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Voykit pocket guide · India
Chittoor
Spend a day in Chittoor to see the temples and nearby hills; arrive by bus from Bangalore (≈3 h) or Chennai (≈4 h).
Chittoor is a market town in Andhra Pradesh, close to Tirupati's Venkateswara Temple and several hill spots. Its sights are clustered, so a single day covers the main temples, a short trek, and a taste of local food.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Avoid
- Mar–Jun (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 ₹900–₹1,200 excl. bed · Mid ₹1,500–₹2,200 excl. bed · High ₹2,500+ 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
- Police 100 · Fire/ambulance 101
- 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 |
|---|---|
| Coffee (local café) | ₹30–₹50 |
| Vegetarian thali | ₹80–₹150 |
| Non‑veg biryani | ₹120–₹200 |
| Auto‑rickshaw (per km) | ₹12–₹15 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- TIR · Tirupati Airport
- Domestic flights; about 70 km (43 mi) north of Chittoor, 1.5 h by busDomestic flights; about 43 mi (70 km) north of Chittoor, 1.5 h by bus
Typical fares
- Bangalore → Chittoor (KSRTC bus)
- about ₹350–₹500, 3 h (check)
- Auto‑rickshaw 5 km
- ₹60–₹80
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
City streets are walkable; local auto‑rickshaws are cheap for short hops (≈10 km (6.2 mi)). For nearby hills or Kanipakam, hire a taxi (≈₹300–₹500).City streets are walkable; local auto‑rickshaws are cheap for short hops (≈6.2 mi (10 km)). For nearby hills or Kanipakam, hire a taxi (≈₹300–₹500).
See and do
Known for
- Temples such as Varasiddi Vinayaka in Kanipakam
- Horsley Hills hill resort
- Mango and jaggery production
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Kanipakam Temple | APSRTC bus from Chittoor central bus stand, about 9 km (5.6 mi), 20 minAPSRTC bus from Chittoor central bus stand, about 5.6 mi (9 km), 20 min | ≈45 min round trip |
| Horsley Hills | Taxi or shared jeep, 30 km (19 mi), about 1 hTaxi or shared jeep, 19 mi (30 km), about 1 h | ≈2 h total |
Sleep
- Prabha Grand Inn
- Luxury hotel near city centre; good for a night after a day of sightseeing.
- Alankar Hotel and Lodge
- Mid‑range option on Vellore Road, close to bus stand.
- Sri Rama Deluxe Lodge
- Budget lodge near Old Bus Stand.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| How much is this? | ఇది ఎంత?idi enta? |
| I would like a vegetarian meal | నాకు శాకాహారి వంట కావాలిnaaku shakahaari vanta kaavali |
| Where is the bus stand? | బస్ స్టాండ్ ఎక్కడ?bus stand ekkada? |
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
- Buses can be crowded; government KSRTC/APSRTC services are more reliable than private operators.
- Summer temperatures often exceed 40 °C; carry water and avoid midday travel.
Chittoor is generally safe for day visitors; keep an eye on belongings in crowded buses and avoid isolated forest areas after dark.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Chittoor yet. Suggested stay: 1 night. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Temples such as Varasiddi Vinayaka in Kanipakam
- Horsley Hills hill resort
- Mango and jaggery production
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Chittoor, revision 5242262 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5242262
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/chittoor). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.