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World Travel Guide > Guides > Asia > India > Bengaluru (Bangalore)

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Introducing Bengaluru (Bangalore)

Getting around Bengaluru (Bangalore)

Public transport

Transport in Bengaluru is by road, metro or on foot. Pavements are often narrow and broken and crossing the roads can be difficult, so the best bet is to use metered auto-rickshaws (tuk-tuks) which are everywhere, and are cheap. They also cope with the often gridlocked traffic better than a bus.

Buses are run by the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) (tel: 1 800 425 1663, in India only; www.mybmtc.com). Its services radiate from the City Bus Stand next to the Majestic Bus Stand. As well as regular stopping services, the BMTC operates several deluxe express services to designated destinations. The KR (City) Market Bus Stand is to the south of the city, and Shivajinagar to the north. Daily and weekly passes are available at discounted rates.

Namma Metro (tel: +91 80 2296 9300; www.english.bmrc.co.in), Bengaluru's modern metro system, runs air-conditioned trains on two lines (green and purple), with additional routes planned in the upcoming years. You can buy a token for a single journey or save money by using a reloadable smartcard.

Taxis

The main taxi companies are Ola (www.olacabs.com or download the app), Beecabs (tel: +91 81 4800 1001; www.beecabs.in) and KSTDC (tel: +91 80 4466 4466; www.kstdc.co). Uber is available in the area as well.

Driving

Driving in India requires familiarity with local driving customs, not to say skill and daring. Although traffic drives on the left, hazards include animals wandering in front of vehicles, speeding trucks and overloaded buses.

Visitors should have insurance and an international driving licence to drive in India but the licence requirement is often waived if you have your licence from home.

Car hire

Hiring a car with a driver is inexpensive. The main companies are Hertz (tel: +91 80 4330 2201; www.hertz.com) and Akbar Travels (tel: +91 87 9200 2223; www.akbartravels.com). Most hotels can also arrange this service.

Bicycle hire

Cycling in Bengaluru can be a hair-raising experience, and a hefty dose of courage is required. If you decide to give it a go, bikesharing scheme Yulu (www.yulu.bike) has docking stations at several metro stops. You can download the Yulu app for iOS and Android.

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Book Accommodation

Featured Hotels

Vivanta by Taj – Yeshwantpur

Soak in the space that's right in the centre of Bengaluru’s business and entertainment areas. The lobby of this luxurious hotel in Bengaluru is a unique mix of chic and classic. This is where sophisticated business travellers can find intelligent work environments and vibrant leisure options in one hot spot.

Gateway Hotel

Many pick this upscale downtown hotel for its superior restaurant, the delectable Karavalli, but the rooms are just as tasteful. The setting here is calm, and the location is perfect for shoppers with their sights on MG Road. They even offer a jetlag service for international guests.

Hotel Empire International

A budget hotel with an unbeatable location right in the heart of Bengaluru, Hotel Empire International is close to the shops and traveller hangouts of MG Road. All rooms are clean and offer air conditioning, safety deposit lockers, and TVs. There’s also internet access and a respectable in-house restaurant.

Iris Hotel

Small but perfectly formed, the Iris offers a big package on a modest floorplan. Its contemporary rooms are compact yet comfortable and include LCD TVs, free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning. There’s even a small pool, in-house spa and business meeting rooms, all in a great location near Mahatma Gandhi Road.

The Taj West End

This stylish, old mansion was built in 1887 and started life as a boarding house, but soon became a lavish retreat for Bengaluru’s wealthiest colonial rulers. Luxuriously refurbished and surrounded by an 18-hectare (45-acre) garden, the hotel drips with character. There are two pools, a gym and beauty parlour, as well as fine dining at the Mynt, Blue Ginger and Masala Klub restaurants.

The Oberoi Bangalore

Set in a veritable jungle of landscaped grounds in the heart of the city, the Oberoi is luxury written large. As well as calming views of chlorophyll, the hotel offers a sleek spa, an outdoor pool, Thai, Chinese and European restaurants and perhaps the most attentive service in the city.