By Syam, JesTiny Guide · Last checked: 21 October 2026

Chennai Airport (MAA) Currency Exchange: Terminals, Counters and Rules

Chennai's international airport (MAA) has an international and a domestic terminal, the names of which have changed over the years, so the first question is which building you find yourself in. This guide sets out what the Airports Authority of India, Air India and two forex sellers say, and what we could not confirm. We found no measured MAA rate, so we do not name a best counter or give a percentage for the airport gap. We did not measure any rates ourselves.

The short version

• The Airports Authority of India's Chennai page names two terminals, the Kamaraj Domestic Terminal and the Anna International Terminal. It says nothing about forex counters in the text we could read.
• Air India's Chennai page says the airport has Terminal 4 (Kamaraj domestic) and Terminal 2 (Anna international), and lists "Foreign exchange" and an ATM among the airport's services, without naming operators or positions.
• BookMyForex, a forex seller, says airport counters are run by private vendors it does not name. It describes two or three counters past security in international departures, a couple near baggage collection in arrivals, and small kiosks on the domestic side.
• MakeMyTrip, a travel site that sells forex, names no operator and says airport counters charge high markups and use fixed rates.
• Neither seller gives a measured gap. Their figures range from about 5% to 15% and are inconsistent.
• We found no source that confirms EbixCash or Prime Forex at MAA, and no source for opening hours.

The terminals

The Airports Authority of India's page for Chennai names the Kamaraj Domestic Terminal and the Anna International Terminal. It does not use terminal numbers in the text we read. Air India's page uses numbers: Terminal 4 for the Kamaraj domestic terminal and Terminal 2 for the Anna international terminal. Both sources name the Anna International Terminal for international flights.

Other guides may use different terminal numbers, and we could not settle which numbering is correct. The practical point is to check the name on your ticket: the Anna International Terminal for international flights, and the Kamaraj Domestic Terminal for domestic ones.

What the sources say about counters

None of the official sources we read names an operator or a position for exchange at Chennai. Air India's page lists "Foreign exchange" and an ATM as services. The Airports Authority of India's page, in the text we could read, lists nothing about forex.

BookMyForex's Chennai airport page, which is promotional, says most airport counters are run by private forex vendors inside the airport's concession system. It describes about two to three counters in international departures after security, near duty free and boarding areas, a couple of counters in international arrivals near baggage collection and exit zones, and small kiosks on the domestic side that offer basic exchange and prepaid cards. It says domestic kiosks may close during quieter afternoon hours and that not every kiosk stays open 24/7. It names no vendor. It also contradicts itself, since one row of its comparison table says airport forex is not available at Chennai airport.

MakeMyTrip's page names no operator and gives no terminal, position or hours.

So the picture from the sources we could read is general: counters exist in the international terminal on both the departures and arrivals sides, and probably in a smaller form on the domestic side, with the operators not named. That is not enough to say which company runs them.

We could not confirm which counter here, if any, exchanges rupee notes under RBI's April 2026 circular, so ask at the counter.

Hours

None of the sources we read gives opening hours for the Chennai counters. BookMyForex says not every kiosk is open 24/7 and that domestic kiosks may close in quiet afternoon hours, without a source. If you land late at night or very early, do not assume a counter will be open.

What the sources say about rates

We found no source that measured a MAA rate against the mid-market rate. Two sellers give figures, and they are not consistent.

• BookMyForex says airport markups are 8 to 10% in its introduction, 6 to 10% on average in a comparison table, and 6 to 13% plus 18% GST in a fee calculator, with rare currencies reaching 15% or more.
• MakeMyTrip's FAQ estimates airport transaction fees at around 5% to 15% over the exchange rate.

Both companies sell forex and compete with airport counters, so they gain from a high figure, and neither gives a method or a date for the measurement. The ranges overlap but differ, and one page contradicts itself. We do not use any of the figures as a measured gap. They tell you only that sellers think the airport costs more than they do. The only way to know is to ask for the final amount for your sum and compare it with the mid-market rate on the day.

ATMs

Air India's page lists an ATM at the airport and names no bank or terminal. We found no source for the ATM operators. Check the signage on the machine. If a machine offers to charge you in your home currency, choose rupees. Our guide to dynamic currency conversion explains why.

To see what a percentage gap costs on your amount, use our mid-market rate guide.

How to check a rate yourself

This section is our advice, not a sourced fact.

1. Look up the mid-market rate for your currency pair on the day you travel.
2. Ask the counter for the final amount in rupees for your exact sum, including every fee.
3. Divide the counter's rate by the mid-market rate. A result of 0.98 means 2% below.
4. If a sign says "no commission", ask for the final amount anyway, because the margin may sit inside the rate.
5. Keep the exchange receipt, and keep the amount small if you can wait for a better rate in the city.

India's rules

Indian rules on paying for forex in cash, PAN, carrying rupees, exchanging rupees before you fly and declaring cash when you return are on our India money rules page.

Our reading of the sources

This section is our reading. It is not a sourced fact. What we can stand behind is limited: two terminals, a foreign exchange service listed by the airline, and sellers who say the airport counters cost more than their own service. The usual logic holds on cost. A counter at an airport is convenient, the rate is probably not the best available, and the cost scales with the amount. A small sum for a taxi and a first meal costs little. For a larger sum, a bank or a card with low fees is likely to cost less, though we did not measure either in Chennai.

What we could not confirm

We could not confirm which company runs the exchange counters at MAA, how many there are or where, their opening hours, the ATM operators, or any measured MAA rate.

A simple plan

1. Check the name of your terminal on your ticket.
2. Look for the foreign exchange sign in the international departures or arrivals area.
3. Ask for the final amount in rupees for your exact sum, and compare it with the mid-market rate.
4. If you are a resident buying forex, pay by card or transfer from 50,000 rupees, and bring your PAN.
5. At an ATM or card terminal, choose the local currency and check your card's fees first.

FAQ

Who runs currency exchange at Chennai airport?
We could not confirm it. The official sources we read name no operator.

How many terminals does Chennai airport have?
The Airports Authority of India names two: the Kamaraj Domestic Terminal and the Anna International Terminal. Air India numbers them Terminal 4 and Terminal 2.

Is Chennai airport exchange open 24 hours?
We could not confirm it. One seller says not every kiosk is open 24/7.

Are airport rates worse than in the city?
Two sellers say so, with figures from about 5% to 15% and no method. We found no measured MAA rate.

Do I need a PAN to buy foreign currency?
Yes, if you pay more than 50,000 rupees in cash at one time; see our India money rules page.

Sources and how we checked them

Checked on 21 October 2026. Where we call something confirmed, at least two of these sources agree, or an official source says so directly. Two of these are forex sellers, which compete with airport counters.

• Airports Authority of India, official, Chennai airport page (undated).
• Air India, airline, Chennai airport information page (undated).
• BookMyForex, forex seller, Currency exchange at Chennai airport (no date, rates shown from about 20 October 2026).
• MakeMyTrip, travel site that sells forex, Currency exchange in Chennai airport page (undated).
• Reserve Bank of India, official, FAQ on miscellaneous forex facilities, updated 28 November 2025, and circular RBI/2026-27/05, 2 April 2026.
• Income Tax Department of India, official, Rule 114B (page uploaded 13 December 2025).

Editorial note: The counter, rate and airport information in this guide is editorial and is not paid for. Rates and fees change, so confirm the final rate at the counter before exchanging.