So you're visiting Hyderabad! Whether you're here for a work trip, a holiday or a stopover on a bigger India adventure, you're in for legendary food and centuries of history.
Here's everything worth knowing before you land, from getting out of the airport to ordering your first cup of Irani chai like a local.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Hyderabad?
Hyderabad has three very different seasons, so when you come makes a big difference.
October to February:
The best time to visit. Days are sunny and comfortable, and mornings and evenings get properly cool, especially in December and January. It's also festival season, so you might catch Bathukamma, Dasara, Deepavali or Sankranti.
March to May:
Summer. It gets very hot, often 40°C or more, so plan your sightseeing for early mornings and evenings and keep a bottle of water handy.
June to September:
Monsoon season. The city turns green and the air cools down, but sudden heavy showers can flood roads and slow down traffic even more than usual. Pack an umbrella and keep your plans flexible.
During Ramzan:
The date changes every year, but if your trip falls in this month, the Old City around Charminar comes alive at night with iftar stalls and the city's famous haleem.
Arriving in Hyderabad
Rajiv Gandhi International Airport is in Shamshabad, about 25 km from the centre of the city. Depending on traffic, the drive can take anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour and a half, so don't plan anything tight for the hour after you land.
You have a few ways to get into the city:
App cabs:
Uber and Ola both work at the airport. Easy, and you'll know the price upfront.
Airport taxis:
There are official taxi counters at arrivals, if you'd rather not book on an app.
Airport buses:
TGSRTC runs Pushpak air-conditioned buses from the airport to major parts of the city. They're comfortable, cheap and a good option if you're travelling light.
One tip: if you're arriving late at night, book your cab before you leave the terminal. It's much easier than sorting it out at the curb.
Money and Payments
Cash, cards and UPI:
Hotels, malls, bigger restaurants and shops all take cards. But most locals pay for almost everything with UPI, India's instant payment system that runs on phone apps. Small shops, tiffin centres, street food stalls and autos often prefer UPI or cash. UPI usually needs an Indian bank account, so as a visitor, keep some cash on you, especially small notes.
ATMs:
ATMs are easy to find all over the city, and most accept international cards. Check your bank's foreign transaction fees before you fly.
Tipping:
Tipping isn't compulsory, but it's appreciated. At restaurants, 5-10% is a nice gesture if a service charge isn't already on the bill. For autos and cabs, rounding up the fare is plenty.
SIM Cards, Apps and Getting Around
Get a local SIM:
You can pick up a prepaid SIM from Airtel or Jio at the airport or in the city. Carry your passport and visa, since you'll need them to register. A local number makes cabs, food delivery and almost everything else much easier.
Apps worth downloading before you land:
- Uber, Ola and Rapido - for cabs, autos and bike taxis
- Google Maps - for directions and checking traffic
- Swiggy and Zomato - for food delivery, and for finding good places to eat
Getting around:
Autos are the quickest way to cover short distances, and the Hyderabad Metro is the best way to skip the traffic along the routes it covers. For longer trips across the city, an app cab is the most comfortable option. Whatever you choose, give yourself extra time. Hyderabad traffic is famous for a reason, especially around HITEC City and Gachibowli during office hours in the morning and evening.
What to Pack and Wear
Clothes:
Light, loose cotton clothes work for most of the year, along with sunscreen and a hat in summer. Pack a light jacket or a light sweater for winter, since mornings and evenings can get chilly in December and January.
An umbrella:
In the monsoon, rain in Hyderabad can show up out of nowhere. A small umbrella in your bag will save you more than once.
Comfortable shoes that slip off easily:
You'll be taking your shoes off a lot - at temples, mosques, and at the door of anyone's home you visit.
Something modest for temples and mosques:
Casual clothes are fine around the city, but for temples and mosques, cover your shoulders and knees. A light scarf or shawl is handy to keep in your bag.
Staying Safe and Healthy
Hyderabad is generally a safe and welcoming city for visitors. The usual travel common sense applies, plus a few local tips:
- Drink bottled or filtered water. Most hotels and restaurants serve filtered water, but if you're unsure, stick to sealed bottles.
