The Chennai Airport to Kilambakkam bus is MTC’s MAA1, an AC electric route from the airport to the Kilambakkam terminus (KCBT), and the ordinary GST Road buses 70V, G70 and PP21 also stop at the airport and continue past KCBT. MTC deluxe and AC fares top out at Rs 49 plus cess; ordinary tickets on these routes are far lower.
The numbers
Kilambakkam is due south of the airport on GST Road, so this is one of the simpler transfers in the city: the road runs straight from the Thirusoolam airport stop through Pallavaram, Chromepet and Tambaram to Vandalur and the terminus. The choice is between the dedicated AC bus, a cheaper ordinary bus, a suburban train for part of the way, or a cab.
Stop lists and frequencies below come from MTC route data on the Spirit of Chennai route pages. The frequencies are averages and may be dated, so check live timings in the Chennai One app or with MTC before travelling. For general airport-to-city options, see the site’s separate airport guide; this one covers only the run to KCBT.
MAA1: the airport to Kilambakkam AC bus
MAA1 is one of three airport routes (MAA1, MAA2 and MAA3) given to Alandur depot when Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay flagged off 130 AC electric buses on 25 August 2026, DT Next reported. MAA1 was listed as Chennai Airport to Kilambakkam. Alandur took 80 of those buses across 15 routes; the report did not give a count for each route, a timetable or the AC fare.
MTC’s published deluxe fare table under G.O. 48 of 2018 runs from Rs 11 to Rs 49 by stage, plus a Rs 1 cess, which is a useful upper guide for premium city services. Buy the ticket on board or through the Chennai One app.
Ordinary buses from the airport stop
The Thirusoolam National Airport stop on GST Road, across from the terminals, is served by several MTC routes. Three of them run on past the Kilambakkam stretch to Guduvanchery, according to their route pages:
- G70 from Vadapalani: 19 stops over 33 km, an average gap of about 19 minutes.
- 70V from CMBT: 21 stops over 28.1 km, about every 45 minutes.
- PP21 from High Court: 24 stops over 42.9 km, about every 54 minutes.
From the airport, all three call at Pallavaram, Chromepet, T.B. Sanatorium, Tambaram, Irumbuliyur, Perungalathur, Vandalur, Vandalur Zoo and Urapakkam School. Southern Railway’s 2024 notice places KCBT between Vandalur and Urapakkam, which is where you get off. The older route pages do not name a KCBT stop, so ask the conductor or watch for the terminus.
21G and 18A also stop at the airport but end at Tambaram in the route data. From Tambaram, M18 covers the last 11.7 km through Vandalur and Urapakkam to Guduvanchery, about every 41 minutes on its route page. When KCBT opened, MTC listed 55V and M18 from Tambaram to the terminus at gaps of 2 to 8 minutes, DT Next reported.
| Option | Board at | Change | What you pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| MAA1 AC e-bus | Airport | None | AC fare, not published; MTC deluxe scale tops at Rs 49 + cess |
| G70, 70V or PP21 | Thirusoolam airport stop, GST Road | None | Ordinary city fare |
| 21G or 18A, then M18 | Airport stop | Tambaram | Two ordinary tickets |
| S100 feeder, then bus | Airport metro station | Tambaram East | Feeder fare, then a bus |
| Suburban train, then bus | Tirusulam station | Vandalur or Urapakkam | Lowest fare; stairs and a road crossing |
Source: MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route pages; DT Next, 25 August 2026; CMRL feeder list; MTC fare table. Gaps are averages and may be dated.
Metro and train combinations
The metro is useful only if you are coming to the airport from elsewhere in the city to pick up the bus there: the CMRL fare table lists Rs 40 from Central or Egmore to the airport station and Rs 20 from the airport to Guindy or Alandur. The Blue Line ends at the airport, so the metro does not go further south.
