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Voykit pocket guide · India
Tenali
తెనాలి
Spend a half‑day in Tenali for its market, temples and food; add a night if you want a relaxed stay near Guntur.
Tenali is a small city in Andhra Pradesh, 25 km from Guntur and 39 km from Vijayawada. Its main attractions – historic temples, a park and a bustling market – are within walking distance, so a half‑day covers the highlights. Overnight accommodation lets you explore nearby villages or catch early trains.
- Country
- India
- Local name
- తెనాలి
- Best months
- Oct–Feb
- Avoid
- Apr–Jun (heat, rain)
- Stay
- 0.5 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 ₹800–1,200 excl. bed · Mid ₹1,500–2,200 excl. bed · High ₹2,500+ 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 · Medical 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.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Idli‑Sambar plate | ₹50–80 |
| Masala Dosa | ₹70–120 |
| Auto‑rickshaw (short ride) | ₹30–60 |
| Bus ticket Guntur‑Tenali | ₹30–50 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- VTZ · Vijayawada Airport
- 65 km (40 mi), ~2 h by road40 mi (65 km), ~2 h by road
Typical fares
- Vijayawada → Tenali (bus)
- ≈₹150, 2 h (check)
- Auto‑rickshaw within Tenali
- ₹30–60 per short ride
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 dominate; negotiate fares. Buses run frequently to Guntur and Vijayawada. Walking 5 km (3.1 mi) covers most sights.Auto‑rickshaws dominate; negotiate fares. Buses run frequently to Guntur and Vijayawada. Walking 3.1 mi (5 km) covers most sights.
See and do
Known for
- Rice‑bowl location
- Historic temples
- Local cuisine
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Bhattiprolu | Bus or auto‑rickshaw, ~30 min | ≈1 h |
| Kanyaka Parameshwari Temple | Auto‑rickshaw, ~20 min | ≈45 min |
Sleep
- Hotel Princess
- Central location, basic amenities
- Balaji Lodge
- Opposite RTC bus stand, budget
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | క్షమించండిkṣamin̄caṇḍi |
| Thank you | ధన్యవాదాలుdhanyavādālu |
| How much is it? | ఇది ఎంత?idi enta? |
| Can I pay by card? | కార్డుతో చెల్లించవచ్చా?kārḍutō cellin̄cavaccā? |
| Where is the bathroom? | బాత్రూం ఎక్కడ?bāthrūm ekkaḍa? |
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
- Auto‑rickshaw fares are unmetered; agree price first.
- Check train timings on Indian Railways as they change.
Tenali is generally safe; stay alert in crowded markets and keep valuables secure.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Tenali yet. Suggested stay: 0.5 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Rice‑bowl location
- Historic temples
- Local cuisine
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Andhra Pradesh Tourism – Tenali: www.aptourism.gov.in/tenali
- Wikivoyage: Tenali, revision 5279387 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5279387
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/tenali). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.