Good news for visitors - you don't need to speak in Tamil to manage your way through Chennai. English will do just fine. And in case you know any other language like Hindi, we still recommend you stick to English.

The city is hot and humid. So put away those suits, sweaters and scarves. Chennai has little use for them. We suggest light cottons instead.

Traffic in the city has, of late, turned unruly. So, if you are motoring down the streets, don't be surprised if pedestrians dart across without warning or motorists overtake from the wrong side.

If you are looking at economical public transport, the In-city Bus service and the suburban Trains will prove ideal. But here again, this is only as long as you avoid the morning and evening rush hours.

Be warned - autorickshaw drivers here will demand more than the metered rate without batting an eyelid. At all times enter the autorickshaw only after you and the driver are in agreement as to what the fare should be (metered rate, a fixed sum or metered rate plus a few rupees extra). As much as possible, it is always better to hail a moving and vacant autorickshaw, than to try and pick one from a stand.

Unless you are at a well-run restaurant or hotel, avoid drinking water other than that from sealed water bottles (mineral water).