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Bangalore

Bangalore travel guide

Capital of Karnataka, India

Flights from$961 round trip
Best time to visitDecember to January
Nearest airportBLR · 17 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC+5:30
Population12,327,000

About Bangalore

Bengaluru, also known as Bangalore, is the capital and largest city of the southern Indian state of Karnataka. As per the 2011 census, the city had a population of 8.4 million, making it the third most populous city in India and the most populous in South India. The Bengaluru metropolitan area had a population of around 8.5 million, making it the fifth most populous urban agglomeration in the country. It is located towards the southern end of the Deccan Plateau, at an altitude of 900 m (3,000 ft) above sea level. The city is known as India's "Garden City", due to its parks and greenery.

Cheap flights to Bangalore

The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $961 from New York, travelling 27 Nov – 4 Dec. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

Airlines travellers compared most often: Etihad Airways.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 12 Oct and 11 Nov 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

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Places to visit in Bangalore

  1. Bangalore Palace

    Bangalore Palace

    Historic

    A palace built in Tudor style, with turrets, gardens and royal memorabilia. The audio guide is included in the ticket and helps explain the history.

  2. Lalbagh

    Lalbagh

    Park · 2 mi from centre

    A historic botanical garden with a glasshouse modeled on London's Crystal Palace. Visit early morning to see joggers and birds, and check for seasonal flower shows.

  3. Cubbon Park

    Cubbon Park

    Park

    A large green park in the heart of the city with museums and colonial buildings nearby. It is a great place for a morning walk or picnic.

  4. Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace

    Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace

    Historic · 2 mi from centre

    A wooden palace once used by the ruler Tipu Sultan, with carved arches and a small museum. Combine it with the nearby Bangalore Fort ruins.

  5. Vidhana Soudha

    Vidhana Soudha

    Landmark

    The grand neo-Dravidian seat of the state legislature. It is not open to the public, but it looks especially impressive when lit up on Sunday evenings.

  6. ISKCON Temple

    ISKCON Temple

    Religious · 3 mi from centre

    A large hilltop temple dedicated to Krishna, blending modern glass design with traditional temple architecture. Visit for the evening aarti ceremony, and expect security checks and a long walkway through the complex.

  7. Nandi Hills

    Nandi Hills

    Viewpoint · 29 mi from centre

    A hill fort about 60 km from the city, popular for sunrise views above the clouds. Leave very early to beat traffic and arrive before dawn.

Top experiences in Bangalore

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 17 available.

See all things to do in Bangalore

Where to stay in Bangalore

Popular hotels in Bangalore, out of 670 properties you can book.

See all hotels in Bangalore

Best time to visit Bangalore

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Bangalore is December to January, when average daytime highs are around 79–82°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 62° – 82° 3
Feb 64° – 88° 0
Mar 68° – 93° 2
Apr 71° – 96° 4
May 71° – 89° 20
Jun 69° – 83° 21
Jul 68° – 81° 27
Aug 67° – 81° 26
Sep 67° – 82° 20
Oct 67° – 81° 22
Nov 65° – 80° 7
Dec 63° – 79° 5

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Bangalore weather forecast

  • Wed 11 Nov 84° 65° 0%
  • Thu 12 Nov 84° 65° 0%
  • Fri 13 Nov 84° 61° 0%
  • Sat 14 Nov 86° 65° 19%
  • Sun 15 Nov 85° 71° 37%
  • Mon 16 Nov 85° 66° 21%
  • Tue 17 Nov 85° 65° 20%

Know before you go

Currency
Indian rupee (INR)1 US dollar ≈ ₹94.0
Languages
Hindi, English
Calling code
+91
Driving
On the left
Time zone
Asia/KolkataUTC+5:30
Capital
New Delhi

Getting to Bangalore

These are the airports closest to central Bangalore. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • BLR Kempegowda International Airport17 mi (27 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Bangalore

Traffic in Bengaluru is generally appalling: it's often ranked as one of India's most congested cities. Allow plenty of time to get around, especially anywhere near rush hour. Heavy rains often cause flooding that can bring traffic to a complete standstill.

By metro

The Namma Metro is an efficient cross-city rail service in Bengaluru that provides the only realistic way to escape the traffic, but its coverage of the city remains limited. As of August 2025, there are three lines:

By bus

Buses are cheap and usually frequent (though expensive compared to other states). But travelling on them can be very difficult if you don't know the system well. Now, most buses have digital signage alternating between the local language Kannada and English but some buses still display the old printed signs with only the route number in English, with the destination and route information written in Kannada.

By train

There are DEMU (Diesel Electric Multiple Unit) and MEMU (Mainline Electric Multiple Unit) trains run by the South Western Railway (SWR), which connect the city centre to various suburbs, especially in the IT corridor areas of Whitefield, Outer Ring Road and Electronic City. However, speeds are low and station infrastructure can be poor.

Bangalore travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Bangalore?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Bangalore is December to January, when average daytime highs are around 79–82°F and rain falls on about 4 days a month.

What is the weather like in Bangalore?

April is usually the warmest month in Bangalore, with average highs of 96°F (35°C). December is the coolest, with average lows of 63°F (17°C). The wettest month is typically October, with about 218 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Bangalore?

Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) is the closest airport, about 17 miles (27 km) from the centre of Bangalore.

How much are flights to Bangalore?

The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Bangalore in the last 30 days was $961 from New York, travelling 27 Nov – 4 Dec.

What currency is used in Bangalore?

Bangalore uses the Indian rupee (INR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ₹94.0.

What time zone is Bangalore in?

Bangalore uses the Asia/Kolkata time zone (currently UTC+5:30). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Bangalore?

Traffic in Bengaluru is generally appalling: it's often ranked as one of India's most congested cities. Allow plenty of time to get around, especially anywhere near rush hour. Heavy rains often cause flooding that can bring traffic to a complete standstill.

What are the best places to visit in Bangalore?

Top sights in Bangalore include Bangalore Palace, Lalbagh, Cubbon Park and Tipu Sultan's Summer Palace. A palace built in Tudor style, with turrets, gardens and royal memorabilia. The audio guide is included in the ticket and helps explain the history.

What are the top things to do in Bangalore?

Popular experiences you can book in Bangalore include Bangalore City Tour - Private Full-Day Tour, Excursion to Lepakshi and The Malleswaram Heritage Trail. Destina Holidays offers 17 tours and activities here.

Where should I stay in Bangalore?

Popular areas for hotels in Bangalore include Bangalore. Well-reviewed options include juSTa Indiranagar, Bangalore and juSTa Off MG Road, Bangalore.

How many hotels can I book in Bangalore?

Destina Holidays currently lists 670 properties in and around Bangalore, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.