So you're visiting Bengaluru! Whether you're here for a work trip, a holiday or a stopover on a bigger India adventure, you're in for lovely weather, amazing food and a city that's a lot more fun than its "tech capital" label suggests.
Here's everything worth knowing before you land, from getting out of the airport to ordering your first filter coffee like a local.
When Is the Best Time to Visit Bengaluru?
Bengaluru sits about 900 metres above sea level, so the weather is pleasant for most of the year. That said, some months are better than others.
October to February:
The best time to visit. Days are sunny and comfortable, and mornings and evenings get cool, especially in December and January. It's also festival season, so you might catch Dasara, Deepavali or Kannada Rajyotsava.
March to May:
Summer. It gets warm in the afternoons, but it's still milder than most Indian cities at this time of year.
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.
Arriving in Bengaluru
Kempegowda International Airport is in the north of the city, about 35-40 km from the centre. Depending on traffic, the drive can take anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours, 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 have dedicated pickup zones 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:
The BMTC Vayu Vajra buses run from the airport to most 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, darshinis, 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
- Namma Yatri - a Bengaluru-made app for booking autos
- 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 Namma Metro is the best way to skip the traffic wherever it goes. For longer trips across the city, an app cab is the most comfortable option. Whatever you choose, give yourself extra time. Bengaluru traffic is famous for a reason, especially during office hours in the morning and evening.
What to Pack and Wear
Clothes:
Light, breathable clothes work for most of the year. Pack a light jacket or sweater too, since mornings and evenings can get chilly, especially between November and February.
An umbrella:
Even outside the monsoon, rain in Bengaluru 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, and at the door of anyone's home you visit.
Something modest for temples:
Casual clothes are fine around the city, but for temples, cover your shoulders and knees. A light scarf or shawl is handy to keep in your bag.
Staying Safe and Healthy
Bengaluru 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.
- 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 rain. During heavy showers, some roads flood quickly. If it's pouring, it's usually worth waiting it out with a filter coffee.
Things to See in Bengaluru
There's more to Bengaluru than tech parks. A few places worth fitting into your trip:
- Lalbagh Botanical Garden - a huge old garden with a glass house, a lake and some very old trees. Go early in the morning.
- Cubbon Park - the green heart of the city, perfect for a slow walk.
- Bangalore Palace - a palace built to look like an English castle, right in the middle of the city.
- Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace - a beautiful wooden palace in the old part of the city.
- Vidhana Soudha - the grand government building, best seen from outside in the evening when it's lit up.
- Basavanagudi and the Bull Temple - one of the oldest parts of the city, with a giant stone Nandi.
- KR Market - a busy, colourful flower and vegetable market. Go early in the morning.
- Church Street, MG Road and Brigade Road - for shopping, cafes and nightlife. Bengaluru is also famous for its craft breweries, so if you enjoy a beer, you're in the right city.
Easy Day Trips From Bengaluru
Nandi Hills:
About an hour and a half away. Leave before dawn to watch the sunrise above the clouds.
Mysuru:
About three hours away. Visit the Mysore Palace, Chamundi Hills and the markets, and stop at Srirangapatna on the way.
Coorg:
Better as a weekend trip than a day trip. Think coffee estates, misty hills and waterfalls.
Hampi:
Too far for a day trip, but worth an overnight train if you have time. The ruins of the old Vijayanagara capital are one of the most incredible sights in South India.
Food You Have to Try in Bengaluru
You could plan a whole trip around the food here. Don't leave without trying:
- Masala dose - a crispy dosa with a potato filling, best eaten at a darshini, the city's quick standing restaurants
- Benne dose - a softer, butter-loaded dosa from the Davangere style
- Idli vade - soft idlis and a crispy vada dunked in sambar
- Bisi bele bhat - a hot, tangy rice and lentil dish
- Filter coffee - strong, milky and served in a steel tumbler
- Donne biryani - Bengaluru's own style of biryani, served in a cup made from dried leaves
- Honey cake and cream buns - from any Iyengar bakery
- A banana-leaf meal - a traditional, often unlimited, South Indian rice meal
For a food walk, head to VV Puram Food Street in the evening, where the whole street is lined with snack stalls. And don't be shy about eating with your hands. It's completely normal here, just use your right hand.
A Few Kannada Words for Your Trip
Kannada is the local language of Bengaluru. English will get you through your trip just fine, but a few words of Kannada will get you warmer smiles, fairer auto fares and maybe an extra helping of chutney.
Kannada for your trip:
- Namaskara - Hello
- Dhanyavaadagalu - Thank you
- Houdu / Illa - Yes / No
- Eshtu? - How much?
- [Location]-ge bartira? - Will you come to [location]? (for autos)
- Meter haaki - Please put the meter on
- Illi nillisi - Stop here, please
- Ondu filter coffee kodi - One filter coffee, please
- Beda - I don't want it / no thanks
- Tumba chennagide - It's very good
Want to take it further? Our free list of the 500 most common Kannada words comes with audio, so you can practise saying them before you land.
And if you'd like to actually speak Kannada on your trip, Bhashafy's Complete Kannada Course for Beginners teaches spoken, everyday Kannada through English, taught by native speakers. Bhashafy is one of the most trusted sources to learn Indian languages, with more than 20,000 satisfied learners from 90+ countries.
Have a wonderful trip in Bengaluru!
Thank you, or as we say in Kannada, Dhanyavaadagalu!
