Some travelers prefer taking rental cars, which might start at Rs.800 or so per day from Chennai. Searching for transportation inside the city can be quite an adventure. There is no reliable mass transit system. If you want to relish on the beauty of the city, Cycle rickshaws would be the best way. But, there is always the apprehension of being ripped off by the guys.
Local people know the prevailing rates very well and bargain accordingly.
The charge is not always proportionate to distance. It may vary depending on traffic and road conditions in the specific route. 10 per kilometer. On the better side, cycle-rickshaw guys are more reliable. You could talk them into a day's contract for about Rs.