Getting Around Chennai With Older Relatives: Metro, Autos, Walks

How should you plan the day for an older traveller?

Short and early works best. Chennai is hot and humid for much of the year, and crowds build up as the day goes on. Plan the main outing for the morning, rest through the middle of the day and keep the evening light.

Do not stack three activities into one trip. One outing a day, with a proper rest in between, leaves more energy for the next day. This is logistics, not medical advice. If someone has health needs, follow their doctor's guidance and keep any medicines in a hand bag, not in checked luggage.

Our earlier post on travelling with elderly parents covers the hotel side. This one focuses on getting from place to place.

Is the metro a good option?

It can be. Trains are air conditioned, and the metro avoids road traffic. Citizen Matters reports that Chennai Metro stations have lifts and ramps, and the Wikipedia overview describes accessibility accommodations on the Green Line, but the same report lists gaps, such as slippery flooring, platform to train gaps and high ticket counters. Experience will vary by station.

Travel outside peak hours, when platforms are calmer, and allow time to walk between the platform, the lift and the exit. Ask station staff for help if you need it. The official website lists a 24-hour helpline at 1860-425-1515.

From Hotel Royal Inn, the hotel's own figure is about 4 minutes on foot to Thousand Lights Metro and about 5 minutes to AG-DMS Metro. For someone who walks slowly, add a few minutes, and consider a short auto ride in heat or rain.

If your relative uses a walking stick or frame, tell the hotel and station staff early, and keep it within reach on trains and in cabs. Avoid rushing them through gates or doors.

• Travel off-peak when you can
• Look for lifts before you go down the stairs
• Keep the helpline number saved

When is an auto or cab the better choice?

For doctor visits, long journeys, luggage or any day with rain or fierce sun, a cab or auto to the door is usually better. Ask the reception to help with a trusted option for your first trip.

For autos, ask for the meter. A July 2026 report said that fares have not changed since 2013 and that a revision and mandatory digital meters were under discussion, so agree on the amount before you set off if the meter is not working.

For app-based cabs, check the fare shown in the app and confirm the vehicle and driver details before you get in. Share the trip with a family member.

How do you handle walking and rest?

Short walks help, but pavements in a busy city can be uneven, and heat tires everyone quickly. Wear good footwear, carry water and choose shaded routes. In the rains, pavements can be slippery.

Plan rest points. A seat in a mall, a quiet cafe or the hotel lobby gives older travellers a place to sit. Express Avenue in Royapettah is a large air-conditioned mall, and Spencer Plaza on Anna Salai is another, according to Wikipedia. Both have places to sit and eat, though a short taxi ride is needed.

Keep walking distances modest. If an older person says they are tired, believe them and head back.

Check that the route has a place to sit every ten minutes or so, and avoid the hottest hours.

What should the room and hotel offer?

A room near the lift is easier. Hotel Royal Inn has a lift to all floors, air conditioning in every room, free Wi-Fi and 24-hour reception, which means someone is always at the desk. Ask for a room that suits your relative's mobility when you book, and ask what is possible.

The Deluxe Double is Rs 1,800 for one guest and Rs 2,000 for two guests. The Triple Occupancy Room is Rs 2,500 for three guests, and the 1BHK Room is Rs 2,800 for two guests, with an in-room kitchenette for simple home-style meals. Please reconfirm current rates and taxes when you book.

Please ask the hotel directly about wheelchair access, grab rails or similar features if you need them.

What should you carry and arrange before you travel?

Carry a small bag with water, a handkerchief, a thin layer for air conditioning, a copy of ID and a card with the hotel's name, address and phone number. The address is 14, Gulam Abbas Ali Khan 9th Street, off Model School Road, Thousand Lights, Chennai 600006.

Agree a plan if anyone gets separated, and charge phones. If a relative does not use a smartphone, write the details on paper and keep it in a pocket.

Be patient. A slow journey that ends calmly is a better trip than a fast one that exhausts everyone.