- Ease into street food. It's some of the best food in the city, so don't skip it. Just start with busy stalls where the food is cooked fresh in front of you.
- Ease into the spice, too. Telugu food is famously spicy. If you'd like it milder, say kāram takkuva (less spicy).
- Cross roads carefully. Traffic doesn't always stop for pedestrians. When in doubt, cross alongside locals.
- Use the meter or an app for autos. It keeps the fare fair and saves you any awkward bargaining at the end of the ride.
- Watch out for the heat and the rain. In summer, avoid the midday sun and drink plenty of water. During heavy monsoon showers, some roads flood quickly, so it's worth waiting it out with a cup of chai.
Things to See in Hyderabad
There's more to Hyderabad than tech parks. A few places worth fitting into your trip:
- Charminar - the 16th-century monument that is the symbol of the city, surrounded by busy markets. Laad Bazaar nearby is famous for bangles.
- Mecca Masjid - one of the oldest and largest mosques in India, right next to Charminar.
- Golconda Fort - a massive hilltop fort, known for its clever acoustics and, in the evenings, a sound and light show.
- Chowmahalla Palace - the grand palace of the Nizams in the Old City.
- Salar Jung Museum - one of the largest collections of antiques collected by a single person, anywhere in the world.
- Qutb Shahi Tombs - the domed tombs of the old Qutb Shahi rulers, set in peaceful gardens.
- Hussain Sagar - a large lake with a giant Buddha statue in the middle. Go for a walk along Necklace Road in the evening.
- Banjara Hills and Jubilee Hills - for shopping, cafes and nightlife.
Easy Day Trips From Hyderabad
Ramoji Film City:
About 30 km from the city. One of the largest film studio complexes in the world, with sets, shows and gardens. Plan on a full day.
Ananthagiri Hills:
About two hours away. A cool, green escape with forests, viewpoints and an old temple, and a good break from the city heat.
Warangal:
About three hours away, so better as an overnight trip. Visit Warangal Fort, the Thousand Pillar Temple and the UNESCO-listed Ramappa Temple.
Nagarjuna Sagar:
About three hours away. A huge dam on the Krishna river, with a Buddhist heritage site nearby, and another one better as an overnight trip.
Food You Have to Try in Hyderabad
You could plan a whole trip around the food here. Don't leave without trying:
- Hyderabadi dum biryani - fragrant rice and meat, slow-cooked in a sealed pot. It usually comes with mirchi ka salan and raita.
- Haleem - a slow-cooked meat and wheat stew, a Ramzan special
- Irani chai and Osmania biscuits - sweet, milky tea and a crumbly biscuit, best enjoyed at an old Irani cafe
- Kebabs - from tiny roadside stalls to old restaurants
- Bagara baingan - small brinjals in a rich peanut and sesame gravy
- Idli, dosa and pesarattu - classic Telugu breakfast, best eaten at a tiffin centre
- Andhra meals - rice with pappu (dal), curries, pickles and curd, famously spicy
- Double ka meetha and qubani ka meetha - two Hyderabadi desserts you won't find in most other cities
For a food walk, head to the Old City around Charminar in the evening, where the lanes are lined with snack stalls and kebab stalls. And don't be shy about eating with your hands. It's completely normal here, just use your right hand.
A Few Telugu Words for Your Trip
Telugu is the local language of Hyderabad. English and Hindi will get you through your trip just fine, but a few words of Telugu will get you warmer smiles, fairer auto fares and maybe an extra helping of pickle.
Telugu for your trip:
- Namaskāram - Hello
- Dhanyavādālu - Thank you
- Avunu / Kādu - Yes / No
- Enta? - How much?
- [Location] ki vastārā? - Will you come to [location]? (for autos)
- Meter vēyanḍi - Please put the meter on
- Ikkaḍa āpanḍi - Stop here, please
- Oka chāy ivvanḍi - One chai, please
- Vaddu - I don't want it / no thanks
- Chālā bāgundi - It's very good
Want to take it further? Our free list of the 500 most common Telugu words comes with audio, so you can practice saying them before you land.
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Have a wonderful trip. Or as we say here - Hyderabad ki svāgatam!
Dhanyavādālu!
