Chennai to Abu Dhabi Flights

Tips for travellers

For a short trip, Egmore, Nungambakkam and T. Nagar are central and well served by the metro, while Mylapore and Besant Nagar put you close to the older temples and the beach. Chennai Metro's Blue Line runs from the airport through the city to Chennai Central, and the Green Line links Chennai Central with St. Thomas Mount via Koyambedu. South India's first air-conditioned suburban train started on the Beach to Chengalpattu line in April 2025, and the older suburban trains and MTC buses are inexpensive but crowded at peak hours. App cabs and auto-rickshaws fill the gaps.

The weather is kindest from November to February. The north-east monsoon brings most of Chennai's rain in October and November, and cyclones in those months can disrupt flights and flood roads. The Margazhi music and dance season runs through December into January, with concerts at sabhas across Mylapore and T. Nagar, and Pongal in mid-January closes many offices for several days. At the Kapaleeshwarar Temple and other Hindu temples, remove footwear and dress modestly with shoulders and knees covered. Marina Beach is for walking rather than swimming, as the currents are strong. For Mahabalipuram, leave early to see the Shore Temple before the midday heat, and combine it with the Pancha Rathas and Arjuna's Penance nearby.

What's new in Abu Dhabi

• November 2025: Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi opened on Saadiyat Island, adding science and natural-history galleries to the island’s museum circuit.
• December 2025: Zayed National Museum opened to the public, giving visitors six permanent galleries exploring the UAE and its founding president.

Tips for travellers from India

A Corniche hotel suits waterfront walks and the central island, whereas Saadiyat accommodation makes the museum district easier to reach. Yas Island is a different choice, geared towards its parks and entertainment venues. The airport is on the mainland, so the transfer to each area follows a different route; name the island as well as the hotel when arranging a pickup.

Build one day around Saadiyat instead of alternating its museums with Qasr Al Watan at the western end of Abu Dhabi island. Louvre Abu Dhabi’s galleries and outdoor dome spaces reward different pacing, especially when combining it with another museum. Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque also belongs in its own part of the schedule because it is away from both clusters. Qasr Al Watan is within a working presidential compound, making its official visitor calendar particularly relevant when selecting a ticket. The Corniche is the flexible walking component between these scheduled visits, while airport bus timetables help determine whether a central bus stop is useful for the final hotel connection.