter Corridor Line |
Meenambakkam | Inter Corridor Line, Chennai Suburban Railways |
Chennai International Airport | Inter Corridor Line, Chennai Suburban Railways, Chennai International Airport |
Pallavaram | Inter Corridor Line |
Kothandam Nagar | Inter Corridor Line |
Chromepet | Inter Corridor Line |
Mahalakshmi Colony | Inter Corridor Line |
Thiru.Vi.Ka.Nagar | Inter Corridor Line |
Tambaram | Inter Corridor Line |
Irubuliyur | Inter Corridor Line |
Peerkankaranai | Inter Corridor Line |
Perungalathur | Inter Corridor Line |
Vandalur | Inter Corridor Line |
Arignar Anna Zoological Park | Inter Corridor Line, Purple Line |
Kilambakkam | Inter Corridor Line, Bus Terminus, Purple Line |
Chennai Metro Green Line Metro Stations List

These are the stations on the Chennai Metro Green Line.
Station Name | Interchange/Connections |
Puratchi Thalaivar Dr M.G. Ramachandran Central | Inter Corridor Line, Chennai Central Railway Station, Chennai Park Suburban, Chennai Park Town MRTS, Chennai Moore Market Suburban |
Egmore | Chennai Egmore Railway Station, Chennai Suburban Railways |
Nehru Park | NA |
Kilpauk Medical College | Purple Line |
Pachaiyappa’s College | NA |
Shenoy Nagar | NA |
Anna Nagar East | NA |
Anna Nagar Tower | NA |
Thirumangalam | Red Line |
Koyambedu | NA |
Koyambedu Depot | NA |
Puratchi Thalaivi Dr. J. Jayalalithaa CMBT | Red Line, Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus |
Arumbakkam | NA |
Vadapalani | Orange Line |
Ashok Nagar | NA |
Ekkattuthangal | NA |
Arignar Anna Alandur | Inter Corridor Line, Red Line |
St. Thomas Mount | Red Line, Chennai Suburban Railways, MRTS |
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Chennai Metro Timings
The Chennai metro starts at 5 AM in the morning to 11 PM in the night. Earlier the timings would start from 5:30 in the morning to 11:00 in the night. However, the Chennai Government took this decision to change the timing to avoid rush and make traveling comfortable and safe for passengers.
- Chennai Metro Timings Monday to Saturday is 5:00 Am to 11:00 PM.
- The Peak hours starts from 5 AM to 8 AM in the morning and 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM in the evening. During peak hours trains on both metro lines run every 5 to 7 minutes, whereas during non-peak hours, they come after every 15 to 20 minutes.
- Chennai Metro Timings Morning Sunday is 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM in the night.
- On Sundays, trains will run every 10 minutes between 5:00 AM to 10:00 AM, and again from 8:00 PM to 11:00 PM. And from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM, trains will run every 7 minutes.
- Chennai Metro Timings From Airport To Chennai Central vary during peak and non-peak hours. During peak hours, the trains run every 7 minutes, while non-peak hour sees trains after every 14 minutes. The first train starts from the Airport to Chennai Central at 05:56 AM and the last train at 22:02.
Chennai Metro Ticket Price
- While the minimum fare for traveling through Chennai metro is Rs 10, the maximum is Rs 60.
Four Types of Tickets are Issued by CMRL to Travel Via Metro:
- Single Journey tickets (for single-time use)
- Stored value cards (SVC) are paid, rechargeable, and can be purchased at any ticket counter against a refundable deposit of Rs 50. You can recharge it up to Rs 2.,000.
- Trip cards are for passengers traveling between the same two stations regularly.
- Tourist cards are the ones with unlimited rides on the Chennai Metro for a day.
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Chennai Metro Ticket Price Chart
No. of Station | Metro Fare (₹) | Smart Card Fare (₹) |
1 Station | 10 | 9 |
2-3 Stations | 20 | 18 |
4-8 Stations | 30 | 27 |
9-15 Stations | 40 | 36 |
16-25 Stations | 50 | 45 |
More than 25 | 60 | 54 |
NOTE: The above chart is not official, but is based on the observations made by Chennaimetrorail.org.
Points to Remember
- There is an additional 10% discount on Store Value Cards.
- Travelers get a 50% discount on Sundays and Public Holidays
- 20% discounted fare (in Rupees) for a single trip Normal class using the Trip card.
- 1 Day – Rs.100/- (Fare) + Rs.50/- (Refundable Deposit) on surrender of card.
- 30 days Rs. 2500/-(Fare) + Rs. 50/- (Refundable Deposit) on surrender of card
Chennai Metro Online Ticket Booking Via CMRL Website
To book an online ticket through the CMRL website, first visit the CMRL Online Ticketing portal.
- Select ‘Source’ and ‘Destination’.
- Now enter your contact number.
- Select the type of ticket you need.
- Enter the number of tickets you require.
- Review the total and make payment.
- Download the ticket for convenience.
Chennai Metro Ticket Online Booking Via WhatsApp Method
To book an online ticket through WhatsApp, send “Hi” to the CMRL WhatsApp number.
- Select your preferred language.
- Click on “book your ticket” from the menu.
- Enter ‘Source’ and ‘Destination’.
- Select the number of tickets you want.
- Review your travel details and proceed to payment. (You can use UPI, Debit cards, Credit cards, and wallets)
- After successful payment, you will receive a QR on your WhatsApp.
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FAQs
1) How many metro stations are on the Chennai metro line?
There are around 41 active stations on the Chennai metro line.
2) What is the Chennai metro first train starting time?
The first train on the Chennai metro departs at 5:00 AM.
3) What is the Chennai metro last train time?
The last train departs at 11:00 PM.
4) What are the Chennai metro timings morning Sunday?
The Chennai metro timings morning Sunday is 5:00 AM.
5) How can I buy a Chennai metro ticket?
You can buy a metro ticket through the ticket counter at the station or make an online booking through WhatsApp or the CMRL website. Go to the website and enter source and destination, then proceed to your phone number and select the number of tickets you want to buy. Make payment to purchase the ticket.