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Voykit pocket guide · India
Devanahalli
Half a day is enough: see the fort, the temple and Tipu Sultan's birthplace, then move on. Use it as a stop before or after a flight from Kempegowda International Airport.
Devanahalli is a small town 35 km north of Bangalore, best known as the home of Kempegowda International Airport and the birthplace of Tipu Sultan. The main draw is the well-preserved Vijayanagara-era mud fort with the Venugopalaswamy Temple inside. Most travellers use it as a quick stop between flights or as a half-day trip from Bangalore.
- Country
- India
- Best months
- Oct–Mar
- Avoid
- Apr–Jun (hot), Jul–Sep (monsoon)
- Stay
- 0 nights
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 ₹1,500–2,500 excl. bed · Mid ₹3,000–5,000 excl. bed · High ₹6,000+ 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
- Police 112 · Fire and ambulance 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
- BLR · Kempegowda International Airport
- The airport is within Devanahalli taluk; taxis to the fort take about 15 min.
Typical fares
- Airport → Devanahalli Fort, taxi
- about ₹300–500, 15 min (check)
- Devanahalli → Nandi Hills, taxi
- about ₹800–1,200, 30 min (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
Auto-rickshaws and taxis are the main options; the town is walkable. Buses from the airport to the fort run every 30 min.
See and do
Known for
- Devanahalli Fort
- Venugopalaswamy Temple
- Tipu Sultan's birthplace
- Kempegowda International Airport
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Nandi Hills | Taxi from Devanahalli, about 30 min | About 1 h |
| Chikballapur | Bus or taxi, about 30 min | About 1 h |
| Bangalore | Taxi or bus, about 1 h | About 1.5 h |
Sleep
- Near the airport
- Hotels and transit lodges within 5 km (3.1 mi) of the terminal; best for early flights.Hotels and transit lodges within 3.1 mi (5 km) of the terminal; best for early flights.
- Devanahalli town centre
- Basic guesthouses near the fort; limited options.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Hello | ನಮಸ್ಕಾರnamaskāra |
| Thank you | ಧನ್ಯವಾದಗಳುdhanyavādagaḷu |
| How much? | ಎಷ್ಟು?eṣṭu? |
| Where is the fort? | ಕೋಟೆ ಎಲ್ಲಿದೆ?kōṭe ellide? |
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
- The fort is closed on Mondays: check the official site.
- Touts at the airport may offer overpriced rides to the fort; agree on a fare beforehand.
- Carry cash: ATMs are scarce in the town centre.
Devanahalli is safe for tourists. Watch for traffic on the main road and keep valuables secure at the airport.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Devanahalli yet. Suggested stay: 0 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Devanahalli Fort
- Venugopalaswamy Temple
- Tipu Sultan's birthplace
- Kempegowda International Airport
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Birla Trimayaa (official site): www.birlatrimayaa.in/
- Wikivoyage: Devanahalli, revision 5246240 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5246240
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/devanahalli). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.