One day trip to Chennai for B1/B2 Visa

Was in chennai for B1/B2 Visa on 16th of Oct. This was one day trip so, and my poor company didn't book hotel for me, so I had to go directly to consulate from airport and come back.

Anyway i reached MAA (Chennai Airport) at around 10:00 AM in the morning. I hired a Taxi (Prepaid taxi) for Rs. 200 to US consulate. I was at consulate at 11:30. My appointment was at 2:15 and learnt that coming early doesn't help here. At most you *should* come just 30 mins before interview time. It was very hot and humid so obviously i had no intention to be in Queue for next 3 hours.

Lunch at Sravana Bhavan:
If you start walking towards spencer plaza from consulate (consulate Main gate will on your right hand side). Keep right while walking,after 5 mins you will see a diversion. Keep right on the diversion, after that you will see a flyover, don't go over that, just keep right here as well. You will see Shravana Bhavan on right hand side. I had my lunch there. I didn't like the food here as such, I had business lunch, probabaly that was a bad choice. But good thing was hotel was air-conditioned, I spent around 1.5 hours there.

At Consulate:
Its not a good idea to stand in Queue in front of consulate for long, it doesn't help. I saw many people who were standing in Queue for more then an hour and few people who just made it in time. The both entered the gate together. You just need to show your appointment letter and if your time is now, you don't need to be in Queue. So reach there approximately 10-15 mins before appointment time.
Do not carry any bag or cellphone to consulate, it might cost you 100/-. Bags and cellphones are not allowed in consulate, all the documents should be in a transparent cover. I was carrying my bag and cellphone, because i didn't book a hotel. So policeman suggested my to keep in the nearby tea shop, it costs 50/- for bag and 50/- for cellphone. I had no other option so i agreed.

Anyway, my interview was done by 5:30. I immediately headed back to Airport. I think Airport is best place in whole chennai, atleast its not hot and humid (thanks to A/c). I had snacks at Sangeeta Veg on Airport. The Idaly-Vada was really good. Much much better than ShravanaBhavan and cheaper also.

My flight was at 8:30, and i reached bangalore around 10:00 and home around 11:00.

Good news is I got the visa!!