Delhi, India → Chennai, India · ✈ 2h 43min · 🚗 28h 44min
955 nautical miles · Time difference: Same timezone · Direction: southeast
The distance from Delhi to Chennai is 1,768 km (1,099 miles). The fastest way to travel is by flight. A direct flight takes approximately 2h 43min.
The straight-line distance from Delhi, India to Chennai, India is approximately 1,768 kilometers (1,099 miles or 955 nautical miles). This measurement uses the Haversine formula, computing the great-circle distance — the shortest path between two points on Earth's surface.
Chennai is located southeast of Delhi. Delhi is in Asia, in the North India region of India, while Chennai is in Asia, in South India, India. Both cities are in Asia.
| Mode | Distance | Est. Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| ✈️ Flight | 1,768 km | ~2h 43min | Best option for speed |
| 🚗 Drive | ~2,298 km | ~28h 44min | Long journey, consider stops |
| 🚂 Regular Train | ~2,122 km | ~17h 41min | Scenic but slow |
Our recommendation: flight is typically the best way to travel from Delhi to Chennai. For 1,768 km, flying saves significant time and is usually the most practical choice.
Based on an estimated road distance of 2,298 km, fuel costs for driving from Delhi to Chennai are approximately $184–$345 USD (at $0.08–$0.15 per km, depending on vehicle efficiency and local fuel prices). Additional costs may include tolls, parking, and accommodation for longer trips.
Delhi sits at 28.7041°N, 77.1025°E, while Chennai is located at 13.0827°N, 80.2707°E. The initial compass bearing from Delhi to Chennai is 169° (SSE), so a great-circle flight path leaves Delhi heading roughly SSE. Because the Earth is curved, the actual heading shifts gradually along the route — pilots and navigation systems update it continuously instead of holding a single fixed compass bearing.
The latitude difference is 15.62° and the longitude difference is 3.17°. Each degree of latitude represents about 111 km, which is one reason cross-latitude routes feel longer even when the map looks similar to east–west journeys.
The geographic midpoint between Delhi and Chennai is approximately 20.9007°N, 78.7696°E. This is the great-circle halfway position — the spot where you would be exactly 884 km from each city. On long-haul flights this point usually falls over open ocean or remote terrain, which is why in-flight maps often look "empty" mid-route.
Delhi and Chennai share the same approximate time zone, so meetings, calls, and arrivals don't require any clock adjustment. This makes the route especially convenient for short business trips. Daylight saving time can shift the offset by an hour during certain months, so confirm the exact difference for your specific travel dates.
Delhi is a major city in India with a population of approximately 16,787,941. Located in the North India region, it is an important hub in Asia. As one of the largest cities in India, Delhi is a major international gateway with extensive air connections and multiple airports.
→ See all distances from Delhi
Chennai is a notable city in India with a population of approximately 7,088,000. Situated in the South India region, it serves as a key destination in Asia. Chennai is one of India's largest cities, offering major airport hubs, extensive public transport, and a wide range of accommodation options.
→ See all distances from Chennai
1,768 km is a long-distance route that typically requires air travel. This is comparable to spanning a large continent. For context, London to Dubai is about 5,500 km.
The 1,768 km between Delhi and Chennai means a beam of light could travel this distance in approximately 5.9 milliseconds — but a flight still takes 2h 43min.
Combined, Delhi and Chennai have a population of over 23,875,941 people, making this a major urban corridor.
See how the Delhi to Chennai distance compares to similar routes:
The straight-line distance from Delhi to Chennai is approximately 1,768 kilometers (1,099 miles, 955 nautical miles).
A direct flight takes approximately 2h 43min, based on 800 km/h cruising speed plus 30 minutes for takeoff and landing.
Estimated driving time is approximately 28h 44min, based on 80 km/h average speed and roads being ~30% longer than straight-line distance.
Chennai is approximately Same timezone compared to Delhi.
The estimated road distance is approximately 2,298 km, which is about 30% longer than the 1,768 km straight-line distance.
📍 Data: Coordinates from OpenStreetMap contributors. Distances calculated using the Haversine formula. Travel times are estimates only. Last verified: April 21, 2026.