Tamil Nadu, India · ADL to MAA
Adelaide to Chennai flights
There's no direct flight from Adelaide to Chennai, so every trip has at least one stop. Usually the quickest option is Singapore Airlines (ADL–SIN–MAA), about 12–17 h including the connection. We check every option live for your dates and tell you which one we'd book.
- Non-stopNo
- Typical journey12–17 h
- Distance8,130 km
- Main connectionsSIN · KUL · DXB
Ways to fly Adelaide to Chennai
The routings we book most on this route. Journey times are typical totals including the connection.
Singapore Airlines (ADL–SIN) + Singapore Airlines (SIN–MAA)SIN12–17 hOne Singapore Airlines ticket, bags checked through; Changi is easy with kids and no visa is needed to stay airside. SQ flies Adelaide 12× weekly this summer and Singapore–Chennai 14× weekly, so there is usually a same-day connection. Singapore Airlines High Achievement Award winner (FY2017/18 and FY2018/19).
Malaysia Airlines (ADL–KUL) + Malaysia Airlines (KUL–MAA)KUL13–18 hOne Malaysia Airlines ticket, bags checked through; a calm, compact transfer at KLIA Terminal 1. Malaysia Airlines flies Adelaide–Kuala Lumpur daily. We're Malaysia Airlines' Top Achieving Agent in South Australia (2022/23 and 2025).
Emirates (ADL–DXB) + Emirates (DXB–MAA)DXB19–23 hOne Emirates ticket; a longer trip because Dubai is past Chennai, but a generous fare-based bag allowance. Emirates leaves Adelaide late at night, daily except 10–24 Nov 2026, when it runs 5× weekly.
Qatar Airways (ADL–DOH) + Qatar Airways (DOH–MAA)DOH20–30 hOne Qatar Airways ticket; full-service throughout. Qatar flies Adelaide daily until 8 Dec 2026, then 5× weekly from 9 Dec. The wait in Doha can be long on this route, so we check the connection before booking.
SriLankan AirlinesQantas/Virgin/Jetstar (ADL–MEL) + SriLankan Airlines (MEL–CMB) + SriLankan Airlines (CMB–MAA)MEL+CMB18–24 hDomestic to Melbourne, then SriLankan (about 10× weekly) via Colombo with a short hop to Chennai. The domestic flight is a separate ticket unless we book it through, so allow 3 h+ in Melbourne. Worth it only when the SriLankan fare is good.Journey times are estimates: flight times plus a typical connection. Last checked 19 October 2026. Schedules change, and we confirm the exact flights for your dates when we quote.
Busy and quiet months for Chennai
- JanPeak
- FebQuieter
- MarBusy
- AprBusy
- MayQuieter
- JunQuieter
- JulBusy
- AugQuieter
- SepQuieter
- OctBusy
- NovQuieter
- DecPeak
December–January is the peak, with Pongal on 14–15 January 2027. The April and July school holidays are busy. October–December is the north-east monsoon in Chennai. SA school holidays run 12 Dec 2026 – 27 Jan 2027.
Baggage on this route
Allowances depend on the airline and the fare you choose. Low-cost carriers only include the bags you pay for, which matters for wedding trips and gifts.
- Singapore Airlines
Weight-based. Economy Lite and Value include 25 kg; Standard and Flexi include 30 kg. Official baggage rules
- Malaysia Airlines
Depends on the fare: the cheapest Lite fares have no checked bag; other economy fares include roughly 20–35 kg. Official baggage rules
- Emirates
Weight-based by fare, 20–35 kg in economy; Saver fares starting in Australia include 30 kg. Official baggage rules
- Qatar Airways
Weight-based by fare, from about 20 kg on the cheapest fares up to 35 kg. Official baggage rules
- Qantas
Generally 30 kg in economy on international routes outside the Americas, with no single bag over 32 kg. Official baggage rules
- Virgin Australia
Depends on the fare; most international fares include a checked bag. Official baggage rules
- Jetstar
Low-cost: checked bags only if you buy them or choose a bundle. Official baggage rules
- SriLankan AirlinesSriLankan Airlines
Depends on the fare; we confirm the allowance when we quote. Official baggage rules
Leaving from Adelaide Airport (ADL)
Domestic and international flights share one terminal at Adelaide, so families positioning to Melbourne or Sydney for a non-stop start in the same building — but book the domestic leg on the same ticket (or allow 3 h+) because the gateway transfer is the risky part.
Arriving at Chennai International Airport (Meenambakkam) (MAA)
- International flights use the new integrated Terminal 2; domestic flights use Terminal 1/4 — check the boarding pass.
- Chennai Metro has a station at the airport; the city centre is ~30–45 min away.
- Puducherry (~150 km) and Vellore (~130 km) are 3–4 h by road; Trichy and Madurai families sometimes fly into those airports directly via Colombo or Singapore.
Handy for: Chennai, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu, Vellore, Puducherry, Tirupati (by road)
"I've been booking my flight tickets with Travel Care for a long time, and every experience has been excellent. A special thanks to Gagandeep Ma'am, who always goes above and beyond to find…"
"My experience with Travel Care is fantastic. Manik was very honest and helpful. Thanks a lot Manik. Keep the good work"
"Gagandeep provided me with the best deal I could find after comparing prices with multiple other ticket providers — all of whom were significantly more expensive. She made the entire…"
"I had a great experience booking my flight through travel care (Gagandeep Kaur). They were very professional, answered all my questions promptly, and helped me find a good fare. The booking…"
Reviews from Google. Shown as posted, newest and most relevant first.
Adelaide to Chennai: your questions
Is there a direct flight from Adelaide to Chennai?
No. There are no non-stop flights from Adelaide to Chennai. The usual itineraries connect once, most often in SIN, KUL, DXB.
How long is the flight from Adelaide to Chennai?
With a good connection, Adelaide to Chennai typically takes about 12 to 17 hours in total. Long layovers can add more, so we always show you the total journey time alongside the price.
Which airlines fly Adelaide to Chennai?
The options we book most are Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Qantas, Virgin Australia, Jetstar and SriLankan Airlines. We check all of them live for your dates and recommend the one that fits your budget, baggage and timing.
When is the cheapest time to fly Adelaide to Chennai?
February and May–June are usually the quieter months. December–January is the busiest and sells out first. The April and July school holidays are busy.
Can my parents fly Chennai to Adelaide on their own?
Yes, many do. We book one airline on one ticket where possible so bags go straight through, arrange wheelchair help if needed, and keep you updated on WhatsApp.
Do you match a cheaper fare I found online?
Send us the screenshot. We check it against what we can book, including bags and change conditions, and tell you honestly how it compares.