Getting To Bangalore

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By plane

Bangalore Airport (IATA: BLR) is one of India's busiest, with direct flights to many major international and national destinations.

The best way to get into town is to take a prepaid taxi. There are two choices, a government run service with lower prices or a private operator with better service. At the government-run counter (look for the K.S.T.D.C. booth), you mention the locality you want to reach and pay a fixed amount. You get a receipt with the registration number of the taxi that will pick you up printed on it. Locate the taxi (the driver will probably be waiting for you just outside) and you're set.

For the budget constrained, a prepaid auto rather will be many times cheaper than a taxi. The prepaid auto counter is a little hard to locate. You will have to walk a little to reach there although it is within the airport boundaries. The person at the counter will just write down your name against the vehicle no. of the auto and you will pay strictly by meter. If you don't go at the prepaid counter, you will have to hard bargain with the auto driver for the fare and you can easily be taken for a ride!

By train

The Bangalore City railway station is situated in the center of the city, around the Majestic Bus stand. Bangalore also has a railway station in the Cantonment Area, called the Cantonment Railway Station - this is centrally located and in a better part of town. Not all trains stop here, though.

Bookings can be done at either the railway station or at a few of Indian Railways booking counters at major residential areas like BDA (Bangalore Development Authority)

For train arrival/departure and PNR status inquiries at various railway stations at Bangalore, call 139.

By bus

There are both government and private busses that run services to major nearby cities like Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, Mangalore, Coimbatore, Madurai etc. Buses can be a normal luxury bus, a Volvo A/C bus or a sleeper bus for night travel. Some bus operators like redBus/Karnataka State Road Transport Corpration/ Raj National Express/KPN Travels/Customer Needz offer online bookings.

All intercity buses arrive and depart from Bangalore bus stand, which is located opposite the city railway station. It handles buses that connect Bangalore to all major cities and states in south India. The main bus stand of 'the Bangalore Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) ,' which maintains bus services within the city, is located next to the Kempegowda Bus Station. BMTC has now introduced Air conditioned Volvo buses in order to maintain the status of the IT city.

Getting around Bangalore

By bus

Buses in Bangalore are cheap and usually frequent, but traveling on them can be very difficult if you don't know the system well. Local city buses display only the route number in English, with the destination and route information is written in Kannada. This means you will have to know what route number you need before you get on, which you can find from the BMTC website or by asking locals. Unlike many Western countries, posted route maps of the bus system are rare, although maps are sold at the main bus terminal (Majestic Bus Stand).

There are three major bus stands:

· Majestic Bus Stand also known as the Kempegowda bus stand near Gandhi Nagar is close to the railway station and is quite neatly organized and is easily navigable.

· City Market is around 2 km (1.2 mi) to 3 km (1.8 mi) away from Majestic and could daunt newcomers, since it is very disorganized. It is a large dirt parking lot under an overhead highway, and there isn't much order to where buses park.

· Shivajinagar is in the north. This is also neatly organized and there is an enquiry window to find about buses.

From all of these three bus stands, buses are available for all major regions of city.

Buses with black display boards run within the city. Red board buses covers long distance and go to adjoining suburbs. There is a ‘Pushpak’ service with better seating; these buses are tan rather than the usual blue. Recently A/C Volvo buses have also been introduced for select routes.

By auto-rickshaw

Auto-rickshaw drivers are the nightmare of the city, even if you live here they can be the most difficult group of people to deal with.The minimum charge as of February 2008, is Rs 14 for the first 2km and Rs 7 for every additional km. A trip from the Airport to Brigade road costs about Rs.55 including (a good) tip

Autos add a 50% surcharge after 10 pm (called "one and half" and is the legal charge). Some drivers may demand 100% surcharge after 10PM or 11PM but you must refuse to board in such a case. Heavy luggage costs an additional fee of around Rs10 or 20.

By taxi

The taxis in Bangalore are very convenient and comfortable. . Most taxi companies will charge a flat rate of Rs 150 for a pick-up and drop from anywhere to anywhere within city limits. Waiting or return trips will be charged extra, as will a lot of heavy luggage.

Unlike many other countries, taxis are not marked with 'TAXI' signs on the top. Instead, the cars will be marked with the logo of the fleet operator or taxi company on the sides of the car. Some companies have a yellow sign with a identification number (usually an alphabet followed by two digits) on the top.

Although it can be hard for non-Indians to grasp at first, the system is actually very effective. If in doubt, ask a member of your hotel staff to help you, and when your taxi comes be sure to tip them Rs. 10 or Rs. 15 for the assistance. Call just Dial 23333333 for any info