Travel to Bengaluru (Bangalore)
Flying to Bengaluru (Bangalore)
British Airways runs direct flights to Bengaluru from the UK. Alternatively, there are plenty of indirect options with other airlines, including Emirates, Etihad Airways and Jet Airways. There are no direct services from the USA, but you can book indirect flights with several airlines, including Emirates, Jet Airways, Air India and Lufthansa.
Flight times
From London - 10 hours; New York - 18 hours 30 minutes (including stopover); Los Angeles - 22 hours (including stopover); Toronto - 18 hours (including stopover); Sydney - 15 hours 20 minutes (including stopover).
Travel by road
Main roads connect all the major towns in Karnataka, as well as neighbouring states. Out of Bengaluru, roads are often unpaved and, in the monsoon season, many become impassable through flooding. In principle, driving in Bengaluru is on the left. Foreign drivers must be over 18 and possess an International Driving Permit. It's far safer to use taxis or hire a car with a driver, particularly for longer journeys. Those taking their own car must obtain a Carnet de Passage from an international motoring association (e.g. RAC) before entering India. This document guarantees that if the vehicle fails to be re-exported, then the issuing body will pay all duties liable. Motorists are advised to seek cover from an Indian insurer, as insurance is compulsory.
Speed limits within the city are 60kph (37mph), apart from on the airport road, where the limit is 80kph (50mph). The Automobile Association of Southern India (tel: +91 44 2852 1162; www.aasindia.org) can provide more information on driving in the region.
Emergency breakdown services
Automobile Association of Southern India (tel: +91 44 2852 1162; www.aasindia.org).
Routes
The major roads are the NH-7 heading roughly north and south out of the city and the NH-4 travelling east and west.
Coaches
The main coach operator is Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) (tel: +91 80 4959 6666; www.ksrtc.in), which operates buses throughout Karnataka and into neighbouring states. Interstate coach services arrive and depart from the Majestic Bus Stand, opposite the main city railway station. The state bus companies of the neighbouring states of Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Goa also run buses in and out of Bengaluru. There are also several long-distance private bus operators, of whom the largest is Vijayanand Travels (tel: +91 836 230 7300; www.vrlbus.in).
Time to city
From Mysore - 3 hours; Chennai- 5 hours 45 minutes; Goa - 9 hours.
Travel by Rail
Services
Trains to Bangalore arrive at the main Bangalore City railway station west of the centre near Kempe Gowda Circle. For the north of the city, head to Cantonment station; for the east, visit Bangalore East. There is also Yesvantpur Junction station in the northwest for trains to and from Goa.
Operators
The national rail operator is Indian Railways (tel: +91 80 2530 0000; www.indianrailways.gov.in). There are frequent express connections between Bangalore and all the main cities in southern and central India. Train travel is the cheapest way to travel around India and the higher-class prices offer good comfort and cleanliness. Bear in mind that some journeys can take more than 24 hours, but most trains offer sleeper cabins.
Journey times
From Chennai - 6 hours; Mysore - 5 hours.
