Chennai is extremely well located for a number of places and the transport network is excellent. Here are some ideas of where to go for weekends or longer from the city while on you gap break here:
Mahabilapuram - a World Heritage Site about 60km south of Chennai. Famous for its rock carved temples from the Dravidian period. There are also ideal beaches and wonderful resorts here to make a perfect weekend getaway.
Puducherry (Formerly Pondicherry) - now a State Union Territory of India, Pondicherry was founded by the French and you can still see that influence today when visiting. Lovely architecture, wide boulevards fringed with beautiful trees and a legacy of fine cuisine at the numerous restaurants still owned and run by Frano-Indian descendants. Located around 3.5 hours drive south of Chennai
Madurai - the main Temple Town of Tamil Nadu, home of the famous Meenakshi Temple can be reached on overnight train.
Kanyakumari - this is the most southern tip of India where the Bay of Bengal, Arabian and Indian Seas meet and the sun can be seen rising and setting. Can be reached by overnight train.
Bangalore - with its wonderful cool climate,
Bangalore makes a great weekend retreat as it can be reached on a 6 hour train ride or a 45 minute flight.
Kerala - The Nilgiris with its wonderful wildlife parks and the World Heritage Site of Hampi can all be reached by overnight train.
Don't be put off by the cost of travel either. Trains are amazingly good value especially if you travel overnight as your bed is included. As an example, the fare for an air conditioned coach on train, with a bed and bedding to the Nilgiris - around a 9 hour journey - would be around 10 pounds.
Internal air travel is also now becoming good value with a number of low cost airlines. Depending upon when and how you book you could get a return flight to
Delhi from as low as 80 pounds and to Goa or Bombay for around 60 pounds.
India is the friendliest and easiest country to travel in, so make sure you take advantage of it during your gap year travels!