Chennai Metro Timings – Route, Stations, Fare, Map and Helpline Details

By vishal - Nov 26, 2025, 13:12 IST

Stepping Into Chennai's Lifeline: The Metro

The Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) is undeniably good news for everyday travelers. It presents a quick, smooth, and efficient means of beating city traffic. Metro timings in Chennai are important in order to have a hassle-free ride.

This step-by-step tutorial will provide everything you would require. You get to know precisely when the first train sets off and when the last train is running, either on a weekday or a weekend.

What are the Standard Chennai Metro Timings?

The working Chennai Metro timings are usually fixed on the two metro lines that are in operation, and planning every day is easy. The Chennai Metro generally runs for 18 hours every day to travel the entire system.

First train: the services normally begin at approximately 5:00 AM on all days.

Last train: the last trains run near 11:00 PM, paying attention to the terminal locations.

There might be slight variations in the timings of particular terminals between lines and days. The CMRL official resources have the correct Chennai Metro timings.

Chennai Metro Timings on Weekdays (Monday to Saturday)

Chennai Metro is a very important transport mechanism for office-goers and students, and hence the train frequency changed accordingly to meet the workday rush. Monday to Saturday are usually evenly distributed as far as service is concerned.

Peak Hour vs. Non-Peak Hour Frequency

Train frequency varies and changes depending on the peak and non-peak periods, which assists in dealing with the high number of commuters during staff days.

  • Peak hours: they are usually morning hours (8:00 am to 11:00 am) and evening hours (5:00 pm to 8:00 pm). Trains run every 5-6 minutes.
  • Off-peak times: early morning, late evening, and midday. Trains run every 10-15 minutes.

The train frequency allows you to know beforehand the way to plan your journey and avoid wasting time waiting.

First and Last Train Timings on Weekdays

The initial and final train services are planned to take the largest number of people. The working hours of the metro provide a connection throughout the day, even late at night.

  • Blue Line (Wimco Nagar/Washermanpet to Airport): First train at around 5:00 AM, last train at around 11:00 PM between such destinations as Airport and Wimco Nagar.
  • Green Line (Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central to St. Thomas Mount): initial train time is around 5:00 AM and final one is around 11:00 PM at terminal stations.

The times are significant when you get up early to take a morning flight or when you get home late.

Sunday and Holiday Chennai Metro Timings

The weekends are slightly different as compared to weekdays. During Sundays and national holidays, the Chennai Metro timings are switched to a weekday schedule that is less crowded.

Reduced Service on Sundays and Public Holidays

Service is also usually lower, though it is still reliable. Enhanced peak-hour services are not common. During the day, trains operate on a flat non-peak frequency where a 10-15 minute headway between trains.

Weekend First and Last Train Timings

Metro is an excellent choice on a day out or shopping. Some stations may have a starting time that is slightly later than that of weekdays.

  • First train: as a rule, the first train at around 5:00 AM or a little later leaves the terminals.
  • Last train: normally leaves around 10:00 PM - 11:00 PM. Get the current schedule for your particular destination.

Key Operational Lines and Stations

The Chennai Metro is composed of two primary operational corridors that are named by color and which link important hubs throughout the city.

Blue Line (Corridor 1): From Wimco Nagar to Chennai Airport

This is an essential line serving passengers travelling to the Chennai Airport and serves the northern the city of Chennai to the central and southern.

  • Important Interchange: Arignar Anna Alandur Metro (via Green Line).
  • Key Connectivity: Chennai Central and the Chennai International Airport.

Green Line (Corridor 2): From M.G.R. Central to St. Thomas Mount

The central railway station is connected to the southwestern suburbs on this line, which is of significance to the travelers who may enter the city either by train or bus.

  • Important Interchange: Arignar Anna Alandur Metro (Blue Line).
  • Key Connectivity: Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G. Ramachandran Central Metro, CMBT Metro timings (Chennai Mofussil Bus Terminus).

Line

Terminals

Day Type

First Train (Approx.)

Last Train (Approx.)

Peak Hour Frequency

Blue Line

Wimco Nagar $\leftrightarrow$ Airport

Weekday

5:00 AM

11:00 PM

Every 5-6 minutes

Green Line

Central $\leftrightarrow$ St. Thomas Mount

Weekday

5:00 AM

11:00 PM

Every 5-6 minutes

Both Lines

All Stations

Sunday/Holiday

5:00 AM

11:00 PM

Every 10-15 minutes

Smart Ways to Pay and Travel

It is not essential to know the metro timings in Chennai, but taking the right choice of ticketing may be important in time and money saving. The Chennai Metro has several smart services that are provided to its users.

Ticketing Options

Choose a ticket according to the needs of your travels in order not to wait in line.

  • Single/Return Travel Tokens: Ideal for one-off travelers.
  • Store Value Card (GoSmart Card): A card available in 20 different varieties, this card is rechargeable and provides a 20% discount on the fare, and this is done without having to purchase a new token every time.
  • Tourist Card: As a tourist, it is a must to explore the city and remain within the metro limit, where the tourist card perfectly fits for one day.
  • Group QR Tickets: They can be purchased over the CMRL mobile application as a group of 20 or above, where one gets a discount of 20 percent.

Get in and out of it with a GoSmart Card. Swipe the card on the Automated Fare Collection (AFC) gates and swipe.

Essential Tips for Chennai Metro Commuters

To have a relaxing metro ride, the first step is to be properly prepared.

  • Go early when the time is busiest: It may be very crowded on the platform, and by going a little early, you are certain of a spot.
  • Time the last train: Cross-verify the last train timing of late travelers to save the expense of hailing a taxi or auto rickshaw.
  • Take feeder services: most of the stations have feeder buses, shuttles, or shared autos that take you to destinations other than the metro.
  • Be on time: Metro timings in Chennai may vary because of either maintenance or holidays. Watch the CMRL official app or site to check the most up-to-date.

Conclusion: Making the Most of Chennai Metro

The Chennai Metro is currently growing and developing further. It is a convenient, efficient, and affordable mode of transportation in the city. You can make it easy to commute by having the knowledge of specific Chennai Metro timings in your commute, particularly first and last train times, and train frequency variations during peak and non-peak periods. Take intelligent ticketing tickets and have a stress-free ride on the pride of Chennai!

Chennai Metro Timings FAQs

Chennai Metro trains run from around 5:00 AM to 11:00 PM, depending on the line and direction of travel.

Chennai Metro currently operates two main lines – Blue Line and Green Line – covering over 50 stations across the city.

You can visit the official CMRL website or use the Chennai Metro mobile app for updated fare charts and real-time train timings.