Major city · India
Nandi Hillsನಂದಿ ಬೆಟ್ಟ
Go as a half-day from Bengaluru, not as a base: arrive before 6:00, leave by 11:00, and skip it on weekends and holidays.Go as a half-day from Bengaluru, not as a base: arrive before 6:00 AM, leave by 11:00 AM, and skip it on weekends and holidays.
Nandi Hills is a 1,500 m ridge about 60 km north of Bengaluru, with a motorable road to the top, a 1,175-step stairway from the base, Tipu Sultan's summer retreat and three Narasimha temples. Almost everyone visits on a dawn run from the city; the hill itself needs half a day, and there is little reason to sleep up here.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- INR
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, wet road), Mar–May (haze and heat on the climb)
- Airport
- BLR
- Nights
- 0–1
Rules in force · 6
- South Asia ↗Trekking regions, border districts and several Indian states need separate permits on top of the visa; check the permit before you book transport into them.
- South Asia ↗Remove shoes (and in many Jain and Hindu temples, leather) before entering; cover shoulders and legs; ask before photographing people or rituals.
- India ↗Apply for the e-visa only on the official government portal (indianvisaonline.gov.in); lookalike sites charge extra. Check the current rules, fees and how far ahead to apply.
- India ↗Do not follow anyone who says your hotel is closed, the station ticket office is closed or a road is shut; use the prepaid taxi counter, the metro or an app car.
- India ↗Carry Indian rupees in small notes (10, 20, 50, 100); change for 500 is often refused.
- India ↗Parts of the Northeast, Sikkim, Ladakh, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and all border belts need a Protected or Restricted Area Permit or an Inner Line Permit for foreigners; check before you book the route.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Nandi Hills112 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Nandi Hills, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Indian rupees (INR, ₹) in small notes for autos, street food, tips and entry tickets.India-wide
- SIM or eSIMJio, Airtel and Vi sell tourist SIMs at airport counters and their shops; passport, visa and a photo needed; activation can take a few hours.India-wide
- Tap waterNot drinkable from the tap.India-wide
- TippingRestaurant: 5–10% if no service charge is on the bill.India-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/D/M. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 230 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.India-wide
- SafetyLow-crime and heavily visited, but the real risks are the drive (sharp bends, no fences, dark after 18:00), monkeys stealing food from open cars…Low-crime and heavily visited, but the real risks are the drive (sharp bends, no fences, dark after 6:00 PM), monkeys stealing food from open cars…
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 All services (police, fire, ambulance) · 108 ambulance · 1363 Tourist helpline (Incredible India, 24 h) (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysThe Taj Mahal is closed on Fridays; many museums close on Mondays; banks close on the second and fourth Saturdays…India-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportBLR Kempegowda International (Bengaluru) (About 40 km (25 mi) from the hill; the hill road branches off NH 44 past the airport turn.).BLR Kempegowda International (Bengaluru) (About 25 mi (40 km) from the hill; the hill road branches off NH 44 past the airport turn.).
- Getting aroundThere is one road to the top, about 40 bends, and it is two-way the whole way.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeFilter coffee or tea at the top₹20–50 (≈ under US$1)
- Metro or bus rideKSRTC bus, Kempegowda bus station to the hillabout ₹46 (≈ under US$1)
- Museum or sight ticketEntry ticket, per person₹5 (≈ under US$1)
- Budget bedHostel or lodge bed, Chikballapur, a night, per person₹600 (≈ US$7)
- Mid-range bedDouble room, Chikballapur or base, a night, per room₹3,000 (≈ US$35)
- High-end bedDouble room, Chikballapur or base, a night, per room₹7,000 (≈ US$80)
A day, not counting the bed: Budget ₹1,200 (≈ US$14) · Mid ₹3,000 (≈ US$35) · High ₹6,000 (≈ US$70)
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- BLR Kempegowda International (Bengaluru) (About 40 km (25 mi) from the hill; the hill road branches off NH 44 past the airport turn.)BLR Kempegowda International (Bengaluru) (About 25 mi (40 km) from the hill; the hill road branches off NH 44 past the airport turn.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Apr
Avoid
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
May
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
Avoid
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Jul
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Aug
Avoid
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Sep
Avoid
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Oct
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
Best
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
Best: Oct–Feb. Avoid: Mar–Sep. Month by month →
Warmest Apr (34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)), coolest Jan (14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) low), wettest Aug (10 rain days), driest Jan (1). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Nandi Hills: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Mar
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
2 rd
Apr
34°C (93°F)93°F (34°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
4 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
7 rd
Jun
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
8 rd
Jul
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Aug
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Sep
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10 rd
Oct
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
5 rd
Dec
26°C (79°F)79°F (26°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
There is one road to the top, about 40 bends, and it is two-way the whole way. Two-wheelers stop at the lower parking zone; cars continue to the summit. Inside the gate you walk: temples, the tank, Tipu's Drop and the viewpoints are all within 1–2 km on foot. No local bus runs on the hill itself.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Bhoganandishwara Temple, Nandi village
goDoor to door: About 30 min
Drive or auto from the hill base, about 10 min
Ninth-century stone temple at the foot of the hill; pair it with the climb down.
Chikballapur
goDoor to door: About 40 min
Local bus or car, about 20 km (12 mi)Local bus or car, about 12 mi (20 km)
Lodges, restaurants and the town market; the fallback if the hilltop is full.
