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
Bidar
Spend a half‑day to one full day in Bidar: explore the fort, Barid Shahi tombs and a temple, then catch a train back.
Bidar is a small historic town in northern Karnataka. Its main attractions – the 15th‑century fort, Barid Shahi tombs and a few temples – are clustered within walking distance of the railway station. One day is enough to see the highlights; a second day allows a slower pace or a visit to the nearby Manik Prabhu temple.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Oct–Feb (cool, dry)
- Avoid
- Mar–Jun (heat, pre‑monsoon)
- 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–₹2,500 excl. bed · Mid ₹2,500–₹4,000 excl. bed · High ₹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.
Get in
By air
- IXX · Bidar Airport
- check
Typical fares
- Bidar railway station → city centre (auto‑rickshaw)
- ≈₹30–₹50 (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
Most sights are within 2 km (1.2 mi) of the station; walk or hire an auto‑rickshaw (₹30–₹50 per km).Most sights are within 1.2 mi (2 km) of the station; walk or hire an auto‑rickshaw (₹30–₹50 per km).
See and do
Known for
- Bidar Fort
- Barid Shahi tombs
- Mahmud Gawan Madrasa
- Papnash Shiva Temple
- Gurdwara Nanak Jhira Sahib
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Manik Prabhu Temple | Bus or shared auto, about 1 h 15 min, 53 km (33 mi)Bus or shared auto, about 1 h 15 min, 33 mi (53 km) | ≈2 h round trip |
Sleep
- Budget hotels near Bidar railway station
- basic rooms, walk to main sights (check availability).
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | ಕ್ಷಮಿಸಿkshamisi |
| Thank you | ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳುdhanyavaadagalu |
| How much is it? | ಇದು ಎಷ್ಟು?idu eshtu? |
| Where is the bathroom? | ಬಾತ್ರೂಮ್ ಎಲ್ಲಿ?bathroom 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
- Summer temperatures can exceed 40 °C; carry water.
- Auto‑rickshaws may not use meters; agree fare beforehand.
Bidar is generally safe; watch for petty theft, traffic, and extreme heat in summer. Keep valuables secure and stay hydrated.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Bidar yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Bidar Fort
- Barid Shahi tombs
- Mahmud Gawan Madrasa
- Papnash Shiva Temple
- Gurdwara Nanak Jhira Sahib
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 – Bidar: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q12345
- Wikivoyage: Bidar, revision 5257703 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5257703
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Bidar
ಈ ವಿಳಾಸಕ್ಕೆ ದಯವಿಟ್ಟು
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- All services112
US consulate in Hyderabad (check address); Indian police 112 for emergencies.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/bidar). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.