天美麻豆

galenjack wrote:

Chennai is rich in tradition, culture, values, virtues聟and what more? you name them and we have them.Chennai like many captivating cities around the world offers the whole landscape as part of the experience. Chennai offers its visitors much more than delineated tourist attractions, the city is the destination.

Except the topic is transportation not advertising Tamil Nadu tourism. 

Never leave home without the destination phone number.  Most of the population does not speak English well and directions can be difficult.

The buses are well marked and plentiful but also crowded and dirty.  Be ready to move on and off the bus because they will not be waiting for you.

A lot of the transportation is done by shared autos.  Microscopic minivans that charge 5-10 for a short trip along a major route.  Hard to manage if you do not speak Tamil.

The auto-rickshaws in Chennai never use a meter.  Start at rs40 for anything within about 3 km and add rs 5-10/km from there depending on how well you can negotiate.  You will need to know a major landmark near your destination if you are going more than about 2 km.  They are experts in their little area but lost beyond that.  Remember that knowing your destination information is your responsibility.  They are just the driver.

When you are at an auto stand, where someone is getting paid off to run the line, (malls, stations, hotels) make sure you know what the fair price is.  Anyone on the street will tell you the correct price, as everyone hates the auto drivers.  If the line guys do not give you the right price, flag one down, they will gladly undercut the drivers waiting in the line.  Most important, stick to your guns, do not take any side trips, NEVER agree to stop somewhere for shopping.

You can use call taxis and they are fairly priced but not always prompt.  There is no such thing as a meter taxi you can just flag down.