Mahabalipuram Town is well connected to the cities in and around the region including Chennai via both private tourist buses (that operate from Chennai Central) as well as Tamil Nadu Public Transport bus services. Along the way, one can see the devastation caused by the 2004 tsunami, but the ride otherwise is pleasant.
Head west on Joithe Ram Linghm St toward Dasathapuram/Rutland Gate 6th St
Turn left at Chaitanya State Emporium onto Nungambakkam High Rd
At the roundabout, take the 3rd exit
Slight left onto Anna Salai
Turn left onto Cenotaph Rd
Slight right at Dhabba Express onto Cenotaph Road Flyover
Continue onto Turnbulls Rd
Continue onto Gandhi Mandapam Rd
Turn left toward Sardar Patel Rd
Continue straight onto Sardar Patel Rd
Turn right onto Rajiv Gandhi IT Expressway
Continue onto OMR/Rajiv Gandhi IT Expy/Rajiv Gandhi Salai
Turn left at Swaram Hospital onto Dr Kalaignar Karunanidhi Salai
Turn right onto ECR