Muddenahalli
cautionDoor to door: About 30 min
Car from the hill base, a few km
Birthplace of engineer M. Visvesvaraya, now a small museum; check opening before you detour.
Bengaluru
goDoor to door: 1.5–2.5 h
Car on NH 44, or bus to Chikballapur then KSRTC to Kempegowda bus station
Return before dark; the highway is busy after 17:00.Return before dark; the highway is busy after 5:00 PM.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hilltop (KSTDC Mayura Pine Top)
The only rooms on the summit; very few rooms, first come first served, and dated. Book only if you want the sunrise without a 4:00 drive.The only rooms on the summit; very few rooms, first come first served, and dated. Book only if you want the sunrise without a 4:00 AM drive.
Nandi village and base
Guesthouses and farm stays near Bhoganandishwara temple, 5–10 min from the entry gate.
Chikballapur
Town 20 km (12 mi) away with the widest choice of lodges and restaurants; 30 min to the gate.Town 12 mi (20 km) away with the widest choice of lodges and restaurants; 30 min to the gate.
Devanahalli and airport belt
Resorts and hotels on NH 44; practical if you fly in or out the same day.
Bengaluru
Most visitors sleep in the city and drive up before dawn; 1.5–2 h each way.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₹1,200–2,500 (≈ US$14–30) excl. bed
- Mid
- ₹2,500–5,000 (≈ US$30–60) excl. bed
- High
- ₹5,000 (≈ US$60)+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room, Chikballapur or base1 × 1 night × ₹3,000 | ₹3,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × ₹3,000 | ₹6,000 |
| Entry ticket per person2 × ₹10 | ₹10 |
| Car parking at the gate1 × ₹60 | ₹60 |
| Two-wheeler parking1 × ₹20 | ₹20 |
| KSRTC bus, Bengaluru to the hill2 × ₹50 | ₹90 |
| Shared taxi or cab from Bengaluru, return1 × ₹3,000 · check | ₹3,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | ₹1,220 |
| Trip total≈ ₹6,700 per person per day, bed included | ₹13,400≈ US$160 |
2026 estimate in rupees; shared car or bus from Bengaluru, one day. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Entry ticket, per person | ₹5 (≈ under US$1) |
| Car parking at the gate | ₹60 (≈ under US$1) |
| Two-wheeler parking | ₹15 (≈ under US$1) |
| KSRTC bus, Kempegowda bus station to the hill | about ₹46 (≈ under US$1) |
| Bus to Chikballapur, then local bus up | about ₹42 (≈ under US$1) + local fare |
| Filter coffee or tea at the top | ₹20–50 (≈ under US$1) |
| Plate of idli or dosa in Chikballapur | ₹60–150 (≈ US$1–2) |
| Thali meal, Chikballapur | ₹150–350 (≈ US$2–4) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Monkeys grab food and open car windows: keep windows shut and food out of sight.
- Do not feed monkeys or the stray dogs on the hill.
- The road has sharp bends and unfenced drops; drive down in daylight, not after sunset.
- Entry and exit are limited to roughly 06:00–18:00.Entry and exit are limited to roughly 6:00 AM–6:00 PM.
- Weekend and holiday traffic queues at the gate from before dawn; go on a weekday.
- Food at the top is limited and basic: carry water and packaged snacks.
Emergency numbers
- All services (police, fire, ambulance)
- 112
- Ambulance
- 108
- Tourist helpline (Incredible India, 24 h)
- 1363
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Nandi Hillsನಂದಿ ಬೆಟ್ಟ
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
ಈ ವಿಳಾಸಕ್ಕೆ ಹೋಗಿTo this address, please
Emergency
- All services112
- Ambulance108
- Tourist helpline (24 h)1363
Embassy
No embassies here; consulates and embassies are in Bengaluru and New Delhi. Check your own country's list before you travel.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- KSRTC bus, Bengaluru to Nandi Hills: about ₹46 (≈ under US$1), roughly 1.5 h
- Bus to Chikballapur, then local bus to the top: about ₹42 (≈ under US$1) plus a small local fare, about 1.5 h total
- Cab from Bengaluru, return: ₹2,500–3,500 (≈ US$30–40) (check)
Say or show
- ಎಷ್ಟು? — How much is it? (eshtu?)
- ಪ್ರವೇಶದ್ವಾರ ಎಲ್ಲಿದೆ? — Where is the entrance? (praveshadwara ellide?)
- ಇಲ್ಲಿ ನಿಲ್ಲಿಸಿ — Stop here, please (illi nillisi)
- ಧನ್ಯವಾದ — Thank you (dhanyavada)
- ನೀರು ಕೊಡಿ — Water, please (neeru kodi)
- ಬೇಡ — I don't want it (beda)
Kannada is the local language; English works in hotels and with most drivers.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Nandi Hills. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Oct–Feb · avoid Jun–Sep (heavy rain, wet road), Mar–May (haze and heat on the climb) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 5 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 4 day-trips, door to door
- 6 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-gate contract for BLR: first-light departure times, taxi fallback, gate queue check.
- Four walking clusters on the summit: temples, Amrita Sarovar tank, Tipu's Drop, fort wall viewpoints.
- Place pages with verified gate hours and entry fees, plus eat pages for Chikballapur and NH 44.
- Weekend and holiday traffic fixtures so the dawn window can be judged before booking.