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.
- 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.
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.
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…
- 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 (≈ US$16) 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 from the hill; the hill road branches off NH 44 past the airport turn.).BLR Kempegowda International (Bengaluru) (About 25 mi 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 →
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 from the hill; the hill road branches off NH 44 past the airport turn.)BLR Kempegowda International (Bengaluru) (About 25 mi from the hill; the hill road branches off NH 44 past the airport turn.)
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°C81°F
14°C57°F
1 rd
Feb
30°C86°F
16°C61°F
1 rd
Mar
33°C91°F
19°C66°F
2 rd
Apr
34°C93°F
21°C70°F
4 rd
May
33°C91°F
21°C70°F
7 rd
Jun
29°C84°F
20°C68°F
8 rd
Jul
28°C82°F
19°C66°F
9 rd
Aug
27°C81°F
19°C66°F
10 rd
Sep
28°C82°F
19°C66°F
10 rd
Oct
28°C82°F
19°C66°F
9 rd
Nov
27°C81°F
17°C63°F
5 rd
Dec
26°C79°F
14°C57°F
2 rd
High / low °C°F · rd = rain days
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 & 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 kmLocal bus or car, about 12 mi
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 & 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 away with the widest choice of lodges and restaurants; 30 min to the gate.Town 12 mi 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.
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
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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 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.