Major city · India
Bengaluruಬೆಂಗಳೂರು
Use Bengaluru as a gateway to the south with one or two nights, come for parks, cafes and craft-beer food scenes rather than monuments, and budget extra time for traffic to any sight outside the centre.
- Weather
- see forecast
- Best months
- Oct–Feb (mild and dry)
- avoid Jun–Sep can be rainy; Mar–May is noticeably warmer
- Airport
- BLR
- Nights
- 1–2
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.
Bengaluru is the capital of Karnataka and India's main technology hub. It stands on a plateau and has a milder climate than most Indian cities. Traffic is heavy, and it is a starting point for Mysuru and Hampi.
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Bengaluru, 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
- RestroomsWestern toilets in hotels, malls and airports; squat toilets with a water jug or hose in stations and villages.India-wide
- Emergency numbers112 emergency (all services) · 100 (now routed to 112) police · 108 (most states) or 102 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)India-wide
- 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 (About 35 km north of the centre; allow 60–90 min by taxi in traffic).BLR Kempegowda International (About 22 mi north of the centre; allow 60–90 min by taxi in traffic).
- Getting aroundThe Namma Metro helps along its lines, but coverage is still expanding; app cabs and auto-rickshaws cover the rest.
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 (About 35 km north of the centre; allow 60–90 min by taxi in traffic)BLR Kempegowda International (About 22 mi north of the centre; allow 60–90 min by taxi in traffic)
Weather and climate
Bengaluru: next 7 days
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Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The Namma Metro helps along its lines, but coverage is still expanding; app cabs and auto-rickshaws cover the rest. Traffic is the main constraint, so cluster sights by area and allow extra time for tech-corridor destinations.
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
MG Road and Indiranagar
Central, restaurants and metro access.
Church Street area
Walkable, close to shops and cafes.
Koramangala
Young-professional district with breweries and cafes; a longer ride to the airport.
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Watch out
- Traffic can make short trips slow, especially at rush hour.
- Check the operator for day-trip transport to Mysuru or Hampi.
- Namma Metro does not yet reach all tech parks and outer suburbs; factor in taxi time.
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 Bengaluru. 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 (mild and dry) · avoid Jun–Sep can be rainy; Mar–May is noticeably warmer
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast
- 3 things to watch out for
Coming as the guide grows
- An airport-to-bed path that says whether a late landing still works
- Walking clusters with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Field-verified times and fares
Meanwhile
Sources
- officialKarnataka Tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage — Bangalore