T. Nagar bus terminus, which MTC’s route data calls Thiagaraya Nagar, is the starting point for short hops to Triplicane and the Marina as well as some of the longest runs in the MTC network, including a 74 km service to Kancheepuram. It sits a short walk from Mambalam suburban station, and a skywalk built under Chennai Smart City Limited links the two over the shopping streets.
Below is what leaves from the terminus, where it goes and how often, based on the MTC route pages we opened. We also list the busy cross-city routes that stop at T. Nagar without starting there, since for many riders those are the quicker option.
Routes that start at T. Nagar
Seven routes whose pages we checked begin at the terminus. Two serve the old city, three head down GST Road towards Tambaram and beyond, and two take the Porur and Poonamallee road west to the Sriperumbudur belt.
| Route | To | Main stops on the way | Length | Bus every |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Triplicane | Telegraph Office, Wesley School | 9.3 km | 10 min |
| 13B | Anna Square | Pondy Bazaar, DMS, Triplicane | 11.6 km | 1.4 hrs |
| G18 | Guduvanchery | Saidapet, Guindy, Airport, Tambaram, Vandalur | 30.6 km | 1.1 hrs |
| G18A | Mannivakkam | Guindy, Tambaram, Vandalur | 27.3 km | 2.9 hrs |
| G18ET | Maraimalai Nagar | Guindy, Tambaram, Guduvanchery | 38 km | 4 hrs |
| 576 | Kancheepuram | Guindy, Porur, Poonamallee, Sriperumbudur | 74 km | 1.3 hrs |
| 582 | Vallakkottai | Porur, Poonamallee, Sriperumbudur | 47 km | 1.6 hrs |
Source: MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route pages (linked). Frequencies are averages and may be dated.
Frequencies quoted here are averages from MTC route data shown on our route pages. They may be dated and real gaps vary through the day, so check current timings with MTC, or on the MTC announcements page for service changes, before you travel.
13 is the workhorse. At a bus about every 10 minutes for a 9.3 km run, it is the quickest way from the shopping district to Triplicane and the Marina side of the city. 13B covers similar ground but continues to Anna Square, and runs far less often.
The long runs: Kancheepuram, Sriperumbudur and GST Road
576 is the longest route in this guide. It leaves T. Nagar for Saidapet and Guindy, turns west on Mount-Poonamallee Road through Ramapuram, Porur and Poonamallee, then follows the highway past Sriperumbudur and Sunguvarchathiram to Kancheepuram, 74 km away. A bus is scheduled about every 1.3 hours. 582 follows the same road as far as Sriperumbudur, then turns off for Vallam and Vallakkottai.
Length of route 576 from T. Nagar to Kancheepuram, the longest route in this guide, per MTC route data.
The G18 family goes south. G18 runs via Guindy, the airport and Tambaram to Guduvanchery, G18A turns off at Vandalur for Mannivakkam, and G18ET continues to the Maraimalai Nagar industrial estate. If you only need Tambaram, the cross-city routes below or the suburban train from Mambalam are usually quicker than waiting for one of these.
Cross-city routes that stop at T. Nagar
Several frequent routes pass through T. Nagar on longer journeys and are often easier to catch than a terminus departure.
| Route | Between | Bus every |
|---|---|---|
| 47 | Villivakkam and Besant Nagar, via Nungambakkam, T. Nagar and Adyar | 14 min |
| 5B | Mylapore and T. Nagar, via Adyar and Saidapet | 21 min |
| 47A | ICF and Thiruvanmiyur, via Pondy Bazaar and Adyar | 48 min |
| 599 | T. Nagar and Mamallapuram, via Adyar and ECR | 2 hrs |
| V151 | T. Nagar and Tambaram East, via Velachery | 3.1 hrs |
Source: MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route pages (linked). Frequencies are averages and may be dated.
Getting between the train and the bus
The Chennai Smart City Limited project page describes the skywalk as a link between Mambalam railway station and the T. Nagar bus terminus, so that people can avoid the crush on Usman Road and Ranganathan Street. Its estimated cost was Rs 26.27 crore. For riders, it makes a train to Mambalam and a bus from T. Nagar a practical pairing, for example a suburban train from the south followed by route 13 to Triplicane.
- For Triplicane and the Marina side, route 13 is the frequent choice.
- For Kancheepuram or Sriperumbudur without changing, 576 and 582 start here.
- For Adyar or Besant Nagar, catch route 47 or 5B as it passes, rather than waiting at the terminus.
- Use the skywalk to reach Mambalam station without crossing the market streets.
Quick answers
Which bus goes from T. Nagar to Kancheepuram?
Route 576, a 74 km run via Porur, Poonamallee and Sriperumbudur, scheduled about every 1.3 hours in MTC route data.
How do I get from T. Nagar bus terminus to Mambalam station?
Take the skywalk that links the terminus with Mambalam railway station, built as a Chennai Smart City project.
Is there a direct bus from T. Nagar to Mamallapuram?
Yes, route 599 runs via Adyar, Thiruvanmiyur and the East Coast Road, about every two hours.
Information checked against official sources on 18 October 2026. Fees, dates and rules can change; confirm on the linked official pages before acting.
Sources
- Mambalam to T. Nagar skywalk project (Chennai Smart City Limited)
- News and announcements (Metropolitan Transport Corporation, Chennai)
- MTC’s roadmap: double fleet size, more EVs, 40 new depots (DT Next, July 2025)
- Route 13: T. Nagar to Triplicane, MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page
- Route 576: T. Nagar to Kancheepuram, MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page
- Route G18: T. Nagar to Guduvanchery, MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page
- Route 47: Villivakkam to Besant Nagar, MTC route data via Spirit of Chennai route page
