Chennai Metro Rail Frequency (2026): Weekday, Weekend & Holiday Train Schedules
Understanding the operational frequency and headway timings of Chennai Metro Rail (CMRL) ensures smooth and predictable transit across the city. CMRL operates high-frequency services across both the Blue Line (Corridor 1) and Green Line (Corridor 2). Below is the complete frequency chart covering peak hours, non-peak hours, extended operations, and holiday schedules.
- Operating Hours: 05:00 AM to 11:00 PM (Monday – Saturday) | 08:00 AM to 11:00 PM (Sundays & Public Holidays).
- Highest Frequency Window: Every 6 to 7 minutes during peak morning and evening hours.
- Interchange Nodes: Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G.R. Central Metro & Alandur Metro.
1. Weekday Metro Train Frequency (Monday to Friday)
On regular weekdays, CMRL adjusts train frequency based on daily commuter traffic flow across peak and non-peak hours:
| Time Window | Service Type | Train Headway / Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 05:00 AM – 08:00 AM | Early Morning Non-Peak | Every 10 Minutes |
| 08:00 AM – 11:00 AM | Morning Peak Hours | Every 6 to 7 Minutes |
| 11:00 AM – 05:00 PM | Afternoon Non-Peak | Every 9 to 10 Minutes |
| 05:00 PM – 08:00 PM | Evening Peak Hours | Every 6 to 7 Minutes |
| 08:00 PM – 10:00 PM | Late Evening Non-Peak | Every 10 Minutes |
| 10:00 PM – 11:00 PM | Extended Night Hours | Every 15 Minutes |
Important Weekday Operational Rules:
- Central to Alandur Stretch: The overlapping corridor between Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G.R. Central and Alandur maintains an accelerated headway of 5 minutes during peak hours.
- Alternate Turnback Trains: During peak hours, alternate Blue Line trains bound for Wimco Nagar Depot may turn back short at Wimco Nagar station to optimize turnarounds.
- CMBT Connecting Trains: Trains terminating at Koyambedu (CMBT) provide immediate cross-platform connections towards Chennai Central via Egmore.
2. Weekend Frequency (Saturdays & Sundays)
Weekend schedules are optimized for leisure travel, commercial visits, and airport transit demand:
| Day | Operating Hours | Frequency / Headway |
|---|---|---|
| Saturdays | 05:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Every 7 to 8 Minutes (Peak) | Every 10 Minutes (Non-Peak) |
| Sundays & Government Holidays | 08:00 AM – 11:00 PM | Every 10 Minutes (Standard) | Every 15 Minutes (Late Night) |
3. Line-Wise Frequency Breakdown
Both primary corridors operate with standardized synchronization to allow seamless transfers at Alandur and Chennai Central:
| Metro Line | Route Termini | Average Daily Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Corridor 1 (Blue Line) | Chennai Airport ↔ Wimco Nagar Depot | 6 to 10 minutes |
| Corridor 2 (Green Line) | Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G.R. Central ↔ St. Thomas Mount | 7 to 10 minutes |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: What is the frequency of Chennai Metro during morning peak hours?
During morning peak hours (08:00 AM to 11:00 AM), trains run at an average frequency of 6 to 7 minutes on both main lines, and 5 minutes on high-density overlap sectors.
Q2: Does Chennai Metro run on Sundays?
Yes, Chennai Metro operates on Sundays from 08:00 AM to 11:00 PM with a constant frequency of 10 to 12 minutes throughout the day.
Q3: How late does the last Chennai Metro train run?
The final train departs terminal stations (Wimco Nagar Depot, Chennai Airport, Chennai Central, and St. Thomas Mount) at 11:00 PM daily.
