Thousand Lights Metro Station Chennai: Timings, Ticket Fares, Route Map & Station Location Guide (2026)
Thousand Lights Metro Station is a key underground stop on the Blue Line (Corridor 1) of the Chennai Metro Rail Limited (CMRL) network. Positioned strategically on Anna Salai (Mount Road) near Spencer Plaza and Greams Road, it provides fast connectivity between Chennai Airport, Chennai Central, and Wimco Nagar. This comprehensive guide covers operational timings, ticket fare structure, train frequencies, Blue Line route map, and exact station entrance/gate locations.
- Metro Line: Blue Line (Line 1 - Airport to Wimco Nagar Depot).
- Station Type: Underground with full air-conditioning and platform screen doors.
- First Train: 05:00 AM (Mon–Sat) / 08:00 AM (Sundays & Public Holidays).
- Last Train: 11:00 PM (Connecting to final line transfers).
- Major Landmarks Nearby: Spencer Plaza, Express Avenue Mall, Apollo Hospital (Greams Road), Thousand Lights Mosque.
Station Location Map & Entry/Exit Gate Guide
Thousand Lights Metro Station stretches along Anna Salai near the iconic Thousand Lights Mosque and Greams Road junction. The station features multiple entry and exit gates designed for convenient access to nearby commercial hubs and hospitals:
| Gate No. | Street Access / Location Point | Nearby Landmarks |
|---|---|---|
| Gate A1 / A2 | Anna Salai (Northbound side - towards Chennai Central) | Spencer Plaza, Thousand Lights Mosque, Mount Road Post Office |
| Gate B1 | Anna Salai (Southbound side - towards Saidapet/Airport) | Greams Road Junction, Apollo Hospital Access Road |
| Gate B2 | Greams Road / Anna Salai Corner | Commercial establishments on Greams Road, Thousand Lights Bus Stop |
Last-Mile Transit & Connectivity Options
- MTC Bus Connections: The Thousand Lights MTC bus stop is located directly outside Gate B2 on Anna Salai, offering frequent bus connections to Royapettah, Mylapore, Egmore, and Nungambakkam.
- Auto & Taxi Pick-up: Dedicated auto-rickshaw bays and rideshare pick-up spots (Ola/Uber) are available adjacent to Gate A1 (Spencer Plaza side) and Gate B1 (Greams Road side).
Blue Line Route Map & Alignment
Thousand Lights Metro is positioned in the central underground stretch of Corridor 1 (Blue Line). The station sequence along the Blue Line route is formatted below:
Wimco Nagar Depot ➔ Wimco Nagar ➔ Thiruvottiyur ➔ Thiruvotriyur Theredi ➔ Kaladipet ➔ Toll Gate ➔ New Washermenpet ➔ Tondiarpet ➔ Sir Theagaraya College ➔ Washermanpet ➔ Mannadi ➔ High Court ➔ Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G.R. Central (Chennai Central Interchange) ➔ Government Estate ➔ LIC ➔ Thousand Lights ➔ AG-DMS ➔ Teynampet ➔ Nandanam ➔ Saidapet ➔ Little Mount ➔ Guindy ➔ Alandur (Green Line Interchange) ➔ Nanganallur Road ➔ Meenambakkam ➔ Chennai Airport
Thousand Lights Metro Station Timings & Frequency
CMRL operates high-frequency train services through Thousand Lights Metro station across all days of the week:
| Day Type | Peak Hours Schedule | Non-Peak Hours Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Weekdays (Mon - Fri) | Every 6 to 7 minutes (08:00 AM - 11:00 AM & 05:00 PM - 08:00 PM) | Every 9 to 10 minutes |
| Saturdays | Every 7 to 8 minutes | Every 10 minutes |
| Sundays & Public Holidays | Every 10 minutes | Every 12 to 15 minutes |
Complete Ticket Fare Chart from Thousand Lights Metro
Ticket fares from Thousand Lights depend on travel distance and zone boundaries across the CMRL network. The table below lists standard single-journey paper token/QR ticket fares:
| Destination Metro Station | Line / Route | Standard Fare (₹) |
|---|---|---|
| AG-DMS, LIC, Government Estate | Blue Line (Direct) | ₹10 |
| Nandanam, Teynampet, Chennai Central (Puratchi Thalaivar Dr. M.G.R. Central) | Blue Line (Direct) | ₹20 |
| Saidapet, Guindy, Little Mount, Alandur, High Court, Mannadi, Washermanpet, Egmore, Kilpauk, Shenoy Nagar | Blue / Green Line Transfer | ₹30 |
| Chennai Airport, Meenambakkam, Nanganallur Road, Wimco Nagar, Tollgate, Thiruvottiyur, Koyambedu (CMBT), Vadapalani, Ashok Nagar | Blue / Green Line Transfer | ₹40 |
| Wimco Nagar Depot, St. Thomas Mount | Blue / Green Line Direct & Interchange | ₹50 |
Ticketing Methods & Discount Offers
Commuters traveling from Thousand Lights Metro can choose from multiple convenient ticketing options:
- NCMC / Singara Chennai Smart Card: Reusable contactless smart card offering a 20% discount on regular fares.
- Mobile App QR Tickets: Book via the official CMRL Mobile App, Paytm, or WhatsApp to receive a 20% concession on normal fares.
- Paper QR Tokens: Available at automatic ticket vending machines (TVMs) and station counters at standard rates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1: Is parking available at Thousand Lights Metro Station?
Yes, limited two-wheeler and four-wheeler paid parking facilities are available near the station entry/exit gates on Anna Salai.
Q2: How far is Apollo Hospital Greams Road from Thousand Lights Metro?
Apollo Hospital on Greams Road is approximately 800 meters from Gate B1/B2 of the Thousand Lights Metro Station (about a 10-minute walk or a 2-minute auto ride).
Q3: What is the travel time from Thousand Lights to Chennai Airport?
Direct travel time on the Blue Line from Thousand Lights to Chennai Airport is approximately 28 to 30 minutes.
