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.
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.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- 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.
What is in this basic guide5 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
- Forecast and monthly weather
- Where to sleep3 areas
- Getting around
- What to watch out for3 notes
- Airports1 airport
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
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
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
Show all 11 answers
- 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 (22 mi) north of the centre; allow 60–90 min by taxi in traffic).BLR Kempegowda International (About 22 mi (35 km) 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.
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 (About 35 km (22 mi) north of the centre; allow 60–90 min by taxi in traffic)BLR Kempegowda International (About 22 mi (35 km) north of the centre; allow 60–90 min by taxi in traffic)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
Feb
Best
Mar
Avoid
Apr
Avoid
May
Avoid
Jun
Avoid
Jul
Avoid
Aug
Avoid
Sep
Avoid
Oct
Best
Nov
Best
Dec
Best
Best: Oct–Feb. Avoid: Mar–Sep. Month by month →
Weather and climate
Bengaluru: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
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 & 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
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 & 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.
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.
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
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 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 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
Sources
- officialKarnataka Tourism
- secondaryWikivoyage — Bangalore