Chennai (Madras) Tourist Traps

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We faced helluva problem in Chennai city with Auto - Rickshaw drivers even for going to hospitals. They think any fair coloured Indian non -Tamil speaking is North Indian and their rates just skyhigh. I even got down from one auto rickshaw after he started mis behaving in Tamil asking for more money. Then I gave him a Rs100/- note and asked him to buy sweets for his family in English. Then I took him to a nearby shopkeeper and explained him the thing. He said Rs.20/- would be more than double the fare.

The German girl in the second picture said she paid in advance Rs. 800/- for an hours trip to see around the city!!! Since the city of Chennai does not have proper bus service the people and the travller have to be dependant on the Auto Rickshaws only. Complaining to police wont help as he too will speak in Tamil, and shall not come forward to help you. This is our experience of ten days stay in Chennai.

Auto-rickshaw drivers in Chennai have a history of overcharging, using rigged meters, and exploting foreign passengers, although they are ubiquitous and possibly the easiest form of transportation to locate. Use Auto-rickshaws only for short distances (if you know exactly how far you are going). Before talking to auto person ask any local person what the actual fare should be, because if you don't know, they might ask for up to 3 times more.
If you want to travel by the auto, stick to these rules:
Don't go by the meter (if they have one) - the meter is rigged to show a higher fare
Negotiate a rate with the driver beforehand. Try to stick to the agreed price, though the driver may attempt to ask for more.
Consult local friends beforehand to find out reasonable market prices for the distance you intend to go.
Try to hail individual auto rickshaws in traffic which are heading in the general direction of your destination and avoid those parked in groups as they may try to gang-up on you.
As a general rule, expect to pay about Rs.10 for every kilometre you travel.
Be careful about the following when you plan to undertake an autorickshaw trip:
You don't have to pay for any empty return trips that the autorickshaw driver has to make once you have agreed upon a fare.
You tell them to go to a landmark near where you want to go, and upon reaching the landmark, ask them to go a little further along a particular road to your destination. They might cite the extra distance traveled and ask for more money. So it is better to negotiate the fare upfront.

Unique Suggestions: Don't go by the meter (if they have one) - the meter is rigged to show a higher fare
Negotiate a rate with the driver beforehand. Try to stick to the agreed price, though the driver may attempt to ask for more.
Consult local friends beforehand to find out reasonable market prices for the distance you intend to go.
Try to hail individual auto rickshaws in traffic which are heading in the general direction of your destination and avoid those parked in groups as they may try to gang-up on you.
As a general rule, expect to pay about Rs.10 for every kilometre you travel.
Be careful about the following when you plan to undertake an autorickshaw trip:
You don't have to pay for any empty return trips that the autorickshaw driver has to make once you have agreed upon a fare.
You tell them to go to a landmark near where you want to go, and upon reaching the landmark, ask them to go a little further along a particular road to your destination. They might cite the extra distance traveled and ask for more money. So it is better to negotiate the fare upfront.

Fun Alternatives: My suggestion would be to take TTDC conducted tour of the city as far as possible. If you can afford then hire a car from an agency. The ill behaved Auto Rickshaw driver can mar the enjoyment of your holiday!

Here are some Taxi operators of Chennai:

• Indian call Taxi +91 9884239756
• S.R Call taxi +919444833331 ,044-6555 6511
• Sri venkateswarra call taxi +91971110190
• Fast Track Call Taxi, +91-44-24732020, . Chennai's largest taxi operator.
• Taxi-1 chennai : +91 44 2475 0505.
• P A Travels +91 9841914140
• Kasi's Call Taxi +91 9841652109
• Bharati Call Taxi, +91 44 2814 2233.
• Chennai Call Taxi, +91 44 2598 4455.
• Rajesh Call Taxi, +91 98408 15058.
• Sruthi Call Taxi, +91 44 4211 0044.
• Zigzag Call Taxi, +91 44 2474 9966

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My colleague an I, both of us are women, were nearly taken for a ride by the driver of an auto-rickshaw! I remembered the way back to our hotel, and I realised that he wasn't making the turn that we was supposed to make. So I said, "Turn left, turn left!" and he replied, "No, Maam, it's this way, Ma'am.." But I insisted, "NO.... take the left turn, I know!" So.. reluctantly, he followed my instruction.

I think it could be because he didn't like us bargaining for a price, so maybe he wanted to teach us a lesson and take us somewhere! Both of us dread to think what might have happened should he have just lead us to God knows where and harass us!

Scary..

Unique Suggestions: It's best to go around with a local. When they notice you're not a local, they're just out to take you for a ride.

A traveller new to India arrives with much of expectation to see the historical and cultural India.But the moment he arrives , they are taken to Triplicane which is the dirtiest place in chennai.May be their travel guide booked triplicane for cheaper hotels.But i shud really say Triplicane is the worst place where lots of poor lives in streets.Such kind things affect the trvellers mentality to explore this beautiful country rather fed up with the poverty..

Unique Suggestions: Never book a hotel in Triplicane

Well there two things I don't like about madras..well now chennai...

The taxi fellows and the bus drivers.
If you are in the railway station there, then you get an automatic shot at fame..a la Tom Cruise or a Pat Rafter...
you will be hounded by three wheelers and taxi drivers and would go to length to harass people to get them to ride in their vehicle to their destination. You will be quoted prices which will have a close resemblence to the price quoted in your international air ticket!

yeah the second thing whic might disturb you are the bus drivers and ticket checkers. they dont usually take great pains in coming to you to give tickets in an already jam packed bus...an if you don't buy you pay the price if you are caught by an inspector...

and the worst is, i wouldn't recommend a lengthy converations with the ticket checker either. it can get noisy!

Unique Suggestions: well..as far as the taxis go...you could opt for the pre paid ones ...there are counters there at the railway station. And yeah..make sure that you personally go and get your pre-paid voucher for your destination.

as far as buses go...you have to bear with it..afterall it might be an experience!

There will be helpful co-passengers who would get the ticket from the ticket collector and pass it on to you...

These things shouls hardly be a dampener to a "lion hearted" traveller :)

Fun Alternatives: Alternative to meter taxis are a newly introduced call taxis. but you need their numbers in first place...i might be able to get them if you mail me...

opt out of the amusement parks around the city. they are good. but the crowds ensure that you wait atleast an hour for a ride