In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · India
Badami
Spend a full day in Badami to see the cave temples and Bhutanatha shrines; add a half‑day if you want rock‑climbing.
Badami is a compact historic town in north‑western Karnataka. Its four Chalukyan cave temples, Bhutanatha shrines and museum fit within walking distance. One day covers the main sights; a second half‑day lets you climb the sandstone cliffs or visit nearby Pattadakal and Aihole.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Avoid
- Mar–May (high heat)
- Stay
- 1 night
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- INR
- Money
- Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₹1,200–₹2,000 excl. bed · Mid ₹2,500–₹4,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Jio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.
- Emergency
- All services 112
- Plugs
- Types C, D, M · 230 V · 50 Hz · Round two-pin C plugs fit most sockets; D (three round pins) is the common wall socket; hotels often have universal sockets. UK and US plugs need an adapter.
- Tipping
- Street food and dhabas: Nothing.; Restaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.; Car and driver: ₹300–500 a day at the end of the trip.; Guide: ₹300–500 for a half day.; Hotel porter / housekeeping: ₹50–100.; Auto or Uber: Round up.
- Water
- Not drinkable from the tap. Buy sealed bottles (check the cap), or use RO-filtered refill stations in hotels and cafés; avoid ice from street stalls.
- Toilets
- Western toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages. Carry tissue and sanitiser; paid public toilets (Sulabh) cost ₹5–10.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Auto‑rickshaw (per person, short ride) | ₹10 |
| Train ticket to Badami (from Hubli) | ₹3 |
| Coffee at a café | ₹30–₹50 |
| Tea (road‑side stall) | ₹15–₹25 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- HBX · Hubli Airport
- Domestic flights; about 120 km (75 mi) (≈2 h by road) from BadamiDomestic flights; about 75 mi (120 km) (≈2 h by road) from Badami
- IXG · Belgaum Airport
- Limited service; about 140 km (87 mi) (≈2 h 30 min) from BadamiLimited service; about 87 mi (140 km) (≈2 h 30 min) from Badami
Typical fares
- Badami railway station → town centre (rickshaw)
- ≈₹10 per person (check)
- Auto‑rickshaw day hire (incl. caves, Pattadakal, Aihole)
- ≈₹500 for a group of up to 10 (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
All main attractions are within 1 km (0.6 mi) of the centre; walk or hire an auto‑rickshaw (≈₹10 per person). Rickshaws wait at the railway and bus stations.All main attractions are within 0.6 mi (1 km) of the centre; walk or hire an auto‑rickshaw (≈₹10 per person). Rickshaws wait at the railway and bus stations.
See and do
Known for
- Badami cave temples
- Bhutanatha temple group
- Archaeological Museum
- rock climbing
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Pattadakal | Auto‑rickshaw or shared taxi, about 15 km (9.3 mi)Auto‑rickshaw or shared taxi, about 9.3 mi (15 km) | ≈45 min |
| Aihole | Auto‑rickshaw, about 20 km (12 mi)Auto‑rickshaw, about 12 mi (20 km) | ≈1 h |
Sleep
- Hotel Rajsangam
- Central location opposite bus stand; rooms ₹800–₹3,500.
- The Heritage Resort
- Edge of town; rooms from ₹3,200.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿkshamisi |
| Thank you | ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳುdhanyavaadagalu |
| How much is it? | ಇದು ಎಷ್ಟು?idu eshtu? |
| Where is the toilet? | ಶೌಚಾಲಯ ಎಲ್ಲಿ?shouchalaya elli? |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: Namaste (palms together) or a handshake between men; wait for a woman to offer her hand; avoid: Hugging or kissing strangers
- Hands and feet: Give and eat with the right hand; apologise if your foot touches someone; avoid: Pointing feet at people or shrines; touching books or food with your feet
- Temples: Shoes off, walk clockwise around shrines, accept prasad (blessed food) with the right hand; avoid: Leather in Jain temples; entering sanctums that say Hindus only
- Home visit: Bring sweets or fruit; accept tea at least once; avoid: Refusing all food; wearing shoes inside
- Questions: Expect personal questions (married? job? salary?) as friendliness; avoid: Taking offence; answer vaguely if you prefer
- Saying no: A firm, polite 'nahi, dhanyavaad' (no, thank you) and keep walking; avoid: Long explanations to touts
- Dress: Loose clothes covering shoulders and knees; kurta tops are cheap and cool; avoid: Swimwear or shorts away from Goa beaches
Scams and watch-outs
- Monkeys, especially gray langurs, can be aggressive.
- Summer months (Mar–May) are very hot; stay hydrated.
- Parking fees apply at caves, Pattadakal and Aihole.
Badami is generally safe; watch for aggressive monkeys and stay hydrated in hot months.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Badami yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Badami cave temples
- Bhutanatha temple group
- Archaeological Museum
- rock climbing
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Badami: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Badami, revision 5241797 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5241797
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Badami
ಈ ವಿಳಾಸಕ್ಕೆ ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- All services112
US consulate in Mumbai; Indian embassy in New Delhi.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/badami). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.