🌙 Night Bus Services — Chennai
Metropolitan Transport Corporation · Night General Services (NGTS) · Official Schedule
| Route | From → To | Via / Description | Zone | Trips |
|---|
✈️ Chennai Airport Night Bus Services
Multiple MTC routes serve KCBT Kilambakkam (Chennai Domestic/International Airport) through the night. Route 70V operates the highest frequency — departures every 4–15 minutes between 9:30 PM and 4:30 AM. Route 66P (Poonamallee–Airport) and 18A (Royapuram–Airport) also run frequent services. Bus stop at airport: KCBT Kilambakkam Bus Terminus.
What is MTC Night Service?
Chennai has significant movement of workers and logistics after midnight. Hospital shifts, BPO and IT night shifts, early morning wholesale market runs, and inter-city travel connections create genuine demand for post-midnight bus services. MTC has been operating Night Services for many years — designated bus services that run after the regular daytime fleet winds down, covering key corridors across the city through the night.
Key Rules for MTC Night Service
| Rule | Detail |
| AC Buses | MTC does NOT operate any AC buses at night |
| Routes | Night service buses follow the same route as their daytime counterparts |
| Stopping pattern | Night service buses may stop at passenger convenience — not always at every stop |
| Fares | Night bus fares are approximately 2× the Deluxe daytime fare |
| Frequency | Night services operate at approximately 50% of daytime frequency |
Night Fare Chart
| Stages | Night Service Fare (Rs) |
| 1 | 10 |
| 2 | 12 |
| 3 | 14 |
| 4 | 16 |
| 5 | 18 |
| 6 | 20 |
| 7 | 22 |
| 8 | 24 |
| 9 | 26 |
| 10 | 28 |
| 11–12 | 30 |
| 13–14 | 32 |
Complete List of MTC Night Service Routes
| Route | From | To |
| 1B | Thiruvotriyur | Tambaram |
| 5A | Thiagaraya Nagar (T Nagar) | Tambaram East |
| 5E | Besant Nagar | Vadapalani Bus Stand |
| 12B | Vadapalani (Forum Vijaya Mall) | Foreshore Estate |
| 15B | Broadway | CMBT (Koyambedu) |
| 15F | Vadapalani | Broadway |
| 17M | Broadway | Iyappanthangal |
| A18 | High Court | Vandalur Zoo |
| G18 | Thiagaraya Nagar | Guduvanchery |
| M18 | Tambaram | Guduvanchery |
| M18C | Thiagaraya Nagar | Kilkattalai |
| M18G | Hasthinapuram | Guduvanchery |
| 21B | Broadway | Poonamallee |
| 21C | Broadway | Thiruninravur |
| 21G | Broadway | Tambaram (via Airport) |
| 23C | Broadway | Avadi |
| 27B | Broadway | Korattur |
| 29B | Broadway | Ambattur Estate |
| 40C | Broadway | Villivakkam |
| 47D | Broadway | Perungudi |
| 47F | Broadway / CMBT | Airport (Thirusoolam) ★ AIRPORT NIGHT BUS |
| 70 | Broadway | Ambattur |
| M70 | Broadway | Ambattur |
| 101 | Broadway | Poonamallee |
★ Route 47F is the key night service for airport travellers — the designated MTC bus serving Chennai International Airport (Thirusoolam) during night hours.
Who Uses MTC Night Services
BPO and IT workers: Chennai’s large BPO and IT sector generates substantial night-shift demand, particularly in the Perungudi, Sholinganallur, and Ambattur corridors. Routes 47D (Perungudi) and 29B (Ambattur Estate) specifically serve these zones.
Hospital workers: Government hospitals in Broadway, Egmore, and Kilpauk operate 24 hours. Medical staff on night shifts use Broadway-originating night services.
Wholesale market workers: Koyambedu Wholesale Market operates from approximately 2 AM. Early morning workers from south and southern suburbs use routes via CMBT/Koyambedu.
Airport travellers: Route 47F (Broadway/CMBT to Airport at Thirusoolam) is the critical night service for travellers with early morning flights or late night arrivals. This is one of the most important night routes for budget airport access.
Industrial shift workers: Factories in Ambattur, Guindy Industrial Estate, and the northern industrial belt operate shift patterns requiring pre-dawn travel.
Traveller Tips for Night Services
Frequency is lower: Night services run at approximately half the daytime frequency. Plan for waiting times of 20–40 minutes between buses on most night routes.
Stopping is discretionary: Night service buses do not always stop at every designated stop. Stand visibly and signal early. Drivers may pass dark or isolated stops if they do not see a passenger.
⚠ Safety advisory: Women travelling alone on night buses should be aware that enforcement of safety rules is variable after midnight. Use well-lit stops wherever possible, sit near other passengers, and have the MTC complaint number (044-25384680) saved.
Fares are higher: Night service fares are approximately double the daytime Deluxe rate. Have change ready — conductors may not always carry large denominations at night.
For airport travel: Route 47F is the designated airport night bus. For very early morning flights, verify the exact first trip timing at mtcbus.tn.gov.in before relying on it.
Monthly pass: The Rs 2,000 unlimited monthly pass covers night services. Clarify with the conductor when boarding.
Raising complaints: MTC complaint portal at mtcbus.tn.gov.in or MTC Customer Care: 044-25384680.
Last updated: March 2026. MTC may change night service routes, timings, and fares without notice. Always verify at mtcbus.tn.gov.in.
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