From the airport metro station, CMRL’s feeder list shows small bus S100 running via Pallavaram, Chromepet, MIT and Chitlapakkam to Tambaram East (MCC), with only two buses on the route, so expect waits.
Tirusulam suburban station sits across GST Road from the terminals on the Beach to Chengalpattu line. Southbound locals stop at Vandalur and Urapakkam, both close to KCBT. A Kilambakkam station is under construction but had not been announced open when we checked.
Airport to Urapakkam School on G70, 70V and PP21, per their route pages, with KCBT on the Vandalur to Urapakkam stretch.
Luggage, timing and taxis
Flyers carry bags, and MTC’s rules on its fares page matter: up to 5 kg per passenger is free; 5 to 20 kg costs Rs 10 or one passenger fare, whichever is higher; above 20 kg, Rs 20 or two fares; and luggage is not allowed in peak hours. Large suitcases may be turned away on a crowded ordinary bus.
Prepaid taxis and app cabs from the airport are the alternative for late arrivals or families with heavy bags; fares vary with demand, so compare quotes.
It’s often said you have to go into the city to get a bus to Kilambakkam.
The record shows The airport stop is on GST Road, the same road as KCBT. Three ordinary routes and the MAA1 AC bus go from the airport towards the terminus without a change.
What this means for you
- Look for MAA1 if you want an AC bus with space for bags; ordinary buses are cheaper but stricter about luggage at peak hours.
- G70 is the most frequent ordinary bus in the route data that runs past KCBT.
- Get off between Vandalur and Urapakkam, where the terminus sits; confirm with the conductor.
- If a direct bus is slow to come, take any bus to Tambaram and change to M18.
Quick answers
Which bus goes from Chennai airport to Kilambakkam?
MTC’s MAA1 AC electric bus runs Airport to Kilambakkam. Ordinary routes G70, 70V and PP21 also stop at the airport and continue past KCBT.
How much is the bus fare from Chennai airport to Kilambakkam?
MTC has not published the MAA1 fare; its deluxe scale tops out at Rs 49 plus a Rs 1 cess. Ordinary buses cost much less.
Can I take the metro from the airport to Kilambakkam?
No. The Blue Line ends at the airport. Use a GST Road bus, or the S100 feeder to Tambaram East and a bus from there.
Is there a train from Chennai airport to Kilambakkam?
Take a southbound local from Tirusulam to Vandalur or Urapakkam, then a short ride. The Kilambakkam station was not open on 31 October 2026.
What to watch
Pending
MTC has not published MAA1’s timetable or fare; the Chennai One app shows live trips.
Pending
A Kilambakkam suburban station is being built beside the terminus; once Southern Railway opens it, travellers from Tirusulam could ride straight there.
Checked against official sources on 31 October 2026. Timings and fares change; confirm on the operator’s booking site before you travel.
Sources
- CM Vijay flags off 130 new AC electric and 120 regular buses in Chennai (DT Next, 25 August 2026)
- Details of MTC services to Kilambakkam bus stand released (DT Next, 30 December 2023)
- Route G70: Vadapalani to Guduvanchery (MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page)
- Route 70V: CMBT to Guduvanchery via Vandalur (MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page)
- Route PP21: High Court to Guduvanchery (MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page)
- Route 21G: Broadway to Tambaram (MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page)
- Route 18A: Broadway to Tambaram via Central (MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page)
- Route M18: Tambaram to Guduvanchery (MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page)
- Fares: Night Services (Deluxe) and luggage rules, G.O. (Ms.) No. 48 of 2018 (Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Chennai)
- CMRL fare table, last updated 9 October 2026 (Chennai Metro Rail Ltd)
- Feeder services: MTC small buses from metro stations (Chennai Metro Rail Ltd)
- Extension of EMU services to Guduvancheri for Kilambakkam bus terminus passengers, press release of 24 February 2024 (Southern Railway, Chennai Division)
- Metropolitan Transport Corporation (Chennai) Ltd: home page and free travel notices (Government of Tamil Nadu)
