Flights from Brisbane to Chennai

Chennai is on India's south east coast, which makes it one of the easier Indian cities to reach from Queensland. Options typically include:

• Singapore, with Singapore Airlines on both legs or Scoot as a lower-cost choice.
• Kuala Lumpur, with Malaysia Airlines, and Batik Air or AirAsia X on the Chennai sector depending on season.
• Bangkok with Thai, when it suits the schedule.
• Dubai or Doha with Emirates or Qatar Airways, which add distance but give extra choice at peak times.

For most Brisbane travellers a Singapore or KL connection gives the shortest total journey. We still compare the Gulf fares, because at Christmas they are sometimes the only seats left at a reasonable price.

On a single booking you normally stay airside at the hub, walk to your next gate and reboard, with your bags transferred for you. Singapore's Changi Airport is large but well signposted, and transfers between its terminals are quick on the airside Skytrain. Allow enough time if your connection is on the short side.

Kuala Lumpur needs a little more care. KLIA has two terminals, and some low-cost carriers use a different terminal from full-service airlines. If you mix airlines on separate tickets, you may have to clear Malaysian immigration, collect your bags and check in again. Depending on your passport, that can mean entry requirements you would not otherwise face. We book connections on one ticket wherever possible and tell you clearly when a routing involves a self-transfer.

Many of our Chennai customers are Tamil families in south east Queensland who time trips around Pongal in mid January. That fits neatly with the Queensland summer school holidays, which is exactly why fares climb over late December and January. December is also Chennai's classical music and dance season, which draws visitors from overseas.

Deepavali in October or November and family weddings through the cooler months are the other big reasons people fly. If you know your dates, it is worth booking several months out.

Chennai works differently from Mumbai or Delhi. Its main rains come with the northeast monsoon from about October to December, and cyclones sometimes cross the coast in that period. Heavy rain can flood parts of the city and disrupt flights for a day or two. April to June is hot and humid.

None of that means you should avoid those months, but we suggest travel insurance that covers weather delays and a little flexibility in your first day's plans.

Chennai International (MAA) is at Meenambakkam in the south west of the city, closer to the centre than many Indian airports. The international and domestic terminals are next to each other, which helps if you are connecting onto a domestic flight. There are prepaid taxis and app-based rides, and the Chennai Metro has a station at the airport for travellers with light luggage.

Chennai is often not the final stop. From MAA there are domestic flights to Madurai, Coimbatore, Tiruchirappalli and Thoothukudi, and we can usually add them to a through ticket. Puducherry and Kanchipuram are a road trip away, and Tirupati in Andhra Pradesh is a common pilgrimage by road from Chennai.

If your family is closer to Bengaluru or Hyderabad, those airports may save you a long drive. Compare with Brisbane to Bangalore or Brisbane to Hyderabad.

Brisbane's international terminal is separate from the domestic terminal. If you are coming from regional Queensland on a domestic flight, allow time for the transfer between terminals and plan to arrive for your international check-in at least three hours before departure.

Australian passport holders need an Indian visa, usually an e-Visa, unless they hold OCI. Check the official Indian government site for current requirements. We can help with Indian visa applications, OCI and travel insurance.

We send you real options, with the layover, baggage allowance and fare conditions spelled out. Where parents are flying, we can request wheelchair assistance and special meals. Call us on 1800 724 967 or read more on flights to India from Brisbane.

We also book the reverse trip. Many Tamil parents come to Brisbane for several months at a time, and they need an Australian visa, often a Visitor visa (subclass 600), before they board. Our visa assistance page explains what we can do. On their way in, remind them to declare any food they pack, such as podi, pickles or sweets, because Australian biosecurity checks are strict and undeclared items can lead to fines.

Can I fly nonstop from Brisbane to Chennai?

No nonstop flights operate. You will connect once, most commonly in Singapore or Kuala Lumpur.

What is the best time to fly to Chennai?

January to March is usually pleasant and dry, though January is also peak season because of Pongal and school holidays. October to December can bring heavy monsoon rain.

Can I add a domestic flight to Madurai or Coimbatore?

Yes, in most cases we can include the domestic leg on the same booking so your bags are checked through.

What airport code does Chennai use?

Chennai International Airport uses the code MAA.

Do you book return trips from Chennai back to Brisbane?

Yes. Most customers book a return, and we can also arrange one-way tickets if your plans are open.