The quickest way to Elliot’s Beach by bus from north and central Chennai is route 29C, which runs from Perambur to Besant Nagar and averages a bus every five minutes in MTC route data. Four other routes in the data also end at Besant Nagar: 23C from Ayanavaram, 47A from ICF, 29CET from Periyar Nagar and the short S16 from Neelankarai.
Elliot’s Beach sits in Besant Nagar at the southern end of the Marina shoreline and is named after Edward Elliot, a British-era chief magistrate, according to Tamil Nadu Tourism. The Karl Schmidt Memorial, which honours a Dutch sailor who drowned trying to save a girl, stands on the sand. Here is how to reach it from different parts of the city.
How the routes approach Besant Nagar
All the long routes converge at Adyar. Routes coming down from Purasawalkam and Kilpauk (29C and 29CET) use the Mylapore corridor through Mandaveli and the AMS Hospital stop. Routes from the Anna Salai side (23C and 47A) come through Saidapet, Concorde and the Engineering College stop at Anna University. Both groups pass Adyar bus stand and Adyar depot before reaching Besant Nagar.
One quirk in the data: the published stop lists for 29C, 29CET and 23C end at Adyar depot and Thiruvanmiyur, though the routes are named for Besant Nagar. If you are unsure, tell the conductor you want the beach, and get off at Besant Nagar or the stop the crew suggests.
The gaps quoted here are averages from MTC route data published on our route pages; they may be dated and real waits vary by time of day, so check live timings on the official MTC site or the Chennai One app before you set out.
Routes by starting area
| Starting from | Route | Via | Route length | Average gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perambur, Jamalia, Kilpauk (KMC) | 29C | Mandaveli, Adyar | 22.2 km | 5 min |
| Periyar Nagar, Perambur | 29CET | Mandaveli, Adyar | 27 km | 2.9 hrs |
| Ayanavaram, Kellys, Egmore, Teynampet, Saidapet | 23C | Concorde, Anna University, Adyar | 22.8 km | 8 min |
| ICF, Kilpauk Garden, T. Nagar, Saidapet | 47A | Concorde, Anna University, Adyar | about 21.8 km | 10 min |
| Egmore, Mylapore (Luz), Mandaveli | 23A | Besant Nagar water tank stop | 21.5 km | 2.4 hrs |
| Neelankarai (ECR) | S16 | Besant Nagar | 9.9 km | 24 min |
Source: MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route pages (linked). Gaps are averages and may be dated.
From the north and centre
From Perambur, Kilpauk or Purasawalkam, take 29C. It is the most frequent route here. From Ayanavaram, Egmore and Anna Salai, 23C averages a bus every eight minutes, and it is useful for anyone along Teynampet and Saidapet as well.
From T. Nagar and the west
Route 47A starts at ICF and runs through Kilpauk Garden, Sterling Road, Pondy Bazaar and T. Nagar before going on to Saidapet, Anna University and Adyar. The page gives a first bus at 5 am and a last bus around 9 pm from both ends.
From the ECR side
From Neelankarai, S16 is a short 9.9 km link that averages a bus every 24 minutes. Route 23A from Palavakkam calls at the Besant Nagar water tank stop on its way to Egmore, though buses are infrequent.
Route 29C between Perambur and Besant Nagar averages a bus every five minutes, the most frequent in this guide according to the route data.
Tips for the beach
- Board anything marked Besant Nagar; all five routes finish close to the beach.
- If your bus terminates at Adyar depot, the beach is a short auto ride or a walk away.
- Evening return buses fill up; walking back to Adyar gives more route choices.
- Check live bus positions on the Chennai One app or the official MTC site before heading out.
Quick answers
Which bus goes to Besant Nagar beach?
Routes 29C, 23C, 47A, 29CET and S16 end at Besant Nagar in MTC route data. 29C is the most frequent.
Is there a bus from T. Nagar to Elliot’s Beach?
Yes. Route 47A runs through T. Nagar and Saidapet to Adyar and Besant Nagar.
Which bus goes from Egmore to Besant Nagar?
Route 23C links Egmore with Besant Nagar through Anna Salai, Saidapet and Adyar.
Who is Elliot’s Beach named after?
Edward Elliot, a British-era chief magistrate and superintendent of police, according to Tamil Nadu Tourism.
Information checked against official sources on 19 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- Elliot’s Beach, Tamil Nadu Tourism
- Route 29C: Perambur to Besant Nagar, MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page
- Route 29CET: Periyar Nagar to Besant Nagar, MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page
- Route 23C: Ayanavaram to Besant Nagar, MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page
- Route 47A: ICF to Besant Nagar, MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page
- Route 23A: Palavakkam to Egmore, MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page
- Route S16: Besant Nagar to Neelankarai M.G. Nagar, MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page
- Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) Ltd, official website
- TN launches Chennai One app for single QR ticket across public transport (PTI via The Week, 22 Sep 2025)
