Chennai Central to Anna Salai: Cab, Auto or Metro?

How long does it take from Chennai Central to Anna Salai?

Chennai Central is about 10 to 15 minutes away from Hotel Royal Park, and that is the figure to plan with in normal traffic. Mount Road is one of Chennai's busiest commercial roads. Wikipedia reports daily traffic of more than 183,000 vehicles on Anna Salai, so peak-hour rides can run longer than the ideal number.

The practical answer is to treat 10 to 15 minutes as the floor and add a margin if you are crossing the city at 9 AM or 6 PM, or if rain has started. If you are arriving at 3 AM, the roads are clear and the same ride is quick.

When is a cab the right choice?

A cab is the simplest option with more than one big bag, with children or elderly relatives, or when you arrive late at night. You step out of the station, sit down and ride to the door. Our front desk can arrange airport taxis and private cabs, so you can also ask them to book a cab for a later departure.

For the ride in, use whatever booking method you trust. Confirm the destination with the driver by giving the full address: 23, Perumal Mudali Street, EB Link Road, off Anna Salai (Mount Road). Mentioning EB Link Road helps, because Mount Road is long and a driver who only hears Anna Salai may head for the wrong stretch.

When does an auto make sense?

Autorickshaws suit one or two light bags and short distances in daytime. Fix the fare or insist on the meter before you sit. Chennai Egmore's Wikipedia entry lists pre-paid taxi and autorickshaw services at that station, which is one more reason to look for the official pre-paid counter at whichever station you arrive. Check what is available at the exit you use at Central, since arrangements vary and change.

Autos have little space for large suitcases, and a heavy bag on your lap in traffic is not a good start to a trip. If you have more luggage than you can carry up a flight of stairs, choose a cab.

What does Anna Salai look like when you arrive?

Knowing what to expect on the road helps with the ride. Wikipedia describes Anna Salai as an arterial road of about 13 km that was renamed from Mount Road in 1974 after C. N. Annadurai, though most people in Chennai still say Mount Road. Along it you find Spencer Plaza, the LIC Building and the Thousand Lights Mosque, along with commercial areas such as Teynampet.

Hotel Royal Park is not on the main carriageway itself. It is on Perumal Mudali Street, off EB Link Road, close to Anna Salai. That is helpful for noise and for pick-ups, but it also means the last turn can be missed. Share the hotel's map pin or ask the front desk to talk to the driver on the phone if you are not sure where to turn.

At night the area is quieter than daytime. If you arrive after midnight, keep your phone charged, share your ride details with someone and call the hotel before you reach, so a staff member is ready at the entrance with luggage assistance. Staff at the hotel are listed as multilingual, which helps when a driver speaks only Tamil.

Is the metro an option from Central to Anna Salai?

Yes. Central metro station is in front of the railway station, and the Blue Line stops listed for Anna Salai-side areas include Government Estate, LIC and Thousand Lights. Wikipedia notes that the metro runs along the median of Anna Salai, so it follows the same road as your hotel. Fares run from Rs 10 to Rs 50, and service runs from about 5 AM to 11 PM.

The catch is the last stretch. You will need to get from a metro station to the hotel on EB Link Road, so ask the desk before you commit. If the answer is a short auto ride, a direct cab from the station may be less trouble.

• Cab: best for luggage, groups and late arrivals.
• Auto: fine for light bags in daytime, agree the fare first.
• Metro: cheapest and traffic-proof, but plan the last stretch and avoid it with heavy bags.

What to do before you arrive

Message or call the hotel on +91 73059 49923 with your train and expected time. Check-in is at 1 PM and check-out is at 11 AM, so if you arrive before check-in, ask about hourly booking on request. Rooms start at Rs 1,600 per night; reconfirm the rate and taxes when you book. Keep your photo ID and ticket easy to reach, since you will be asked for them at check-in at most hotels.